Syesha Mercado, Karina Pasian Release Christmas Singles

Syesha Mercado has released an original song called "Christmas Melody" for the holiday season. The iTunes exclusive is the American Idol alum's first post-Idol release, so if you need that voice back in your life like I do, then head right HERE!



Now going by her full name, Karina Pasian has put out a cover of "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting...)", her first post-Def Jam release. This will be followed by the release of her EP Trips To Venus on December 13th! Until then though, get into the holiday spirit with Karina HERE.

Syesha Mercado "Dreams" Trailer

Now that American Idol's Syesha Mercado has finished starring in the national tour of "Dreamgirls", she has landed her first movie role in the film "Dreams". (I'm sensing a theme here...) It looks like she may even sing in the movie! "Dreams" isn't a big budget picture though, so there's no release date for it yet, but I'll keep ya posted.

Syesha Mercado Performs "Dreamgirls" In Chicago

Syesha Mercado & her fellow "Dreamgirls" castmates are currently in Chicago on the play's national tour. There, they stopped by the local ABC affiliate to promote the show & sing a bit of the title song. Nice job, ladies. Syesha, I hope you're putting a little work in on that album!

Syesha Mercado & Moya Angela Perform "Listen" On The Early Show

Syesha Mercado & her "Dreamgirls" co-star Moya Angela sang their duet "Listen" from the musical on The Early Show before heading out on their nationwide tour. Very nice, ladies! I wonder if Syesha will look into putting that album out while she's still on the road to cash in on some of that promo...

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2009 Performance Highlights

Syesha Mercado "Dreamgirls"

Katharine McPhee "Had It All"

On this morning's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Syesha Mercado performed alongside her "Dreamgirls" castmates & Katharine McPhee sang her new single. It's always good to see former Idols getting their shine on!

Syesha Mercado "Dreamgirls" Footage

Syesha Mercado has been keeping those of us posted who aren't able to see the opening of "Dreamgirls" at the Apollo theater in New York by posting a couple clips of footage from the play. The first features live video & audio, while the latter includes footage set to Syesha's studio recording of "One Night Only." Very cool! Thank goodness for the internet.

Syesha Mercado Performs "Dreamgirls" On Wendy Williams

Syesha Mercado recently appeared on The Wendy Williams Show to promote the fast-approaching national tour of "Dreamgirls" in which she will star. Dolled up as her character Deena Jones, Syesha sang the title song "Dreamgirls" alongside the Dreams & they did a fabulous job! It's so nice seeing Syesha again... too bad this is just another show that I won't be able to check out because they aren't coming remotely near me.

Syesha Mercado Performs National Anthem On Baseball

Back in April, Syesha Mercado sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" at an Anaheim Angels baseball game, but I hadn't seen the performance until Syesha added it to her YouTube channel today, so I had to share. I love me some Syesha!

Syesha Mercado "Dreamgirls" Promo Pics + More

The news has been going around of Syesha Mercado landing the lead role of Deena Jones in the national tour of "Dreamgirls." Here are some promotional photos of her in character along with her fellow Dreams. I'm so excited for her! I just wish I were (once again) within a zillion miles of anywhere they are stopping. *sigh* Anyway, on the tour's official site, you can watch Syesha perform "Listen" with all-new lyrics, as it has been reworked into a duet between Deena & Effie, hear her sing the song "Dreamgirls" alongside her castmates, & more. Check it out!

Syesha Mercado, Ashlee Simpson "NO H8" Campaign

American Idol season seven's Syesha Mercado recently shot an ad for the NO H8 campaign against California's Prop 8. I think it turned out well. Ashlee Simpson-Wentz also did a NO H8 shoot with her husband Pete Wentz:

[Source, Source]

Syesha Mercado: Behind-The-Scenes

Syesha Mercado rewarded her Twitter followers when she reached 5,000 with this video of behind-the-scenes footage. Syesha is seen in the studio & just goofing off. More, more, more!

Syesha Mercado On Ikea Thanksgiving Day Parade

"One Rock & Roll Too Many"

Interview

I'm fully aware how late I am with this, but in these slow times, there's no reason not to get creative--plus, there's no reason not to catch up with Syesha! The third place finalist in the most recent season of American Idol performed "One Rock & Roll Too Many," which she sang on the show, at the Ikea Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia this past November. Of course it was lipsynched because that's how these parades work, but her vocals sound just like they do live. Incredible, right? Syesha also did a little interview during the pre-show. Note: Look for her about six minutes into the bottom video.

Syesha Mercado On Regis And Kelly

American Idol 7's last girl standing Syesha Mercado appeared on Live With Regis & Kelly today & performed "If I Ain't Got You," followed by a short interview. I'm so glad she got the opportunity to get some of the shine she deserves for getting so far on Idol. She did great & I love her.

American Idol Finale Highlights

David Archuleta & OneRepublic "Apologize"

Syesha Mercado & Seal "Waiting For You"

Jordin Sparks "One Step At A Time"

Ruben Studdard "Celebrate Me Home"

David Archuleta & David Cook "Hero"

"The Love Guru" Skit

Jason Castro "Hallelujah"

Top 6 Girls - Donna Summer Tribute

Carly Smithson & Michael Johns "The Letter"

Top 6 Guys - Bryan Adams Tribute

Brooke White & Graham Nash "Teach Your Children"

Gladys Knight Auditions New Pips (Skit)

Carrie Underwood "Last Name"

Top 12 - George Michael Tribute

David Archuleta Guitar Hero Commercial

Overall, this was a pretty good show. There were a LOT of musical numbers, as you can see. Archey sang with OneRepublic ... & I kinda wish he could've just sung the whole thing by himself(!), but it was cool. Syesha was great, as always, in everything she did. Jordin sang as the reigning Idol & probably had a slightly difficult time hearing herself sing, but I love her anyway. David Archuleta's reactions to Mike Myers' Guru are priceless! (...Mariska Hargitay! lol) I also gotta give credit to Carly, whose talent was very underrated this season; I really hope she has a successful career because she deserves it. Lastly, Archey's Guitar Hero commercial ... kicks Cook's commercial's butt (no pun intended)!

We Say Goodbye To Syesha (Idol Review: Top 3 Part 1)

"If I Ain't Got You"

"Fever"

"Hit Me Up"

As the producers wished, Syesha Mercado was voted(?) off of American Idol this week after making the top 3. I felt a separate post was needed to commemorate the accomplishments of this outstanding contestant. Syesha is one of the best talents this show has ever seen & I'm so happy she was so successful. I'm so very proud of her! Just to clarify, I do believe that she had the lowest number of votes (neither David has ever been in the bottom anything before), but I know her finale chances were sabotaged for ratings. Anyway, after looking back, Syesha had an amazing night of performances this week & I've provided them for you all to view. Enjoy them for now, as I'm positive we will be seeing more of Syesha soon!

Additional Links:
Top 3 Ford Music Video (Lots of S-YES-ha!)
Syesha On American Idol Extra

*UPDATED* IITY?

See More David Archuleta!

See More Syesha Mercado!

Above I have featured both David Archuleta & Syesha Mercado, 2 of the top 3 American Idol contestants, singing the national anthem this past week at their respective homecomings. David went back to Utah & sang at the Utah Jazz basketball game, while Syesha went back to Florida & sang at the Tampa Bay Rays baseball game. By clicking on their 'see more' links, you can view more footage, including hometown interviews & more! Geez... Is it Tuesday yet?

UPDATE: Check out a few more Idol-related videos below--

Jason Castro Interview On Ellen

Jason Castro Performs "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" On Regis & Kelly

Brooke White's Fake Infomercial

Idol Review: Top 4

Best of the week? Tie between David Archuleta's "Love Me Tender" (W-O-W) [left] & Syesha's "A Change Is Gonna Come" (that beginning! that end! omg.) [right]. WE DID IT!! TOP 3!!! Archie & Syesha! They've been my favorites the whole season (check the archives!) & I honestly couldn't ask for more. They did amazing this week. Along with Carly, my four favorites were rounded out with Jason, so while it's sad to see him go, it was definitely his time & he was ready to go. On the results show, Maroon 5 stopped by (in honor of Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame week) & performed their new single "If I Never See Your Face Again" (without Rihanna):

In honor of the incredible David Archuleta & Syesha Mercado, I found some awesome pictures...

Be sure to visit these great fan sites as well:
david-archuleta.us
syesha-mercado.us

More links...
David Archuleta "Stand By Me" Performance
Syesha Mercado "Proud Mary" Performance
Top 4 Ford Music Video

Idol Review: Top 5

The video above features both of Syesha's performances this week. Last girl standing--yes! She is easily the best female this year & one of my favorites ever on the show. Syesha definitely deserves to have made it this far, as it is obvious to see how her wide range of talent & ability to diversify stands out above the rest. That said, check out wonder boy David Archuleta's performances below:

The kid is freaking amazing. For anyone who has never been a teenage boy, what he does isn't normal. He has a crazy ability to sing that I love &, even more so, respect; he can sing anything & we would fall in love with it because he is so daggum talented. Being realistic, in a David vs. David finale, Archuleta far & away deserves the title more. David Cook is not AT ALL what he is cracked up to be. He doesn't make the songs original--either he steals someone elses idea to make a guitar-driven rock song out of it or he simply makes a guitar-driven rock song out of it. He screams a note in the middle & everyone loves it. He'll sell records, though, with or without winning, so he can just leave & make a record--like Brooke should. She is talented at what she does & her fans will eat it up. Heck, I even feel the same way about Jason. I like him & I would buy a CD of him doing his thing. Anyway, Natasha Bedingfield performed her new single "Pocketful Of Sunshine" on this week's results show & had an interesting Archuleta moment:

Haha. It bothers me that all the song is basically is the chorus & bridge over & over again. Oh well. Lastly, HERE's the Top 5 Ford Music Video.

While I Was Away... (Part 1)

Idol Review: Top 7

Best of the week? Tie: Syesha with "Vanishing" & David Archuleta with "When You Believe." Carly did well with "Without You" & Jason was enjoyable with his unique version of "I Don't Wanna Cry." Otherwise, there was alot of murdering going on: Brooke with "Hero," Kristy with "Forever," & especially David Cook with "Always Be My Baby." I guess Kristy finally ran out of time. HERE is the Top 7 Ford Music Video.

Also...

• Billboard Update: Leona Lewis Tops Billboard 200 & Hot 100 Charts [She just keeps breaking those records with both Spirit & "Bleeding Love." Good for her!]
• New Solange Promo Pic [AH! Scary.]
• Mariah Carey Performs "Bye Bye" On American Idol [Nice.]
• Watch Mariah Carey's "MC²: The Relativity Of Mariah" BET Special [Includes "Migrate," "Touch My Body," "Love Story," "Shake If Off," & "We Belong Together."]
• Keyshia Cole Performs "Heaven Sent" On Regis & Kelly [OK, but not my favorite.]
• Danity Kane, Day26 To Tour Together [...duh.]
• Nicole Scherzinger Caress Commercial [Awesome!]
• Ashlee Simpson Performs "Little Miss Obsessive" On TRL [Alright.]
• Elliott Yamin Performs "Free" On American Idol [Someone's coming into their own... RIP Elliott's mom.]
• Mario Dances The Samba on DWTS: Week 5 [Awesome.]
• Toni Braxton Falls Ill, Temporarily Cancels Vegas Show [Hope you get better, Toni!]

My Very First Idol Review!

Top Guy Performance: David Archuleta



Top Girl Performance: Syesha Mercado

The Rest:

Good--Jason, Chikezie, Asia'h, Amanda, Carly, Brooke
OK--Kady, Kristy
Bad--Luke, Danny, David H., Michael, David C., Ramiele

David A. is my favorite guy & Syesha is my favorite girl--you should know that going in. They both did great this week, so keep an eye out for them on here in the coming weeks, especially David A. Jason is my 2nd favorite guy & he did well, though not perfectly, this week; Chikezie impressed me, though, as I did not expect such Luther Vandross-esque vocals from him. Asia'h surprised me, so I am sad she is gone, while Amanda proved she had the ability I knew she was capable of all along. Carly is such an amazing vocalist & though she sort of needs to come into her own in the competition, she completely deserves to be in it (in reference to that debut album of her's ... the clips on Amazon make her sound like some awful Britney wannabe & do her no justice whatsoever); Brooke is growing on me week by week, as I never realized how intriguing her voice is until this week. Anyway, let's get this straight: I personally do not like David C. or Michael, so they will not receive praise on my part. However, not only do I not like her, but Ramiele is not a strong singer whatsoever & does not deserve to still be in the competition. I realize that "Against All Odds" is not originally Mariah's, but she sang it & compared to that version (sorry Rami, but not really--you did it to yourself), Ramiele sounded horrible. It's also worth noting that David H. made a huge mistake, imo, taking on a song Celine sang. I don't care how gay you are, you can't pull Celine off. (No offense, but it was bad.) Next week: Top 12!