AI OD: A farewell to Alaina Whitaker
Alaina had a nice voice and she was pretty enough, but she suffered from what I have dubbed “generic blonde syndrome.” Along with Kristy Lee Cook and Kady Malloy, when you tried to remember the three American Idol contestants it was difficult to differentiate them. And when you singled out what you did remember (Kady does impressions of Britney Spears and Kristy does that country thing) you’re left with Alaina. In other words, there was nothing about Alaina that singled her out, she was what was left.
Even in AOL’s interview with Alaina Whitaker, she didn’t really have anything memorable to say. She didn’t comment at all about her elimination, instead focusing on her friendship with Kady and her gratefulness that ultimately she was able to sing. Remember that in her original outburst of emotion, she cried out, “I can’t sing!”
As her performances remained stronger than some of the other girl contestants throughout her brief stay, I have to attribute Alaina’s early dismissal to a lethal case of blandness. It’s a shame because she’s another one of those girls who had the potential to grow into something special. But, then again, this year seems to be about those artists who’ve already found who they are as musicians, and I don’t think Alaina has.
Alaina’s dismissal was one of the more awkward ones in Idol history. When Ryan narrowed it down to Alaina and Kady Malloy, everyone in the room felt that Kady was going to go. Even Kady. In fact, she was more stunned than anyone to learn that she would be sticking around another week. Follow that up with Alaina’s emotional breakdown and you have the awkward television the folks at Idol love.:
Unfortunately, her performance on “Hopelessly Devoted to You” was hopelessly forgettable and bland. She seemed to channel the Carrie Underwood Robot School of Performing Arts with this. If you’re forgettable yourself, the last thing you want to do is go out there and give them an unforgettable performance. Who cares if you can sing well. Fans will just as “Who was that chick that sang really well?” And when they can’t figure it out they’ll just go vote for Carly or something.:
In her Top 24 performance, Alaina stood out a bit from the pack by singing really quite well. She showed some promise, despite a lackluster performance. Unfortunately, she wasn’t able to capitalize on this nor improve in any way as a performer.:
When we first saw her, she was a fresh young face with powerful pipes. In the excitement of the moment, she wasn’t even boring yet. Too bad she wasn’t able to maintain that level of interesting.:
My favorite thing about Alaina Whitaker’s Fan MySpace Page is that in their graphic at the top they actually misspelled her name as Alaina. She doesn’t appear to have a page of her own, or it’s very well hidden. Of course, Alaina is still very young so maybe hasn’t branched out too much into shameless self-promotion.
In Reality TV Magazine’s interview with Alaina Whitaker, she reiterated her shock at being eliminated so early. She’d hoped to make at least the Top 10 and be able to go on tour. “Although it was a shock, everyone has to go home except one person,” she rationalized. “It was great I had this opportunity and experience in the first place.” She said the consensus of surprise from the audience made it an easier pill to swallow. “I guess that’s a compliment they were shocked — they didn’t think I was going to go.”
During her initial audition, she came in very confidently only to be rebutted by Simon telling her he didn’t think she was as good as she thought she was. “It really bothered me for the first couple of months,” she said of his comments, “because I so didn’t want to come off like I was conceited or anything… So I definitely was more aware of how I portrayed myself.” Perhaps this cautiousness led to her blandness? If so, then it’s a shame the more confident Alaina didn’t show up to wow America.
Of her future, Alaina says she will definitely continue singing. Honestly, while she may continue to pursue singing, I have a feeling that she’ll go the route of most Top 24 finalists who don’t make the Top 12. She’ll either have a very modest singing journey or focus instead on other matters in her life and make singing more of a hobby.
Perhaps, though, she will have more drive and focus than that. If she does, though, I would like to advise her to find some way to stand out and be memorable. There are too many pretty blonde girls trying to get into the music business to just go in like that. Of course Alaina can actually sing, which already puts her above some artists who’ve made quite successful careers out of pop music.
IDOL SEASON 7 FAREWELLS
#19 - Alexandrea Lushington
#20 - Jason Yeager
#21 - Colton Berry
#22 - Joanne Borgella
#23 - Amy Davis
#24 - Garrett Haley
Monica Keena Biography
Monica Keena was born in New Jersey on May 25th, 1979 and was raised in Brooklyn. She’s about 5′1 and has an older sister named Samantha. Her mother, Mary is a nurse and her father, Bill, is a financial sales manager. As a child, she was always drawing, painting, dancing and signing.
Monica auditioned for acceptance into LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts at the age of thirteen. Although she chose the drama department as her preference, Monica was accepted in both the dramatic and the vocal arts departments. Soon after starting her classes at LaGuardia Monica played in her first role in a short film entitled “Burning Love,”. She also went on to portray the character Bertha in a stage reading of Strinburg’s “The Father,” with Al Pacino.
She’s had small roles in the Films “The Devil’s Advocate” and “While You Were Sleeping” and starred in the films “Strike, Ripe and Snow White : A Tale of Terror”
Monica has appreared in numerous television and movie projects inclding the TBS Superstation Original Movie “First Daughter” and “Crime and Punishment in Suburbia” which appeared in the 2000 Sundance Film Festival.Also awaiting release are the independent movie “The Simian Line” with Harry Connick Jr. and Lynn Redgrave, and “A Fate Totally Worse Than Death” with Julie Benz, and Jonathan Brandis.
She’s also no stranger to television having a recurring role as Abby Morgan on “Dawson’s Creek” and a starring role on the short-lived “Undeclared” as the college co-ed Rachel. Monica also had guest roles on series such as Law and Order, Homocide: Life on the Street, and Feds.
Before taking a break for new movies and tv, Monica attended New York University as an English major. When she has a bit of extra time on her hands she likes to take writing classes and likes yoga. Monica enjoys reading. One of her favorite authors is William Faulkner. She also likes the books the Bloody Chamger by Angela Carter, and Metamorphisis by Franz Kafka. She likes hanging out with friends and says: “I don’t do anything physical. I’m lazy.”, However Monica does enjoy roller skating with friends at Roller Rinks
Some other things Monica has said to have liked are Bob Dylan, the Police, and Tori Amos (a personal Fav !) The Movie, the Wizard of Oz, especially Judy Garland, of whom she says: “Judy Garland is my favourite. I probably know all her songs and have seen all her movies.” Her favorite T.V Shows include The Simpsons and Charmed.
Monica’s most recent project is the much anticipated summer movie “Freddy vs. Jason” in which she has a starring role. Look for that coming August 2003!. Monica lives in New York while not working on film or movie roles.