Canadian Idol (season 5)

The fifth season of Canadian Idol is the fifth installation of the Idol series in Canada. It was again hosted by Ben Mulroney, with Farley Flex, Jake Gold, Sass Jordan and Zack Werner all returning as judges. The show premiered on June 5, 2007 with a 90-minute episode. Voting began during the fourth week. New events introduced that season included the Help Idols build a house and the Kraft Confidential with David Kerr. The elimination song for this year was Walk on Home by Kalan Porter. The final episode of the season was broadcast on September 11, 2007 when Brian Melo was crowned Canadian Idol.

Plan

On December 19, 2006, CTV announced their initial plans for the fifth season of Canadian Idol.^[1] It started off in Vancouver on February 3, 2007, and went on to 9 more cities across Canada in a 10-week period.

Auditions

This was the first season in which Canadian auditioners could play along with their instrument in their audition, making it the second Idol program to do so, after the 2006 season of Australian Idol.^[1] The auditioners were allowed to bring any type of instrument they wish as long as they are able to sing and play at the same time. They must be able to carry their instrument with them throughout the audition process. CTV explained on its website that many competitors have indicated they feel more comfortable in an audition setting by accompanying themselves on an instrument. Competitors were judged on a whole range of factors, including singing ability, style and presence. They state that the "Ability to play an instrument is yet another dimension to each competitor's complete package."^[2]

Auditions were held in eleven cities in the winter and early spring of 2007 in the following order:

• February 3 & 4: Vancouver BC Place Stadium
• February 10 & 11: Calgary Pengrowth Saddledome
• February 17 & 18: Saskatoon Credit Union Centre
• February 24 & 25: Winnipeg MTS Centre
• March 3 & 4: London John Labatt Centre
• March 10 & 11: Montreal Pepsi Forum
• March 17 & 18: Ottawa St-Laurent Centre
• March 24 & 25: Halifax Halifax Metro Centre
• April 4: St. John's Mile One Centre
• Starting April 11: Toronto Yonge-Dundas Square

The registration started promptly after 8 am CTV committed that all auditioners who showed up between 8 am – 4 p.m. would be seen. In bigger cities however, the line may have been cut off before four, with the auditioners being asked to come back the next day.

Audition process

The audition process may vary in different cities. However, the concept is essentially the same.

Tier 1

After the competitor receives their number at the registration desk, they are allowed to go to other places until their number is called. After their number is called, they will be asked to wait in the front line for their audition for the first round. Auditioners will be sent in groups of five, taken to the waiting room by an audition crew. The audition crews responsible for the groups will take the competitors to Tier 1, where they will audition to the representative of a producer with their group.

Each auditioner will take turn to sing one song for as long as they want. If the representative is not sure about the competitor's performance, they may ask them to sing another song. After all five auditioners have sung, the representatives may make comments, and announces auditioners that will not go through to the second round. The successful auditioners will be given a Yellow Ticket, and will return to the waiting room to wait for an audition crew to lead them to a separate waiting room where they wait for the second round of audition.

Tier 2

After the auditioner's number is called for the second round of audition known as Tier 2, an audition crew will take them along with couple others to the waiting room once more. The competitors will have to wait there until their number is called, and then they will be sent into the audition room. In Tier 2, the competitors will audition to a producer of the show, where they will be asked to sing a minimum of two songs. The successful auditioner will receive a Blue Ticket, and will need to return to the registration desk to register for the Celebrity Judges round.

Celebrity judges

By assigned order of time on successful auditioner's registration paper, they will be called into the final round of audition where they meet the Canadian Idol Celebrity Judges Farley Flex, Jake Gold, Sass Jordan and Zack Werner. It will be held at a secret location on another day.

In this round, the auditioner will have to prepare one song in the song list that is given to you when you are registering for the third round, along with four other songs of your own choice. Successful auditioners will be given a Gold Ticket, where they will have a chance to participate in the Top 200 week in Toronto.

The Gold Ticket receivers are asked to remain absolutely silent, or they may face possible disqualification due to fairness purposes.

Top 212

The Top 212 auditions were again held in Toronto. The 212 singers from across the country selected stepped in front of the four judges during the Top 200 week. They competed against cuts that included solos, duets and group performances. Eventually, the group as whittled down to just 22 finalists.

Top 22

The Top 22 was announced on the June 19 episode. The semi-finalists included:

Females

Montana Martin Iles, 16, is student from Sainte-Julienne, Quebec. Despite performing alone during the group part of Toronto Week, she impressed the judges with her raw style.

1. The Bird and the Worm by The Used
2. Thnks fr th Mmrs by Fall Out Boy
3. Ironic by Alanis Morissette (Eliminated 07/11/07)

Annika Odegard, 16, is a student and performer from Calgary, Alberta.

1. Helplessly, Hopelessly by Jessica Andrews
2. Super Duper Love by Joss Stone
3. Ordinary Day by Vanessa Carlton (Eliminated 07/11/07)

Naomi-Joy Blackhall, 25, is an account manager from Halifax, Nova Scotia. She and fellow Top 22 member Dwight d'Eon have been labelled as the rockers for this season.

1. Judgment Day by Whitesnake (Bottom Four 06/27/07)
2. Here With Me by Dido (Eliminated 07/04/07)

Scarlett Burke, 18, is a performer from Toronto, Ontario who joined the competition after Ritchea Hodge dropped out for personal reasons. Prior to the show, Burke had played Nala in The Lion King at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto.^[3]

1. I Learned from the Best by Whitney Houston
2. Proud Mary by CCR (Eliminated 07/04/07)

Maud Coussa-Jandl is a 25-year-old Promotions Coordinator from Sherbrooke, Quebec.

1. Dreams by The Cranberries (Eliminated 06/27/07)

Christine Hanlon, 21, is a singer/songwriter from Toronto. She was shown in the fourth episode as continuing in the competition despite a throat infection.

1. Possession by Sarah McLachlan (Eliminated 06/27/07)

Withdrew

Ritchea Hodge is a 16-year-old High School Student from Brampton, Ontario. Hodge dropped out of the competition for unrevealed, personal reasons. (Dropped out prior to 06/27/07)

Males

Liam Styles Chang, 17, is a singer/songwriter from Victoria, British Columbia. Liam is currently the lead singer of the band Aivia.

1. This Magic Moment by The Drifters
2. She's So High by Tal Bachman
3. Over My Head by The Fray (Eliminated 07/11/07)

Tyler Mullendore, 19, is a construction worker from Lake Ainslie, Nova Scotia. He is notable for making the judges laugh during his audition, when after being asked if he had ever seen the show, he retorted, "Yeah, I seen 'er, buddy."

1. Brown Sugar by The Rolling Stones
2. Have a Little Faith in Me by John Hiatt
3. Rock 'N Me by Steve Miller Band (Eliminated 07/11/07)

Andrew Austin, 27, is a musician from Sarnia, Ontario.

1. Freedom 90 by George Michael (Bottom Four 06/27/07)
2. Sunday Morning by Maroon 5 (Eliminated 07/04/07)

Paul Christopher Fracassi, 18, is a singer and actor from Toronto, Ontario.

1. Let It Be by The Beatles (Bottom Four 06/27/07)
2. I Would Do Anything For Love by Meat Loaf (Eliminated 07/04/07)

Derek Hoffman, 17, is a student from Aurora, Ontario. Derek is currently the lead singer of pop/rock band Brighter Brightest.

1. Move Along by All American Rejects (Eliminated 06/27/07)

Justyn Wesley, 22, is a singer/songwriter and producer from Toronto.

1. Some Kind of Wonderful by Grand Funk Railroad (Eliminated 06/27/07)

Top 10

The Top 10 was announced on the July 11 episode. These are the finalists as followed:

Brian Melo, 24 (born August 15, 1982), is a construction worker in Hamilton, Ontario. He is the only contestant who received a standing ovation from all the judges. He was the Canadian Idol for 2007.

1. Stereo by The Watchmen
2. Angels by Robbie Williams (Bottom Four 07/04/07)
3. Drive by Incubus
4. If You Could Only See by Tonic
5. Bold as Love by Jimi Hendrix (Bottom Two 07/24/07)
6. She Talks to Angels by The Black Crowes
7. Too Much Love Will Kill You by Queen (Bottom Two 08/07/07)
8. The Dolphin's Cry by Live
9. Karma Police by Radiohead
10. Mack the Knife by Bobby Darin
11. Feeling Good by Michael Bublé
12. Whiter Shade of Pale by Procol Harum
13. Lightning Crashes by Live
14. This Ain't a Love Song by Bon Jovi
15. All I Ever Wanted (Winner's single)
16. Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen (k.d. lang version)
17. Season Finale (2007 Canadian Idol)

Jaydee Bixby, 17 (born August 14, 1990), is a student and performer from Drumheller, Alberta. He was the only member of the season's Top 10 who had never been in the bottom 3 or 2. He was the runner-up to Canadian Idol, Brian Melo.

1. Johnny B. Goode by Chuck Berry
2. I Got a Woman by Ray Charles
3. Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident) by John Michael Montgomery
4. It's Only Make Believe by Conway Twitty
5. Runaway by Del Shannon (Elvis Presley cover)
6. Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) by Green Day
7. I Want to Break Free by Queen
8. Amazed by Lonestar
9. I Can't Stop Loving You by Ray Charles (Elvis Presley cover)
10. Fever by Peggy Lee (Elvis Presley version)
11. When You're Smiling by Louis Prima
12. Break it to Them Gently by Burton Cummings
13. Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash
14. Who Says You Can't Go Home by Bon Jovi
15. All I Ever Wanted (Winner's single)
16. It's Not Unusual by Tom Jones
17. Season Finale (Runner-up)

Carly Rae Jepsen, 21 (born November 21, 1985), is a student from Mission, British Columbia. In Season 5, she was the last girl standing.

1. Put Your Records On by Corinne Bailey Rae
2. Sweet Ones by Sarah Slean
3. Waiting in Vain by Annie Lennox
4. Inside and Out by Leslie Feist (Bottom Three 07/17/07)
5. Georgia on My Mind by Ray Charles
6. Torn by Natalie Imbruglia
7. Killer Queen by Queen (Bottom Three 08/07/07)
8. Come to My Window by Melissa Etheridge (Bottom Three 08/14/07)
9. Chuck E.'s In Love by Rickie Lee Jones
10. My Heart Belongs to Daddy by Ella Fitzgerald
11. I've Got it Bad and That Ain't Good by Mel Tormé
12. At Seventeen by Janis Ian (Eliminated 09/04/07)
13. White Flag by Dido (Eliminated 09/04/07)

Dwight d'Eon, 28 (born December 18, 1978), is a musician and lobster fisherman from West Pubnico, Nova Scotia.

1. Cry by Godley & Creme (Philosopher Kings cover)
2. Used to Be Alright by I Mother Earth (Bottom Four 07/04/07)
3. Bright Lights by Matchbox 20
4. Unwell by Matchbox 20
5. Undun by The Guess Who
6. Every Breath You Take by The Police
7. Tie Your Mother Down by Queen
8. Smooth by Santana and Rob Thomas (Bottom Three 08/14/07)
9. Bed of Roses by Bon Jovi (Bottom Two 08/21/07)
10. I Get a Kick Out of You by Frank Sinatra (Eliminated 08/28/07)
11. Unforgettable by Nat King Cole (Eliminated 08/28/07)

Matt Rapley, 18 (born March 13, 1989), is a student from Regina, Saskatchewan.

1. Isn't She Lovely by Stevie Wonder
2. You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban
3. I'll Be There by The Jackson 5
4. I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Gladys Knight
5. Whipping Post by The Allman Brothers
6. Ain't No Sunshine by Bill Withers (Bottom 2 07/31/07)
7. Under Pressure by Queen & David Bowie
8. Everything by Michael Bublé
9. Higher Ground by Stevie Wonder (Eliminated 08/21/07)

Tara Oram, 23 (born April 28, 1984), is a singer from Hare Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador. She was never placed in the Bottom 3 or 2 until her night of elimination.

1. (I Never Promised You a) Rose Garden by Martina McBride
2. Safe in the Arms of Love by Michelle Wright
3. When God-Fearin' Women Get the Blues by Martina McBride
4. You Win My Love by Shania Twain
5. Suspicious Minds by Elvis Presley
6. Heaven by Bryan Adams
7. Headlong by Queen
8. Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves (Eliminated 08/14/07)

Greg Neufeld, 23 (February 1, 1984), is a singer/songwriter and house framer from Abbotsford, British Columbia. He had made the Top 22 during Season Four, but had been eliminated from the competition in the second week of voting. Regarded as a favorite in Season 5, his elimination caused controversy, in part because of host Ben Mulroney's comment ("Canada got it wrong") upon his elimination.

1. This Love by Maroon 5
2. Geek in the Pink by Jason Mraz
3. Daughters by John Mayer
4. All These Things That I've Done by The Killers
5. Long Black Veil by Johnny Cash
6. I'm Ready by Bryan Adams
7. We Are the Champions by Queen (Eliminated 08/07/07)

Martha Joy, 16 (born December 8, 1990), is a student from Toronto.

1. I Don't Want to Miss a Thing by Aerosmith, version of Regine Velasquez
2. To Where You Are by Josh Groban
3. That's the Way It Is by Céline Dion
4. Power of Love by Céline Dion
5. Love Child by Diana Ross and the Supremes (Bottom Three 07/24/07)
6. True Colors by Cyndi Lauper, version of Lea Salonga (Eliminated 07/31/07)

Khalila Glanville, 23 (July 12, 1983), is a daycare worker from Dorval, Quebec.

1. Family Portrait by Pink
2. I Can't Help Myself by Four Tops (Bottom Four 07/04/07)
3. For You I Will by Monica
4. Killing Me Softly with His Song by Roberta Flack (Bottom Three 07/17/07)
5. (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman by Aretha Franklin (Eliminated 07/24/07)

Kamila Miller (also known as Mila Miller), 17 (born December 1, 1989), is a student from Woodbridge, Ontario. Despite writing the lyrics to a song on her hands during the final phase of Toronto Week, she was able to impress the judges with her vocal ability.

1. I'm Goin' Down by Mary J. Blige (Bottom Four 06/27/07)
2. Try a Little Tenderness by Ruth Etting (Bottom Four 07/04/07)
3. Rehab by Amy Winehouse
4. Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours by Stevie Wonder (Eliminated 07/17/07)

Song themes

Each week, a song theme will be presented to the competitors. Each competitor must base their song choice on the theme of the week.

• July 17 – #1 Hits
• July 24 – Music of the 1960s
• July 31 – Unplugged (Acoustic music)
• August 7 – Queen
• August 14 – Pop-Rock
• August 21 – My Own Idol (artists who inspire the contestants)
• August 28 – Standards
• September 4 – Judges choice & People choice
• September 11- Season Finale

Help the Idols Build a House

It is a fundraising campaign that will help build the first North American Ronald McDonald Family Retreat at Bear Mountain Resort in Victoria, British Columbia. The sales of the Canadian Idol single, "Believe in You" will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Canadian Idol announced on the Season Finale that they raised over $1 Million.

2007 Elimination Chart

Contestants are in reverse chronological order of elimination.

Notes

External links

• Official website
• Top 22 Profiles