From a media release:
- Canada’s first idol, Paul Anka, joins Top 4 for next week’s “Salute to the Standards”
After a staggering 3.9 million votes were cast last night, Regina’s Matt Rapley became the next competitor to be eliminated from Canadian Idol tonight on CTV. Rapley, 18, received the fewest amount of votes after his performance of Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground” during last night’s “My Own Idol” episode. Three males and one female remain in the hunt to be crowned this year’s champion in just three short weeks. In next Monday’s “Salute to the Standards” episode, the Top 4 perform two songs each after being mentored by Canada’s original pop idol, Paul Anka. The Final Four will workshop with Anka upon their return from hometown tours to Mission, BC; Drumheller, AB; Hamilton, ON; and West Pubnico, NS this coming Friday and Saturday.
Last night’s episode was the most-watched performance episode of the season, with 1.7 million total viewers. Devoted to songs originally performed by the competitors’ favourite artists, the broadcast was followed by a massive telephone calling event that saw nearly 4 million votes registered, up 25 per cent compared to the same episode last year.
Tonight’s episode featured two live performances by North America’s first Idol winner Kelly Clarkson, who mentored the Top 5 this week. After performing her latest single “Never Again” and an acoustic version of her hit song “Because of You,” Clarkson was presented with a Platinum CD by host Ben Mulroney for her latest release My December on behalf of SONY BMG MUSIC (Canada) and Canadian Idol. The presentation recognized sales of over 100,000 units in Canada for Clarkson’s latest release.
Joining Rapley in the Bottom Two tonight was Nova Scotia’s Dwight d’Eon. But ultimately it was Rapley who received the bad news that his Canadian Idol journey had come to an end. Watch an exclusive interview with Rapley immediately following his elimination on Canadian Idol’s companion program, All-Access, available on demand beginning this Thursday at idol.ctv.ca.
The Canadian Idol Final Four:
- Jaydee Bixby, 17, Drumheller, AB, Student
- Dwight d’Eon, 28, West Pubnico, NS, Lobster Fisherman
- Carly Rae Jepsen, 21, Mission, BC, Student/Waitress
- Brian Melo, 25, Hamilton, ON, Construction Worker
In next Monday’s “Salute to the Standards” episode (Aug. 27), the Final Four will perform two songs each backed by the 20-piece Canadian Idol Big Band Orchestra under the baton of the series’ musical director, Orin Isaacs. Before that, the four competitors will have the opportunity to learn from one of the greatest standard’s singers around, the original Canadian idol, Paul Anka. On Tuesday’s show (Aug. 28), airing in a new timeslot at 8 p.m. ET/PT, Anka will take to the Canadian Idol stage himself to perform a medley of standards with the Top 4 as well as a selection from his upcoming new release, Classic Songs, My Way.
