You know, I thought Jason Ca-"rasta"-ro (apologies to Bob Marley!) was pretty cute when the new season of “American Idol” began. Big smile, baby blues, cool hair, etc.

Now, for my money, he just looks kinda vacant. Forget how he sounds, I’m being superficial.

Sad when that happens, though—a possible up-and-comer is visually mesmerizing, and then he’s not much more than a yawn.

Same thing happened with Ace Young on TSOE (The Season of Elliott). Here was this really good-looking dude—then a few weeks in, I had a hard time looking my TV in the eye when Ace was making love to the camera. I began to cringe every time he tossed his head so the hair would fall just so.

I got over Ace about a week before my 15-year-old niece “dropped” him, too. She tried to hang on but just couldn’t deal.

Well, folks, I’m here to tell you I wuz WRONG. Sometimes ... sometimes ... TV lies. You’d think people would look their best, all dolled up for the camera. But sometimes all that makeup and hype does them a disservice.

How do I know? I met Ace Young at Claudette Yamin’s funeral. OK, he did have that going for him—he was nice enough to fly up from Atlanta in support of his friend—but I’m going with the superficial again.

In person, up close, Ace Young is one hot fella. Seriously. We met only because he was standing in the parking lot, talking to a couple of people, and I had to walk by him to get to my car. I was going to walk on by, but the journalist in me just couldn’t stand it. I stopped and told him I worked at a local newspaper.

Oh, sure, he whipped his shades off so fast, I’m surprised he didn’t get whiplash. But my gosh, was it ever worth the view. The man has such beautiful eyes—tell me if I’m gushing here—with little gold specks in them, and it was ALL I could do not to stare.

He’s also built—but you knew that—and his hair looked much better (even cleaner) in person. It’s a good thing I’m so old because I’m telling you it was all I could do not to ... well, you get my drift. Ace Young is one extremely attractive man. 

In case you don’t remember Ace, I’m dropping in a photo for reference. It doesn’t do the man justice, though. I couldn’t find one that did.

After shoving my eyes back in their sockets, I asked what he was working on. He mentioned several projects, including his first single, “Addicted,” which came out last week, and his album, “Ace Young,” due for a July 15 release. He also mentioned having been at the Grammys, presumably hanging with Daughtry, with whom he co-wrote best rock song nominee “It’s Not Over.” Then he most politely excused himself because he had to head for the graveside service.

Long live Claudette, by the way. Loved it when Elliott gave her a handwritten shout-out (literally!) when he recently performed on “Idol.”

Posted by Cynthia McMullen in • Entertainment • Music • Television • Lifestyle • Life in Richmond
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