American Idol Finalists Visit Hometowns
May 09, 2008
Everywhere they go, American Idol contestants attract a crowd of admirers, well-wishers, gushy handmade signs and screams fit for a vintage Beatle. But when it comes to feting finalists, home is where the heart is.
In what’s become an annual Idol rite of passage, the remaining three contestants — David Archuleta, Syesha Mercado and David Cook — headed to their respective hometowns Friday for a dose of family and community support.
In Murray, Utah, David Archuleta was greeted by screaming girls. The 16-year-old contestant stopped to say hello to KSTU-TV studios, to the students at Murray High School (where Archuleta is a junior) and intermixed among the thousands of people gathered for a glimpse at The Gateway, a Salt Lake City mall.
At the Murray High football stadium, many people wore T-shirts that read, “I Voted For David Archuleta.”
In Bradenton, Fla., near Sarasota, hundreds of fans awaited the arrival of Syesha Mercado. Manatee County Commissioner Gwen Brown whipped the crowd into a frenzy by setting a few things straight: Most importantly, she said, Mercado belongs to Manatee County — not Sarasota, as her hometown is listed on the show’s website.
“She is our girl,” Brown said, asserting that Mercado went to high school at Sarasota’s Booker High, but lived in Manatee County. “We just loaned her to Sarasota for a few hours a day.”
Running about half an hour late, the 21-year-old’s entourage finally showed up — a sport utility vehicle stretch limo and Manatee County sheriff’s cars carrying friends and family.
In Kansas City, Mo., the crowds withstood wind and drizzle for a glimpse of rocker David Cook, a native of the suburb of Blue Springs. His hometown tour — during a day which Missouri and Kansas City officials declared “David Cook Day” — started bright and early with TV appearances on the local Fox affiliate, followed by his late-morning appearance at the Power & Light District.
“What are you guys doing here?” Cook said, teasing the screaming crowd. “Guys, thank you, seriously. ... I don’t know what else to say. This is the coolest day of my life.”
The Idol contestants each wrapped up their day with a rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner”: Archuleta at the Jazz-Lakers NBA playoff game, Mercado at the Rays-Angels game and Cook at the Royals-Orioles.
