Underrated ''American Idol'' contestants: Trenyce
FINISHING POSITION Fifth place (season 2)
GREATEST HIT Trenyce's triumphant one-two punch of ''Proud Mary'' and ''Love Will Keep Us Together'' in her final-week set — delivered with the growly gusto of a woman who knew she was enjoying her final moments in the national spotlight — made for a swan song that was as unforgettable as it was bittersweet.
WHY WE'RE BITTER In a tough season that spawned four Billboard-charting stars — winner Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken, Kimberley Locke, and country crooner Joshua Gracin — voters made a criminal mistake of neglecting a polished performer with enough sass to eschew her surname. Then again, perhaps it was Trenyce's criminal past (midway through the season, the Smoking Gun website published her mug shots from a shoplifting arrest) that limited her appeal among speed-dialing viewers.
