While Trias is not a strong singer, the big thing she has going for her is the Filipino community which is where I believe her strong support is coming from. They are in love with her and are pretty determined people when they get their interest up. It has gotten so bad that the different Manila news agencies have reporters in California and Hawaii tracking her (and yes, the network has said Manila isn't voting). A Filipino newspaper here in Seattle is encouraging everyone to vote for her.
I think that voting power, which Simon is probably responsible for, will not just take her to the final two, it could win it for her...particularly when black voters leave in disgust and it becomes a teenie bopper shoot out.
I know a lot of people will thing that the Filipino community (it's big across the nation) is wrong but one thing I do know about them...they will buy her CDs.
The whole thing about this show is it isn't professionals picking the winner...it's people at home.
Should be interesting to see which of our predictions is right.
Nice talking to you.