“America Idol” Cuts Josiah Leming & Kyle Ensley
February 14, 2008 at 7:35 pm (College students, Culture, Makes Me Smile, Music That Rocks, News, TV)
Tags: american idol, bluegrass, chris thile, crying contestant, emo, girls in room, josiah lemming, kyle ensley, leeland mooring, living in car, mandolin, nerd contestant, nickel creek, politician contestant, top 24
Did anyone see this kid on “American Idol”? According to his “story segment”, Josiah Leming is 18 and living in his car. He had an amazing first audition (after which he cried), was whisked away to Hollywood (where he cried some more), had a good run with his first Hollywood week audition (I think he cried), and bombed his final performance before the judges (also causing him to cry). There were a few others scenes here and there where he, you guessed it, cried. He was definitely emo.
But I was really digging on Josiah’s music, his story, and my gosh, the kid is as cute as a bug’s ear! I mean, you just want to pinch his cheeks and give him a big hug. Truth be told, it’s the same feeling I get whenever I see a picture of Leeland Mooring of the band, Leeland. When I interview the band in Atlanta, I just wanted to hug Leeland because he’s so dang cute. I did gush about his cuteness after the interview. It wasn’t a crazed fan sort of gush, but an older sisterly feeling, “Like-you-are-adorable-and-you-make-me-smile” sort of gush. Anyway, it’s cool because Leeland’s mom is also a gusher, so I’m sure the Mooring boys and the rest of the band are used to it.
Anyway, we’re not talking about Leeland Mooring; we’re talking about Josiah Leming. It’s sort of freaky how their names rhyme, isn’t it? Last night the Top 24 was announced on “American Idol” and to the shock and dismay of many, Josiah went home. I took it personally, and when Josiah cried, I cried, too. He was one of my favorite contestants. See, that’s why I hate “American Idol”–I can’t stand how emotional I get over the whole thing.
I did manage to find Josiah’s MySpace, which has some of his original songs. I can’t stop listening to his piano ballad “Razorblades and Hand Grenades”. The song definitely shows maturity beyond Josiah’s years. I even added the song to my profile (which I can’t access right now because someone was “phishing” my account. If a bunch of you got invites for Macy’s gift cards or something, I’m really sorry about that).
Then there was this other guy, Kyle Ensley, a dorky-looking kid with a great set of pipes (funny post on Kyle and another funny post). Naturally, I thought Kyle was awesome and he seemed like a really nice guy. Why do we always get contestants that are hunky guys with gel soaked hair and egos the size of Texas? Or weird little choir boys, who can sing, but they make be feel strangely uncomfortable? Give me a nerd like Kyle Ensley, who was cut last night much to Simon Cowell’s objection.
I also discovered another “Kyle Ensley” on YouTube, which could perhaps be the same guy. It’s hard to tell from the video. If it is, then our Kyle can rock out to bluegrass and play mandolin (View video). I love mandolins–it’s a Chris Thile/Nickel Creek thing.
Here’s a video of Kyle’s introduction to “American Idol”. I mean, he wants to be the next governor of Oklahoma–what’s not to love?
Can we get a recount on Kyle?
Josiah Leming and Kyle Ensley are both young and have the potential for very bright futures, although Kyle’s may be in politics. I salute both of these young men for being bold, stepping outside their comfort zones, and having the guts to go on “American Idol”.
There was this clip on Tuesday night showing Kyle arriving in Hollywood to find two girls in his assigned room. I wish I could find the whole clip, but this is all that was available thus far. Too cute.
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kim said,
February 14, 2008 at 8:05 pm
I thought Kyle was outstanding when he sang “You raise me up”. Its too bad they didn’t give him another chance. I did notice that they have been cutting people who, to me, were amazing. So what if they forget the words. Gosh, if that were the case at our church, I’d be in big trouble without the monitors!
Donna Savaki said,
February 14, 2008 at 8:20 pm
I don’t “get” the rhyming names?
atypicalgirl said,
February 14, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Moor-”ing” and Lem-”ing” rhyme. You did teach school, right?
Novac said,
February 15, 2008 at 5:24 am
Thanks for the link in your article.
I also wrote an article on Kyle’s Hollywood auditions, including Simon’s speech to Kyle at the end:
http://idleidols.com/kyle-ensley-hollywood/
Jack said,
February 15, 2008 at 5:40 pm
I agree with you. They should have given chances to those 2 kids, Josiah Leming (he admitted his mistake) and Kyle Ensley (although I like Colton Berry,too). They should have picked these 2 kids to show their talents. Maybe they can have 2 wildcards these season and these 2 kids fit it. Thanks
Wally said,
February 15, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Can AI season 7 put 2 more wildcards in the competition (like they did in past AI seasons). Kyle Ensley and Josiah Leming would qualify. I hate to see these 2 talented guys go. Kudos to Josiah for admitting his mistake so please give him a chance. AI producers wake up, put them back as wildcards please.
atypicalgirl said,
February 15, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Does Colton Berry remind anyone else of Lucas Grabeel from the “High School Musical” movies? Hey, of course I’ve seen ‘em; I’m into youth culture.
Jazzeh said,
February 15, 2008 at 11:30 pm
I really REALLY hate that they cut Josiah and Kyle out of the competition. Those were two that I was really looking forward to watching this season… it makes me really disappointed. Other than that, I’m satisfied with the Top 24. I’m sure Josiah and Kyle will both make it in the world, even without being on American Idol for long. =)
atypicalgirl said,
February 15, 2008 at 11:54 pm
The ironic thing is that I never heard of Randy Jackson (that name makes him sound like a country singer) or Simon Cowell before “American Idol”. And Paula Abdul, well, she was cool when I was like 10. It’s just ironic.
James J said,
February 16, 2008 at 12:59 am
I tried so hard to find that song Josiah was singing on Idol the other night! I found it though! Its called “Grace Kelly” and its written by Mika about how much Simon Cowell sucks! Haha
You can hear the song here:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NA2776/unimotrecunir-20
awesome right?
Mark said,
February 16, 2008 at 1:29 am
Kyle Ensley should be allowed back in the top 24 because first of all kyle had a way better voice then colton and who the heck is jason castro nobody saw him and nobody wants to everybody wants to see more of kyle he would of made it to the idol finale and he would probaly even win then the ratings would be off the roof cause obviosly people like him and if he was in he would make american idol people favorite show again so bring Kyle Ensley back American idol 08 thanks
Elena said,
February 16, 2008 at 8:09 pm
i wanted kyle to make it so mush he had so much personality and he was really cute i just wish that people had a chance to vote for him alot of people would love him
dyea_na said,
February 17, 2008 at 7:59 am
i think american idol make a wrong decision,,by ignored josiah leming…
abby said,
February 17, 2008 at 7:07 pm
i loved your first para on josiah. how true, he was so emo. i was upset they both left. bummer. love from brunei btw
atypicalgirl said,
February 17, 2008 at 7:23 pm
Hahaha…Abby, I checked out your blog. I didn’t know that one guy was Britney Spears’ ex…too funny.
Josiah is totally emo. He needs an emo argyle sweater to complete the look.
aramish said,
February 17, 2008 at 10:54 pm
josiah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
i loved him.u guys should check out his myspace i hope he makes it.
im soo angry tht american idol idiots didnt let him in!!!
i cried when he left.
Jean K. said,
February 18, 2008 at 12:48 am
I hope someone keeps an eye on Josiah Leming, because his situation was a little scary to me. Sleepying out of his car, barely having food to eat, a truly sad situation (Although, as one of the other singers mentioned to him, as he was making his exit, perhaps until he is able to ‘get some lessons’ and persue his singing career, maybe he should focus on his writing of music lyrics. He didn’t sound to bad on the electronic piano, and if that’s his ‘passion’ you never know how things might turn out.). Hopefully things will turn around for him, and something positive will come out of all of this. It really would be nice if Idol could track his progress with the hopes for a good report.
As for Kyle Ensley, don’t know how serious he is about becoming a politician, but with the right voice training (although, I didn’t think he sounded all that bad) and until things get better with his singing career also, in his case I think he should try out for some ‘off-broadway’ singing gigs to hone his skills. I think he sounds good enough to pull off at least one ’show’, and perhaps even make it on Broadway professionally. I wish the best to them both.
Aurélia said,
February 19, 2008 at 8:39 am
I was so upset when i was watching American Idol and saw that Josiah was Out Oh my gosh i jusk liked and LIKE him so much That’s a pity i don’t live in America but i tell you buddy if one day you wanna come in Australia i’m here.
Avvenente said,
February 22, 2008 at 3:45 pm
I think the judges of AI did a right decision of taking out Josiah from the top 24. He can do it on his own without AI just give him the support and he can make it. Just look how the AI judges react after they said no to him. They believe in him but they think that AI will not be a good medium for this particular talent.
AI is a place to show what can or may happen to the contestants in the future. The good the bad the improvement or the limitations. With what happen to Josiah before the Top 50 he was either too confident or the pressure went up to his head. But in the end the judges (even Simon) still believed that he can make it (check out the show again).
franz said,
March 12, 2008 at 6:30 pm
Yo creo que AI perdió un gran talento en bruto como el de Josiah. Incluso tiene la “inestabilidad” de los grandes artistas… ojala regrese para AI8 (no creo que usen wildcards a estas alturas). Yo pienso que perdieron tambien a Kyle y a Cardin inutilmente por la Borgella y por Colton que fueron eliminados inmediatemente (algo que no habria pasado con los otros dos). No puedo creer que Kyle no haya clasificado por culpa de Jackson y Paula. Kyle era extremadamente simpático, una pena.
james said,
April 7, 2008 at 11:56 pm
I agree we need more nerds on American Idol. I have heard a lot about Josiah since getting voted off, but have not heard that much on Kyle except one Ellen interview, hmmm. Also, i will have to check out that hand grenades and razorblades song, that sounds good. here is more on Josiah
http://jviz.blogspot.com/2008/03/josiah-leming.html