American Idol's Kristy Lee Cook

Does She Have What it Takes to Be the Front-Runner?

Kristy Lee Cook, 23, of Selma, Oregon, has made her way through American Idol's season seven to the top nine. Do I think she should be the front-runner? My answer is yes and no.

The first time I heard Kristy Lee Cook's audition, belting out "Amazing Grace," I thought to myself, "She has what it takes to make it." Today, it is definitely possible for Cook to make it through a few more rounds if she makes some changes.

Her voice is definitely beautiful although she does have a weakness controlling her pitch. She has made improvements with her pitch problems. Whether or not it is too late for her is to be seen.

Kristy Lee Cook's biggest weakness is her inability to connect with the viewers and audience. She really needs to get the audience involved with her performance. Just simply getting the audience to clap their hands to the music creates involvement and makes them enjoy it even more. It is not often that Cook walks the stage or even shakes the audience's hands. If she could show a little more enthusiasm and entertainment on stage, she would be much more memorable to the voters. Kristy Lee Cook really needs to set herself apart from the rest, some way, somehow.

Kristy Lee Cook has made some good song choices and some bad. I think her forte is country music. I can tell, when she is singing country, that she really gets into the song. She seems very sure of herself with loads of confidence. If she can make the right song choices and give them all that much confidence she will be on the road to stardom with many, many fans by her side.

I believe Brooke White and Kristy Lee Cook are head to head in the competition. Brooke will be Kristy's downfall if Kristy does not get her act up to par for this year's American Idol season seven. Kristy Lee Cook could be the front-runner if she picks the right songs, entertains and connects with the audience and belts the songs out from the heart. She has it in her but needs to find it before it is too late. Either way, she still gets my vote. She'll come out of her shell soon, I know she will. I hope other viewers feel the same way and will give her the chance that she deserves.