May 17 2007
melinda doolittle

Melinda Doolittle’s Elimination Was God’s Plan

Melinda Doolittle came prepared for last night’s elimination round, she wore a t-shirt with the words “Death Cheater” printed across the front. It didn’t work out that way, she became the latest contestant to be eliminated from American Idol.

This season, more than any other, has highlighted that pop and personality is much more important to Idol fans than pipes and obvious talent.

Simon Cowell was pushing Melinda Doolittle early and often, last night he had to say goodbye to his American Idol.. “My commiserations, Melinda, cause you are one heck of a singer.”

In another part of the country, Mandisa, former American Idol contestant and now published author and singer, was getting her blog on.

Typing up words of encouragement for her new Idol castoff associate, something about it’s God’s plan and being beyond what human minds can understand.

mandisa speaks

Mandisa Speaks..

Well it is a sad sad day as I sit in my hotel room here in Grand Rapids. I should have been able to tell by the prevalent chill I felt when I walked off of the airplane that something wasn’t right. Or maybe it was the fifty missed calls and texts that should have clued me in. But it was finally the voice of my friend Bryan that broke the news…Melinda’s time on Idol has come to an end.

Sorry I didn’t get to write last week. I was on a massive radio tour and I was not able to watch the show until this weekend. Was sad to see Lakisha go but nothing compares to tonight. I am kicking off another week of appearances and performances that culminates in LA for the finale next week. I so expected to have my “I love Melinda” sign waving in the audience (As a matter of fact, I still may!) She had a long and successful run but I will tell you like I just called and left a message telling her…it only begins now.

I know that we all get caught up in who finishes in what place but I am learning that one’s success has less to do with the order of your elimination, and more to do with how you carry yourself on the show with the time you had. I know that Melinda’s elimination was a blessing in disguise.

melinda doolittle - photo credit Flickr..

Certain things come along with the title of “American Idol”. Some of those things are good. Some are not. After my time on Idol I see eliminations a lot differently than I did before my experience.

Like me, Melinda loves God with all of her heart. Because of that, her steps are ordered. She wasn’t eliminated merely because of a song, a faulty phone line, a judge’s comment, or anything else. She was “invited to exit” because God has a plan for her that goes beyond what our human minds can understand. He also has a plan for Jordin, Blake, you, and everyone else in the world. We don’t always understand it, but because He is a loving God, we can always trust it.

Will you join me this week in praying for my girl? Pray for peace, understanding, and faith. Finally, ask God to make His plans clear. And while we’re at it, let’s lift up Jordin and Blake. They have a busy week ahead of them and I can only imagine the pressure they must be facing. Let’s pray for good rest, health, creativity, and humility.

I love you guys!

Disa


☼ What's Your Opinion? ☼

1 Chaya Thu, May 17, 2007 - 5:12 pm

Maybe you’re right; but, still, I cried when I saw she was eliminated!  She is a special person, not only a fantastic singer!  But we haven’t heard the last from her yet!  I’m sure G-d has big plans for her!

2 Teri Thu, May 17, 2007 - 5:28 pm

Well said.  I tend to agree.  I do think that it’s a shame that “vote for the Worst” happened, but other than that I do feel that everything happens for a reason.  Looking back at previous years, “winning” this contest doesn’t necessarily mean that person will have the greatest success. I’ll be praying for Melinda as well as Jordan & Blake.

3 kenneth H Thu, May 17, 2007 - 8:33 pm

i have to agree with you, obviously this competition was not based upon talent because clearly melinda was the most talented one, i mean c’mon, who can sing a whitney houston song so great?!?!?! but i think that this is the begining of “one heck of a singer”, and i disagree with seacrest when he said that it was the end of the road for her, because ,melinda has the talent to overtop everything that he could ever get, therefore i felt better, i’m still shocked, she was my idol, but she’ll have a tremendous career ahead of her, with God on her side
LOVE

4 Prisha Fri, May 18, 2007 - 12:54 am

Wow.We love Melinda & were sorry she didn’t make the finals. She is SO gifted & blessed. What an amazing personality! What grace! Melinda is truly an inspiration. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Melinda will be one very tough act to follow.

5 Lynn Fri, May 18, 2007 - 1:34 pm

We love you Melinda!  I too believe beyond the worldly things, there is an ultimate plan that is deeper and richer then we know exists.  For Melinda Doolittle will continue to inspire and perform spellbinding songs for a very long time to come.  She may not be the “American Idol”, but she will be an “American Icon”!

6 Guy Fri, May 18, 2007 - 1:49 pm

I thought for sure that Melinda would have been in the finale. But I guess Idol is no different from the real world of todays music where gimmicks, looks, and great marketing ability out weigh real true talent. But its been that way for ever. Even in Dreamgirls the beauty was chosen over the better talent… and look at Stephanie Mills, Regina Bell, and all of the other scores of REAL TALENTED ARTISTS who can blow but never got the recognition they deserved.

7 shawn Fri, May 18, 2007 - 6:21 pm

dat is sum bullshit dat she got eliminated. my mova was pissed when she saw dat. america is dumb becuz dey voted her off da show. dey lucky i didn’t vote becuz she would’ve stayed or i would’ve whipped sum ass

8 Gabi Fri, May 18, 2007 - 10:31 pm

Hey Mandisa!  Thanks for your thoughts on this.  Melinda is such a beautiful woman of God…I would love to adopt her as a big sister. =)  You’re right…God has some amazing plans for her.  And the ways He does things are usually different than what we would choose.  I admit it, I cried when Melinda was eliminated, but I’m so excited for what’s going to come, I’m so excited about how God is going to use her. A big thank you to Melinda for inspiring us to press on with character and dignity.  Love you both!!

9 Gabi Fri, May 18, 2007 - 10:40 pm
10 gabi and michelle - (May 18th, 2007 - 7:37 p.m.) Fri, May 18, 2007 - 11:41 pm

we love Melinda!!!!!!In our minds….she is the winner because she has the power to move us to tears, and gives us goose bumps when she sings. please come out with an album….we are definitely your fans!!!!!!

11 THE ONE Sat, May 19, 2007 - 12:49 am

That bitch doesn’t have a neck

12 Tina_19 Sat, May 19, 2007 - 1:19 am

Too ugly, too old fashioned, and YES, no neck! (I noticed that during her audition, and thought it looked really weird!) However, with some luck, she might sell some gospel stuff to the nursing home crowd, which might keep her out of the KFC drive-thru window! (Good luck!)

13 Auree Sat, May 19, 2007 - 2:28 pm

This elimination is nuthin more than the fact tht American’s are idiots…How the hell could they vote someone of the show like Melinda…she was the finest singer to come across American Idol…INCLUDING THE ONES WHO WON…my prayers are with you Melinda…God bless you…and may you have a successful career!!!

14 Tina_19 Sat, May 19, 2007 - 5:58 pm

Hey, Auree. Why don’t you stop your whining? Have you ever heard of DEMOCRACY? If so, then if so, what the HELL is wrong with AMERICA voting for who the HELL they choose? Just because YOU like someone, doesn’t mean EVERYONE is supposed to vote for them, right? Get over it!

15 Tina_19 Sat, May 19, 2007 - 6:17 pm

Attention readers: Are you CONFUSED about why your favorite Black girl singer failed to impress voters? Well, it’s really quite simple. ONE, she’s OLD. Yeah, I know, 29 isn’t REALLY ‘OLD’, but for the voting public (which includes MILLIONS of teens) Melinda Dolittle looks like aunt jemima, understand? Hell, I’m over 29 myself, but I’m not trying to impress my teenage children with my musical prowess, either! Also, Melinda is ugly. Sorry to have to BREAK IT to her ‘FANS’, but she’s just hard-downed UGLY, and believe it or not, that DOES matter. You might not LIKE it, but it does. And to add insult to injury, her ‘singing’ is reminiscent of someone from a 1930s BLUES CAFE, and that, fellow readers, is NOT what IDOL VIEWERS (or RECORD COMPANIES!) want…There you go!

16 Auree Sat, May 19, 2007 - 6:41 pm

you have got to be kidding me Tina…im a teen…my friends are teen…heck, my whole school are teenagers but we still love her…this is a singing competition, not a beauty contest…Melinda’s voice is comparable to some of the biggest stars like Mariah Carey or Beyonce…wht i really cant understand is how Blaike gets to be on the show over Lakisha, Phil and especially Chris(rock on dude!!!)...and for the democracy thing…even the people can make wrong decision if there intentions are wrong…like this http://www.votefortheworst.com/ ...they vote for the worst and encourage others to do the same just because they were neglected by the judges

17 Cena Sat, May 19, 2007 - 6:48 pm

you are DAMN right Auree!

18 Tina_19 Sun, May 20, 2007 - 12:06 am

Auree…No, I wasn’t kidding you! What on earth makes you think that? Ok, lets look at this thing from a different perspective. So the student body in your school is comprised solely of teens, huh? Really? Must be a middle school…Anyway, I never said that Melinda COULDN’T sing, I just said that she (and what she sings) is not what IDOL viewers (or the recording companies) want. As much as you would like to see her win, she never really had a chance against YOUNGER, more attractive, more ‘IN TOUCH’ contestants like the ones still standing. And, BTW. What makes you think IDOL is a “SINGING” contest? Is it because SIMON COWELL said that during the auditions? Listen…Singing talent ‘HELPED’ get some contestants ‘BY’ the judges during the audition phase, but even THEN, attitude, age, and YES, appearance played an important role in who ‘went to Hollywood’...If you think the judges didn’t consider APPEARANCE, think again! Remember HALEY? The very pretty, leggy girl, who got booted recently? With her limited TALENT, do you honestly believe she would have even made it past the audition, if she had LOOKED like Melinda Doolittle? Puhlleeaassseee! Remember, it’s American “IDOL”, not American “SINGER”...Have you ever noticed how Ryan elicits votes for the candidates? He says something to the effect of, “If you want to vote for” etc., etc…He doesn’t say, “make SURE you vote for the BEST SINGER, whether you like them or not”, does he? I know it’s been said before, (and is now almost a cliche) but POPULARITY = RECORD SALES…It doesn’t MATTER to the recording companies WHO or WHY people buy CDs, only that they BUY them, and lets face it. Blake will outsell all the other finalists ‘COMBINED’ because of his appeal among the TEEN and early twenty crowd, and I believe you KNOW that! His POSTERS will adorn every little girl’s room across the country, and his CDs (complete with his IMAGE!) will fly off the shelves…His concerts will attract MILLIONS of screaming kids, and before long, another Justin Timberlake will be BORN! So be honest now, irrespective of TALENT, can you see ANYTHING like that happening for Melinda Dooolittle, LaKisha Jones, or Jordin Sparks? I can’t!

Tina

19 Auree Sun, May 20, 2007 - 12:24 pm

so wht ur saying is tht u never really thought tht she could win??? just one question…did YOU want her to win or not???

20 ochal... Mon, May 21, 2007 - 3:36 am

you should not going home last night, because we love you, and you’re the one of the best singer in american idol, and remember that randy said “don’t ashamed”  i love you, i love blake, i love lakisha, and i love you all. buh-bye…

21 Jerry SIlaban Mon, May 21, 2007 - 9:30 am

Only A fool thinks Melinda sucks.
You guys have said it perfectly well, so let’s just pray for the best for our beloved Melinda.

22 Luis Giraldo Tue, May 22, 2007 - 1:35 pm

I loved Melinda from day one. She had the power to make my heart race every time she sang.  She is beyond American Idol, someone with talent and values…not just a marketable face.  I can’t wait to see her on TV performing, buy her album and just re-live her voice.  God bless her!

Blake, I hope you get your chance..your are an original act and that to me has alot of value.

23 Tina_19 Tue, May 22, 2007 - 7:36 pm

Luis Giraldo said:

“She (Melinda Dooolittle) is beyond American Idol”

She might be, so when ‘LAWRENCE WELK’ returns to television, she should audition!

Tina

24 tboz612 Wed, May 23, 2007 - 10:16 pm

My heart aches every time I think about what"teeny-boppers” of America did to Melinda and Lakeisha. But you are right, this is only the beginning for them and we cannot change what God has planned for our lives. So many other Idol contestants who did not make it have gone on to become very successful including yourself, Disa. I am proud of you. The final show is on now as I type this, but it hurts too much to watch it. They should change the voting rules next year. God bless!!

25 hot girl Wed, May 23, 2007 - 10:21 pm

to tina_19:

when “Living Color” returns, you should audition for “Wanda” now that Jamie Foxx no longer needs it.

26 creampuff810 Wed, May 23, 2007 - 10:39 pm

Tina_19:
I noticed you have at least 4 comments here. You need to post your comments somewhere else because everyone here loves Melinda. AMERICAN IDOL IS A SINGING COMPETITION, FOOL!! You must be one of the teeny-boppers who phoned in 1,000 times to vote her off.

27 idol fan Wed, May 23, 2007 - 10:43 pm

To “The One”:

You must not know about God. He is the same One who created you. Her mother had a daughter, not a bitch. What did yo momma have???

28 Mater_aholiab Thu, May 24, 2007 - 4:34 pm

para mi eres la ganadaora…
por tu talento y el Don que Dios te ha dado..
sin duda tu trascendendia sera muy grande..y bendeciras a muchas personas con tu hemosa voz..
Dios te bendiga…
y claro.. todo es plan de Dios…
y para sus hijos .. lo mejor..
una brazo dese Chile
solo espero que salga pronto tu disco..

29 creampuff810 Thu, May 24, 2007 - 9:16 pm

Hey tina_19, where u at?? I’m not finished cuttin u up? bring it on!!U must b some prejudiced white bitch. u said Melinda looks like aunt jemimah?? i bet u eat those pancakes. SHE IS BEAUTIFUL INSIDE AND OUT, and after reading your comments, i can tell u are ugly, fat and funky. those are the ones who put other people down because they are insecure with themselves. u better b glad you are on the internet because if you came to da hood talking that crap, u would leave in a body bag.

30 creampuff810 Thu, May 24, 2007 - 9:25 pm

Mandisa:
So sorry to get ghetto on your website, but I am so hurt that teen-aged white america voted Melinda off. if they only knew they just made it better for her!! Tina_19 and “The One” rubbed me the wrong way and I just had to let it out. I’m from the east-side of Detroit and it’s just in my blood!! If I ever come face-to-face with Tina_19, I will make her eat aunt jemimah pancakes 24-7 for a month!!

31 jssantamaria Fri, May 25, 2007 - 12:42 am

Im from El Salvador, Central America, I loooove to Melinda, she es a fantastic singer and special person, i cry when i know she votted off, well how say mandisa, God have a Big Plan for her, Melinda You are amazing artist, God Bless You!

NUNCA TE DETENGAS OK!

32 Jesus in Puerto Rico. Fri, May 25, 2007 - 4:38 am

Thank to Melinda Dolittle for you sing on American Idol show. I injoy you singing very mucho. Plesse do not let you losing discurage you. And Pleese you no worry Melinda because you a little overweight. Now you can eat all the fried chiken you wont and not worry about it. You are a butiful negro girl Melinda, so plesse you no give up on you dreem, ok? So wat if you have to get job at burger king for while. just you no give up you dreem miss Melinda Dolitle. If you ever maker a record , I will look for it on kazaa and download it, ok? Good luck Melinda with you singing carear.

33 She is no "Idol" Sat, May 26, 2007 - 1:59 pm

I am a HUGE Melinda Doolittle fan and must admit I was sad that she left because she deserved to win.  How ever I think it was good that she left because if she really is a Christian (which I believe she is) then she wouldn’t really want to be labeled an “Idol” because the Bible says we shouldn’t have idols in our lives.  An Idol is something that takes the place of God.  So I am relieved that she will be making it on her own and won’t have to have the name “American Idol” attached to her success.  That way she can give God ALL the credit not American Idol!  God Bless You Melinda!  Oh, and congrats. Jordan Sparks! You’re amazing too!  ~Robin

34 whodis?? Fri, Jun 08, 2007 - 5:02 pm

tina_19 you are over 29years old going back and forth with a teenager….grow up!
I personally think that melinda doolittle is very talented and she is not “ugly”...look @ seal he is not the most attractive man but is very well respected for his music…anyway American Idol fans are more eager to see what the losers on the show end up to be vs. the winners.  American Idol has not been the same since Fantasia-thats just my personal opinion

35 Louise Tue, May 27, 2008 - 10:10 am

Melinda will release her first album at the end of the summer. If you want to support her in her career http://www.mdstreetteam.com. You are very welcome

36 Louise7 Sun, Jun 29, 2008 - 7:01 pm

All fans of Melinda come join us at http://www.mdstreetteam.com to supporting her with her future album who she will released in the fall. Fresh Update, videos,pictures.

37 Louise7 Sun, Aug 10, 2008 - 12:31 am

This past week Melinda finish the vocals on her CD!. All of that happens quickly then you will see her CD on shelves this Fall! Also, keep your eye out for her first official single that should be hitting airwaves in the coming weeks. Melinda is going to be throwing a lot of music at us in the coming months so get ready!
We have new website to support Melinda Career. http://www.mdstreetteam.com I’m one of her backups who support Melinda from the beginning. Melinda have her own topic in the forum. She keep us update with all what happen with her album and everything with us. She is a amazing person. Come join us

38 Louise7 Thu, Sep 18, 2008 - 1:58 pm

Melinda Doolittle the talented vocalist with a heart of gold. The album’s first single, “It’s Your Love,” was released to radio stations nationwide in September. to have more update about her album http://www.melindasbackups.com

39 www.whudat.com Wed, Apr 20, 2011 - 10:56 pm

Melinda_doolittles_elimination_was_gods_plan_1680517072.. Neat 😊

40 Masaki Fri, Jul 20, 2012 - 5:17 pm

Hey Trav loved getting to watch Blake again.  Watching Mandisa last year has made us IDOL jukines.  Jim and I enjoyed all the performances last night and pretty much had them in the order you did.  My fav is Melissa.  Always has been.  She turns into a different woman when she gets on stage.  I like her also cuz she likes church.  And I have always been rooting for Phil (maybe since he is a Navy guy and I do like sailors   nothing to do with having two sons who are).  Again, we stand amazed and what God is doing in your lives.  I loved the pics.  Your children shouldn’t be old enough to be doing all these things.  Still praying for them and you.  Love and blessings to you all.  Mary CHey, Casper is BEAUTIFUL this week.  When are you coming back!

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