American Idol: The Final Finale, Part II

Wow, that was such a fun finale - a total stroll down memory lane!  

Winner: Trent Harmon

I was really disappointed that La'Porsha Renae didn't win. Her story really moved me this season, and I felt she had the most presence and star quality. She's a true diva who channels Tina Turner and Mary J. Blige.  I'm sure she will have a career.  This felt sort of like when Kris Allen beat Adam Lambert. Somehow America's mainstream tastes prevailed and a talented white male singer beat a unique butterfly.  I don't feel it was a grave miscarriage of justice, because Trent is hella talented, no doubt.  But La'Porsha has that American Dream story and, as Kelly Clarkson pointed out, it would have been cool to have a woman be the first and the final winner.  Idol has had only 5 female winners, and 10 male winners. Yet the two biggest icons of the show (Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood) are both female.

Some highlights from tonight's show...

• Idols as Angels: I loved the opening number "One Voice" where Idols past and present filled the stage and all were wearing white. This felt like the Ghosts of Idols Past. 
• Dunkelman is back! It was fun to hear a little repartee between Seacrest and Dunkelman again.
• Sanjaya's wigs: While he didn't get to speak, we glimpsed Sanjaya in the audience twice - once with a huge Mad Max mohawk and once in a powdered wig.  
• Simon, Paula and Randy: This was a fun reunion to witness. It wouldn't have been a satisfying finale without seeing these three and especially Simon, and he really did seem moved by it all. He's still looking good. We wrote these love haikus for Simon back in 2002. 
• The Rocker medley: I loved seeing Bo Bice with short hair (unrecognizable, but he looks good), Constantine Maroulis, Caleb Johnson, James Durbin, and Chris Daughtry perform together. 
• Idol Gives Back tribute: Harry Connick and Marley Fletcher, a kid from The Ellis Marsalis Center for Music in the 9th ward of New Orleans, sang "What A Wonderful World" together, in a touching segment honoring the Idol Goes Back charity that has raised $185 million for underserved youth in the US and around the world.
• 3 Divas Reunited: LaToya London, Fantasia Barrino, and Jennifer Hudson sang "Bridge Over Troubled Water" to remind us how much the show had gone downhill since they were The Class of Season 3.
• J Lo the Showgirl: her segment was basically a commercial for her Vegas show. Well, I'm sold.
• William Hung: Yes, they needed to go there. 

Old idols I was happy to see again...

• Tamyra Gray: She looked fierce, singing "Sober" with Jordin Sparks and Kara DioGuardi and singing "Girl Crush" on her own.  She was one of the most memorable contestants from Season 1. We wrote a bunch of haikus about the contestants of Season 1 back in the day.  
• Justin Guarini: Justin looks pretty handsome with the shorter hair. He can no longer be compared to Sideshow Bob.
• Carrie Underwood: I have to admit I was too hard on her back when I wrote this screed about her after she won Season 4. She has grown a lot of personality since then. She always had the voice but I found her wooden.  Now her songs are sassy and smart.  And she even did a passable Stevie Nicks tonight, singing "Stop Dragging My Heart Around" with Keith Urban.
• Constantine Maroulis: He's my all-time favorite Idol. I wrote these haikus about Constantine back in the day. 
• Kelly Clarkson: Although her performance was taped due to her being unable to attend due to impending childbirth, it was still fun to see a hugely pregnant Kelly sing a medley of her many hits. 
• Ace Young and Diana DeGarmo: Idol put them on stage together tonight but failed to mention they are married - missed opportunity to showcase a true Idol love connection. Diana is only 28 but something about her face and hair makes her look like she's in her 40s - can't really put my finger on it but she's always had that look. 
• Taylor Hicks: He's my second-favorite Idol and I wish we'd seen more of him tonight, but how about that stylin' purple velveteen jacket?

I doubt this is really the end, but it's certainly been a great ride, especially those early years when it was all new and some true superstars were found.  

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American Idol: The Final Finale, Part I

Tonight we said goodbye to teen dream Dalton Rapattoni. I am sad to see him go as I too found him dreamy, and he was the show's only rocker.  But I think Dalton will be just fine. He would be a great frontman for an indie rock band, or he could have a great solo career ahead of him. He got to sing his Idol song before he left. It was a catchy tune called "Strike a Match." 

  

So, our Final Two are Trent Harmon and La'Porsha Renae, and I don't think anyone would disagree that they were the two strongest singers in the Top Ten. So America got it right. They both sang three songs tonight.

Trent Harmon - Trent's Idol song is called "Falling." It was soulful and showed off his range. I always find these Idol songs somewhat forgettable. Next Simon Fuller chose "If You Don't Know Me By Now" for Trent. He was very confident and delivered the song with soul, feeling the lyrics. Keith said it was a great song for him. J Lo said he's going to give La'Porsha a run for her money and it may be the closest vote ever.  For the song of his own choice, he reprised "Chandelier" by Sia. It was so impressive how he hit the high notes. He was pitch perfect and got a huge ovation, Harry said he's making this the hardest decision in the history of Idol. Keith said his vocal transitions are amazing, J Lo said she knew he would be in the final two and that he deserves to win. 

La'Porsha Renae - La'Porsha's Idol song is "Battles." I preferred it to Trent's song as it was anthemic, and it fit her story. Simon Fuller asked La'Porsha to sing "A House is Not a Home," and she was terrific. It made me miss Season 1 when they did a whole theme week devoted to Bacharach songs. La'Porsha pulled back a bit and delivered it in a Dionne Warwick vein.  She looked terrific in a sparkly gown with jewels. J Lo said it was so beautiful. Harry said it was her most complicated song melodically. Keith said it was smoldering. For the song of her own choosing, she picked "Diamonds" by Rihanna, which she had sung in the Top Ten week. It really showed off her stage presence and the strength of her vocals.  She got a big ovation and the crowd chanted her name. She started to cry. Keith said she and Trent both chose black diamond runs and sailed down the hill. J Lo said she can't wait to go to a La'Porsha concert and cut loose. Harry asked who was the "you and I" she was singing about and she said it was her daughter, thus reminding viewers again of her dramatic backstory.

Prediction - I think La'Porsha is going to win, but the vote might be close. They both gave it their all tonight. I just think La'Porsha connects a bit more with the audience and has the brightest star quality. 

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American Idol: And Then There Were Four

This compressed American Idol season is flying by, while I wish it would linger a bit. Tonight the Idols were mentored by Steve Van Zandt on classic rock songs and then by Sia on her songs. Sia let them see her eyes but this was blurred out for the TV audience.  

LaPorsha Renae -  LaPorsha's classic rock choice was "Wanted Dead or Alive" by Bon Jovi. Although she doesn't seem like much of a cowboy, she delivered a strong vocal, circled the stage with swagger, and hit the big note at the end. The judges felt it was an odd song for her, but J Lo said she could sing the phone book and it wouldn't matter. It reminded Harry of Tina Turner. They also complimented her braids, which she said took 15 hours to do. She did look awesome and she has such confidence now. It's been a great evolution to watch and if there's any justice she will win the show. Her Sia song was "Elastic Heart" and it was another good performance. J Lo said she is a fully realized artist and they just don't have much to say to her, but I wonder if the lack of effusive praise and the fact that she had to sing first tonight might cause people to forget to vote for her. 

MacKenzie Bourg - His classic rock song was "I Want You to Want Me" by Cheap Trick. He slowed it down a lot and it kind of lost its rock edge, Keith hated the arrangement. Harry thought he could have sung it the same and kept it double time as the original was and would have kept the energy up more.  Mac's Sia song was "Titanium." This was a typical performance but he did stretch for a high note. Harry thought it was nice but it shouldn't all be about one note. Keith liked that he made it a singer/songwriter moment and stripped it down. I feel like Mackenzie is sticking with what he's good at but not stretching enough, and this may be his downfall. 

Trent Harmon - Trent's first song was "Sharp Dressed Man" by ZZ Top. He delivered it as a rock song with a bluesy edge. We got to see a more rocking side of him, and he got the crowd into it. J Lo said it was fungal - dirtied and muddied up.  Harry thought it was brilliant. His Sia song was "Chandelier" and it was impressive, with the high notes. Sia told him he picked her most difficult song. Keith thought it was exquisite. J Lo said he can do anything. Harry gave it 100 out of 100. The judges really laid it on thick for Trent. I think they want a Trent/LaPorsha finale. 

Dalton Rapattoni -  Dalton sang "God Only Knows" by The Beach Boys, and I don't really view this as a classic rock song. However, it's one of my favorite songs and Dalton gave a heartfelt rendition and really connected with the audience. We've seen him rock quite a bit this season, so I won't hold the song choice against him. Harry said it was the most complex song he's sung so far and it showed his vulnerability. His Sia song was "Bird Set Free" and he wore a cool neon spatter paint jacket. He sounded a bit flat to me, but he sang with feeling and got choked up at the end. The crowd went wild. J Lo cried too and said everyone was cheering for Dalton's bravery. Keith said he pushes through his limitations. 

The Bottom Two were Sonika and Dalton and Sonika was sent home. This reinforces my feeling that the judges were wrong to save Sonika two weeks in a row. Now she was in the Bottom Three for three weeks straight and finally was sent home. I think she has a lovely voice but she just didn't connect with the audience well enough to motivate people to vote for her.  

I was definitely surprised to see Dalton in the Bottom Two.  I have been partially basing my prognostications on Twitter. Dalton and Mackenzie both have @ 130,000 followers.  LaPorsha and Trent have about 30,000, and Sonika had about 15,000.  With that huge advantage in Twitter fans, I felt Dalton and Mackenzie would sail through these middle of the competition weeks.  Of course, voters can become complacent. Dalton had a good week last week but he did mention his struggles with bipolar disorder and that may have unfortunately turned off some of his fans.  I also think he and Mackenzie are drawing from the same pool of teen/tween Tiger Beat type voters.  With that being said, I predict Mackenzie and Trent will be the Bottom Two next week and Mackenzie will go home.  It could be Dalton, but I think he will benefit from all of his fans being scared because he was in the Bottom Two this week and they will vote, vote, vote.  

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American Idol: Top 5 Revealed

Last night, American Idol revealed its Top 5 and Adam Lambert came back to entertain us. 

I've officially lost my patience with the judges' save. They haven't even told us the last couple of weeks that they would be continuing to save people, but last night they used their last save of the season to save Sonika Vaid. Sonika had been in the bottom last week and this week. In my view, that means America has spoken.  While she has a strong voice, she is clearly shy and just doesn't connect that well with the audience. She comes off a bit like a Disney princess.  In the conversation segments, she does seem more likable, but somehow there just isn't a big personality radiation when she sings. And yet, with a bottom two of Tristan Macintosh and Sonika, the judges saved Sonika for the second week in a row. Of the two, I'd say Sonika probably does deserve to be there more than Tristan, who is very young and not quite ready, but I still think America should have the final say by this point, as we are only a few weeks away from the end of Idol - forever! 

Here's a recap of the performances. The contestants had to sing songs suggested by America via Twitter and other social media outlets.

Trent Harmon - His first song was "Counting Stars" by OneRepublic. This seemed kind of uncomfortable for him, and afterward he admitted he didn't really know what was going on. J Lo felt he engaged the audience well. His second song was "Simple Man" by Lynyrd Skynyrd and this was the perfect song for him. By the end, he had J Lo in tears, waxing rhapsodically about how she would miss the show for moments like this that showed the perfect collision of song and singer.  Trent cried too.  He's a talented and likable guy. We also learned he had a good friend who designed his guitar that died young, and he plays on to honor his friend. 

Dalton Rappatoni - America suggested Dalton sing "Numb" by Linkin Park and he delivered the tune with emotion but dulled the rock edge a bit too much.  Harry said he poured his guts into it, but the judges felt it was an uneven performance. His second song was "Sound of Silence" by Simon and Garfunkel and that was much more in his wheelhouse, allowing him to focus on the lyrics and deliver a haunting performance with lots of eye contact with the camera from those big dreamy eyes. Keith said he liked how Dalton connected with the words. Dalton reminds me of a Walter Keane painting and I just want to spoon with him, especially after we learned he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age 9 and that his grandma runs a beauty shop where all the little old ladies are rooting for him while getting their shampoo n' set hairdos.  

La'Porsha Renae - Her first song was "Ready for Love" by India Arie and I thought it was good but not as mind-blowing as her usual performances. Harry thought it was phenomenal. Her second song was "No More Drama" by Mary J. Blige and she really brought it. This was the perfect song choice, especially after they played clips of her talking about emerging from her abusive relationship. She was in tears at the end and so was J Lo and probably many viewers at home.  La'Porsha poured her heart and soul into the performance and the judges were pretty much speechless. I feel this is the best of American Idol - finding someone as downtrodden as La'Porsha and giving her a platform to excel. If she doesn't win this show, it will be because of tons of tween girls voting for Dalton and Mackenzie, and it will be a damn shame.  But I'm sure she will have a career after this, no matter what.

Mackenzie Bourg - His first song was "Wild World" by Cat Stevens, and it was the perfect song for him. He could fit in well with my 70s easy listening heroes like Dan Fogelberg, Dave Loggins, Paul Davis, Al Stewart.  Harry said he was glad to see Mackenzie do something more up tempo. His second song was "Billie Jean." I thought the lyrics didn't hold up to the dramatic slow interpretation he gave the song, but the judges praised him for making it his own. J Lo said she was riveted. We also learned he has made a full recovery from congestive heart failure but it nearly killed him in high school and forced him to give up sports. So he found solace in music. 

Sonika Vaid - America asked Sonika to sing "Let It Go" by Demi Lovato, probably to instruct her to do as the song says and emote more. I thought her performance was too subtle and not bombastic like this song requires. But the judges liked it, and J Lo said Sonika is shy but fierce. Her second song was "Clarity" by Zedd and her performance was strong, but it still felt hollow. There's none of the emotion one feels watching La'Porsha, Trent, and even Dalton and Mackenzie to a lesser degree. Yet, she remains. 

Tristan Macintosh - Before being eliminated, Tristan sang "Independence Day" by Martina McBride and played the piano. It was a strong vocal but the judges felt it was very similar to her other performances and she needs to stretch more. Harry said she just needs to get older. Too bad he couldn't tell her to come back next year. 

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American Idol: Top 6 Revealed

Tonight our Idols were reduced to only 6, as the final season is adopting a fast and furious pace. The show began with duets.

LaPorsha Renae and Trent Harmon - "See You Again" - Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth - Very good duet - this was a lot of fun to watch. Trent sang higher than her. They had nice chemistry and good eye contact with each other. Both seemed so comfortable on stage. J Lo said it was magical.

Avalon Young and Sonika Vaid - "Rise Up" by Andra Day - Nice harmonies. They are Idol roommates, and you can tell they have a good rapport. Keith complimented Sonika's tone and Avalon's natural singing.

Dalton Rapattoni and MacKenzie Bourg - "I Want It That Way" by Backstreet Boys - The two heartthrobs took on a classic teen idol song, with Mac on guitar and Dalton showing his softer side. But it's pretty ordinary, and the judges peed all over it. Harry didn't think it was a good song choice because the lyrics don't make sense, and the guys admit they didn't understand what they were singing. Keith and J Lo felt they didn't change it from the original enough. 

Lee Jean and Tristan Macintosh - "Don't Want to Miss a Thing" by Aerosmith - Lee lamented that Tristan is taller than him, and they did seem a bit of an odd couple on stage together. It was nice to see Lee belt for a change. Harry thought it was boring and bland.

For the solo performances, they had to take songs from the American Idol songbook. This leaves it pretty open for about a zillion songs, but The Beatles were the most popular choice tonight.

LaPorsha Renae - "Come Together" by The Beatles - We learned that LaPorsha comes from a military family, and her dad said he was glad to admit he was wrong when he tried to push her into the military.  She wore a crazy leather jumpsuit with gold chains. She really has a star persona and a lot of Tina Turner in her. She showed she can convey a rock vibe along with the soul. J Lo said she gives us full diva every time she's up there. 

MacKenzie Bourg - You Are So Beautiful" by Joe Cocker - Mac loved sports, but he got into the school musical after singing at a pep rally and being approached by drama teacher. He gave a tender and sweet performance and really feels the lyrics, but sometimes his twitchy faces get on my nerves. Harry said he couldn't have picked a better song. Keith said he made it seem brand new. J Lo said, "You're singing to some girl that every girl wishes she was."

Trent Harmon - "Stand by Me" by Ben E King - Trent said he doesn't want his family to come watch him unless he makes finale, and he kept his audition secret. Once again, he has cleaned up well and looks pretty debonair and delivers a strong, if not particularly original, performance. Keith said he can see a lot of growth in him over the competition. Trent's performance gave J Lo goosies - and there is no higher accolade she can give.

Tristan MacIntosh - "A Broken Wing" by Martina McBride - Tristan's grandpa was the first to believe in her, and his health has been failing but he still recorded a video message to cheer her on. I found this performance capable but kinda dull. Keith thought it was the perfect song for her. Harry asked her what the second verse was about and her answer showed she had thought about it. Being an artist who sings timeless songs himself, Harry likes that the singers are thinking about the lyrics, and I like that he cares about that. 

Dalton Rapattoni - "Eleanor Ribgy" by The Beatles - Dalton's mom was a high school punk, and he used to wear his mom's trench coat when he started performing. He gave this classic tune a metal edge, but with a string quartet. This is the Dalton I love - making it his own, working the crowd, belting a big finish. Keith said the theatrical side of Dalton brought out the darker side of the song.

Ryan revealed our Bottom 3: Sonika, Avalon, and Lee. And they got to sing for their lives.

Avalon Young - "PYT" by Michael Jackson - Avalon as a kid was very much a tomboy (shocker!). She has OCD which causes facial tics but not when she sings. This was a good song for her, and she worked the crowd but was still a little stiff. Keith said he is so confused about why she keeps ending up in bottom three.  J Lo felt this was too typical of her usual performances. Harry said she needs more urgency.  

Lee Jean - "Let it Be" by The Beatles - Lee was a shy kid, had to move around a lot, but when people discovered he could sing, he became popular. This was a heartfelt but awkward and pitchy performance. He seemed a bit like a deer in the headlights. The judges noticed the pitch problems and were disappointed. 

Sonika Vaid - "I Have Nothing" by Whitney Houston - Sonika has a family music tradition. Her mom performs in Bollywood. She picked a tough song and belted it like she wanted to stay. Despite her great voice, she still doesn't radiate much personality. Harry said it's a high risk high reward performance and she nailed it.  J Lo thought she did a good job, but was kind of lukewarm in her praise.

The judges kept Sonika in the competition, and I think that was the right choice. While Sonika needs to connect better with the audience, she does have one of the best voices on the show. Lee's voice is sweet but limited and he's only 16.  When Ryan asked how they were feeling, he seemed like he was making a closing argument for himself, stating how much he felt the song he sang and that it was for his late brother and he didn't care if he was pitchy.  I think it's better to just accept the judges' criticism, as it was warranted, and he didn't do himself any favors with the speech.  I think Avalon being in the bottom 3 for 2 weeks in a row, despite good judges feedback last week, shows that somehow she is just not totally connecting with America. She's definitely cool and talented, but maybe America doesn't love her tomboy style or doesn't find her convincing as a R&B artist. 

Prediction for next week - Sonika and Tristan in the Bottom 2, with Tristan going home. 

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American Idol: Top 8 Revealed

Dalton Rapattoni - "Radioactive" by Imagine Dragons - I'm so sick of this song, and I think many of us are. He worked the crowd well but didn't show us anything new and stayed pretty true to the original. It came off kinda karaoke and lacking in the originality of his other performances. Keith doesn't think it was a great song for him because he didn't tweak it. Harry said he reminds him of Billy Joe Armstrong. Harry felt Dalton wasn't as present in this performance and it lacked electricity. I'm sure Dalton will survive this minor misstep, because he's talented and dreamy!

Lee Jean - "Use Somebody" by Kings of Leon - This was his most upbeat performance and it wasn't an Ed Sheeran song - but, unfortunately, it was just mediocre. I think he has a very limited range. J Lo said it was a great song choice, but he needs to stretch and let go. Keith didn't think it was a good song for him, but liked that he played guitar and had more energy.

Sonika Vaid - "Since You've Been Gone" - Kelly Clarkson - Sonika revealed that she's never had a boyfriend, but this good girl tries to act like a bad girl in this song and it doesn't really work. She showed more of a pop side and still belted enough to remind us she has one of the best voices on the show. She looked sexy. Keith said he wanted more attitude, "more angry girlfriend". Harry said it felt like she wasn't really feeling the lyrics. 

Mackenzie Bourg - "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)" by Whitney Houston - Very clever song choice and he definitely made it his own. It almost had a calypso vibe. The crowd went wild. Keith thought it was really cool. J Lo felt that the switch-up worked but she wants him to let go more. She thinks both he and Lee are holding back. Harry said he could have gone further with making it his own, perhaps should have played acoustic guitar. 

La'Porsha Renae - "Halo" by Beyonce - We learned her hair is named Kokomo and that until Idol, only her mom and she had ever styled or cut it. In her sparkly gown and headband, she looked like some kind of space goddess or disco diva. It was a good song choice with a high degree of difficulty. She had great stage presence and looked at camera at the end the way Constantine used to, except not smarmy. J Lo said she is the one to beat and a hard act to follow. Harry said she is a master at arcing the songs. 

Trent Harmon - "When a Man Loves a Woman" by Michael Bolton - Trent looked slick with a new hair cut and suit jacket, almost as if Seacrest had styled him. The performance started out kind of ordinary but then he hit a crazy long note. Keith thought it was a good song choice but pointed out that worrying about his facial expressions can get in the way of emoting. J Lo had a vision during the performance, not of the Virgin Mary, but of Trent and La'Porsha in the finale.

Tristan McIntosh - "Go Rest High on That Mountain" by Vince Gill - She played piano. She had a breakdown in rehearsal and had to change her song after Scott Borchetta (who looks like a puffy Chuck Zito) critiqued her. This performance brought her back to what the judges liked her for originally, playing piano and being more in an Alicia Keyes mode, although country. Keith said it was a great song choice. J Lo said that was the Tristan that America fell in love with. Tristan revealed another reason to cry - her grandpa broke his back this week. Harry then made a joke asking if her grandpa had been carrying her piano at the time. Ugh. Too soon, Harry.

The Bottom 3 was revealed to be Olivia, Gianna, and Avalon. I really expected Lee and Tristan to be in the bottom 3. Gianna was my only correct guess, although I did rank Olivia fourth from bottom. I think some of the audience may be uncomfortable with Avalon's tomboy style, plus she didn't make a great song choice last week. Olivia had the curse of singing first and although the judges praised her to high heaven, the song wasn't that special.  Gianna has a great voice but her inexperience and youth shows. The Bottom 3 got one more chance to sing and the judges would then decide on one person who would stay. 

Avalon Young - "Earned It" by The Weeknd - Love the braid and her makeup is subtle enough that it doesn't change her style too much. This is a decent song choice. I like her better doing hip hop, but she does show some swagger here. The crowd loved it. Harry said she looks beautiful natural and shouldn't wear makeup if she doesn't want to. J Lo said she did what she needed to do, get back in her comfort zone.

Olivia Rox - "Trouble" by Pink - Cute outfit but the song reminds me of a cheerleading march.  She was energetic. Harry said the song didn't allow her to show much range. J Lo said we didn't feel like she really was "trouble". It wasn't believable. 

Gianna Isabella - "If I Ain't Got You" by Alicia Keyes - Strong opening with only piano before the band kicked in, then it got a little more average. She seemed to feel the lyrics more toward the end, nice finish. She looked beautiful in a red pantsuit with a sheer cape. Keith's heart wanted a little more feeling. Harry said she has an incredible vocal gift.  

The judges saved Avalon which I think was the right choice. I think 2 more contestants get sent home next week and at this point I expect it to be Lee and Avalon, but everyone did pretty good this week so it's a tough call. 

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American Idol: Top Ten Perform and Kelly Clarkson Makes Everyone Sob

Yesterday, the judges voted through Dalton, La'Porsha, Olivia and Trent.

Then America voted through Tristan, Sonika, Gianna, Mackenzie, Avalon, Lee.

So we must say goodbye to Jenn, Jeneve, Manny, and Thomas.  

I'm surprised Thomas didn't make it - I thought he had teen idol appeal. I'm not surprised that Jenn or Jeneve didn't make it as they were outliers because of their style, but I will miss their voices and originality. Manny was sexy and fun, but I think he had done all he could do, and it wasn't enough. 

Kelly Clarkson was tonight's guest judge and she's hugely pregnant. 

Here's a rundown of the performances...

Olivia Rox - "Unconditionally" by Katy Perry - She recalled Katherine McPhee singing "Over the Rainbow" because she used to sing it all the time as a kid. I think it's kind of a boring song choice, and her performance was good but not spectacular. Keith said she's on a real artist trajectory. Kelly said it's hard to sing soft, and she's a fan. 

Gianna Isabella - "Listen" by Beyonce - She revealed she had a crush on Scotty McCreery when she was 10. She looked pretty in her sparkly gold dress. It's a huge song and she couldn't quite handle it. It was pitchy at times, but overall good, with a strong, big finish. J Lo said it was shaky. Harry said it felt very arranged. Kelly said it was a bold song choice for a 15-year-old and she'll grow out of her pitch issues. 

Lee Jean - "Skinny Love" by Bon Iver - He recalled the Chris Medina story and how Chris singing for his disabled fiancee made him think of his brother who had passed away. Lee seemed a little quiet and nervous. Kelly said she would love to come see his show but he needs to be aware others in the competition do a lot of vocal acrobatics and could blow him away. Harry said he thinks Lee and Mackenzie are too similar. Keith encouraged him to show more vulnerability and pick songs with meaning. Ryan revealed Chris Medina was in the audience. 

Avalon Young - "Stitches" by Shawn Mendes - She remembered Justin Guarini singing Oleta Adams and that she was in love with him. There she goes, being herself and not caring what others think with that choice of an Idol memory! She seemed a little stiffer than usual. It got better when she stepped away from the microphone and sped it up. Harry didn't like the slow opening and thought it fell flat. J Lo said the champion in her came through halfway through when she stepped away.  Kelly said she finds her so captivating and that she makes her like songs she didn't think she liked.

Dalton Rapattoni - "Hey There Delilah" by Plain White Ts - Daughtry getting kicked off was a crushing blow to him and his family, and he said he was very influenced by the way David Cook made songs his own. This was a cool song choice, and Dalton displayed great energy, confidence and connection with the crowd. He found the drama in the song and belted it.  Keith said it was like "electric barnyard." J Lo said his heart comes through and that's what makes the girls scream. Harry said Keith remembers what it used to feel like when girls screamed for him - zing!

Tristan McIntosh - "Nothin' Like You" by Dan and Shay - She remembered loving Jessica Sanchez singing "I Will Always Love You." She looked good in a cute outfit and ponytail. She seemed more confident and to be having fun. The song wasn't that vocally demanding so she stuck a couple runs on the end. J Lo thought it wasn't her strongest performance and maybe not the best song choice. Kelly suggested she sing Trisha Yearwood. Kelly added a lot as a judge, with actionable suggestions that drew from her own experience on the show.

MacKenzie Bourg - "I See Fire" by Ed Sheeran - His favorite Idol memory is William Hung singing "She Bangs." It was nice to see him wearing a print shirt instead of just the usual white T-shirt. He played guitar and was confident and showed off his unique style.  Kelly said it was the first performance that made her baby kick. Ryan let us know William Hung is now happily married.  

La'Porsha Renae - "Diamonds" by Rhianna - She said Idol was her family's Super Bowl. Well, La'Porsha is currently winning this Super Bowl. This was a good song choice. She made it dramatic and powerful. She reminded me of Tina Turner a bit. 3 of 4 judges stood up to applaud (everyone but Harry). The audience went nuts and La'Porsha started to cry. Kelly said she wished she was her and she knows she is going to win. J Lo said it's her control that sets her apart. It's odd that Harry didn't speak, but maybe the standing ovation made them short on time.

Sonika Vaid - "Bring Me to Life" by Evanesence - Her mom encouraged her to watch Idol so she could see confident role models because she was shy. She looked beautiful and sexy in the black gown with thigh high boots. She showed a different side with this hard rocking song, but it still allowed her to belt and deliver a big finish. Keith said it was a killer song choice. Kelly said she's never heard her be pitchy. Harry said it was hard to follow La'Porsha but she rocked it.

Trent Harmon - "Like I Can" by Sam Smith - He recalled loving David Archuletta's rendition of "Imagine." It was a good song for him and he delivered it with passion. He reminded me a little of Joe Jackson. J Lo said she feels like it's one of the best Idol seasons ever, and Trent is so unique. Kelly said she'd like to see him sing soft more. 

Ryan revealed that next week there will be a double elimination. I predict Olivia and Lee are going home. Tristan and Gianna could be vulnerable too. Basically, I think the youngsters can't hang with the powerful slightly older contestants like La'Porsha, Sonika, Trent, and Dalton. Mackenzie is an exception. 

Kelly closed the night, singing "Piece by Piece." It's a beautiful song and made La'Porsha cry. Kelly broke down toward the end. Keith cried. I cried too. First Idol, Best Idol! 

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American Idol : Top 14

The show began with the judges announcing their four unanimous picks to make the Top Ten: Dalton Rappatoni, Olivia Rox, Trent Harmon, and  La'Porsha Renae. Of these the only one I'd question is Olivia, but she did show more talent in the Top 24 round than she did in Hollywood Week.  

Then the remaining ten contestants sang. The audience will vote, and six will make it through to the Top Ten. Here's a rundown of the performances...

Manny Torres - "Master Blaster" by Stevie Wonder. I found the song kind of muddled, although he was energetic and manly. He just doesn't seem special enough to me. Keith said it was not a great song choice. Going first and not picking a memorable song may doom him. 

Gianna Isabella - "I Put a Spell on You" by Annie Lennox. She looked pretty and a bit older with straightened hair. For a girl who is only 15, she is quite poised. J Lo said she has a great voice and was on the bubble as her #5 choice. She said she belongs in the Top Ten and I would agree. I wish the camera didn't cut to her rabid stage mom Brenda K Starr so much and would let Gianna shine on her own. 

Thomas Stringfellow - "Story of My Life" by One Direction. This was a good song for him, since it's rollicking and not too vocally demanding. He's a cutie - the ideal non-threatening teen idol. Harry said he is talented but cracks his voice too much, to the point of almost sounding like The Cranberries. No worries - I think the little girls will be texting and they'll have to let Thomas linger.

Tristan McIntosh - "What Hurts the Most" by Rascal Flatts. Tristan also straightened her hair. This must be the trend of the week for the 15 year olds in the competition. Her song choice serves to remind us of the tantrum she threw during Hollywood Week when she thought she wouldn't get to sing it, because it means soooo much to her. She delivers a strong rendition but I'm still hoping to see her break out of the country mode. Inexplicably, Keith said Tristan showed a side they hadn't seen - but she did that song already!  

Avalon Young - "Yo (Excuse Me Miss)" by Chris Brown. Avalon seems to be aware that she's becoming a lesbian icon, regardless of her sexuality, with this winking song choice. She has such a nice tone to her voice. She's so likable that one barely notices her drab outfit. J Lo said she is getting more comfortable.

Jenn Blosil - "True Colors" by Cyndi Lauper. Jenn had these cool wacky glitter eyebrows, but one of them was coming undone a bit at the corner and it was distracting.  This was a good song choice. Harry said it was a flawless lyric delivery. I like her but I  think she might be too weird for America. 

Lee Jean - "Make it Rain" by Ed Sheeran. I'm tired of hearing this kid do Ed Sheeran songs. He really needs to stretch, but maybe he can't. Keith liked it but thought he seemed nervous. I think he'll be safe anyway because he's such a cutie. 

Sonika Vaid - "I Surrender" by Celine Dion. Sonika is very capable and pretty, but she still leaves me a bit unmoved. This is a daunting song choice, so she gets points for that. J Lo said she got goosies on her face for the first time, prompting me to wonder if maybe her braids were too tight.  

Jeneve Rose Mitchell - "Ring of Fire" by Johnny Cash. This was very dramatic and also a bit creepy. There is something about her intensity that I enjoy but I think might be too weird for America. Keith said she needs to let go more. Unleash the Jeneve! Harry said not everyone will get it but she is special.

MacKenzie Bourg - "Roses." He sang his own song, just as he did during Hollywood Week. And it's a sweet and catchy tune. Sometimes he looks kind of lobotomized when he sings, with his eyes practically rolling back in his head. He's soulful and raspy. Keith thinks its a great song. I can't see this guy not making it to the Top Ten. He has over 100k Twitter followers, just like Dalton. None of the others have more than 15k. 

Predictions - I think the six who will make the Top Ten will be MacKenzie, Avalon, Gianna, Lee, Tristan, and Thomas.   But if it was up to me, I'd pick MacKenzie, Jeneve, Jenn, Avalon, Sonika, and Gianna.  

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American Idol: Top 24 - 2nd Half - Duets

Amelia Eisenhauer and Kellie Pickler - "Suds in the Bucket" by Sara Evans. Amelia played her fiddle. She still seems a bit shy, but it was a fun performance. The judges liked it and felt it was a good song choice.

Kory Wheeler and Haley Reinhart - "Bennie and the Jets" by Elton John. Kory auditioned with this song. The alternating call and response "Bennies!" made for a fun ending. The judges liked it.

Lee Jean and Chris Daughtry - "Home" by Chris Daughtry. Both played guitar. Lee is a bit too quiet and reserved to belt this the way it needs to be belted. I felt Chris dominated. The judges were positive.

CJ Johnson and David Cook - "The World I Know" by Collective Soul. Both played guitar. It had a kinda rocky beginning and then David dominated. CJ was too quiet. Somehow he seems to have lost a lot of chutzpah he showed in Hollywood Week. 

Manny Torres and Jordin Sparks - "No Air" by Jordin Sparks. This was just OK. He did a good job feeling the lyric. Harry said he had good charisma. I just don't feel he's good enough for the Top Ten. 

Jenn Blosil and Constantine Maroulis - "My Funny Valentine." This was a cool rendition of one of Constatine's big Idol songs. Both are quirky and charismatic, so they are a good match. She's quieter but sexy. Harry felt it was a shouting match, but Keith loved it - and so did I. But then, I've always been partial to Constantine. Here's some haikus I wrote about Constantine when he was on Idol. 

Tristan McIntosh and Kellie Pickler - "Best Days of Your Life" by Kellie Pickler. Kellie drowns her out at first but then it gets better. Why does Tristan only want to do country? I wish she would embrace the Alicia Keyes side of herself that J Lo noticed in her initial audition. Keith said the opening harmony was shaky. J Lo said she needs to feel more comfortable on stage.

Olivia Rox and David Cook - "Light On" by David Cook. Her dress is a bit weird. She can belt ipretty well and hang with David. J Lo agrees with David that if she finds her groove she will be around for a long time. It's a tough song to do, so I give her points for a valiant attempt. 

Adam Lasher and Haley Reinhart - "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis Presley. Adam has a nice tone and pace. They are sweet together. Keith felt Adam was stiff.

Dalton Rappatoni and Chris Daughtry - "Higher Ground" by Stevie Wonder. They had good energy. The judges liked it although Harry said it was mostly about the band.

Trent Harmon and Jordin Sparks - "To Love Somebody" by The Bee Gees. This is a good song for Trent and it was my favorite duet of the night. J Lo said,"That was the Trent that I know and love and that surprises us."

Shelbie Z and Constantine Maroulis - "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen. This song is a great showcase for her big voice, but it's so bombastic that she comes across like a female Meatloaf. J Lo felt Shelbie got lost. 

Sent home - Adam, Amelia, Kory, CJ,  Shelbie

Of this group, I'm a little sorry to see CJ go. He was great in Hollywood Week but really didn't do much in the Top 24 round.  I'm also sorry to see Shelbie leave. I think she deserved a chance to let America decide.  She was one of the more polished and likable contestants. Note that both contestants who sang with Haley were sent home. I was never that keen on her but I don't think it was her fault. 

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American Idol: Top 24 - First Half Solo Performances and Duets

Belated post as I was traveling and had to catch up on Idol...my thoughts on the first half of the Top 24's performances...

Stephany Negrete - She sang "Mamma Knows Best" by Jessie J. She's a belter. She is very pretty, kinda looks like vintage Cher, but she doesn't really connect with the audience. She did a duet with Reuben Studdard on "Superstar", and it was very good and dramatic. They really seemed to be singing to each other. 

Mackenzie Bourg - He sang, "Say Something" by a Great Big World. He's a cute kid, likable, and made it his own, but all his performances are in a similar vein. I'm not sure he can stretch for the different themes that will come up during the contest. He did a duet with Lauren Alaina on "I Hope You Dance" and it was pretty good. 

Jeneve Rose Mitchell - She sang "Arms of an Angel" and played the harp. She is likable and seemed to really feel the lyrics. Keith said he loves that she takes risks. J Lo was won over and "got goosies." She did a duet with Scotty McCreery on "Gone" by Montgomery Gentry. Sometimes she is hard to look at when she sings. She had a bit of an Elvis lip curl that was unsettling. 

Jenna Renae - She sang "My Church" by Maren Morris. She has a big voice and good stage presence. Harry found it a little shouty. She did a duet with Scotty McCreary on "See You Tonight." I feel like she is not as strong as the other country gals in the competition. 

James VIII - He sang "Love Lockdown" by Kanye West. I thought it was just OK, kinda one note. He did a duet with Caleb Johnson on "Gimme Shelter", and I felt he was overshadowed by Caleb but the judges praised him. 

Sonika Vaid - She sang "Safe and Sound" by Taylor Swift. She had a pretty gown and was emotional but still a bit understated. The judges said they want to see more feeling from her. She did a duet with Caleb Johnson on "Skyfall." It's tough to take on an Adele song and she did OK, but again Caleb drowned out his partner. He made it seem like a Meatloaf song. 

Gianna Isabella - She sang "I put a spell on you," I felt there were too many runs, but she was impressive. Her baggy dress was not flattering. She did a duet with Nick Fradiani on his song "Beautiful Life." 

Emily Brooke - She sang "I am Invincible" by Cassadee Pope. She had a flat start and didn't wow the judges, who felt she didn't pick the best song for her range; She sang a duet with Lauren Alaina on "Flat on the Floor" by Carrie Underwood. She held her own but she just doesn't radiate much personality-wise. 

Avalon Young - She sang "Love Yourself" by Justin Bieber. She has a nice energy and is so comfortable in her skin. She did a duet with Reuben Studdard on Reuben's song "Flying Without Wings."  The judges loved it. There's something very likable about this tomboy. 

Jordan Sasser - He sang "All by Myself" by Celine Dion, which was a cliched choice. He's good but not really good enough for that song. Harry found it too show-offy. He did a duet with Fantasia Barrino on her Idol coronation song "I Believe. He displayed lots of energy and churchiness.  

Thomas Stringfellow - He sang "Creep" by Radiohead. I found it a bit contrived, but it was a decent performance. Harry liked that Thomas felt the lyrics. He did a duet with Nick Fradiani on "Man in the Mirror" which allowed him to emote a bit more.

LaPorsha Ranae - She sang "Proud Mary" by Tina Turner. It was nice to see her move and have fun. She has a huge voice. Harry said, "You're either going to make the other competitors want to get better or make them want to quit." She did a duet with Fantasia Barrino on "Summertime." This was a match made in heaven. There were so many runs - it was a highpoint of the week. They bonded over similar backgrounds. J Lo said the duet was "mindblowing."

After the judges conferred, these contestants were sent home:  James, Emily, Jenna, Jordan, Stephany

The only choice that really disappointed me was Jordan, as I felt he had one of the stronger male voices and was quite likable. I might have booted Jeneve or Sonika. Jeneve is such a niche performer that I doubt she will garner enough votes to go far, and Sonika still seems a bit like a deer in the headlights on stage.  

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American Idol: Top 24 Revealed!

Tonight we saw the Top 51 contestants take the long walk down the hall to see the judges and get the verdict.  After 2 hours, Idol unleashed its Top 24 for the final season...

Stephany Negrete - I can't really warm up to Stephany. She looks a bit like a Kardashian. J Lo has complimented her ability to walk on heels more than her voice. 

Shelbie Z - Shelbie looks like she could be part of the Honey Boo Boo clan, but this girl can belt. During Hollywood Week she dared to sing not one, but two Heart songs! She performed "Alone" and "Barracuda." She's got a ton of confidence. 

Mackenzie Bourg - I've liked this kid since his first audition, when he performed a medley of songs by the judges. With his old-fashioned glasses and plain white shirts and tousled hair, he's a nerdy teen dream. For his showcase performance he sang "Can't Help Falling in Love You" and really made it his own - plus he performed a great original song in the solo round. He's got a beautiful tone to his voice, and chicks are going to dig him.  

Trent Harmon - Poor Trent got diagnosed with Mono during Hollywood Week and couldn't be in a group, so they let him sing alone. He displayed a lot of heart and soul, powering through the illness and delivering well in his performances. For the showcase, he sang "Tiny Dancer" and his twitchiness reminded me a bit of Taylor Hicks (and that's a compliment from me)

Jenna Renae - I mainly remember her from her first audition where she wore a fedora and played piano. It was good but we didn't learn much more about her during Hollywood Week. 

James VIII - He's likable and soulful with a very unique name.

Kory Wheeler - Kory was a barista but he won't be making coffee for at least another couple of weeks. He's a likable singer/songwriter type.

Adam Lasher - He made it to Hollywood Week last year but this year was more polished and had a more clean cut look. 

Jeneve Rose Mitchell - I'm really happy they passed her through. This country girl who lives off the grid stayed true to herself. Her final performance of "Ring of Fire" was very dramatic. She's cute and a bit bizarre - definitely one of the quirkiest to ever make the Top 24. 

CJ Johnson - He's a bar singer from Memphis and he's got serious rock and blues chops. Plus he gets song choice points for me for doing "Go Your Own Way."

Amelia Eisenhauer - When she brought a samurai sword to the first audition, we all expected it to be a joke audition - but she's a beautiful girl who can really sing and plays the fiddle too. She's another quirky choice.

Lee Jean - This kid is so cute - J Lo has been saying it since his first audition and he's only become more likable during Hollywood Week, developing a cute friendship with fellow contestant Sarah Sturm. During his showcase, he told the crowd to be quiet twice, and J Lo told him he can't do that again. He may not have the maturity to win. 

Avalon Young - She's a tomboy, yet has extremely long hair. She sang "Excuse Me Miss" in the showcase and showed a lot of energy and sass. 

Dalton Rapattoni - He's been my crush since his first audition (those eyes!) and I'm so happy he made it! He almost doomed himself by talking too much during the showcase and telling the crowd the competition gave him low self esteem. But his personality-packed performances saw him through.

Manny Torres - J Lo has been rooting for him the whole way since they are both Puerto Rican, and he survived some uneven times. He has a lot of swagger. 

Thomas Stringfellow - This kid has boy band looks and revealed the sad tale of being dumped by his girlfriend the night before he flew to Hollywood. They had dated a year and she was afraid he wouldn't be loyal. I think she's a bit nuts to do that before he even makes it on the show and also the timing is cruel, but, hey, Thomas pulled himself together and performed great. 

Sonika Vaid - She's pretty and talented, but the judges feel she is missing something. Her performances are a bit understated but she could be a dark horse. 

Olivia Rox - This girl is cute with the pink streaks in her hair but the band drowned her out during the showcase. I don't see her lasting long. 

Emily Brooke - She made it to top 50 last year, and J Lo said she never saw anyone grow as much in a year. I'm underwhelmed so far.

Gianna Isabella - We don't know her as anything much beyond Brenda K Starr's daughter, and we see a clip of Brenda pissing off musical director Ricky Minor with her stage mom behavior. Gianna even sang her mom's song at the showcase! She's a cute girl with a strong voice but she'll have to cut the umbilical cord. 

Jenn Blosil - She's bizarre as hell, but kinda pretty. She forgot the words during her solo performance but she's got such a unique style and gripping voice that she made it through anyway.

Tristan McIntosh - I think we knew this girl would make it through after her first audition when she was compared to Alicia Keyes and her military mom came out and surprised her. I was somewhat annoyed by her crying fit during Hollywood Week when she thought she couldn't sing "What Hurts the Most" because 3 other girls had claimed it. Sure, it had personal meaning for her, but her breakdown was so bad that I wondered how she will hold up during the pressure of the competition. Lucky for her, some girl who got cut gave the song up, and Tristan did deliver a great performance. 

Jordan Sasser - He's a worship director who auditioned with his wife and he made it and she didn't, causing a short-lived domestic dispute. He's very likable and handsome, especially when he let his hair down from the man bun for the showcase performance and rocked out. If he wasn't so churchy, he could be another Constantine.

LaPorsha Renae - I feel like they torment LaPorsha. They made her sing last during the showcase and they made her do the final walk with one other contestant to find out who would get the final spot. None of us had any doubt it would be LaPorsha who has such amazing presence, and a voice as big as her afro. 

A few cuts that were hard to take...

Michelle Marie - This girl was definitely kind of annoying with her sequined cowboy hat and giddiness, but you couldn't dislike her because she had such pure enthusiasm and a love of the show.  She revealed she lives in a trailer with 9 family members and has to sleep in the kitchen! I hope this show will be a platform for her to get some local gigs and get out of that situation.

Colette Lush - Beautiful redhead with a lovely voice. Harry thought she was a favorite during her first audition, but she didn't quite seize the day in Hollywood.

Malie Delgado - This radio personality from Alaska was so likable and I really felt she rocked the house in her showcase performance.

Lindita - She was the final one to be cut, although she gave a sexy showcase performance.  She had lost 150 pounds before auditioning.  Despite that, there was something a bit off-putting about her.

Next week 12 contestants will perform solo and in duets with former Idols, and 5 will be sent home.  This is a diverse and quirky group and I'm intrigued to see how the season unfolds. 

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