Eliminated: Jason Yeager Alexandréa Lushington Alaina Whitaker Robbie Carrico
Watch video of Jason Yeager elimination:
Watch video of Alexandréa Lushington elimination:
Watch video of Alaina Whitaker elimination:
Watch video of Robbie Carrico elimination:
Watch video of Top 20 '70s medley:
Next week, the Top 16 semifinalists will be singing hits from the '80s. The week after, the Top 12 finalists will sing music from the Beatles songbook, available to the show for the first time. There will be a new set, new opening credits and a special exit song by Ruben Studdard.
"Idol Gives Back" returns on April 9. The producers have already signed Brad Pitt, Miley Cyrus, Reese Witherspoon, Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg, Daughtry and Carrie Underwood to appear.
Last week we lauded the ladies, ranted on about how they were SO much better than the men, discussed our three "wow" moments and why we finally had a reason to watch Season 7 of Idol.
Unfortunately, this week made us feel that what a lot of our friends are saying -- it's the year of the man on Idol -- is true. Not that we like the nearly already crowned winner of Season 7, David Archuleta. But overall, the men had a lot more impressive and improved performances in Week 2, while the ladies produced no wows this week. In fact, few, if any, improved, and some actually got worse.
When we peeked at the DialIdol numbers this morning, we nearly keeled over. The person who had the absolutely worst performance Wednesday night was in first place. Is everyone on drugs in America? Aside from the fact that rocker-nurse Amanda Overmyer looked like a cross between Elvira Mistress of Darkness and The Bride of Frankestein -- with a bad stylist -- she didn't hit one right note as she struggled through Kansas' "Carry on My Wayward Son." We winced our way through the performance. And yet, America apparently thinks this was the best female number, while Alaina Whitaker's bland but well-sung "Hopelessly Devoted to You" is dead last. You gotta be kidding us, guys. Poor Alaina, she placed near the bottom last week and at the bottom this week, after giving two very decent performances. There is something about that 17-year-old this country doesn't like.
Here is how the DialIdol numbers looked: 1. Amanda Overmyer 2. Brooke White 3. Kristy Lee Cook 4. Carly Smithson 5. Asia'h Epperson 6. Alexandrea Lushington 7. Ramiele Malubay 8. Syesha Mercado 9. Kady Malloy 10. Alaina Whitaker
First up was Carly Smithson. We all know about her tattoos, her husband's tattoos and their tattoo shop, but Carly told us she also works in an Irish bar and she can make a shamrock in the foam of an ale. OMG, how exciting is that? Can we sing now? Smithson sang Heart's "Crazy on You." Someone is our household pointed out that Carly was in need of a good support system ... for her breasts, and that their bobbling constantly while she sang was very distracting (and not in a good way). Though not a "wow" moment like we thought she had last week, it was a good song choice for her voice and yet another solid performance from Carly. Randy Jackson thought there were some sharp pitch problems especially with the lower notes, but that by the middle of the song Carly had gotten it together. Paula Abdul did some blah, blah, blah on it's great to see you healthy again, then added that Carly is an amazing singer and did an amazing job. Simon Cowell thought it "a much better performance than last week," but added that he still didn't think she had connected with the right song yet. However, he told her, "I think you are, and I'll put it on record, an incredible singer. I don't think any of these girls can touch you vocally. ... I think you're the girl they've all gotta beat." He could be right.
Watch video of Carly Smithson singing "Crazy on You" by Heart
Syesha Mercadotells us about the commercials she has made, then demonstrates an eerily accurate baby cry she can do. We must admit we were disappointed by Syesha's take on Billy Paul's "Mr. and Mrs. Jones," a song we really love. Syesha's powerhouse voice is not a good fit for the song, and, we agree with Simon here, changing the words to "Me and Mr. Jones" is distracting and offputting. Syesha tried to play it subdued and come in with a big note at the end, but overall, much as we wanted it to, it didn't work for us. As Syesha is one of our favorites and has, we think, one of the top three female voices this year, we hope she is not tripped up by one bad song choice, as she is in DialIdol's Bottom 3 for the week. The public seems to be judging contestants this year on only the week's performance, instead of taking their body of work (from the auditions on) as a whole. (That is, except for Alaina Whitaker, who, for reasons unknown, they just seem to plainly dislike.) Randy said, "I don't think this was a great song choice for you," telling her she has a big belting voice and that she should pick songs she can use it on. Paula said Syesha tended to go off on the softer notes, but she liked what she did and the interpretation. Simon called it a bit indulgent, adding "the song obviously wasn't written for a girl so it was probably a bit of a silly choice to have done that. I was put off as soon as you started it. It's not a song that's really designed for your voice anyway so you can't really do that huge note at the end. I don't think that was a particularly clever choice for you."
Watch video of Syesha Mercado singing "Me and Mr. Jones" by Billy Paul
Brooke White is a beauty-school dropout. Yes, a real one, we're not trying to cue the Frankie Avalon version from "Grease." She has been "doing hair" since she was 11 and was attending beauty school when she decided to pursue singing instead. We are beginning to think that America has taken Earth Mother-nanny Brooke White totally into their collective heart. There is something so sweet, engaging, mature and genuine about Brooke's personality, and all without being cloying. Singing Carly Simon's "You're So Vain" while looking straight at Simon, who did, indeed, think the song was about him and seemed to enjoy that, was just a perfect fit. Not a perfect performance perhaps -- there were some pitchy parts -- but her singing that particular song while she played acoustic guitar was the right choice for Brooke. Randy thought it was a great song choice, acknowledging the Carly Simon vibe that Brooke emanates. Paula also called it the perfect song saying that it totally suited Brooke and that she liked what Brooke did to it. Simon said, "I absolutely loved it. The absolute perfect song for you. It was one of the rare occasions where I felt the artist had genuinely chosen the song. It absolutely connected; I thought you sang it very well. The song didn't sound old-fashioned. This is why we put you through into the latter stages." Ah, Simon, you might be vain, but you still have the ability to appreciate others as well.
Watch video of Brooke White singing "You're So Vain" by Carly Simon
Ramiele Malubaydiscussed her background in Polynesian dance and briefly demonstrated a couple of hula steps. We thought the judges were a bit tough on her version of Thelma Houston's "Don't Leave Me This Way." True, there wasn't enough time to really build the song the way it should build, but we got the impression they just didn't like the song choice. Maybe Simon hears the song at every wedding he goes to, but we still love the era and the song. As the judges used to say, Ramiele could sing the phone book and make it sound good. So we're not sure why they gave her such a tough time. Randy found it a little rough and said it was just OK vocally. He called the song choice weird and said it wasn't his favorite choice for Ramiele. Paula said (well this is the English translation of what she said) that although Ramiele's vocals are truly amazing, the song has the same notes and Ramiele didn't get to perform her magic with it. Simon's problem with the song was "that I've heard it so many times." He said last week she showed more personality and stood out more and that this was one of those performances he wasn't going to remember. He tempered that with "I think you're terrific" and called her one of the top three best singers in the competition.
Watch video of Ramiele Malubay singing "Don't Leave Me This Way" by Thelma Houston
Just as America doesn't get Alaina Whitaker, we're not sure why they've taken so to Kristy Lee Cook, who told us in her intro video what a tomboy and outdoors girl she is. There are certainly prettier women in the competition, and most definitely more vocally talented ones. Is it because she sold her horse to get to the audition? That only proves to us that she cares more about her career than her critters. But what do we know? She did a respectable version of Linda Ronstadt's "You're No Good," a lot better than last week's performance when she was suffering from the flu and bronchitis. She also wore a very fitted silver lame top that accentuated her not insubstantial "girls." But vocally, we were not blown away. Randy called it a 100% improvement over last week and a better song choice for Kristy. And although he was waiting (as we were) for a breakout moment that never came, he said "I thought that you did it really good." Paula said it was a good song choice for Kristy. Simon agreed that it was a huge improvement over the week before, but said his only worry was "I don't exactly know what type of singer you really are. I have a feeling that if you were to go down more the country route, you're going to find it much easier to make a statement, which I'm not sure you quite did with that song," but also said she had "a lot of potential."
Watch video of Kristy Lee Cook singing "You're No Good" by Linda Ronstadt
We learned from Amanda Overmyer that David Cook is not the only intellectual in this year's Idol pack. Amanda loves to read, believing that knowledge is power. Unfortunately, her performance was the train wreck of the evening. First of all, the outfit was atrocious and she looked as if she was wearing a fright wig. We like her gravelly voice a lot and would like her to make the finals, but she would have been laughed out of the audition room had she performed then as she did last night. It was that painfully bad. The judges, however, walked on eggshells trying not to be too hard on her. Randy said it was the wrong song choice with way too much melody and that the verses were very pitchy. He advised her to stick to bluesy music. Paula, who couldn't tell Amanda she looked beautiful (because she looked awful) before diving into a negative critique, instead told her she had some great moves and could dance (huh?). She watered down her criticism to "You're special. You are needed in this competition. You are a brilliant, brilliant artist, This was not the right song." (Later, after Simon's critique, Paula jumped back to tell Amanda she was beautiful in her video, without all that excess makeup). Simon said, "In your film [her video intro] you came over as very natural, very cool. Then everything felt contrived from what you wear, from this terrible hair, from the indulgent song, everything. None of it felt natural or real. It was like you're in your own little world, with actually quite an ugly song. I couldn't wait for it to finish. I really, really didn't get that. And if you want the popular vote, you're not gonna get it by doing that." Paula then began to speak, but the cutoff outro music came on, prompting Simon to throw up his hands and say, "It's the Oscars!"
Watch video of Amanda Overmyer singing "Carry on My Wayward Son" by Kansas
Alaina Whitaker joyfully shared her obsessive-compulsive disorder with us. She not only cannot have different types of food touching on a plate, she uses different forks for each food. But, she said, it's getting better. We're glad. As we've already mentioned, she did a very serviceable rendition of Olivia Newton-John's "Hopelessly Devoted to You," though at times it sounded closer to an impression than just Whitaker singing. And perhaps her dress was a bit too "I'm leaving for the prom now." It wasn't great, but overall it was certainly pleasant and assuredly better than some of the other girls. But there her name sits in the 10th position of the DialIdol list. Randy said it wasn't the right song for Alaina and that the verses were really pitchy and that it wasn't his favorite from her. Paula, on the other hand, said, "I think you did a real good job with it. ... I don't think this was as bad as [Randy] thinks." (we agree). Simon told Alaina he likes her but that "it's almost as if your grandmother prepared you for this audition" and that everything about her was very, very old-fashioned and a bit pageant-y. On the upside, he added, "I actually think you're one of the dark horses in this competition."
Watch video of Alaina Whitaker singing "Hopelessly Devoted to You" by Olivia Newton-John
Alexandréa Lushington said that she was the poster child for the Atlanta fire department because her father worked for them. We liked her odd song choice, Chicago's "If You Leave Me Now," as well as its arrangement. For us, she is the most interesting contestant in the competition because of her song selections and arrangements. Each week, we wonder what she is going to come up with. Even her clothing choices are interesting and atypical, but without being outrageous. You definitely get the feeling she is making the decisions, not some Idol staffer. As she is just 17, it displays her vast experience as an entertainer and acknowledges that she has learned alot about the business since she began performing at a very young age. However, the judges didn't agree with us. Randy thought the song selection was too safe (we thought it was rather daring) and told her that she should never make safe choices. Paula, fortunately, saw it more our way (wait, should we be feeling good about that?), saying, "I feel that you did let go. You did your own arrangements. You stretched it; you made it your own. I've never heard a female take on that song." Simon began with "I was a big, big fan of yours in the early stages of the competition," but continued with "I think you're struggling right now. That song has never been covered [well, according to Wikipedia, it's been covered more than 100 times, but not by anyone hugely famous] and I don't think it's been a hit outside of when it was originally released for a reason." He said there's nothing you can do with the song, that she was inconsistent and both in- and out-of-tune, and finally proclaimed the performance boring.
Watch video of Alexandrea Lushington singing "If You Leave Me Now" by Chicago
Kady Malloy clued us in that she has operatic talents. There's a big voice inside that blonde Britney wannabe. Too bad we didn't see much of it Wednesday night. When she wasn't belting on Heart's "Magic Man" (and BTW, how in hell could Simon NOT know that song?) she was drowning in the low notes. In those sections, she mumbled the words as well, making them occasionally unintelligible. But Kady's biggest problem is, well, she just comes off as annoying and petulant. And vocally she didn't shine at all this week. Randy said he loves that song but on the verse Kady never quite found the notes and it didn't work. Paula said that when Kady powered it she sounded great, but on the low notes she lost a little bit. Simon again this week told her that everything she does on film is fantastic, "then you come out here almost like someone trying to impersonate Christina [Aguilera] now, singing at the back of your throat with a song I've never heard before, which has no melody. I just don't think it went anywhere."
Watch video of Kady Malloy singing "Magic Man" by Heart
The pimp spot was awarded to Asia'h Epperson, who revealed she was a cheerleader in middle and high school (whoa!) and that she thinks it helped prepare her for Idol (don't even ask). Frankly, she didn't deserve the pimp spot for "All by Myself" (which, by the way, Randy, was sung by Eric Carmen -- not Celine Dion -- in the '70s). She had some great end notes in the chorus, but the verses just fell flat. To be honest, none of the girls deserved the pimp spot this week. Brooke White probably gave the best performance, but even it fell short of being a "wow." Randy told Asia'h, "A very difficult song to sing, Celine [Dion] sang everything out of it ... Highest degree of difficulty, you did a really good job with it." Paula agreed that it was great, but said Asia'h had problems in the low notes. Then added, "But you know what, the ending, that's what it counts on this song ... You brought it home." (so why do the contestants even bother singing the rest of the song, Paula?) Simon said, "It is one of the diva songs of all time and you have got to be one heck of a singer to pull that off and unfortunately you're not (but was Eric Carmen, Simon?). And then he added the knife in the heart, "The truth is you're not that good of a singer, so you shouldn't have attempted that song. You've got to be incredible. You almost got away with it, but the song was too big for you ... so in my opinion, it showed up and I think it was a silly decision." Again, we ask you Simon, then why is Asia'h in the Top 24? You picked her, not us. And BTW, if anyone cares, we hated her stick-straight extensions. She looks much better with her natural hair.
Watch video of Asia’h Epperson singing "All by Myself" by Eric Carmen
Guys, who should go: Danny Noriega, Jason Castro Guys, who will go: Danny Noriega, Luke Menard
Girls, who should go: Kristy Lee Cook (we'll give Amanda one more chance), Kady Malloy Girls, who will go: Alaina Whitaker, Kady Malloy
The girls of the Top 24 took the stage for the first time Wednesday night and it was a strange experience. Ryan Seacrest prefaced the evening by telling us that, just like everywhere else in the country, the flu had hit the "Idol" contestants and that a number of the girls had been dealing with it for the past week (and what about the boys?) Nevertheless, sick or healthy, they were ready to take the stage. Even with illness, the girls' performances easily trumped those of the guys. We actually had three "wow" moments Wednesday night, zero on Tuesday night. What was even more amazing, of the three performances we liked the most, Simon Cowell hated, or to use his terminology, "didn't get" two of them. We rarely disagree with Simon, but he was coming off really weird in his appraisals of the girls. Plus, he showed an incredible lack of knowledge of the music of the '60s (which even Ryan noted). It was bad enough that he admitted that he didn't know the group Spiral Staircase or their song "More Today Than Yesterday," but did he even realize that he had heard Chikezie Eze sing it just the day before (although Alaina Whitaker's version was infinitely better)? We contritely admit that the other song he didn't know, "Baby, Please Don't Go," sung by Amanda Overmyer, we didn't know either. But then, we don't earn our living in the music business. And we found it odd that there were two repeat songs over the two evenings, the aforementioned Spiral Staircase number, and The Turtles' "Happy Together," sung by both David Cook and Brooke White. We don't remember that ever happening before on the same week. Does anyone out there know for sure?
Taking the stage first was Kristy Lee Cook singing a really mediocre version of Fontella Bass' "Rescue Me." It was warmed-over karaoke, even if Cook was suffering from the flu and bronchitis, as Ryan told us after her performance. We give her kudos for performing while not yet well, but still, we thought her whole presenation had the impact of a limp noodle. No personality or style. Plus, she kept popping her eyes open in a really scary way. Unfortunately, "Amazing Grace" might be the only song she can deliver on. She is definitely in our Bottom Three this week. Randy Jackson said it wasn't her best performance, that it had pitch problems and was rough around the edges. Paula gave her empathy for both being sick and having to perform first, but added "You don't want to ever let anyone see that you're having a ... tough time." She then rewarded her with "You did a good job." Simon, having no empathy for anyone Wednesday, sick or not, told her the song didn't suit her (he was right) and that it was designed for someone who is going to belt it out (yup). He also called the performance robotic and said she didn't make an impression (well, maybe a bad one?). Kristy Lee looked a little sicker after her critiques.
Watch video of Kristy Lee Cook singing "Rescue Me":
Sadly, watching her perform, we thought Joanne Borgellawas sick as well, but not a mention of that was made. Prior to Wednesday, we had found her modestly talented, but it really fell apart for her on Dionne Warwick's "I Say a Little Prayer." She was pitchy, low energy and her focus seemed way off, which is why we assumed she was ill. Sadly, if it was illness, it might cost her her place in the competition. She, too, is in our Bottom Three this week. Randy, surprisingly, started with "That was pretty good," adding that the first part was a little weird but that she had got it together toward the end (na-uh). Paula gave her a mini-lecture on not letting her nerves get to her, of pulling it together and shining. When Simon badgered her with "But did you like it?" -- which, as always, Paula was trying to avoid saying ... because she didn't -- she gratuitously answered, "I liked it, I didn't love it." Simon jumped in with "I didn't like it at all," calling it a very average cabaret song, then telling Randy that he thought the second half of the song was worse than the first half. Simon said Joanne showed no confidence, adding "I don't accept this thing about nerves at this point."
Watch video of Joanne Borgella singing "I Say a Little Prayer":
If not a "wow" moment, the first good performance of the evening came from "I am 16 going on 17 (today!)" Alaina Whitaker. Even though the first two contestants have previous experience in recording and/or TV, inexperienced Alaina showed them how to do it with "More Today Than Yesterday." She also proved just how bad Chikezie Eze's performance of the same song the night before really was. In strong voice, with energy and personality, she ran through the number as if she does this sort of thing every day. We must admit, she was much better than we expected her to be. Randy told her the beginning was a little rough but that she sang it with conviction and confidence, Paula told her she nailed it and "had the best ending that I've heard on that song." (OK, so we had no idea what she meant by that since the song endings are always truncated.) Simon said "I think you're very good. I do," then admitted he hated (and didn't know the song), but "If you can make a song as awful as that sound OK, when you've got a decent song you're gonna be great," adding that she would sail through to the next round.
Watch video of Alaina Whitaker singing "More Today Than Yesterday":
We might be at odds with the judges and our reading audience on Amanda Overmyer, but we just didn't get "Baby, Please Don't Go." Admittedly, we weren't familiar with the song, but we could barely make out any of the words other than those in the title and it just didn't work for us. But we still love Amanda's raw voice and her energy. She definitely brings something different to the competition, and even if we don't always love her song choices, we'll always be curious to see what she chooses to sing next. And we were glad that she said in her intro that she's going to shelve Janis Joplin songs. Even though Amanda's voice is authentic, she can't help but sound as if she's doing an impression when she sings Joplin. Randy loved her performance (and her patchwork pants), and Paula said "I just love everything that you do," adding "a one trick pony, you're not." Simon, like Paula, called her authentic. He said it wasn't the best performance, but that he liked her.
Watch video of Amanda Overmyer singing "Baby, Please Don't Go":
To paraphrase Judge Judy, "Beauty fades, but bad singing is forever." Poor exotic-looking Amy Davis learned Wednesday night that being beautiful and having a killer body won't make up for not having the goods in a singing competition. In a word: horrible. Surprising, because she is a vocal member of three groups, but still ... We thought the pitchiness at the beginning of "Where the Boys Are" was just nerves, but honestly, did she a right note in the entire number? She gave us a brand new appreciation for Connie Francis. How bad was she? She made Garrett Haley, Tuesday night's weakest male singer, sound good. She is, without doubt, the worst singer in the Top 24. If she doesn't go home tonight, we'll demand a recount. Randy said something about country singers who "scoop up to the note" have got to hit the note dead on, but we have no idea what scoop up to the note means. Whatev. Ultimately, he said there were a lot of pitch problems and that it wasn't great for him. That we didn't need a translation on. Paula began with the camera loves you, which meant, as we all know by now, that she didn't. She added that it wasn't the most engaging song for Amy to sing. Ya think? Simon said, yes she did look great, but she didn't sound great. He called it a very boring song with a boring arrangement and said it sounded as if it went on for 10 minutes. He also (rightfully) told her, "I think you're gonna struggle after that."
Watch video of Amy Davis singing "Where the Boys Are":
Brooke White confuses us. She pretty and sweet and seems sooooo nice (she is a nanny, after all). She has a pleasant voice and a happy demeanor, but she leaves us just blank vocally. Something about her reminds us of a '60s throwback to hippies, peace, love and flower power. She did a very respectable version of "Happy Together," but honestly, David Cook did it better the night before. And she also needs to stop grabbing the sides of her head while singing. It's just weird. Brooke has a lot of strong competition from the other girls. She's certainly safe this week, but making it to the Top 12 will be a real challenge for her. If we had to call it this minute, we predict that the 6 girls that make it to the Top 12 will be: Ramiele Malubay, Asia'h Epperson, Carly Smithson, Syesha Mercado, Alexandréa Lushington and Amanda Overmyer. Where does that leave Brooke? Overall, we think we'd rather have as a friend than as an Idol. Randy said it started a little rough for him but that she had worked it out at the end. He also went into something about "getting your slaying on," which made about as much sense to us as his "scoop up to the note." Paula said Brooke picked the right song and did a great job. Simon agreed it was the right song, then said that "there are times tonight I feel like I'm in some commercial for washing-up liquid [dishwashing liquid] from the 1960s ... the blonde hair, the yellow, the happiness" (we're beginning to need a translator for the judges. Up to this season we only needed one for Paula, but Randy and Simon are becoming increasingly incoherent as well). He said the performance was all very Brooke but that he was struggling with the relevance. Well, OK, Simon. But to lift one of your lines, did you like her?
Watch video of Brooke White singing "Happy Together":
Our first "wow" moment of the night came with 17-year-old Alexandréa Lushington. Previously, we only remember hearing her sing on the very short audition clip that aired, and weren't overly impressed with what seemed like 6 seconds of "My Funny Valentine." But, lord, she killed it, or to use Randy's terminology, got her slaying on, with her jazzy rendition of Blood, Sweat & Tears' "Spinning Wheel." She had total control of the stage, the performance and her voice from word one, singing and posturing like she has been doing this forever. It was amazing. Oh, and in case you didn't get it by now: we loved it. Randy gave her the kudos she deserved with "You blew the doors off that" and "You got it. It was hot, baby. It worked." Paula, equally appreciative said that what she loved about the performance was that Alexandréa thought about her performance from top to bottom. She said she loved the interpretation and that it could be on the radio today. Shockingly, Simon said "I didn't get it." He didn't think the vocals were great and said that it reminded him of some terrible '60s musical. WHAT!!!! Simply Simon you couldn't be more wrong.
Watch video of Alexandréa Lushington singing "Spinning Wheel":
In our house we're having a dispute over Kady Malloy's version of "Groovy Kind of Love." I was the one who disagreed with the judges (and, apparently, the rest of the world). In her audition, they told Kady to knock-off what they admitted was her great Britney Spears impression and be herself, but Wednesday night criticized her for not having more fun like she does when she does her (all together now) Britney Spears impression. We loved her slow-tempo version of the song, reminiscent of the way Phil Collins sang it, and thought her voice was beautiful and that she had great control of it. What we didn't like was her reaction to the judges criticism. She looked really angry, totally pissed off and pouty. Hey, get over yourself, Kady. If you can't deal with criticism, move on (which she will before the finals). Randy said it was okay for him, if restrained and controlled. Paula, starting with those words you never want to hear, "You look really pretty," said, "I want to see the life in you more; the fun." Simon agreed with that, then really got his slaying on with "That was like 'Night of the Living Dead.' When you do the Britney you're brilliant and then when you do you, the lights go off. Literally. It's like watching two different people." Worse yet was, "Kady, you've got to lighten up. I don't know who could impersonate you. A pencil?" Yikes!
Watch video of Kady Malloy singing "Groovy Kind of Love":
Fortunately, next up was Asia'h Epperson, the young woman whose dad died two days before her "Idol" audition. Because of her emotions, she choked up a bit then, but has brought it on ever since. Although we didn't deem her "Piece of My Heart" a "wow" performance, we loved it nonetheless and feel she'll fly through to the finals. She's got an interesting voice and a magnetic smile. Randy said he loved it and that she did her thing, with Paula chiming in with "You had some really good moments in that song." Simon called it, at that point anyway, my favorite of the night. He told Asia'h that she's fun, likable, has a good voice and is not taking herself too seriously.
Watch video of Asia'h Epperson singing "Piece of My Heart":
What followed were, as far as we were concerned, three powerhouse performances. Ramiele Malubay is always a wonderful surprise. A huge gift in a small package. Because of the subdued opening, you don't expect the big voice at the end of Dusty Springfield's "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me," but there it was. She has amazing vocal control, a wonderful tone to her voice and great stage presence. She will, indeed, be a force to be reckoned with in the finals. She was our second "wow" moment of the night. Randy loved that she saved her big voice for the end. He called it very classy and said it was hot. Paula said, "there's such a beautiful range in your voice, the tenderness, how you started" and that Ramiele had a really great performance. Simon, surprisingly admitted that he didn't Ramiele when she auditioned, then told her that during Hollywood you were the most consistently good singer, ending with "Tonight, you outsang every single person."
Watch video of Ramiele Malubay singing "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me":
We knew after she regained her voice at the end of Hollywood Week that Syesha Mercado could blow, and she proved it again with a particularly upbeat adaptation of "Tobacco Road." As with Asia'h, we don't proclaim it a "wow" moment, but we did think it was a very strong vocal performance with an amazing final note that should carry her all the way to the finals. Randy thought there were "a couple of pitchy things in there" (there were?), but all in all he liked it. Paula agreed, telling Syesha she was consistent and joyful. Simon didn't think it was her best performance, but mollified that with "I don't think it really matters because you are probably one of the most talented girls in the competition," adding "I thought it was terrific."
Watch video of Syesha Mercado singing "Tobacco Road":
OK, we were really set to hate, and we mean HATE, Carly Smithson at the beginning of the season after all we had read about her and her past recording contract et al. But how can you hate after hearing that voice. We were left nearly speechless by her rendition of "The Shadow of Your Smile." While not as good as (no one will ever be), it was the closest thing we've heard to Streisand, since, well, Streisand. When we found out after she finished that she had the flu and bronchitis, we were blown away even more. She actually coughed onstage after singing. Needless to say, a "wow" for us. But this was another instance when we thought Simon was absolutely whack. She garnered the best praise possible from Randy, who said, "The best vocal of the Top 24," adding "Hot, hot, blazing hot." Paula added her own lauding of Carly, calling her reliable. Simon, who Carly called Captain Fantastic, left us dumbfounded with "I didn't get it," adding the song was way too old-fashioned for her (call us old-fashioned), and adding that everything about it for him was a letdown and that "I was genuinely expecting something fantastic. I didn't think it was fantastic." OK, Simon, you're entitled to your wrong opinion.
Watch video of Carly Smithson singing "The Shadow of Your Smile":
Top 3: Carly Smithson, Ramiele Malubay, Alexandréa Lushington
Bottom 3: Amy Davis, Joanne Bogella, Kristy Lee Cook
**BONUS** Watch official video of Paula Abdul singing "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow" featuring Randy Jackson:
If you loved her in the '80s, you have to admit, she's still got it!
ALAINA WHITAKER Age: 16 Hometown/ Residency: Tulsa, OK Audition City: Dallas Audition Song: "Stronger" by Faith Hill Background: Born and raised in Tulsa, Whitaker began singing at age 4. Currently a junior at Metro Christian Academy, she has performed at festivals throughout Oklahoma and at school functions.
Watch video of Alaina Whitaker audition:
ALEXANDREA LUSHINGTON Age: 17 Hometown/ Residency: Douglasville, GA Audition City: Atlanta Audition Song: "My Funny Valentine" Background: Lushington began singing in her grandfather’s church when she was just 2 years old. She is currently a junior at Douglas County High School, where she sings in the school choir and is a member of the drama club. Lushington also plays the piano.
Watch video of Alexandrea Lushington audition:
AMANDA OVERMYER Age: 23 Hometown/ Residency: Frankfurt, IN Audition City: Atlanta Audition Song: "Mean Woman" by Janis Joplin and "Traveling Band" by CCR Background: Raised in Mulberry, IN, Overmyer is a respiration-therapist nurse and is earning a bachelor’s degree in business management. She was lead singer for the band Steeleto. In her spare time, Overmyer loves riding her motorcycle.
Watch video of Amanda Overmyer audition:
AMY DAVIS Age: 25 Hometown/ Residency: Cedar Lake-Lowell, IN Audition City: Dallas Audition Song: "Blue Bayou" by Linda Ronstadt Background: Was raised in Lowell, IN. Davis is a graduate student at Purdue University where she previously earned a B.S. in horticulture. She began singing for her family at age 5 and has since performed with numerous groups, including with two members of Survivor, the Amy Davis Trio and Echoes of Pompeii, a Pink Floyd tribute band. She is also a professional model and was a Round 2 qualifier for 2007’s Nashville Star.
Watch video of Amy Davis audition:
ASIA'H EPPERSON Age: 19 Hometown/ Residency: Atlanta, GA / Joplin, MO Audition City: Atlanta Audition Song: "How Do I Live" by LeAnn Rimes Background: Born and raised in Joplin, MO, Epperson has been singing since she was 3 years old. Before "Idol," she was a waitress at two restaurants in Joplin. In her spare time, Epperson enjoys dancing and acting and also has a passion for makeup and fashion.
Watch video of Asia'h Epperson audition:
BROOKE WHITE Age: 24 Hometown/ Residency: Mesa, AZ / Van Nuys, CA Audition City: Philadelphia Audition Song: "Like a Star" by Corinne Bailey Rae Background: Before auditioning for "Idol," White was a nanny. She has performed as a solo artist with a backup band. White began singing at age 15 and also plays the piano and guitar. She opened for Phil Vassar on one of his recent tours.
Watch video of Brooke White audition:
CARLY SMITHSON Age: 24 Hometown/ Residency: Dublin, Ireland / San Diego, CA Audition City: San Diego Audition Song: "I'm Every Woman" by Chaka Kahn Background: Also known as Carly Hennessy, Smithson made her singing debut in "Les Misérables" at the Olympic Theatre in Dublin. She moved to Los Angeles at age 13 to pursue her singing career. She recorded an album for RCA that sold very poorly in the U.S. One of the songwriters on her album has also written songs for Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken. She tried out a couple of seasons ago, but was expelled due to visa issues. Recently, she's been working in a bar and running a tattoo shop with her husband.
Watch video of Carly Smithson audition:
CHIKEZIE EZE Age: 22 Hometown/ Residency: Inglewood, CA Audition City: San Diego Audition Song: "All the Woman I Need" Background: Eze began singing when he was 13 years old. Before auditioning for "Idol," he was a Transportation Security Administration screener and a cashier. He also studied singing at Santa Monica College.
Watch video of Chikezie Eze audition:
COLTON BERRY Age: 18 Hometown/ Residency: Fisherville, VA / Staunton, VA Audition City: Charleston Background: Berry is a senior at Wilson Memorial High School. He began singing in church when he was 5 years old. Active in community theater, he also mentors children in a music class at a local elementary school.
DANNY NORIEGA Age: 18 Hometown/ Residency: Azusa, CA Audition City: San Diego Audition Song: "Proud Mary" by Tina Turner Background: Noriega has been singing his entire life. He recently graduated from high school. In his spare time he likes to dance and make people laugh. He also loves animals.
Watch video of Danny Noriega audition:
DAVID ARCHULETA Age: 17 Hometown/ Residency: Miami, FL / Murray, UT Audition City: San Diego Audition Song: "Waiting on the World to Change" by John Mayer Background: Born in Miami, but grew up in Murray, Utah. Archuleta began singing at age 7. Currently a junior at Murray High School, he has performed with an cappella choir group and plays the piano. He won "Star Search" when he was 12, and during Idol's first season, he met all of the finalists and even sang with Kelly Clarkson. A few days later, David met with a host of record labels and producers with connections to the show.
Watch video of David Archuleta audition:
DAVID HERNANDEZ Age: 24 Hometown/ Residency: Glendale, AZ Audition City: San Diego Audition Song: "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" by The Temptations Background: Hernandez began singing at age 6. He has performed at Urban Network Events, "Arizona Idol" and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade. He has been a member of the bands Tribét and Straight Up.
Watch video of David Hernandez audition (San Diego and Hollywood):
DAVID COOK Age: 25 Hometown/ Residency: Blue Springs, MO / Tulsa, OK Audition City: Omaha Audition Song: "Living on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi Background: Currently lives in Tulsa, but grew up in Blue Springs, Mo. Cook was born in Houston and graduated from Central Missouri State University in 2006. He has been singing since he was in the 2nd grade and also plays the guitar. Cook was a member of two bands, Axium and MWK.
Watch video of David Cook audition:
GARRETT HALEY Age: 17 Hometown/ Residency: Elida, OH Audition City: San Diego Background: Spent his early years in Alamosa, CO. Haley is a junior at Elida High School. He began singing in elementary school and has performed in local talent shows and high school musicals.
JASON CASTRO Age: 20 Hometown/ Residency: Dallas TX / Rowlett, TX / Rockwall, TX Audition City: Dallas Background: Currently lives in Rockwall, but was born in Dallas and raised in Rowlett, TX. Castro grew up playing drums and played in a band called Keeping Lions. Before auditioning for "Idol," Castro was majoring in construction science at Texas A&M University. Castro was on the television show "Cheyenne" and played the love interest of the main character.
JASON YEAGER Age: 28 Hometown/ Residency: Grand Prairie, TX /Branson, MO Audition City: Dallas Background: Currently resides in Branson, although his hometown is Grand Prairie, Texas. Yeager began singing when he was 2 years old. He was a member of a boy band called True This. Yeager was a top 25 finalist on "Making the Band." He also plays guitar, piano and drums.
JOANNE BORGELLA Age: 25 Hometown/ Residency: Hoboken NJ, New York Audition City: Philadelphia Audition Song: "I Love You" by Celine Dion Background: Currently lives in Hoboken, N.J., although she was born and raised in New York. Borgella has been singing since she was 3 years old. She is a plus-size model and won the televised beauty pageant Mo’Nique’s Fat Chance in 2005. In her spare time she makes jewelry and designs clothes. She has sung with Patti Labelle Mary Mary, and American Idol's own Bo Bice for a Christmas special. Joanne also appeared on the "Tyra Banks Show," "Good Morning America," and Hot 97 with Miss Jones.
Watch video of Joanne Borgella audition:
KADY MALLOY Age: 18 Hometown/ Residency: Houston-Katy, TX Audition City: Dallas Audition Songs: "I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman" by Britney Spears, "Before He Cheats" by Carrie Underwood, "Unchained Melody" by the Righteous Brothers Background: Born and raised in Houston . Malloy started singing as soon as she could talk. Before auditioning for "Idol," she was singing in local restaurants and attending community college. Malloy has a knack for vocal impressions and also plays the tambourine. She recorded an album with help from famed record producer Nick Trevisick, who has also worked with Mandy Moore and Natalie Imbruglia. Her record has disappeared from AmieStreet since her audition appeared on Idol.
Watch video of Kady Malloy audition:
KRISTY LEE COOK Age: 24 Hometown/ Residency: Seattle, WA / Dallas-Fort Worth, TX / Selma, OR Audition City: Philadelphia Audition Song: "Amazing Grace" Background: Currently lives in Selma, Ore., but was born in Seattle, Wash. Cook has sung for crowds since she was 13 years old. Prior to auditioning for "Idol," Cook raised and trained horses. She plays the piano and was a member of the band Sixshooter. She had a record deal with Arista Nashville a few years back, had Britney Spears lined up to appear in her debut video in 2001, and is managed by Marty Rendleman, who previously managed Leann Rimes. She also apparently loves to alienate most of America by singing in front of a Confederate flag in a video. She released a CD titled "Devoted."
Watch video of Kristy Lee Cook audition:
LUKE MENARD Age: 29 Hometown/ Residency: Crawfordsville, IN / Branson, MO Audition City: Atlanta Background: Menard began singing when he was a freshman in high school. He earned a B.A. in Communications from Millikin University in Decatur, Ill., and worked for a finance company in Chicago. After realizing that was not the job for him, Menard began touring with an a cappella group called Chapter 6.
MICHAEL JOHNS Age: 29 Hometown/ Residency: Perth, Western Australia / Los Angeles, CA Audition City: San Diego Audition Song: "I've Been Loving You Too Long" by Otis Redding Background: Also known as Michael Lee, Johns moved from Australia to the U.S. in 1998 to attend Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College in Tifton, Ga., then moved to Buckhead, Ga. outside of Atlanta to pursue singing. Johns began singing at the age of 5 and also plays the guitar. This Aussie has been the frontman for two different bands, both having recorded albums. He had a major falling out with his last band, and he was accused of stealing songs upon his departure.
Watch video of Michael Johns audition:
RAMIELE MALUBAY Age: 20 Hometown/ Residency: Kendall-Miramar, FL Audition City: Miami Audition Song: "Natural Woman" by Aretha Franklin Background: Malubay was born in Saudi Arabia and spent her early years in the Philippines. She has been singing since she was 12 years old. Before "Idol," she was attending school and was a hostess at a local sushi restaurant. She also plays the piano and guitar.
Watch video of Ramiele Malubay audition:
ROBBIE CARRICO Age: 26 Birthdate: November 13th, 1981 Hometown/Residency: Melbourne, FL Audition City: Miami Audition Song: "Simple Man" by Lynyrd Skynyrd Background: Carrico began singing at age 16. He has been a member of two bands: the boy band Boyz IV Girlz, which opened for Britney Spears and LFO and made a couple albums that were a failure, before disbanding; and Missing Picket, a rock band for which he is the lead singer. Reportedly, he was also one of Britney Spears' first boyfriends. That looked a lot better on the resume a few years ago. Before auditioning for "Idol," he was working as a painter with his father. In his spare time, Carrico enjoys racing cars.
See video of Robbie Carrico audition:
SYESHA MERCADO Age: 21 Hometown/ Residency: Sarasota, FL / Miami, FL Audition City: Miami Audition Songs: "Listen" by Beyoncé and "Think" by Aretha Franklin Background: Currently lives in Miami, although she grew up in Sarasota, Fla. Mercado was a member of The Drum Studio All-Stars band and has a strong background in theatre and dancing. She began singing when she was 3 years old. She is the daughter of a Motown backup singer and was a contestant on the 2006 ABC talent show "The One."
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