Eben Franckewitz – American Idol 11 Preview (VIDEO)

Some people may compare him to Bieber, but I won’t since Eben actually sings on pitch.  He’s too young for Idol now, though.  He should try again in 2 or 3 years when he looks old enough.

I agree with larc and gangreen.  I like this kid but I agree he is just too young.  He kind of reminds me a little of Jacee Badeaux (same age Eben was when he competed on the show last year).  Eben seems like a sweet kid with a nice voice but they may be setting him up in a very similar fashion as Jacee was to either be cut during the green mile episode or either he’ll be cut early in the voting rounds.  If he does manage to make it to the voting rounds, it would be interesting to see how far he gets.  I think if you give him 2-3 years, you might can say he’s ready.

I was really impressed with the way this kid carried himself. Seems very mature for a 15 year old. He reminds me much more of Greyson Chance rather than Justin Bieber, that’s for sure. He’s got a nice voice. I’m interested in seeing how he does in Hollywood. I’ll be rooting for him to do well!

Cute kid with a sweet voice but I’m not convinced he’s ready yet.  He’s got nice composure in front of the judges, but from that little snippet, he didn’t strike me as having a mature grasp on the music yet.  Sweet but bland – give him a couple of years to season.

However, I think that could be one scarey stage mom there.  Might be fun to have her around for a while just for lolz!

Maybe he’s 16 now?  I think he is adorable and a much better singer than Justin Bieber.  I do see him making TOP 24, but they may want to save him for next year – and there WILL be a next year!

I agree I think he is too young.  But I really do think he should get rid of the “Justin Bieber” look-a-like hair…even Justin has changed that now.  Besides, he is a better singer than Justin…I really believe if Justin had auditioned for this “singing” contest, he wouldn’t have made it to Hollywood round.

Eben seems like a nice kid and isn’t a bad singer, but I think that he’s far too young.  He’s fodder.

It’ll be interesting to see what happens to this baby.

(Eben’s old videos are set to private now)

Interesting.

When exactly did that happen? They filmed the Green Mile episode yesterday. If it happened since then, he likely made the voting rounds. He wouldn’t feel the need to do it if he was booted.

If it happened a week or so ago, it just confirms he was going to the last round.

I think he isn’t anything but fodder.

I think he has the potential to drive people crazy this year.

I bet he’s being cast as a foil to that other kid that looks like a 12 year old (that I don’t remember his name is a strike against him). Sadly, for that other kid (the one who competed against Scotty), is he comes off as a bit of a tool. Eben isn’t creepily trying to flirt with the girls on camera and he comes off as humble which is very important (see how Astro got his butt handed him for not being humble). He’s the new Tim Urban. I think he could surprise people. I think he can make people tear their hair out. He’s just the sort of earnest fellow to stick around for weeks.

I give you Jacee Badeaux II – now with tween voter attracting power!

The little girls will vote their fingers off for Eben if he gets through.

The kid from last year was Jacee Badeaux from Lafayette, LA.

I remember Jacee (he was memorable). The kid I cannot remember the name of was the one that opened the first show. He looks about 12. They made him sing a Michael Jackson song. He claims to steal other people’s girlfriends. He flirted with another auditioner for the cameras.

At least I remember him, but I can’t remember his name.

Anyway, I think they spent enough time on him that they want to keep him, so they’ll need a couple of other young boys to serve as a foil. Eben  is the classic “cast as a foil” who somehow outlasts his role.

There are theories out there that Idol casts supporting characters for contestants they want to win. People who are somewhat like TCO, but not as good. As these foils fall away, the votes coalesce around the contestant that remains. While some voters just give up and others despise the contestant who remains, I think a lot of people end up transferring their vote for a contestant that is most like the one that they were previously supporting.

So, I think Eben is meant as a foil. I just think he might be able to last a little longer (and if they want that other kid to win, they had better work on his editing). If that other kid is one they want to last, they will also have a less good, older R&B contestant as well. They should probably cast a tool-y-er contestant as well to take the heat off.

If Kelly Rippa’s kids have any power and he makes it to voting, this kid is the next American Idol. She mentioned him and them on her show today.

Way cuter than Jaycee and a much better voice also.  I predict that he will go far and possibly win this thing.  His demeanor, looks, and voice will entice tweens and grandparents alike to vote.  He’s the best 15 year old that we’ve ever seen on this show.  I’m rooting for him.

Middle school teacher here.  If he makes it to the voting rounds he’ll be sticking around a while.  So far, what I am hearing is that he’s this year’s Prince Charming.

This guy is a total Greyson Chance clone. Average voice and unusually mature for his age (like Rachel Crowe). Is Idol still looking for the next Justin Bieber because this guy is not it.

Young does not always equal heart throb.

My niece likes all the young teen singers like One Direction and Justin Bieber and she didn’t think Eben was that cute. She said he was just ‘aight’.

The kid I cannot remember the name of was the one that opened the first show.

Sorry, Kirsten.  I had a brain wire loose and was thinking last season.  I believe you’re thinking of David Leathers, Jr., from Fayetteville, NC.  He’s 17, but looks about 14 or 15.

He looks just like Pim from Phil of the Future.

I believe you’re thinking of David Leathers, Jr., from Fayetteville, NC.  He’s 17, but looks about 14 or 15.

Yes! That’s him. Thanks!

On second thought, it probably doesn’t matter if people remember your name. It’s if they remember you. They are all “Girl with the planking sister”, “Dude who sang that theme song from Family Matters”, “Bolton dude who said Ryan had a pinhead”.

BTW What is with all these kids named after their Dads? At least this one isn’t called Leather Leathers, Jr.

justin biebers a cuter sanme to hang on too but this guy is sooooooooo cute <3
(im about his age, not a pedophile lol)

Funny, I thought the same thing about the mom. She kind of frightened me
LOL. Pretty intense woman.

He’s got a nice vote, but I don’t think he’s ready yet. She’s pushing him.

Don’t count out anybody who has two generation appeal, like Eban. Grandmas and granddaughters will be dialing away for him.

Never underestimate the power of female ‘tweens!

No doubt hes a good singer, but like David Leathers Jr., I don’t see him as the Bieber heartthrob type.. This guy reminds me more of Greyson chance, has a slight feminine feel to his style. Didnt think Aint No Sunshine was a relevant song choice for him, but roll on HW, he could prove me wrong

Just hope this kid doesn’t get eaten up and spitten out.

I actually DO in fact know Eben. His mother, Steph, (Stephanie Phillips Franckewitz) and her older brother, Scotty (Scott) and their parents, Larry and Leah Phillips, moved next door to my family (in Zanesville, Ohio) when I was not yet even one yrs of age. My parents and Larry and Leah (Eben’s grandparents) became very dear friends of my family, and we have always remained extremely close. We vacationed every year together growing up (myrtle beach always and once clearwater,florida) despite the fact that they had moved to Gauley Bridge, WVA, and lived there for several yrs, until Steph and Scotty graduated. Both Steph and Scott attended WVU, and then Eben’s mom, Stephanie-actually lived in Pittsburgh while she was obtaining her MBA. Stephanie and Joe (Eben’s father) met and got married in Baltimore, MD, and a few yrs later moved to the suburbs of Cinci. Steph and I were pregnant about one yr apart. She had Eben on June 13th 1996, and I had Madeline on Feb. 13th 1997. Eben is and always has been the panultimate sweetheart. He was such a nice and considerate little boy. Always a little beyond his years, even back then. (And SUCH an ADORABLE baby! Those killer dimples!) Asa, Eben’s little brother, was also born on the 13th as well-of July. (I’d be watching out for Asa too, in a few yrs! Mark my words.) Talent is something that runs in the family. Eben’s mom-Steph, has a good singing voice, as we would sing along to various artists on our long road trip to the beach every summer. She can hear 2 & 3 part harmonies, and we would sing along to The Carpenter’s. Joe, Eben’s dad, is a musician, and can play the drums, guitar, and has a great voice as well. He has played in several bands, though not professionally. Eben’s audition did NOT even BEGIN to showcase the true talent that boy possess. I would indeed liken his voice to more of Greyson Chance than to Justin Beiber. He used to have several singing videos on Youtube, but alas, he had to “hide” those. He is THE REAL DEAL as far as his maturity, humility, talent, compassion, and just overall-in being a good salt of the earth human being goes. What you see is what you get with Eben. He is just a good all around kid. Does very well in school, sports, extra-curriculars, and is liked and respected by his peers-& adults as well. His mom, Steph is extremely supportive of BOTH her boys in whatever they CHOOSE to do. She IS NOT a stage mom, and does not believe in “pushing” her boys to do anything that they do not truly like/love. She is a true testament to being a great, supportive and loving mother. She is very involved in whatever Eben and Asa choose to do. She is at heart, a very passionate being to boot, and I think that that really was evidenced via the snipet of the family going to the p-burgh auditions. Eben is/has been raised in a very supportive and healthy family dynamic and I think that has been one of the most important ingredients for his getting as far as he has-thus far in the infancy of his success. That boy WILL go places, no doubt!
I just wanted to comment on who Eben intrinsically is as a person, and the amazing person that he already is. And also to the naysayers who clearly do not know him on a personal level, and believe that he is trying or “wants” to become the next Justin Bieber, that that is NOT what he is about. He is (again) truly humble, and just loves to perform, and share his talent with those around him that love music and to be entertained. JUST because Randy Jackson commented on the fact that Eben does somewhat resemble JB, does not mean that Eben wants to try and replace Justin. What 15 yr old boy wouldn’t be overjoyed to be compared to the likes of an already stratospheric and proven talent like Justin?! It would be such an honor to have your name even remotely linked to an artist of that magnitude. For people to just comment and be that HATEFULL of Eben already, for the sheer and simple fact that Randy commented on his phycial likeness of JB, just truly floors me. People are soooo hyper critical and just love to hate. So what?!!- if you already love JB? Good for you. Does that not mean that there’s not anymore room for other talented young people out there? Jeez people, get a LIFE! Seriously! But to just outright automatically hate on an innocent fifteen yr old boy, who’s just doing what he loves, (and who clearly has an apptitude for singing) who’s making himself vulnerable to others for criticism by auditioning/singing, just does not make any sense to me. (yes, I know that opinions and criticism is par for the course in this arena) Then YOU put yourself out there people, and let’s see if YOU can do any better. If just never fails to amaze me how quick others are to judge, despite not even knowing half the story or even a modicum of it. We all should just sit back and watch what happens in this season of AI. Alot of times, I know that my opinions have changed about someone, after I am more informed on several different levels regarding their talent and personality and where exactly they are coming from. I am far from perfect, but I do try really hard to not be prematurally judgemental.
That being said, I do apologize for the dissertation. lol! I just wanted people to know a little more about Eben Franckewitz, the “boy next door”, an american sweetheart with both a heart and voice of gold.

I MET HIM HE SUPER HOTT!!

I MET HIM HE IS SOO HOTT AND HAS AMAZING TALENT!

SOOO TRUE i mean yah jb is good and all but eban has the whole package!! but then again i heard he has a big head now he is back at school so we’ll see <3

I love Eben, he’s one of my fave. Cute face, great voice, sincere personality, the perfect combination. Wishing he could go far to the top. Go for it, Eben! Unfortunately I’m not able to vote coz I’m not in the US :(