THINK AGAIN! SLEEPERS SANJAYA MALAKAR, ANTONELLA BARBA STEALING “IDOL”

Vizu Answers polling shows off-stage factors 
are beating performances to capture votes.  

Vizu has uncovered a truth about the Season 6 “American Idol” competition that Randy, Paula, Simon and Ryan Seacrest don’t reveal in the near five hours they dominate our televisions each week.

Quite simply, performance isn’t everything. Sex and politics are where the votes are.

Antonella Barba, a contestant mired this week in scandalous reports of sexually lewd photographs appearing on the Internet, is in fact the leading female contestant going into the Final 16, taking 22.2% of the vote. This is despite her average to lackluster performances on the show, and consistent panning by the judges’ panel. While judge consensus thus far suggests that LaKisha Jones (18.6%) and Melinda Doolittle (16.6%) are the better performers, they and the field are presently being dominated by the sexuality of Barba.

On the men’s side, performance is winning, with Blake Lewis (26.5%), Chris Sligh (16.9%) and Chris Richardson (15.7%) leading the pack. Those numbers accurately reflect judge’s reviews thus far. However, seemingly also-ran Sanjaya Malakar, who has been consistently pegged for dismissal each week, is in fact comfortably in the middle of the pack, well ahead of three remaining contestants in addition to the two removed this week.

Without a doubt, Bollywood is representing. Malakar, the first Indian-American to make it to the Idol finals, is making the most of ethnic-affinity voting. His polling warns that his performances will ultimately have to get up to speed, but he should enjoy at least another two weeks on the Idol stage.

Polling conducted using the Vizu Answers online market research network asked respondents to name their favorite male and female contestants in the uber-popular talent show over a 48 hour period (Feb 27-March 1) prior to Thursday’s announcement of the latest voted-off performers. The men’s poll registered 573 responses (with a 4.09 margin of error) while the women’s poll totaled 645 respondents (3.86).

Respondents correctly pegged Nicholas Pedro and A.J. Tabaldo for removal this week, and are certain that Jared Cotter and Brandon Rogers are the next men to go. Respondents also correctly put the exiting Leslie Hunt and Alaina Alexander among the females in the bottom of the heap, and are presently pushing Haley Scarnato, Stephanie Edwards, Jordin Sparks and Gina Glocksen all toward rejection next, with Scarnato pulling up the rear at 3.4% of voting, but all within the poll’s margin of error.

 Vizu Answers will continue to run polling projections throughout the American Idol competition.

Comments

[Lauren]

i think that antonella barba and that indian boy should be voted off.Neither one of them can sing good. They sung good for the first time when the judges put them through but after that they started to get a really big head after everyone told them that they could sing they think they dont have to try. But their wrong.Some of those pictures of antonella arent really her. I found that out today when i went to see what everyone was talking about. The only reason she hasnt been voted off though is b/c american idol needs all the publicity they can get this season, because its just not setting off. This is all i have to say but i will keep in touch. Thanks lauren
from meridian mississippi..i am 16 years old.

[cheryl]

I don't think Sanjaya is any indian boy just because he is of indian descent if that is the case then Lakiishaa and that doooolitttle girl should be in African jungles and the rest should also be labeled from where their parents and grandpa's come. He is as American as anyone else and in any case what is that SIIImOOOn doing there couldn't we americans find any american to do the job obviously he needs to find a job back in his own land on his own TV. He is obviously pathetic a racist and suffers from such low self esteem himself that he has a need to put everyone else down. I think he needs to GO!

[Russ]

Sanjaya Malakar is really good I think. I voted for him and hope he is the American Idol 2007.

[Samantha]

I voted for Sanjaya 756 times last night cuz he is better than people say! He just has a young voice, that's all. I like him!

[Briana]

I love Sanjaya Malakar!!! He is amazing in everyway!