The 10 Best Performances of Canadian Idol 4

The fourth season of Canadian Idol came to a close with a close race between two worthy competitors: Craig Sharpe and Eva Avila. The fabulous Eva won the title by a mere 3% margin, ending what started out as a rocky season on a high note. After several disappointing eliminations in the semi-finals rounds and a noticeably absent (and much missed!) Jon Dore, the season remarkably managed to be one of CI's finest.

Following are the It's Destiny! panel's picks for the 10 Best Performances of Canadian Idol 4. You know we can't resist making lists!

Liza's Picks
1. "How Come You Don't Call Me" (Unplugged) - Eva Avila
This was the most professional performance of the season and possibly of the entire series, partially due to the intimate acoustic setting and mostly due to Eva's performance. Watching her perform this was like watching a real, established performer on MTV Unplugged. She stripped away all the cheese from Idol and made this a performance that would stand up next to today's top artists.

2. "Baby I Love Your Way" - Rob James/Sheldon Elter/Bernard Quilala/Tony Caruso
Many struggled in the group audition round in Toronto, but these four turned in a vocal tour-de-force with gorgeous harmonies.

3. "Powerless" (Canadian Hits) - Eva Avila
Eva broke free of the pack while singing this song in week one of the finals and never looked back. Everything about this performance screamed "Idol winner".

4. "White Flag" - Steffi D.
Steffi went from standards girl to modern girl with this dramatic and emotional rendition of the Dido song. Steffi showed the boat week in and week out as a true entertainer.

5. "Let's Stay Together" - Rob James
Rob was burdened by a higher set of standards and had voters immediately wanting him to fail due to his previous star turn, but he made it hard for them to vote him out with performances like this. "Let's Stay Together" has been way overcooked on Idol, but Rob's vocals made this one of the best ever versions of this song heard on Idol.

6. "You And I Both" - Greg Neufeld
Smooth vocals and good musical taste combined with great looks. I was convinced he was going to coast to the finals, but somehow he didn't even make it out of week two of the semifinals. What a travesty!

7. "Always" - Alisha Nauth
Another travesty. In a weak round one showing by the girls, Alisha stood out and showed great vocals and tremendous stage presence. It was a performance that would have stood up in the real world outside of the CI bubble.

8. "Iris" - Chad Doucette
The judges lauded Chad's "unique" voice throughout the competition, but what really stood out to me was his heart-felt performances such as this one. And his vocals were impressive here as well.

9. "Wild Horses" (Rolling Stones) - Eva Avila
I was convinced Eva would struggle with the Rolling Stones theme, but she picked the perfect song and sung it beautifully and with emotion.

10. "What Hurts The Most" (Semifinals) - Craig Sharpe
I didn't much care for Craig in this competition, but his vocal tone and clarity were undeniable. This song was the perfect showcase for his angelic voice.

Tammy's Picks
1. "Tonight I Wanna Cry" - Chad Doucette
Chad made my inner fangirl make a temporary reappearance after this performance. The boy was swoony. It's performances like these that make me think that he could have a legitimate career post-Idol (if we just forget the handful of trainwrecks that he also delivered during his stint on the show).

2. "Bring It On Home To Me" - Ashley Coulter
Despite having a bit of an identity disorder while on Idol, Ashley sang her heart out with this song, and proved she had the vocal chops to carry her much further in the competition.

3. "White Flag" - Steffi DiDomenicantonio
Steffi was one of the most unique talents to ever grace the Idol stage. Though no one ever really believed that she could win the show, each performance she gave was always refreshing. 'White Flag' made people see her as more than just a girl who was destined for Broadway.

4. "How Come You Don't Call Me" (Unplugged) - Eva Avila
Though she started to grate on me as the competition progressed, there's no denying that this was one of Eva's strongest performances, and no doubt it all but sealed her fate as the eventual winner of CI.

5. "If You Could Read My Mind" - Chad Doucette
Chad definitely had more than his fair share of 'yikes!' performances, but his cover of the Gordon Lightfoot classic was one of his best moments on the Idol stage.

6. "Crying" - Ashley Coulter
Dismaying wardrobe choice aside, 'Crying' gave Ashley a chance to get lost in her song and wail. She really does bring something interesting to watch when she drops the 'rawk girl' persona and just sings the song.

7. "Meant To Fly" - Craig Sharpe
If it had been up to me, Craig would have been booted from the show weeks before the finale (week one, maybe? heh.), but Craig stepped it up when it mattered, and he delivered the better version of this song, in my opinion.

8. "Santa Monica" - Chad Doucette
When he's on, he's on. Chad was completely confident on this song, and owned his two minutes of tv time.

9. "Wild Horses" (Rolling Stones) - Eva Avila
Another lovely and simple performance from Eva, with a song choice that fit her like a glove.

10. "Heaven" - Rob James
Rob had an uphill battle to fight on the show, as with each performance he had to prove that he deserved to be there despite having had past 'success' in the music industry. With 'Heaven', Rob shook away his nerves and showed Canada that they needed him in this competition. To erase away the nightmare-inducing memory that was Brandon Jones, perhaps.

Destiny's Picks
1. "How Come You Don't Call Me" (Top 2 Performance Night) - Eva Avila
This was a signature performance for Eva Avila and one of the best on any Idol show ever. She looked absolutely fabulous from head to toe, and she sounded and performed like a superstar artist. With this performance Eva earned the highest compliment I can give her: she is the Canadian Kelly Clarkson.

2. "Here You Come Again" - Eva Avila
This performance once again drove home the fact that Eva has it all: she looked adorable, sounded spectacular, and displayed her special natural star quality. This great song choice highlighted Eva's endearing personality, and her arrangement of the song really made it her own. Near perfection.

3. "Always On My Mind" - Craig Sharpe
This showing by Craig really highlighted the transformation he made throughout the season. He matured before our very eyes as a performer during this song. His stunning vocals combined with his emotional dedication of the song to his deceased music teacher made it a captivating, record-worthy performance.

4. "If You Could Read My Mind" - Chad Doucette
Chad turned in a stunning performance with this one. His interpretation skills were unmatched in the competition, and his voice was the most distinct. As was usual with Chad, this beautiful performance left the viewer and listener wanting more.

5. "Meant To Fly" (Top 2 Performance Show) - Eva Avila
Eva certainly knows how to interpret a song. She sounded (and looked) fantastic while putting her stamp on this one as she battled Craig for the Idol title. Hands down one of the best performances of an Idol original song to date.

6. "Meant To Fly" (Top 2 Performance Show) - Craig Sharpe
With the title on the line, Mr. Sharpe stepped up to the plate and showed the country that a new Craig had emerged. He looked at ease and in command of the stage, turning in his most carefree performance of the season. Craig took charge of the song and put his own stamp on it, making it a very close race for the title.

7. "Miss You" - Steffi DiDomenicantonio
This was a fantastic performance in which Steffi continued to prove herself a real artist onstage and not just some theatrical wannabe. This was an edgy, cool interpretation of a Rolling Stones song, and this performance could stand up against any of the top artists of today. Her vocals were spot-on, and she looked fabulous from head to toe.

8. "Powerless" (Canadian Hits Round) - Eva Avila
Eva really stepped up her game with this performance, commanding the new bigger stage and band of the Top 10 round, instead of letting it swallow her up. Her spirit and stage presence were beaming. She sounded fantastic and looked equally beautiful. A star performance that marked the start of Eva's real fight for the title.

9. "Fallin'" - Nancy Silverman
Nancy was the most robbed female contestant this season, not even making it into the Top 10. Her bold personality and distinct voice made this overdone song fresh and exciting. She was totally free and totally original. With such a strong showing like this in the semi-finals round, one can only imagine what greatness Nancy would have delivered if given the chance to blossom week to week on the big stage.

10. "Wild Horses" (Rolling Stones) - Eva Avila
Another beautiful performance from Eva. As stated before, she really stepped up her game as a performer in the first two weeks of the finals, sealing her fate as the woman to beat in the competition. She made a Rolling Stones classic all her own, and in traditional Eva style, looked stunning while doing it.

Honorable Mention: Ben Mulroney's Beauty
From fabulous hair and clothes to that stunning face, Ben's beauty certainly had one of the best showings of the season. Mulroney's beauty became doubly captivating as it displayed it's equally charming inner qualities through his sincerity and quick wit. Bravo!

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