Allison Iraheta, it's time to come home

DOWNEY - Allison Iraheta is coming home.If you ask her, the homecoming comes four weeks too early, but nonetheless, she's coming home. Allison, the instantly recognizable redhead with a deep, throaty voice that seems beyond her 17 years, was eliminated from "American Idol" on Wednesday. According to family members, up next for Allison is a national concert tour with "Idol" alumni. Having already signed a required recording contract with "Idol" producers, she will fly to New York tomorrow for promotional appearances. Yesterday, Allison spent much of her time on Los Angeles airwaves, including interviews on Ryan Seacrest's nationally-syndicated radio show and "Good Day L.A." Family members were trying to arrange a homecoming for Allison -- possibly as soon as today -- but details were not definitive as of press time. Wednesday night, Allison moved out of the Beverly Hills mansion where she was living with her mother and the remaining "Idol" finalists. Family members and friends said she spent the night in a hotel and had not yet returned to Downey. Allison traveled to San Francisco last year for "Idol" auditions. Her rendition of Aretha Franklin's "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" earned her a pass to Hollywood. Allison quickly advanced, and cracked the Top 10 after singing "Blame It on Your Heart" by Patty Loveless. Still, Allison continually found herself in the bottom three of finalists based on fan voting. She earned rave reviews this week for a duet with fellow contestant Adam Lambert and a solo rendition of "Cry Baby,"‚Äàbut it was not enough to save her. Allison's elimination did not sit well with some. Bob Payne of the Seattle Times called Allison's departure "somewhat of a surprise." The Los Angeles Times said Allison's "spunky personality was a force of humor on and around the "Idol" stage, and her hard-rock vocal style made for memorable performances." Commentors on an online "Idol" message board were a little more blunt. "Allison got the shaft," wrote somebody who called himself SoCal Gary. "Proof positive that 'American Idol' is decided by 12-year-old girls," wrote Malibu Dave. And FooFighter from Maple Valley, Wash. said, "Too bad for Allison. What a class act. She actually broke through the boring and mediocre mold our pop singers seem to be stuck in these days. She's a true talent and will have a wonderful career... "Stupid, stupid voters."

********** Published: May 8, 2009 - Volume 8 - Issue 3