It's showdown time!

Sharpe squares off with Eva Avila for Canadian Idol crown

By Dave White
Transcontinental Community Newspapers

If Craig Sharpe hadn't advanced to the top two in the Canadian Idol contest, the Special Events Committee in Upper Island Cove would have proceeded with their plans for a large parade and party for Sharpe's homecoming anyway.

But the Idol star is no party crusher. Sharpe has made it all the way to the final round in CTV's biggest summertime program ever, Canadian Idol.

The elimination of Saskatchewan's Tyler Lewis last Tuesday, Sept. 5, set the stage for last night's dramatic showdown.

Quebecer Eva Avila, 19, went head-to-head with Newfoundland's Craig Sharpe, 16, as both performed the new Canadian Idol single Meant to Fly.

This is the second year in a row that this province has delivered a top two finalist. And it's the second time in three years a competitor from the Conception Bay North town of 1,800 has made it into the top five. Jason Greeley was Newfoundland's popular choice before he was eliminated from the top four list in 2004.

For a 16-year-old kid from Upper Island Cove to go to New York City and meet the legendary Tony Bennett, "that was marvelous," said Sharpe's Kindergarten teacher and relative Loretta Sharpe.

"It's something he will carry with him for the rest of his life. All of us will too because we've all been so involved. And this involvement with Craig, for me, goes back to when he was in Kindergarten," said Craig's former teacher.

"As he came up through (the school system) a lot of us really fostered that singing in Craig. We followed him. We encouraged him - and his family and friends have been really so supportive of him."

Loretta Sharpe's campaign has come under fire by a small group of people who say it isn't fair to vote for Craig just because he's a Newfoundlander, without watching the performances.

While the Idol show is aired, Loretta Sharpe and other supporters travel as far as St. John's to use pay phones to vote for Craig after the show. They get to see the show later on videotape.

"We don't need to hear Craig perform," the teacher fired back. "We've been hearing him perform since he was five years old. We've watched his talent grow, and all we're doing is nurturing that talent."

Loretta noted before the Sept. 5 Canadian Idol Show aired, "there's a lot of mixed feelings because we all feel Craig is marvelous."

While she said the judges didn't have anything negative to say about Craig's singing, there were comments about his presentation.

"When you think about (the type of songs) he was doing last night (standards), they just stood around and clicked their fingers," Loretta Sharpe said, referring to classic performers like Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis Jr. and Perry Como.

"That's exactly what Craig was doing last night."


Craig is in

"Oh, this is unbelievable," Craig's brother Chris, 21, said immediately after his younger brother made the final.

"I haven't felt this much excitement in all my life. I'm so proud of my little brother - it's unbelievable."

Craig's sister Colleen Wilcox said she probably wouldn't sleep that night.

"I just can't wait to get home and talk with him. This still hasn't struck me yet," she said.

Before the show, Wilcox said she was excited and nervous.

"But the overall thing is it doesn't really matter what happens tonight. He's gone this far. We're proud of him and we just can't wait to see him."

Homecoming

"We're going to have a party like Upper Island Cove has never seen before," said Special Events Committee chairman David Osborne.

"This has been in the works all summer. Of course everything has been leading up to this evening," he said after the Sept.5 Idol show.

The committee had a meeting immediately after Sharpe landed in the final. The next morning, Sept. 6, they had a teleconference with officials from Canadian Idol.

The Special Events Committee has planned a huge parade for Craig's arrival home. There'll be a concert and an autograph signing session open to the general public.

"There's no reason for Craig not to go all the way now," said Osborne. "We have a 50/50 chance here now - and 50/50 is as good as it gets."

Following last night performances (Sept. 11) Canadians took to the phones to elect their next Canadian Idol.

Now the suspense will build toward the announcement of the winner a full six days later on the Canadian Idol season finale, airing live on CTV Sunday, Sept. 17 at 9:30 p.m. Newfoundland time.