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Top 20 'Idol' Contestants of All Time - 12: Melinda Doolittle

January

I know there will be complaints about where Melinda Doolittle ranks on this “American Idol” list from her proponents and opponents alike.

“Melinda’s not commercial and I haven’t heard a thing of hers on the radio,” the skeptics will scream. “Melinda might be the best female vocalist the show’s ever seen!” her supporters will spew. I have to agree with both sides, so that’s why she’s No. 12.

If this were purely a singing competition, Doolittle would have won Season 6. Hands down. With the most consistently impressive performances week-to-week, she was best when she showcased her soul in songs like Peggy Lee’s sultry “I’m A Woman” but even impressed when offering Tina Turner-esque rock rasp on Bon Jovi’s “Have A Nice Day.” Every week, I loved how Mindy Doo shelved her humble I’m-a-former-backup-singer persona for a more diva-like dynamic once Rickey Minor and the band started playing.

But since Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis appealed more to the young female demographic that apparently has a stranglehold on “Idol” voting, the best Doolittle could finish was third.

While Lewis and Sparks pumped out albums late last year (with little sales success), Doolittle hasn’t. When she wasn’t touring with the Season 6 Top 10, she’s spent much of her time promoting the Malaria No More campaign in an effort to eradicate malaria in Africa.

Also see:

– Top 20 ‘Idol’ Contestants of All Time – Epilogue
-No. 1: Kelly Clarkson
-No. 2: Carrie Underwood
-No. 3: Chris Daughtry
-No. 4: Jennifer Hudson
-No. 5: Sanjaya Malakar
-No. 6: William Hung
-No. 7: Clay Aiken
-No. 8: Fantasia Barrino
-No. 9: Blake Lewis
-No. 10: Tamyra Gray
-No. 11: Jordin Sparks
-No. 13: Bo Bice
-No. 14: Elliott Yamin
-No. 15: Ruben Studdard
-No. 16: Katharine McPhee
-No. 17: Taylor Hicks
-No. 18: Diana DeGarmo
-No. 19: Frenchie Davis
-No. 20: Lisa Leuschner
-Top 20 intro and criteria/Honorable Mentions (Nos. 21-31)
(Photo courtesy of FOX.)

This entry was posted on Sunday, January 13th, 2008 at 9:30 am by Chris Serico.
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7 Responses to “Top 20 'Idol' Contestants of All Time - 12: Melinda Doolittle”

1320Bowtie January 22nd, 2008 at 1:01 am
I hope someone signs Melinda to a record deal. She is the most accomplished performer to appear on American Idol. Looking at the results of the poll I just took part in it's suprising that people would actually vote for Sanjaya, William Hung and Justin Guarini.
I think Clay, Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood belong in the top 5 and Latoya London deserves better placement but only Melinda performed flawlessly week after week.
Louise February 18th, 2008 at 10:12 am
Melinda Doolittle just releases her first song on i tunes My Funny Valentine. She have manager and label now. If you want more info about it www.melindafan.net she will release her CD in June 2008
Louise February 19th, 2008 at 9:53 am
Melinda did sign with MPCA, She will released her first Album June of 2008, and plan another one for Christmas times. You want more info about Melinda wwww.melindafan.net
Louise March 6th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
Melinda Doolittle already sign with a label. She will released her first album June of 2008 and will make another one for Christmas time. She doing Dreyer's Ice cream tour right now. She have appear a lot on fox news newspaper. She is amazing. She did sing her song My Funny Valentine the one she did releases on i Tunes February 12,2008. Also at the website for her fans where we have blogradiotalk with her for the third times. This is wonderful that a person like her busy women and involved in a lot of thing. She take the time to talk to her fans Call (Backups) to this radio show. If you are big fans (Backups) come join us to support her. We have alot pictures Topic, fresh news, Video, and also she post there. You welcome
Louise March 7th, 2008 at 8:38 am
This is for Chris, Melinda did take her time to find a good manager and a label. Right now she doing Dreyer's ice cream tour and just to let you know ! Melinda She is a number one of the heart of her fans call (Backups) She appear on fox news often. She will released her first album June of 2008 and probably another one for Christmas time. She is amazing singer and wonderful women of God.
Louise7 April 28th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Melinda Doolittle doing great will releases her first album june of 2008. Her new website www.mdstreetteam.com for the fans who want to support her on her new career, Pictures, fresh news and alot topic who Melinda wrote to us. You are welcome to join us
Louise7 May 4th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Melinda Did postponed her new album for July or August 2008. Due to alot travel lately with Dreyer's ice cream tour and Malaria no more and others events come soon. So get read when it come out. You can also join us to support her in her new career www.mdstreetteam.com You all welcome.

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