By Laura Thompson
The Hamilton Spectator
(Aug 15, 2006)
They call her the chameleon.



But you likely know her as Ashley Coulter, a Canadian Idol contender who's vying for a spot in the top five.

The Burlington high school grad earned the nickname for her remarkable ability to change musical styles and reinvent her looks. Her makeovers are seamless every week.

Last night she shed her platinum blond locks to become a fiery redhead.

It won the approval of many fans who swarmed a local Burlington bar in support of the 23-year-old songstress.

About 100 people crammed into QB's Sports Grille to watch their favourite Idol serenade an intimate crowd at the Masonic Temple Concert Hall in Toronto.

"Sometimes it doesn't seem real," said Coulter's mom Kimberly Coulter-Prior, who's a dead ringer for her talented daughter.

Coulter was the second idol to take the stage last night. Her fans at the bar screamed when she walked out wearing a 1960's-style flowered shirt over jeans.

"I liked her clothes," said nine-year-old Emily Vaz. "It's really great to watch her here because we can never scream like this at home."

Coulter performed Roy Orbison's Crying as part of the first ever "unplugged" night on Canadian Idol.

All six competitors had their moment to shine when they sang with only basic accompaniment.

"That, my dear, is what I'd call a remarkable vocal performance," praised Idol judge Sass Jordan.

But judge Zack Werner, the show's leading critic, didn't agree.

"To me, I think it's an absurd choice of song," he said. "Do something cool."

The remark prompted a chorus of boos directed at the cynical judge. With only six competitors left in Canadian Idol, the competition is heating up.

Garry Kolb, who has been a dedicated Coulter fan from the beginning, said he believes her only competition is 19-year-old Eva Avila.

"She's the only one left who can really sing. The others don't have it. The guys don't have it and Steffi's (DiDomenicantonio) too Broadway."

The moment the phone lines opened up for voting last night, Coulter's fans at QB's reached in unison for their cellphones.

"It makes the difference," said Jason Mace of Burlington. The 24-year-old fan expected to vote about 50 times in the two hours the phone lines are open.

Coulter graduated from Assumption Secondary School before moving to London, Ont., to pursue her singing career.

Before coming to Burlington at 15, she lived in Emeryville, Ont.

Fans held another party in Belle River, Ont., last night to show their support for the aspiring idol.

Almost 200 Coulter fans armed with cellphones crammed into a sports bar about 30 minutes from Windsor.

Telus Mobility donated roughly 60 phones for them to cast their votes. Coulter's mom is trying to work out the same deal for Burlington fans next week if her daughter makes the top five.