American Idol Top 12 Girls Recap: Girl Power? Some Sizzled But Most of Them Fizzled
So what did I do on the eve of the girls “duking” it out for a spot in the Top 12? I stood in line at the Wal-Mart pharmacy for 20 minutes humming “What a Day for a Daydream”, the song Jason Castro sang (amazingly I might add) on Tuesday night. And why was I humming it? Because I Tivoed American Idol and made my husband watch Jason’s performance so he knew who I was voting for. With that performance fresh on my mind I was eager to see what the Top 12 girls had in store. Would Amanda rock my world? Would Asia’h be even more stunning then I remembered? Would Brooke keep her folksy groove on? Would Carly weather her on-line buzz? I would soon find out and I would be even more interested to see what the line up would be. After all, this was an entertainment show and you had to grab people’s attention in the beginning, keep them interested in the middle, and end it with a bang! So who would go first? Who would land in the middle? Who would end the show? Oh I could hardly wait.
Well, we found out the girls had the flu or at least some of them did! I was sure they would work it out though and if not, we Americans would have sympathy. Randy thought they had a tough act to follow with the guys but Paula thought they could do very well. Of course the judges had me laughing with their bantering back and forth. I won’t take the time to detail their “fight” but it made me laugh out loud. I like to see people have a good time.
As the ladies got ready to sing they of course needed to show a video montage of how they made it into the Top 24. I loved how they did Carrie Underwood’s “Young and Beautiful” to highlight their journey! I’m glad they did that, it helped me remember the gals and why I liked them in the first place.
First up, and I so don’t envy those that have to go first was Kristy Lee Cook. We found out she sold her horse to go to Philadelphia to try out for American Idol! Man, she was very serious about the competition to go to those lengths. She chose to sing “Rescue Me”. She had a good voice and good stage presence and of course looked very pretty. I guess my thought was that vocally I don’t know what she can do yet. The song wasn’t super challenging. I’d love to see her do something that would show her range but maybe that was her range. There also wasn’t a whole lot of energy. I’m sure she did “fine” but she has got to do a lot better to stay in the competition.
Randy talked about the pressure and being the first one out of course. It wasn’t her best performance and she had pitch problems. Paula pointed out she was sick and the first one so what a double whammy. But having said that she said don’t let that get in the way of her shine and performance. Simon said the song didn’t suit her (it was meant to be belted out and she wasn’t a “belt it out” singer) and her performance was robotic and she didn’t make a very good impression. It was simply the wrong song for her. I agree with that. I do have compassion on her though having to go first and for being sick. But, probably not enough compassion to vote.
JoAnne Borgella the plus sized model was up next. Her song sounded way off. I mean bad. Like she was off from the band maybe? She looked amazing though! Oh JoAnne, it was kind of a train wreck. The audience didn’t even really know how to clap with her. Of course Randy had to chuckle, that’s what he does when he doesn’t really like it. He thought it was a little shaky. Paula had seen real confidence in her but it was nerve racking and told her to pull it together and shine through. Simon didn’t like it at all. He told her she had to come out and nail it. She had no confidence and nothing in her vocal to get a hold of to make her a great recording artist. Simon also didn’t accept the nerves excuse. They were all extremely lucky to be there and they needed to grab a hold of it right then and there or they didn’t deserve it. Whew! JoAnne had a great attitude though and again, she looked amazing. Maybe she should stick to modeling.
Next up was the young and darling Alaina Whitaker who didn’t want to go home on her birthday (which was on results night)! How darling and delightful the 16 year old Alaina was. She did great! The girl can sing and she had good energy. She was interesting and she made me sit up and listen to her vocals. She owned it too!! Randy thought she had it going on and she was confident. Paula really liked her. Simon thought she was very good. He didn’t really see nerves but he didn’t like the song…well actually he hated it. If she could make a song as awful as that sound okay he couldn’t wait to hear her sing a good song. She was going to sail through to the next round. Nice praise from Simon! Everyone must love Alaina Whitaker!!
Then it was time for one of my favorites Amanda Overmyer. Hooray for the rock and roll nurse. Well, she was certainly memorable in her performance. I think that was the hardest rock we’ve seen on the show to date Randy loved her trousers and he liked Amanda. Paula loved everything about her. She danced, she scatted, she was who she was. She was the real deal and Paula loved every bit of it. Simon really liked her too. He genuinely thought she was authentic. He didn’t know the song but he hoped she stayed around. She definitely stood out from the rest of the girls. I loved her too. I just wondered if the rest of America would get her?
After Amanda’s energizing performance it was time for Amy Davis, the girl I know nothing about. Well she picked a slow song that she didn’t really make current. She looked great and I think she did have a nice voice but as Randy would say it was “pitchy”. Unfortunately with not much air time and a not so memorable performance with her sliding notes (made me think of Patsy Cline kind of but not as good and the judges thought that too) she may not get another chance. Randy was already chuckling. He didn’t think it was great and there were a lot of pitch problems. Paula said the camera loved her but her nerves got to her and it wasn’t the most engaging song to sing. Simon said it was what it was. It was a boring song. She looked great but didn’t sound great. Simon didn’t think it was her at all. Well, she sure was a sweet girl and very pretty. Maybe she’ll get another shot, but I kind of doubt it.
Then there was Brooke White the nanny. She was so incredibly likeable and down to earth plus I loved her voice! She chose “Happy Together” too, the song David Cook sang on guys night but of course she did it totally different. She was great. I think Brooke is definite Top 12 material with that folksy, smokey voice of hers. Boy was she fun. I loved her and she made me happy.
Randy thought it started a little rough but she got her confidence back and she did well. Paula loved that she has her own thing. She was original and she picked the right song and she did a great job. Simon thought she chose the right song but he was struggling because she was not quite his cup of tea. She was just too nice. Well, I think America will love her. He wants Brooke to go to the dark side and we know she will never cross over Simon!!!
Well, we made it half way through the show. Next up was Alexandrea Lushington. I have always dug her style. Again she looked amazing and had great energy. I loved her! She was hot! She had rhythm and I watched every second of her!! Alexandrea will be one to watch. Randy pointed out that it was all about being young in Season 7. It seemed like the young performers were the ones who really had something going for them. In his eyes, she got it!! Paula loved that she took control of the entrance, she thought about her performance top to bottom and her outfit totally represented her. She had the most confidence too. She also had a great interpretation of the song and it could be on the radio today. Simon didn’t get it at all. He didn’t think the vocals were great and that it would be found in some awful musical. Say what? Simon was way off this time. Usually I agree with him but the girl was good! I did kind of wonder about her higher register but all in all she really does have it going on.
Then it was time for the funny Kady Malloy from Houston, Texas! She was hilarious in her intro video with her obsession with music and her great Britney Spears impression. She was spot on and made me laugh. She tried to tackle “Groovy Kind of Love” but it was kind of dead and boring. She does have a very, very good voice. She was kind of pitchy in spots and almost made me think, oh do I say it? She almost made me think she could sing for Disney’s next animated movie.
Randy thought it was too restrained and controlled. She didn’t let loose and that she got lost in the song. I could see that totally. Paula told her she looked really pretty. Paula wanted to see more fun from her and the personality she had. Simon agreed with Paula. He thought it was “Night of the Living Dead”. He told her when she does impressions she is brilliant but when she did herself she was too “old”. She needed to lighten up. Poor Kady, she was on the verge on tears. Paula told her she’d be around, she was a fun girl so she needed to “just be”. I agreed with Paula. Although, it’s a tough place to be trying to find yourself. She might not have enough time for that!
After Kady’s disappointing performance came the well liked Asia’h Epperson. She was totally living her dad’s dream. She definitely exuded confidence. She was great. She was full of sass and full of who she was all about. She engaged the crowd and really did a great job singing “Piece of My Heart”. She made it her own and was just fantastic. Her smoky voice was memorable and I won’t forget that performance. Randy was impressed. Paula liked that she had fun up there and she had some really good moments in the song. For Simon it was his favorite of the night. She let go, she was fun, she was likeable, she had a good voice, she wasn’t taking herself too seriously. I couldn’t help think that it was a stark contrast to Kady Malloy so it probably made her look even better that she came after her. Is that all part of the Idol plan?
Next was the tiny Ramiele Malubay. Well, she picked a very dramatic song, “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me”. It was almost like I needed to see her in a smoky night club with a slinky dress and a feather boa! But with that said she had a great voice. Randy loved that she started it slow and then built the song. Randy thought it was very classy, almost like a pro. Paula told her she was a force to be reckoned with and she hoped she sailed right on through. Simon didn’t like her when he first saw her but now he thinks she has outsung every person so far during the show. I agree that vocally she was great but I have yet to connect with Ramiele. She will not win American Idol.
Then it was time for another one of my favorite girls, Syesha Mercado. I think she is so beautiful and has such an amazing voice. She said she sings from her soul and yes she does. She sang “Tobacco Road’ and man can she saaannng. Paula was up and raising her hands! Randy told her that she could definitely sing and all in all he really liked it. Paula thought it was consistant and joyful and fun and big. Simon didn’t think it was her best, best performance because she was probably one of the most talented girls in the competition. She tried hard, it was terrific. She has just got it. Yes she does!
Last up to take the stage was Carly Smithson. I noticed she had on a long sleeved shirt. Was that to hide her tattoo? She does own a tattoo shop in L.A. She shared about how she had a record deal at one time. Well we all know that! It was all over the web and people were not saying very nice things about the poor girl. She may have the best vocals of all the girls but I think I have to see a few more weeks to really decide on that. She had great control and range and had a very polished performance. Randy said that was what the show was all about. He thought it was the best vocal of the Top 24 and she even had bronchitis. Paula said she was reliable and knew she had a tough week (eluding to her sickness or was she eluding to the not so positive on-line buzz). Simon didn’t get her performance. There was so much hype about her and a buzz about her. He thought the song was too old fashioned for her and her mic technique was caberet. It was all a let down to him. He didn’t think it was fantastic. Wow. Totally different opinion than the other two judges. I liked her but I must admit I have been “tainted” by the internet buzz. If I have been who else has been??
With the show finally over I have to say the Top 12 girls were just okay. Honestly there were only a handful of performances that were interesting and made me sit up and take notice. Randy thought the gals were a little hotter than the guys but I don’t agree with that. Simon thought they were pretty evenly matched, the guys and the girls. As the camera panned in on the gals for one last time we got a good look at Alaina Whitaker and do you know who she looks like? She looks like Rogue from X-Men but with blonde hair! She totally looks like Anna Paquin. Yes that was random but I just had to point that out.
The Top 6 girls for the night were hard to pick. I think there were more like a Top 8 where as with the guys there was definitely a Top 6 or 7. So, I guess I better do a Top 8. Now this is based on my “like” factor too, not just vocals. Ramiele may be a great singer but she and I, we just have not connected yet! Unfortunately for Carly I’m having a hard time with her record deal she had before. Not that she doesn’t deserve another chance but something in me loves to see the totally undiscovered win.
1. Syesha Mercado
2. Asia’h Epperson
3. Amanda Overmyer
4. Carly Smithson
5. Brooke White
6. Alaina Whitaker
7. Alexandrea Lushington
8. Ramiele Mulabay
That means that JoAnne Borgella, Amy Davis, Kristy Lee Cook, and Kady Malloy are in serious threat of going home. I have a feeling that JoAnne and Amy may be packing their bags and leaving Hollywood on results night…maybe even Kristy Lee Cook. I just don’t think she has it in her to go all the way. In Hollywood she went back to what she knew and that was “Amazing Grace” which got her a golden ticket. Is what we say of Kristy Lee Cook on Wednesday all that we are going to see? I guess we’ll just have to wait and find out.
© Copyright 2007 Blindigo Magazine | Article written by Niki Tschirgi
