La Academia Concert 9 – What a Show!

Concert 9 of La Academia USA was an evening of surprises, as Catalina, from Miami, exited the show; Frankie, Nohelia and Iván made important gains; and Gustavo, finally decided to stay.

Following a week where Gustavo appeared to change his mind daily on whether or not he would throw in the towel and following a respectable interpretation of “Baila Morena,” La Academia USA host Fernando del Solar presented an ultimatum, “Do you want to leave La Academia?”

The public was divided between those that chanted for him to stay and others that chanted that he should go. Critic Lolita Cortés thought the whole show merited a strong reprimand, “I don’t know what your problems are, but we’re tired of people like you, who want to leave because of tantrums. We’re tired of mediocre people.”

Then suddenly Gustavo’s parents, wife and children were on stage. The father asked La Academia USA Director Beto Castillo to pardon his son, and Beto responded, “Gustavo and I already spoke about this. Your son asked me to pardon him and I did. He wants to leave and although everyone makes mistakes, I don’t think any of our students should stage such a show to evoke the pity of the public…Gustavo knows that La Academia is open to everyone.”

Finally, Gustavo decided that he was in, kissed his wife and kids and got back to work.

An Evening of Triumphs

With an opening medley dedicated to the Mexican pop group Maná, the students performed “Como te Deseo,” “Vivir Sin Aire,” “Perdido en un Barco” and “Oye mi Amor.” The first student to go solo was Yoshigei, with “Bidi Bidi, Bombo,” a performance that received positive critiques.

Next was Jazmín, from Salt Lake City, with “Que le Den Candela.” Although the rendition brought the public to its feet, not all – including Gavito – were enthralled by the performance.

“I need to see what you can do with that energy of your voice. You must be disciplined at the moment that you sing and dance. And I need to see you move in a big way.”

Frankie – from Dubuque, Iowa – surprised many with his interpretation of “Corazón Partío.” Lolita Cortés was one of the most enthusiastic, “This is the way to perform, some may have great voices, but you have seduced us with a simple interpretation…It’s been a great night!”

Then the Miami resident Nohelia, who received a large bouquet of roses sent by Honduran President-Elect José Manuel Zelaya and delivered by the Honduran Consul in Mexico, Miguel Lardizabal, gave a masterful performance of “Te Quedó Grande la Yegua.”

“You just reminded me that it is people that make songs what they are, and it doesn’t matter where you’re from, but what you feel. Congratulations, you have made your country (Honduras) proud,” said Adrián Pieragostino.

Also showing important advances were Adán, with “Sirena;” Iván with “Te Amo;” Afid, with “Salomé;” and Diana, with “Cómo Hemos Cambiado.”

The Brazilian siren from Seattle, Heloisa, gave a spirited performance of “I Love Rock and Roll.”

The last act of the evening was Mariana, from El Paso, with “Ay Amor.” Although the number ended with a passionate kiss with her soul mate Iván, the critics expected more on the musical side.

Finally, with the votes tallied, it was Catalina, from Miami, who exited this ninth concert in a tearful moment following a tepid performance of “Ven Conmigo.” Catalina gave one last kiss to her beau, Adán, from Chicago, and it was farewell.