2008 Woodie Awards
SHU Idol: Only the best survive
Kate Brindisi
Issue date: 2/15/06 Section: A & E
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The theatre was packed with students waiting to see their fellow classmates sing and work the crowd for the title of SHU Idol. The final four were Mike Johnson, Ian Straghter, Erica Rico, and Jackie Stephens.
The show consisted of two rounds, the first one had a Motown theme. Each contestant chose a song emulating the theme. The judges gave their commentary and the crowd clapped and whistled in response. Mike Johnson's rendition of "Baby I Need Your Lovin" by The Four Tops, sent the crowd spinning into applause.
Starting off Round two of the competition was Erica Rico, who sang Kelly Clarkson's radio happy ballad "Because of You." Rico belted out this song to the back of the theater and out the doors, and had Clarkson's presentation down to her ooh's and ahh's. Judges and students concurred that she did a fabulous job.
Student judge and last year's Idol winner, Sophia Cruz said of Rico's performance, "Kelly's got nothing on you."
Next up was Stephens singing Alannah Myles' "Black Velvet." Jackie belted this soulful tune to the judges and enthusiastic audience who clapped along with her. She worked the crowd from the moment she took the stage.
Judge Dr. Jay said she had "excellent rhythmic sense."
Ian Straghter went on next to perform a hit by Tyrese called "Lately." Ian took the stage and serenaded the entire crowd. He really got the crowd moving and clapping with his performance.
Round two finished off with the final contestant, Mike Johnson taking the stage. Johnson turned things around when he performed "In Your Eyes" a Capella and first dedicated the song to his girlfriend. He really worked the crowd and won over the hearts of the audience with that performance and dedication.
After all the contestants had performed their songs and got feedback from the judges, ballots were handed out to the audience members to choose their winner. SHU F.O.R.C.E. then took the stage for a special performance that got the entire audience moving. The F.O.R.C.E. dancers broke it down better than Missy Elliot.
After the dancers cleared the stage and the audience settled down, a special announcement was made. SHU Idol winner from last year's competition, and this year's student judge, Sophia Cruz took the stage and surprised the audience with a performance.
Sophia performed a very soulful rendition of Alicia Keys' "If I Ain't Got You Baby." A performance that would have had Keys fall off her piano bench, had she been there.
The ballots were collected, counted, and tallied. The audience settled down as the final four were called on stage. They nervously awaited the announcement of the final two.
Mike Johnson and Erica Rico had secured the most votes and now stood waiting to hear the final verdict. A hush fell over the crowd and the winner was announced, by two votes Mike Johnson had won 2006's SHU Idol Competition.