Thaindian News

Feb 24 (THAINDIAN NEWS) Last night on American Idol the top 12 girls went live to battle for your vote. The auditions over, Hollywood week put to rest, it was time to get down to business. Six girls will be in the top 12, as well as six of the guys, who will be on tomorrow night. For the next three weeks, each group will take the stage separately, and the bottom 2 from each group will go home. Simon feels that this is the year for the girls. For the nest three weeks, the top 24 will sing songs from the Billboard’s Top 40.

Paige Miles began the show off with “It’s All Right Now”. She rocked the stage! Simon felt that out of all the girls, she had the best voice, but would not have chosen that song. He felt she should have sang something more original. Kara disagreed. She felt the song was brilliant, as it was a rock song the she could put her soul into. Randy felt the song was not the right song, yet she showed her powerful big voice with it. Ellen agreed and disagreed with them all. She felt Paige did a great job, especially with the nerves that came with being first. Ellen felt she did terrific.

Ashley Rodriguez came next, and sang Leona Lewis’s “Happy”. Kara said that it was a big song to take on, but there were good and bad moments. Kare wants to see her take on songs we would not expect. Randy agreed pretty much, as did Ellen. They would all like to see her step out and do something that is not safe. Simon felt it was clumsy, and did not like the arrangement, and thought she could be in trouble. Janell Wheeler followed Ashley, and said that her biggest goal was to impress Simon when she reached Hollywood, as he was not her biggest fan before then. She did. Last might she sang “What About Love” by Heart. Randy felt it was not his favorite song choice because it did not show her unique voice, but he still liked her. Ellen did like the song choice, and that she sang it very well. Simon said she gave it 100% effort and delivered 65%. He said when she got excited, she wavered somewhat, but he felt she would be okay this week. Kara liked her but felt the song was too big for her, and took the distinctiveness from her voice.

Lilly Scott came from living in her car last year to being on American Idol this year. She said she never thought she would do this, but she loves it. She sang “Fixing A Hole” by the Beetles. She has a very unique sound, as well as look. Ellen said, “Alright, I think that’s what we are talking about right there. You chose a random song and have such a unique voice. Simon said it was the best they had so far. He felt she choice the song because she liked it, and not because she felt it would get her through to the next round, and that was important. Kara said she was believable, and came from the heart.”Everyone is going to remember you tonight. Randy said that she was a true Indie artist that did not care what people thought. He felt it her honesty was great, and he loved her performance.

Katelyn Epperly was thrilled during auditions to be complimented by Shania Twain. Last night she sang “Oh Darlin” from 1969. Her voice was awesome! Simon said that even though there were times she was screaming the song, he liked her, good choice of song, she was quirky and brave, and needed work but he liked her a lot. Kara said she had obviously been singing her whole life and knew her voice very well, and did the song in a very unique way. Randy liked the way she knew the tones of the song, and felt she could really go places. Ellen said it had a lot of personality right away and made her want to pay attention, and that she had an amazing voice.

Haley Vaugn came along after that, and sang her version of the Beetles “I Wanna Hold Your Hand”. She has an amazing set of lungs for a 16 year old. Kara said that from a technical standpoint, there were problems with the performance, but that every time she takes the stage, she has fun, and so does the audience. Randy said he loves her unpredictability, going from country to the Beetles, and that since she is only 16, she is great. Ellen said that on stage she just shines, and that she enjoyed it. Simon said it was verging on terrible, and she was like a wind up doll that never stopped smiling, he felt it was a mess. Ellen said, “Well if it was a mess, it was a hot mess.” to which Randy replied, “Wow…” and the audience laughed. Ellen is no longer seated next to Simon at the judges seat, and one has to wonder why. Although they joked earlier in the show that it was because Simon “couldn’t keep his hands to himself,” they have not given a true explanation.

Lacey Brown, a church event coordinator, was cut in last season of American Idol. She is thrilled to have finally made it over that hump to the top 24. She slowed things down with “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac. She seemed very nervous, and Randy said that it was an amazing song, but was not the right song for her, and felt it was terrible, and pitchy and did not suit her voice. Ellen agreed and said “Yeah, I think you are better than that, I know you are better than that.” Simon said that he could not wait until it was over, and that she has not worked out who she is as an artist. Kara said she felt forced, and that she is much better and hopes America gives her another shot.

Michelle Delamor performed “Falling” by Alicia Keys. It was a very good song choice or her voice, and she had great stage presence. Ellen said that it seemed very easy for her to sing the song, because she was so great. Simon said that it felt close to the original. There wasn’t however, a “Wow” moment in the song, but she looked fantastic. Kara said that there were moments that it was not great, and that with her look and musical background, she needed to be technically perfect. Randy said she did a pretty good job, she had a great voice and look, but she needed to take risks.

Didi Benami sang “The Way I Am” and gave an outstanding performance. Simon said that she was a good singer, but that there are too many people who are all trying to sound like the same person, and that he needed a spark, something to make her stand out. Kara agreed and disagreed, that she did take a few risks, and made a few changes to the song. Randy said he agreed with Simon. He felt no outward “ummph”. Ellen said it was a little low key for the first impression but that she was great. Simon added that everyone was trying to sound like the artist who originally performed the songs, but they wanted uniqueness.

Siobhan Magnus sang “Wicked Game” after inquiring why Simon called her a “Dark Horse” during Hollywood Week. The performance made me stop typing and watch. Kara said she liked her on that song, she is a quirky girl, and she is really in the moment when she sings, and that she is real, and that is what sets her apart. Randy said she had a great voice, and should even reach for bigger things. Ellen loved it and forgot for a minute that she was at a singing competition and she thought that was just being entertained. Simon said “You really are a funny little thing aren’t you? We never know what you are going to do.” He wondered why she chose the song, and she said she has always loved it’s haunting sound.

Crystal Bowersox, a young mom, admitted that she had never really watched the show, but that her son was her inspiration to try out. She wanted to give him the best life possible. She sang “Hand in My Pocket”. She played the guitar and harmonica to accompany her own singing, and gave quite the performance! Randy said that she was one of his favorites, and loved her originality, and this was one of the times that it did not matter what the song was. Ellen said that she feels lucky that Crystal came on the show. that she brought something special to the show, and that if Ellen were at home voting, she would vote for Crystal because she wants to see more of her. Simon liked her, and said it was good, but there are thousands of her doing this outside in subway stations, that she needs to do something that is her, make it her version, and make it new. He really liked her and hopes she does well. Kara said she was really good, and has done better but that she can fill the stage and Kara has no doubt that she will be here next week.

The last performance of the night came from 17 year old Katie Stevens. She sang Michael Bublee’s “Feeling Good”. She had a terrific look and a tremendous voice for her age. Ellen felt like it was excellent, but she wanted to see Katie be 17, that the song was too old for her. Simon said he agreed, that it was like her mom and dad dressed her and gave her the song, and she is 17 with a good song and needs to become a young recording artist. Kara said she was good, but a little pitchy, although she had a terrific voice, and Randy said she was a great talent, and had a huge voice that she has not gotten a handle on yet.

So that was the first night’s performances on this season’s “American Idol”. The top 12 girls performed, America voted, and tonight two of those girls will go home. Who will go and who will move on? Tune in tonight on FOX Television, or read here tomorrow.