The American Idol fever rages on

Let the AI fever begin. The Filipino audience will be watching AI–the biggest talent search in the world–as it kicks off with a two-hour special on Jan. 19, Wednesday at 10 p.m. on ABC. But starting Jan. 20, Thursday, American Idol airs at 3 p.m. (simultaneous with its US showing) with primetime telecast at 10.

From Jan. 19 to Feb. 3, every Wednesday and Thursday, you’ll see this season’s open auditions, which took place in seven locations across America, including Cleveland, St. Louis, Washington DC, New Orleans, Orlando, Las Vegas and San Francisco. See if you can spot the next Fantasia Barrino, or the next William Hung.

Speaking of Fantasia, whoever thought she would be the third winner in the history of American Idol, following in the footsteps of now popstars Kelly Clarkson and Ruben Studdard?

I did. If truth be told, without Fil-Am Jasmine Trias (she’s my kababayan, what can I do?) in AI, Fantasia would have been my only bet to be the next American Idol. Her amazing voice and spirited personality are just some of the things I liked about her and apparently, the rest of America during the 2004 American Idol competition.

Fantasia’s rich, gospel-tinged performance of pop tunes, including my now favorite Gershwin standard Summertime wowed the viewers of America’s top-rated talent search. She’s definitely right in saying that "my lips are big but my talent is bigger."

Fantasia’s background is not quite impressive. She’s a 19-year-old high school dropout from North Carolina and a single mother (to a two-year-old daughter Zion) scarred by domestic abuse. Only proves a person’s background was never an issue at all.

Aside from the title, Fantasia got a record contract, a new car and a shot at music stardom. She also performed, along with other AI finalists, in more than 50 cities nationwide as part of the American Idols Live tour.

Bobo (Fantasia’s nickname) is living her fantasy now. Her first single I Believe from her debut album Free Yourself (under J Records) went to no. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart as she was celebrating her 20th birthday. She made a Billboard record by becoming the first artist in the history of Billboard’s Hot 100 chart to debut as number 1 with her first solo record.

Fantasia’s Free Yourself, a hit-filled debut album, shows the depth and range of her talent. She is truly giving her best to music buyers everywhere, eager to hear more of her distinctive and ever-soulful sound.

Whatever happened to American Idol season 3 runner-ups Diana DeGarmo and Jasmine Trias?

Well, 16-year-old Diana DeGarmo from Snellville Georgia has already released her single, Dreams Don’t Cry Out Loud, and plans for a full-length album are in the works. As for 17-year-old Jasmine Trias, she became a celebrity in Hawaii and the Philippines. She has already moved forward and out of the American Idol tag and is working on her debut album under 19 Management record label. She also graduated in high school from Maryknoll last year and plans to concentrate on her career. Jasmine and Diana are striking while the iron is hot. I just know both of them have a long career ahead of them.