Erika Van Pelt is an excellent singer who was eliminated in 10th place in American Idol 11. By objective measures, she certainly went out too early. Erika never gave a bad performance.
For the most part, American Idol is a popularity contest. In the Top 24 round, Erika didn’t even make it on the vote, so we already knew she wasn’t that popular with the public. But she got to sing as a possible wildcard and totally deserved that wildcard spot when the judges picked her (although Jen Hirsh and a couple of others could have been given a spot, as well).
But Erika was never popular with the public, and the dramatic fashion/style makeover (going brunette the last week) got minimal buzz, proving my point that Tommy Hilfiger completely overvalues fashion and style in music and singing.
Erika moaned about the girls voting for cute boys on American Idol in interviews after being eliminated on Top 10 week. While it is true that some people vote based on looks, I’m not sure why Erika Van Pelt thinks she would be winning if it is based on talent. I don’t think she is even close to being the best singer in the competition, so Erika has no leg to stand on there.
And personality can be as important as looks. LOL at anyone who thinks Heejun is getting a lot of votes for his looks. Nope, he is getting it for his personality, not his looks. And if we are going to talk about personality, Erika Van Pelt didn’t show any during her American Idol run.
Furthermore, if she thinks voters shouldn’t vote based on image, then why is she changing her hair to try to get votes. That’s just hypocrisy. “Vote for me cause I have cool new hair. Don’t vote for DeAndre cause he is cute.”
Erika is a great singer. She did not deserve to go home in 10th place. But Jen Hirsh didn’t deserve to not even make the Top 13. That’s American Idol. It’s not a high school choir contest. It’s a popularity contest, and Erika didn’t show any of that.