An American Idol Covers A Brit Idol

Posted Wed Feb 13 1:29pm PST by Lyndsey Parker in Reality Rocks

So last night American Idol finally moved away from the Glitter Girls and Temptresses and "No Sex Allowed" novelty songs, and into phase 2 (aka "Hollywood Week"). And I for one was pretty pleased, since overall I've been surprisingly disappointed by season 7's auditioners. I mean, where was this year's William Hung, huh?

Well, never mind all that. I already know who this year's winner is--at least if my speed-dialing skills have anything to do with it.

Yes, I'm declaring an early favorite here: Josiah Leming. The towheaded teen captured my heart last week when he turned on the waterworks while confessing that he lives in his car (I'm a big softie, see) and then sweetly warbled Snow Patrol's "Chasing Cars" with a faux British accent (I'm an even bigger Anglophile). But Josiah completely won over my heart--and, hopefully, most of America as well--last night, when he chose to cover a Mika song.

Now, while fierce Britfopper Mika is already a massive star in his native U.K. (where he's likely to sweep the Brit Awards next week), he's still no household name on this side of the pond. It's certainly not for lack of U.S. exposure: His body-image anthem "Big Girl" was featured on Ugly Betty; his hi-NRG disco track "Love Today" soundtracked a goofy Motorola Red commercial starring Saturday Night Live's Chris "Mango" Kattan; and he even performed himself on Fox's other Nigel Lythgoe-produced hit reality show, So You Think You Can Dance.

However, it's Josiah Leming's heartfelt cover of Mika's "Grace Kelly" on last night's Idol that just might finally foist the campy Brit idol upon mainstream audiences in America. (Just look at what the show did for Daniel Powter's "Bad Day," for instance, or how Taylor Hicks's performance of "Trouble" boosted folkie Ray Lamontagne's career.) And for that reason alone, Josiah has my vote.

If you're unfamiliar with the original version of "Grace Kelly," click below for Mika's piano-pop performance of the jaunty little number, shot live in the Yahoo! Music studio.

And remember to vote for Josiah next week!

43 Comments

1. Yahoo! Music User -
I liked Josiah but Mika has a much bigger vocal range. He reaches notes here that Josiah could never hit!

2. Yahoo! Music User -
Josiah hasn't even made it into the top 24 yet, so no one can vote for him. With any luck, he won't, there are MUCH better singers in the top 50.

3. Elisabeth (Beth) F -
i love love love mika!! "love today" always makes me wanna dance!!

beth

4. Bena Blog -
Josiah absolutely has my votes! He is a terrific talent!

5. Bena Blog -
Josiah absolutely has my votes! He is a terrific talent!

6. tjbetts14536 -
Josiah needs to stop with the fake British accent. I'm sorry, but listening to British music does NOT give you a British accent. He is such a faker and a camera hog, I can't stand it. I really hope he doesn't make the top 24, because for some unknown reason the judges like him too. I sense another Sanjaya coming on.

7. Nancy G -
To compare Josiah to Mika is ridiculous, but Josiah is charming....original and dedicated to the craft of being an Artist. There are better vocalists, but nobody more original than Josiah at this point.......

8. Greg M -
Range...maybe. Or all over the place. I have not heard Mika before, but I like Josiah's version of this song much better.

9. Yahoo! Music User -
Mika is amazing. A true original. I hope more people perform his songs on American Idol this year because he deserves the exposure!

10. Yahoo! Music User -
It's true that Josiah is not in the top 25...YET. You know he will be. It's clear that the judges love him (I'm sure Simon loved it that Josiah did a Mika song) and he has the kind of heart string tugging story made for TV. I don't know how long Josiah will stay in the competion once the public voting starts but I'd be willing to bet money that the judges put him through tot he voting round.

11. Yahoo! Music User -
He was not picked for the top 24... sorry - you loose.

12. D. W -
That kid is gone!!!

13. teresa -
Having just seen Josiah NOT make it into the top 24, I am shocked! He is so talented, now that probably put in that geeky guy, good lord!
I hope someone gives Josiah a contract, he really deserves it.

14. Yahoo! Music User -
except... he's not in.

15. KT -
I heart Josiah, too!! I sure hope he makes it into the top 24. He's one of my faves. :D

And thanks for saying what song he sang first last night. I loved it!!

16. Lyndsey Parker -
Damn I am on the west coast so this was a spoiler. I had not watch tonight's top 24 show yet. But this is bad news that Josiah did not make it thru. I demand a recount! I lvoed josiah and really thought he had what it took to succeed.

17. Yahoo! Music User -
Ummm he is gone now

18. belly button -
I liked him too - maybe next year!!

19. Linda O -
Sorry -- all the arguments and he is not even going to be on!! He didnt make it!

20. kate -
He didn't make it. he would be too stubborn to take advice from anybody
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