A Sparkling Future for Jordin Sparks

CONGRATULATIONS TO JORDIN! For showing such vast vocal range so rare for someone her age, for improving from week to week (well, except for Bon Jovi week, when she sang "Livin' on a Prayer")--she deserved to win.

But much as I'm impressed with her talent, I had sort of rooted for Blake--that is, until he sang "This is My Now." But his rendition of "You Give Love a Bad Name," (Bon Jovi week) together with LaKisha's version of "(And I'm Telling You) I'm Not Going" (Top 24 week) and Melinda's "I Believe in You and Me" and "Nutbush City Limits" (Top 3 week) remain to be the American Idol Season Six's most memorable performances, at least in my mind.

And Melinda is still my American Idol. And between Jordin and Season Five's Paris Bennett, I'd pick the latter any day as the best 17-year-old contestant the show has ever featured.

And before I forget, how ironic that Jordin won at the end of a finale that sorely lacked her surname. I mean, nagkulang ba ang budget ng 19 Entertainment? So low-watt? So "so what?"

I really hope Season Seven will be better.

(Photo courtesy of FOX/Michael Becker)