September 11, 2006
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TV Show: Canadian Idol

Cdn Idols set to face off
Teens singers battle for a chance at the big time on Canadian Idol finale
By -- Calgary Sun


Tonight, when you see two young kids singing on TV, don't be afraid. They haven't called back the Mickey Mouse Club.

Not yet, anyway.

It's actually the final performance show of the year for Canadian Idol. And it is sure to make judge Sass Jordan feel even older than she already does.

Eva Avila, 19, from Gatineau, Que., will face off against Craig Sharpe, the 16-year-old from Newfoundland, whose voice has been compared to a young Michael Jackson's.

(That's a compliment, believe it or not.)

Sharpe says he feels truly blessed to have come so far at such a young age, but adds he's been waiting for some time to be able to compete in Canadian Idol.

"I had my application filled out since Ryan Malcolm won (in 2003)," says Sharpe.

"This year was the first year I was old enough to try out. I didn't think I would get as far as I did."

In fact, Sharpe sounds eternally humble -- and thankful -- for all he's achieved as he prepares for tonight's performance.

"I've loved singing since I was old enough to talk," he says.

"But family comes before anything."

Sharpe says if he does end up winning and having to go on the road, he will definitely be taking as many of his family members along for the ride as possible.

Someone else close to Sharpe's heart, his music teacher Heather McDonald, wasn't able to see his rise to Idol fame. She died earlier this year at the age of 28.

When asked what he thinks she would say of how he's done, Sharpe is quick to reply.

"I think she'd be dancing," says Sharpe.

"I think she would be really proud right now."

Someone else who sounds very proud of Sharpe is his competitor.

"He's the most fun person I've ever met," says Avila of Sharpe.

"It feels like we're brother and sister, actually."

So much for a second Idol couple, as was seen with last year's final two, Rex Goudie and Calgary's Melissa O'Neil, who are still dating.

Avila says she's amazed at what she's learned about herself through-out the competition.

"I think I am a lot stronger than I thought I was," she says.

"I'm getting through it and I'm not even feeling tired or anything.

"I'm really proud of what I have achieved."

As she should be.

With the final prize in sight, Avila says she has no plans on slowing down now.

Avila plans on using her father's inspiration to keep her going.

Her father, who was seen congratulating her at last week's results show, is the one who taught Avila to sing.

"Thank you dad, thank you for this gift, thanks for bringing music into my life," says Avila.

"He's my inspiration."

Tonight, both contestants will sing Meant to Fly, a song written for them by the Canadian musical coupling of Chantal Kreviazuk and Raine Maida, as well as an assortment of other songs, both individually and together.

"The song is great -- I can't wait to show Canada the song that they wrote," says Sharpe, adding no matter what, he is just happy his fans helped him get this far.

"Win or lose this thing, I get to take this journey with me for the rest of my life."

The season finale will be broadcast on Sept. 17 on CTV.


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