» Teen Idol draws 600

By Chip Dombrowski
Monday, August 31, 2009 | No comments posted. Star Moralez was looking for a little respect.

She got that and more Saturday at the Blackberry Arts Festival, when she became the first contestant to collect a second top score in Bay Area Teen Idol.

She did it with her first-half performance of Aretha Franklin’s “Respect,” which left head judge Kim Handsaker speechless.

“I love that song,” said Moralez, a three-time contestant from Myrtle Point. “It’s surprising that I waited three years to do it, because I sing it all the time with my mom. It’s a good one to do outdoors.”

The show drew the largest crowd ever for Teen Idol at more than 600, organizer Stephanie Kilmer said.

Emma Wampler of Bandon placed second with the Captain & Tenille’s “Love Will Keep Us Together” for the ’60s and ’70s round and “Stupid Cupid” for the ’50s. “They were both really fun songs to do,” said Wampler, 13. “I wasn’t nervous.”

Judges noticed.

“It’s nice to see you coming out of your shell,” Handsaker said. “The next step is for you to come out and own the stage.”

Thaddeus Miller of Bandon placed third with “My Girl” and “Hound Dog,” which included Elvis-style knee-swinging. His previous songs were showy crowd pleasers, including performances last week that won his second people’s choice award. This time, Miller was looking to show his voice on a slower song in “My Girl.”

“It was nice to see something totally different, softer,” Handsaker told him.

He improvised the song’s ending. “Star helped me with part of it,” he said. “I made up the really high note. It just happened and it stuck.”

Ally Putas and Amanda Waldrop were eliminated.

When announcing those moving on to Thursday’s semifinal, announcer Mike Chavez initially left out Destyni Fuller, who placed fourth with the Eagles’ “Take It Easy” and “Lipstick on My Collar.”

“I was scared,” Fuller said, adding that she’s been looking forward to Thursday’s Broadway round all summer.

The initial announcement left many others bewildered. Moralez said she would have protested if Fuller was eliminated so early.

“She’s so skilled,” Moralez said.

Judges criticized Fuller’s performance of “Take It Easy,” but the comments weren’t all bad.

“You went a little out of your comfort zone,” judge Barbara Boots said. “I appreciate that.”

Marissa Cato also got an elimination scare in the first half when she forgot the words to the Supremes’ “Baby Love,” but she recovered with “Que Sera, Sera.”

All five remaining contestants have taken at least one top score, making judges’ work harder as the field narrows.