American Idol S10 Top 12 Girls

This is a special entry, as my Idol buddy (and bff of 21 years) Danielle is over for our annual early season get-together!   We would do it more frequently years ago when we were really invested in the seasons, but we make a point to do it once a season.  Season 5 was our ultimate year (Daughtry for her, Elliott for me), and our other favorites included Bo Bice and David Cook.  Naturally, we’ve seen all of the above in concert, along with seasons 3-8.  We are Idol nerds, and we love it.  She’s 9 months pregnant, and this is the last Idol we’ll watch together before she becomes a mommy.  Here we go!

Ry, you’re looking kinda hot tonight.

J-Lo, what the hell are you wearing??  Thigh high leather boots and a shimmery disco ball are not meant to be worn together. 

Look, Randy’s trying to be philosophical, and it just sounds like a bunch of words running around in a circle. 

Oh, I’ll bring it on, Steven.  His teeth are totally capped.  “They gotta sing like it’s their encore song.”  Thank you ST.  Let’s hope the girls get the message tonight! 

Wow, Lauren Alaina didn’t get the pimp spot?  Holy hell.

Ta-tynisia- Only Girl In the World.  A recent song I have on my iPod!  Amazing!  I am digging the hot pink background. But the singing is pitchy, dawg.  This girl has no range at all.  J-Lo, you just meant that it was good that it’s over, right?  They are being far too nice.  Randy is making sense, once again, and I really am terrified.  10 years, and he’s finally a judge.

Danielle says….Good song choice for her.

 

Naima- Summertime.  Hey, this badass looking chick got the hot seat with Ry.  And now she’s actually attempting to cover the song that made Fantasia a legend on the show.  Not that I care about freakin Faaaantasia or her interpretation, but this is risky, especially if you’re just going to go around smiling and unhinging your jaw.  I was left cold with this.  I just…I dunno.  It didn’t do anything for me.  I can see what Steven means with the “new old timey,” I just didn’t care for it here. 

Danielle says…Entertaining because of her personality.

Kendra-  Impossible.  Catwoman, much?  Or as L said, ready for Steven Tyler’s dressing room.  Hmm.  I liked the beginning, but I just don’t see much soul, just a lot of sexy posturing.   What’s with all the amazing comments?  Sheesh.  Kendra Chantelle, you are no chanteuse. 

Danielle says…You’re real white.

Rachel- Criminal.  Now this girl is interesting, and I’m glad she finally got her chance.  And…. I am LOVING the dramatics.  And the dress.  And the song.  Cabaret Fiona.  Working the stage a little early, huh…but this is a song where you would want to work the audience if you’re going for the burlesque angle.  Looks like I’m alone on this.  STEVEN.  There is NOTHING wrong with Broadway.  Pffft.  J-LO.  RANDY.  SHUT. UP.  Maybe I’m just destined for Broadway pop too.  Whatevs.  First time this season I’ve been pissed. 

Danielle says…Like that she did something different, but not this version.  Told you they’d criticize her.

Karen- Hero.  *RETCHING*   It’s nice that she’s mixing Spanish with English, but why this song?  Can we put a moratorium on some crazy overused Idol songs?  This girl’s range isn’t strong enough for this version.  Ok, so it’s ok that she made this her own, but it’s not ok that Rachel did something a little more dated?  Oh, but then Naima had that Ella Fitzgerald vibe.  Hmm, once again Broadway is shit upon.  I’ll let Danielle shut me up and sum this up.

Danielle says…You can’t sing Mariah Carey on Idol.  So smart to sing in two languages though.

Lauren Turner- Seven Day Fool.  I like the tone of her voice and her outfit.  Why are we seeing the judge’s close-ups?  We both agree that Lauren makes scary faces but sings very well.  Googled and found out this is an Etta James song, which is flat out awesome.  I love getting to learn about music like this.  Yes, judges, bluesy soul flavor.  I really enjoyed this.  Strong performance, personality, and a great voice.  Like Steven said, a perfect, full complete sentence. 

Danielle says…I liked it.  Good that J-Lo gave both good and bad criticism, they need that balance. 

Ashton- Love All Over Me.  Very good voice, but she gets a little pitchy when she hits higher notes.  I agree with the judges, she definitely has confidence, and she presents herself well.  However, I don’t love that she chooses big songs.

Danielle says…Token diva of the season.
L says…Why can we see her nipples?

Julie- Breakaway.  Yet another Idol alum song choice!  And she did it in a pretty princess prom dress.  Ugh to both appearance and performance.  You can totally see J-Lo’s Bitch Please face going on there.  And yet she still finds a “nice” way to say she doesn’t like it.  Total Paula vibe, once again.  Hey pretty pretty princess, don’t get pissy, you sucked. 

Danielle says…Karaoke-ish.

Haley- Fallin’.  GET A MORATORIUM ON THESE OVERDONE SONGS.  Anyone who thinks they have any bit of diva sultry soul in them goes straight for this Alicia Keys hit.  Her mouth scares me, and that’s a trashy bargain bin dress.  Haley, remove that bitchface, pronto. Randy is right.  I have not liked this girl’s voice from Hollywood through now.  And now I don’t like her, as any criticism immediately sent her into pickle lipped whatevs mode. 

Danielle says…No no no, go away, you’re bad. 

Thia- Out Here On My Own.  Very strong voice.  I only listened to her performance, and I never would have guessed she’s 15.  Of course the judges are frothing at the mouth, and I agree regarding talent, but I personally would have liked to see her sing a different song.  But that cute hug with RyRy just pushed that thought out of my head.  Awww.  I won’t even bitch about how the judges didn’t mention one word about this being a musical theatre song. 

Danielle says…Amazing voice.

Lauren Alaina- Turn on the Radio.  This girl doesn’t look or sound 16, and I like her so much better with straight hair.  I actually get a Jessica Sierra vibe from her.  Anywho, this is a very strong performance with a lot of energy, blah blah blah Chosen One.  Oh grassy knoll cynicism, I knew you didn’t leave me.  She got the glass clink from Steven, which the delightful Annie Barrett from EW has pointed out as the ultimate sign he loves a performance.  Ok, now she’s got my vote by calling Ryan “Peaches” thanks to their shared Georgia origin.  RyRyPeach. 

Danielle says…Good song choice for a 16-year-old, and she has stage presence. 

Pia- I’ll Stand By You.  This got the pimp spot?  Really?  She better pull out some kind of magic, and fast.  Strong voice, old school Idol feel…oh wait, here comes the angelic heavenly light and camera pimping and overly done final runs.  Strong, but it just felt so familiar.  What did I miss?  Why is this the first standing O?  Why is everyone losing their shit? 

Danielle says…She did good on the high notes, but the rest of the song was just ok.    

Kind of a boring night, but the girls definitely had more energy than the boys.  There were more clear cut clunkers tonight, however. 

My predictions:

You’re safe!  Glass clinks for all: 
Pia, Thia, Lauren A, Lauren T, Ashton

You’re biting your 10 inch acrylic tips:
Kendra, Naima, Haley, Karen

You will activate your Lauren Alaina voodoo doll:
Rachel, Julie, Ta-tynisia

If I had my way, I would switch out Ashton for Rachel. 

I most likely won’t be blogging the results shows unless there’s a really insane result.