Say goodbye...

Randall keeps going on and on about astute song choices... Unfortunately, Bonolo's choice may have been just a bit too apt. It might have been my imagination, but it seemed to me that as she wrapped up "Say Goodbye", it occured to her just how fitting the song would be if she were to leave.

Of the contestants I've talked to, Bonolo is one of my favorite. If you could see the way her smile lights up her eyes, her face, the room, and the amazing charisma she has, you'd probably understand why. But she handled her elimination with perfect poise and grace, and is confident that she will still be successful in her musical career.

So what's next for Bonolo? Writing her music, and finishing school, she says, "those are the two most important things." Turns out she's pursuing a degree in Media Studies, which might explain the ease and aplomb with which she handles the press. She seems accepting of the fact that she didn't deliver her best on Sunday, and was not surprised by the tonight's events. But she isn't walking away from Idols totally empty-handed; one of the lessons she says she has learned through this experience is that "you can be your own worst enemy."

When asked what advice she would give to future Idols hopefuls, she smiled winningly and said "Believe in yourself."

I believe Bonolo will do very well for herself, in whatever she chooses to pursue.