News Article-Anwar to cut hair?, "If I feel in my spirit to cut it..." Options

[IwatchAI]

http://www.courierpress.com/ecp/entertainm...3621043,00.html

'American Idol' semifinalists finding hair is the hot topic
By DAVE MASON Scripps Howard News Service
March 15, 2005

Never mind the singing. When the 12 "American Idol" semifinalists walked down the red carpet on a chilly evening, they talked about - what else? - their hair.

Or lack of.

"It's been rumored that my hair is leaving," said Anwar Robinson, 25, of Elizabeth, N.J. His dreadlocks hung far below his big smile. "If I feel in my spirit to cut it, I will."

Until now, the "American Idol" contestants have had to take care of their hairstyle and clothes themselves.

"I have had to do my own hair, and I'm not that good at it!" yelled Mikalah Gordon, 17, of Las Vegas, at an "American Idol" party last week. She laughed.

Fear not, Mikalah.

Beginning with tonight's episode (8 p.m. on Fox), the 12 semifinalists get professional help with their hair and clothes, and they said that will allow them to focus on their No. 1 concern: their singing.

Beginning tonight, the men and women compete against each other, and one singer will be eliminated each week. The results will be announced at 8 p.m. Wednesdays.

Most of the singers agreed they don't want to change that much, in looks or personality.

"I'm just going to be myself," said Gordon. "Not everybody is going to love you, but hopefully not everyone is going to hate you."

She talked about two celebrities she has been compared to. "No, I'm not Fran Drescher. Barbra (Streisand) - she's so fabulous, you know what I mean?" Gordon said with a hint of a Streisand imitation. She chuckled.

Lindsey Cardinale said she'll go only so far to win the "Idol" competition. "Nobody can change the color of my hair."

The 20-year-old brunette from Ponchatoula, La., smiled under the red carpet's bright lights.

It's important to be yourself, Cardinale said. "I really did like Fantasia (Barrino, last season's winner). She came out and she did not care what anyone thought."

Jessica Sierra, 19, from Tampa, Fla.., said hairstyle changes and new clothes won't win the competition.

"You can't change their personalities. You can't change the way they sing. They are what they are," she said.

Win or lose, Sierra, who has worked as a live-in nanny, said music helps her to survive.

"When I get really stressed out, I go into my room and sing."
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I don't think he'll cut it.
Hi from the Fantasia Fans