Congrats to Phillip and to this year's winners!

Was anyone else in tears???    I love Phillip....in an Idol obsession kinda way -- you know!?!  I can't imagine what he must have been feeling....I don't even think he could figure out what he was feeling!  Though I knew (as most of you did from the beginning) that he was going to win....and I've loved him since the beginning....my favorite part about him is that he stayed true to himself more than any idol ever has....put another way (for my finance friends) the "variance" between who he was when he started vs ended compared to the typical variance of where an idol starts vs ends is for sure the smallest with Phillip.  To this day, he still wears what he wants, sings how he wants, grooms how he wants....he surely did NOT let American Idol change him.  Well, maybe it made him a little less shy, but that's about it.  Considering he's not much of a performer, (though he is very nice to look at!) it's quite evident that this guy is going to be something big over the next decade or more. I sure hope he stays in the pop world though so I can hear him on Z100 :)....yes, that's still my go-to station!  Back to Phillip though....I'm really so happy for him and I'm psyched that his first single is AWESOME. 

Now, on to the rest of the show... Let's start with the runner up --- ok, I have to give it to her, she was UNBELIEVABLE.  Her 1st performance of Whitney, earlier in the season was really great, but this time she was SICK!  Clearly with some more training this chic has a real chance to make her mark....keep in mind she's only 16....yes 16!   Craziness!!   The control she has in her voice personifies the definition of talent.  Speaking of talent, her performance with Jennifer Holiday brought out a new side if Jessica, I mean Jennifer, no I mean Jessica :) (PS that reel of Jimmy messing up JLo's name over and over was hilarious!).  In this duet, Jessica's maturity is what made me love her....though usually that's the reason i'm not such a fan....with this performance, her maturity enabled her to connect with the audience and get into the song like i've never seen her do.  For the first time, she displayed her ability to perform.  I've never seen a performer make facial expressions like Holiday did, and then Jessica got right in the game with her.....that sign of letting loose is what made me really really like Jessica tonight. Go girl!!

Moving on to the other noteworthy performances -- go Rihanna -- another one from the night that I loved more than I ever have. Her performance was fabulous.....she had me dancing in my living room with my dog (let's see who really reads these posts!).... Pete was impressed :). Then, later in the show, Jennifer got me going again....Pete and I had a fun night :)   I wish I could dance like those two....I was extremely impressed at their abilities to dance and sing....now those two are also talented....Pete and I couldn't help but applaud after each!!  The one woman performer who had me wondering was Chaka Khan -- while I give her credit for looking great for her age, I was a tad skeptical about her sobriety....anyone else?  Funny fact....at my 1st or 2nd ESPN holiday party, she was the star performer....I had front row standing room.....it was a fun night!

And finally, with a show full of unbelievableness, I have to give a shout out to my boy Ace (no, I don't really know him!) but what a proposal he did.....and what a smile he has!
There you have it, one more season, one more idol and one more year of the Tiplitsky pool.....I hope you all enjoyed it!!   Next year, we are surely back on....don't you worry!  Feel free to send me any emails of people who may be interested next year.  Thanks to everyone for joining this year...and for bearing with me during my move and cable issues. Happy I could end this year like most of you are used to...with my idol rambles!!

Congrats to all the winners!!  If you all can send me your addresses, I will pop a check in the mail with your winnings.  

PEACE OUT!