Worst 'American Idol' Finalists Ever -- #8: Mikalah Gordon

We're teaming with Vote for the Worst to name the 12 worst 'American Idol' finalists ever. Check back next week to see their pick for number 7.

Name: Mikalah Gordon
Season: 4
Worst Performance: 'Love Will Lead You Back'
Why We Loved to Hate Her: If there was one thing Mikalah Gordon had going for her in season 4, it was her fun, albeit annoying, personality. From the get-go, the 16-year-old from Las Vegas commanded attention with her larger-than-show performance -- like a young Barbra Streisand in 'Funny Girl' -- and the camera loved her just as much she loved it.

Unfortunately, Mikalah was no Barbra in the vocal department, and since 'Idol' is ultimately a singing competition, her run was frustrating and mostly excruciating to sit through.We're teaming with Vote for the Worst to name the 12 worst 'American Idol' finalists ever. Check back next week to see their pick for number 7.

Name: Mikalah Gordon
Season: 4
Worst Performance: 'Love Will Lead You Back'
Why We Loved to Hate Her: If there was one thing Mikalah Gordon had going for her in season 4, it was her fun, albeit annoying, personality. From the get-go, the 16-year-old from Las Vegas commanded attention with her larger-than-show performance -- like a young Barbra Streisand in 'Funny Girl' -- and the camera loved her just as much she loved it.

Unfortunately, Mikalah was no Barbra in the vocal department, and since 'Idol' is ultimately a singing competition, her run was frustrating and mostly excruciating to sit through.

Which might explain why it was so short-lived. Her two weeks in the top 12 proved disastrous at best, beginning with a pitchy take on Dusty Springfield's 'Son of a Preacher Man.' (Apparently, Mikalah had learned nothing from season 3's Camile Velasco.) Her performance was so bad it landed her right in the bottom 2, although competitor Lindsey Cardinale was ultimately sent packing.

But it was next week's theme (Billboard Number Ones) that sealed Mikalah's fate. She screeched her way through a relatively unique song choice (Taylor Dayne's 1990 hit 'Love Will Lead You Back') and by the time it was over, it was obvious to everyone, especially Simon, that Mikalah's time was up. (To give you some perspective: That was the same week when Carrie Underwood wowed the country with her performance of Heart's 'Alone.') In a week of number-ones, Mikalah deservedly found herself at the bottom of the charts.


To her credit, Mikalah did find work after 'Idol' that better suited her outgoing personality, with TV gigs on 'Living With Fran,' opposite Fran Drescher, 'American Idol Extra' and 'Gone Country 2'; and she was a total sweetheart when we interviewed her in 2008. With that said, we wish her continued success on the small screen -- just as long as she cools it on the singing.