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Home » Blogs » Trish Bendix's blog » What's next for "Idol" finalist Allison Iraheta?

What's next for "Idol" finalist Allison Iraheta?

by
Trish Bendix

At only 17 years old, Allison Iraheta stunned America with her strong vocal performances on American Idol. Lasting up until two weeks before last night's finale, the high school student from Los Angeles was the last woman standing with her three male counterparts, who she referred to as "big brothers," wishing them all the best of luck before Kris Allen eventually won the title.

Iraheta has an impeccable knack for nailing rock tracks, and her raspy-tinged voice and bright head of red hair show she is one of those women just born to be a rock star.

Born of Salvadoran descent, Iraheta previously won the Spanish television talent show, Quinceañera before auditioning for American Idol. However, she did not receive the record contract she was promised after winning the show, so she was eligible to compete on AI.

Iraheta performed classics and modern hits while on the show, including renditions of Heart's "Alone," Kelly Clarkson's "Because of You" and Janis Joplin's "Cry Baby." On last night's finale, she performed a duet of "Time After Time" with Cyndi Lauper, in which she definitely held her own next to the timeless pop star.

Watch Allison perform "Alone":

So what's next for Allison Iraheta? She told Reuters that she will not be returning to home schooling, as she had a tutor while on the show and she's "pretty much" done. Instead, she hopes to follow in the footsteps of past AI contestant Chris Daughtry who has managed to maintain a successful solo career in alternative rock.

“I hope I do as well as he does,” she told Billboard. “He’s done so much, and if he didn’t have to make it all the way to the top … it gives me a chance, hopefully.”

First, though, she'll have to join the rest of her American Idol finalists on the road for the American Idol summer tour, which kicks off July 5.

What do you see in Allison's future? Do you think she'll be able to follow in the footsteps of Chris Daughtry, Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood?

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    • Submitted by
    Trish Bendix
    on May 21, 2009 - 5:00pm.
    TAGS :: 
    Ana's picture

    Loved Her!

    Submitted by
    Ana (21 posts)
    on May 21, 2009 - 5:47pm.

    Adam was my idol from the beggining, i think nobody was doing what he did ( a mix of glam rock and the 70's rock ), but i also love Allison. She definitely has the voice and the talent  to be a rock star!

     

    i think this line's mostly filler..

    generally's picture

    I loved Allison soooo

    Submitted by
    generally (12 posts)
    on May 21, 2009 - 6:04pm.

    I loved Allison soooo much.  I don't know what Simon was on, saying she has no personality.  She was my fave, along with Kradam. 

    Seriously, in any of her interviews she is such a lovely, bubbly kid.  And she has a fantastic set of pipes, too.  I can't wait to buy her CD. 

    You only just need to watch the results show where she gets kicked off and has to sing the song she sang the night before.  She was obviously emotional, with tears in her eyes and she had to sing Joplin's Cry Baby.  When I first watched the episode I stopped it there because I have a humiliation squick.  But when I went back to watch I was unbelievably proud and impressed with this girl.  Even when she's overcome her voice is still 100%.  She should have beaten GTFOkey.

    Eise's picture

    Rocker Chick

    Submitted by
    Eise (46 posts)
    on May 21, 2009 - 6:10pm.

    Allison and Adam were my favs from day one. I looked forward to them singing each and every week. I think she will be very successful. She reminds me of a mesh between Kelly Clarkson and P!NK. I cannot wait for Adam and Allison's albums and hopefully we will get another duet from them - Slow Ride was one of the best performances all year. And I'm sorry but when she was eliminated and sang Cryin' one last time, OMG that was one of THE best performances on Idol.  

    Ali's picture

    Allison

    Submitted by
    Ali (179 posts)
    on May 21, 2009 - 6:36pm.

    is unbelievable, her vocals are beyond amazing. It was really too bad that she did not make it to the top 2 or 3 but it was great that she made it to the top 4, considering she's about my age, which I don't remember ever happening in Idol before, I could be wrong but anyways she is awesome and I can't wait till she makes records! I loved when she sang Alone and I Can't Make You Love Me. Oh and I love Chris Daughtry too so she is following the right path! 

    Anonymous's picture

    I still think

    Submitted by
    Anonymous
    on May 23, 2009 - 7:30am.

    it should of been an Allison/Adam Finale. And being that Kris won AI makes me wonder now if Alison  could of also beat Adam. Being I thought for sure Adam was going to win.

    http://www.afterellen.com/node/49600

    We are doing a top 10 list of which american idol contestant/judge we want to sleep with

    Win's picture

    Allison has it

    Submitted by
    Win (12 posts)
    on May 23, 2009 - 8:14am.
    Allison has it to go all the way. Until she is done she will be up there with the likes of Janis Joplin, Melissa Etheridge. Wow.. now I would love to hear her sing with Ms. Melissa!!
    Win
    ---There comes a point in your life when you realize who matters, who never did, who won't anymore, and who alwa
    Anonymous's picture

    Watch...

    Submitted by
    Anonymous
    on May 23, 2009 - 8:35am.

    She will become the bigger star of any of the contestants that where on this year.

    http://www.afterellen.com/node/49600

    We are doing a top 10 list of which american idol contestant/judge we want to sleep with

    Kiseki's picture

    SQUEE!!!!

    Submitted by
    Kiseki (222 posts)
    on June 5, 2009 - 9:30am.

    You finally covered Allison on this site! OMG, I am totally in love w/her. I don't even care that she is 13 years younger than me and, if I were a really messed up teen, I could actually be her mother.  She is utter perfection.  I love everything about her.  For goodness sake she wore busted Vans with a hole in them to the AI finale!  LOVE.  I could make a list 100 things long about why she is the best thing since like anything in a longass time.

    Anyway, to stop fangirling for a second...Allison HAS been signed to Jive and is currently picking out songs.  I think she'll do the pop/rock thing at first.  Probably be another Kelly or a mini version of Pink.  If this were the 70s she could be the next Joan Jett, but I'm only dreaming.

    Either way I am gonna be rocking the Iraheta forever!

    PS- I don't get a straight vibe from her either!  Anyone else with me?


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