Tom Haine '08 took home the crowning title at Saturday's Princetonian Idol 2, a competition based on the hit FOX television show "American Idol." Three judges, including last year's winner Kamille Davis '05, critiqued the 13 musical acts before a full audience in a Frist Campus Center's multipurpose room. They ultimately selected Haine's original vocal and guitar composition dedicated to "Olivia."
The acts included everything from gospel to punk to Japanese pop, but Haine's guitar skills, stage presence and original song — dedicated to the girl "who lives down the hall" — earned him the first standing ovation of the night.
Haine said he had just wanted to have fun and was surprised to win.
"I wasn't expecting that," he said. "I just signed up today."
He met Olivia earlier this year while he was locked out of his room after a shower, wearing nothing but a pink towel, he said. The incident inspired him to write the lighthearted song.
The audience responded well to the Princeton judges' comments, which imitated the often brutal reviews on American Idol.
"I think the judges echo most of my sentiments," Jeff McAllister '07 said. "They use humor to make their feelings known [rather than] just blatantly criticizing somebody."
Vocalists Cathleen Stone '07, Adriana Bedney '07, Adrienne Simpson '08 and Shantal Souvenir '05 of the group Four His Glory harmonized a gospel medley to tie for second place.
The co-runner-up Richard Pan '05 sang Sting's "Fields of Gold" and accompanied his vocals with a guitar.
Alidia Clagett '05 took third place singing Christina Aguilera's "Obvious," and singer Trene Anderson '06 and a trio of freshman singer-guitarists — Tommy Curry, Cole Bunzel and Brett Nitchke — received honorable mentions.
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