Fox hosted a finale viewing party for the ages for hit singing competition show, ‘The Four’, at the posh Delilah in West Hollywood. I don’t think I’ve seen an event equal parts regal and rowdy, but this was just that.
The finale four performers were clearly giddy, their energy infectious as the episode started playing on TV’s around the club.
The night kicked off with a stunning performance by finalist Candace Boyd. I’ve watched the show all season, but somehow missed how brilliant she is. She took No Doubt’s ‘Don’t Speak’ to new heights with a full-on gospel vocal. I clapped and stood up, all by my damn self. She took me there.
Diddy and DJ Khaled made their way into the club to take in the show, both looking like the Dapper Dans they are. They passed around a mic, taking turns hosting and hyping the event.
Diddy asked me to scoot my chair back to make room for Fergie and Meghan Trainor, and I’ll tell you, it was the highlight of my life.
Each contestant rocked the first round, but southern soul maven Evvie McKinney took the cake with her ferocious performance of “Proud Mary.” Good lord. Y’all, I watch reality singing competitions like it’s my job –and it is – and I have never seen a performance this passionate. Hats all the way off to her.
Evvie won the right to challenge fan-favorite Zhavia to a sing-off. When asked by Fergie why she chose to challenge Zhavia, Evvie responded: ‘Because I want to win.’
Gaaaaaaaggggged.
By this point, the drinks were flowing at Delilah. There was like, rotisserie chicken sitting out, all kinds of neat vegetables. We all had a nice free dinner and some incredible cocktails, so like, things got fun.
Diddy called the finalists to his side one-by-one during commercial breaks. This man has been a part of my entertainment life for 20+ years, but I never knew how compassionate he is.
He knows everything about these kids; he talked about their families, their commitment, their upbringing. He texts them and calls them at random times. They broke out into dance parties, hugging and radiating love.
I was at the event alone, and seeing the love between judges and contestants really affected me. I was also a little buzzed, but it was an incredible sight.
Zhavia was the first contestant eliminated this night, but she has a blindingly bright future. The competition tonight was fierce, and the 16 year old was bested by the unstoppable Evvie.
Next out was Vincint Cannady, who just last week outsang the fiery Jason Warrior to claim his position in the final four. I was stunned by Vincent and honestly was pulling for him to win. Watching him walk, dance and strut around the room was a delight, but watching him sing at the finale was breathtaking.
He covered Radiohead’s ‘Creep’, one of those songs you’re not supposed to touch. I will never, ever forget this performance.
It was passionate, poised and powerful as hell. The song’s lyrics about alienation were especially poignant coming from the show’s only out gay contestant. He left me in a puddle. I reposted as soon as it went up online.
Like I said, tho, he got cut. Diddy said next season of The Four will be built around Vincint, and I’m thrilled to see what that looks like.
So it was down to Evvie and Candace, two evenly-matched vocalists who are somehow similar and yet wildly different. Candace is all poise and vocal proficiency. She takes you there emotionally, building a song from simple phrases to all-out pyrotechnics with Whitney-level skill.
Then there’s Evvie, an equally gifted singer soaked in Memphis soul. She snarls and shakes, seeming almost possessed during her performances – though in real life she couldn’t be more demure.
Someone had to win, though, and in the end, Evvie took the crown, The first ever winner of a fabulous new entry in the tv singing competition game.
The episode ended, and Diddy instructed us to party, so we did. I was already on drink…*counts fingers…something or other, so I had to takeoff early into the post-show revelry, but I’d already had the night of my life.
Can’t wait for next season.
