Idol 99 - Haley Scarnato

99. Haley Scarnato

Season 6, 8th Place

Yes, it's Ha-legs! Haha. Congrats Robbie, Anonymous and Gerard for guessing it right. Haha.

Now, Ms. Scarnato can sing. She's absolutely got a voice on her. But, is she American Idol quality? Abso-freakin'-lutely NOT. The fact that Haley even got a yes to Hollywood was a huge double standard because she is the epitome of a cabaret singer. Not at all what the show is looking for.

See, for me, I like some grit and soul in a singer. Haley has about a negative 87 on a soul scale. Everything is so precise. She's the perfect Disney Princess voice. Nothing at all that I want to listen to - well, not unless you're Lea Michele or Lea Salonga. Haha.

Frankly, I really underestimated Haley's strength in the competition. I remember her audition being very uninspiring - I would've said no - and I just assumed that she'd be another one that disappears in Hollywood. But then I saw spoilers..

That time, I immediately realized that they need to put in some cannon fodders in there and that she would make it no further than the Top 20 in the semifinals. Boy, was I wrong. Along the semifinals round, I did correctly predict that Sabrina Sloan would be robbed a spot in the Top 12, but I expected Antonella Barba to be the robber, not Haley.

Haley was the one contestant - out of the girls - I was positive to leave on Top 16 night, but she kept on surviving. Her fanbase is an enigma to me. I don't get the appeal. Maybe because of the infamous short shorts? Haha. Oh well, I guess it all comes down to personal preference. So, whatever.

Overall, I was pretty unimpressed with her Idol run. I somehow liked her rendition of Missing You where she sang the beginning of the song the best I'd ever heard her before fumbling with the lyrics in the middle. Tell Him was pretty good but True Colors was horrible. She sounded tiny and shrill throughout the whole performance. She sounded much stronger on Ain't Misbehavin but then she butchered Turn The Beat Around. Sigh. Very hit-or-miss contestant, if you ask me.

Favorite performance(s): I think Haley did give us a couple of decent performances. Obviously, my favorite is Tell Him. I think that song requires a bit of a cabaret voice, so it fit her like a gem. Also, I think Missing You is pretty underrated. I thought she sang it very well, and made great usage of dynamics. She has a real nice soft tone, though, yes, she forgot the lyrics. Haha.

Missing You

Tell Him

#98 - Animated Character!