Will fickle fans keep 'Idol' from flaming out? :(

Will fickle fans keep 'Idol' from flaming out?
COURTNEY DEVORES
The Charlotte Observer


Quote:Charlotte lays claim to two American Idol finalists, winner Fantastia Barrino, originally from High Point, and runner-up Clay Aiken, a Raleigh native who attended UNC Charlotte before fame called.

Fantasia, like Aiken's competitor Ruben Studdard, actually came in first on the hit reality show, but you might not realize it given the fanfareAiken has received, especially here at home. Since his near-win, the singer has scored a Rolling Stone cover (even before Studdard's), a No. 1 debut album ("Measure of a Man" ) and single ("This is the Night" ), and an army of fanatical fans who call themselves "Claymates."

Closer to home, Aiken was awarded his own "Clay Aiken Day" by Charlotte's mayor; when "Night" came out, fans bombarded area radio stations with requests.

Fantasia never saw such a calculated reception, though her talent earned her much respect from music lovers.

Neither artist has set the charts on fire lately. Since "Night," Aiken has failed to Crack the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100. And there are plenty of tickets still available for his performance at the Paladium of Paramount's Carowinds on Saturday.

Fantastia's first single "I Believe," hasn't even sold half that of Aiken's "Night." She falls behind Studdard and original winner Kelly Clarkson in the sales department.

Has American Idol simply run its course -- or is Fantasia's audience waiting on her full-length album? Billboard's Geoff Mayfield suggested in a July VH1.com report that fans are taking a wait-and-see attitude towards Fantasia.

Will Clay Aiken's fans still be interested in him in November, when the singer releases his memoirs, "Learning to Sing: Hearing the Music in Your Life," as well as a holiday album? Only time -- and the pop charts -- will tell.