Timika Sims
Contestant #60146
Tamika is not the most well-spoken 16-year-old to have auditioned on American Idol. Her pre-audition interview was full of awkward pauses and lack of enunciation.
During her interview before the judges, Simon had a difficult time understanding Timika:
Timika: I think I could be a Mya.
Simon: Pardon?
Timika: I think I could be a Mya.
Simon: A model.
Timika: A mya.
Simon: A Maya. A mayor?
Timika: A mya, sir.
Simon: A mayor.
Timika, Randy, & Paula: A Mya.
Simon: A mayor.
Randy: Mya's a singer . . .
Simon: Oh! I thought you wanted to be a mayor.
Timika sang Ashanti's Rock Wit U in a grossly nasal and tone-deaf style. Simon admitted, "I've got to be honest with you. I couldn't understand a single word of that."
Despite her initial rejection, Timika started to sing Secret Lover in a breathy voice. All the judges gave her a "No" and Timika was on her way.
