A Prayer on American Idol Center Stage

Given that  two Top 24  contestants of American Idol Season 10 are of  Filipino descent-- Clint Jun Gamboa  and Thia Megia, I have great interest in  following their progression in the competition.  The two  talents  made me feel proud of their performances.  Thia, aged 15,  made it  through the next round-- making her the youngest ever finalist--  but  I was disappointed that Clint that did not make the final cut in the Top 13 last week.

But that disappointment was overshadowed by what I  now consider  the most memorable performance in the history of  this  highly commercial program.  Stefano Langone, a 21 year-old survivor of a near fatal accident 2 years ago,  was given the chance by the judges  to sing literally  for his (showbiz) life  in the Wild Card Round.

Stefano sang "I Need You Now" originally sung by Smokie Norful  (this is Smokie's version). For a few precious minutes-- on center stage,  in front  of  millions of  TV viewers--  to me, what  actually transpired  was a  prayer  invoking divine presence.   It was definitely a powerful,  heartfelt performance.    Please click here for Stefano's rendition.

By the end of the song, one could see Stefano looking up  in an apparent sign of surrender to whatever fate God would hand him.   Eventually, Stefano got the judges' nod and was given one of the last slots in the Top 13.

Whether Stefano will get the title in the end  is another thing, but one thing is for  sure, he will be remembered for that moment when he proved  that God can be called upon even amidst the bright lights  that Hollywood  beams  on its so-called idols.

May we too have those moments to call on God's presence,  even in the  quiet  but  hurried   pace of our daily lives.



  
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