IdolPhenomena

Check out an amazing mashup featuring the amazing vocals of Tori Kelly, AJ Rafael and Andrew Garcia !!!

Check out JRA, AJ Rafael and Andrew Garcia's cover of IYAZ Replay. It is awesome I know its been up awhile but I thought I'd share it with all of you ;-)

So this week followers I know some of us may not have liked the results but it happened and my thoughts on this year’s winner and Top 3 are currently in the mix. Elvis as a theme never has ever sparked my interested hence possibly why I’ve waited so long to post and or write this…-LOL. First off Adam Lambert as a mentor, hmmm. All I know is that there were so many innuendos that I just can’t stop embellishing on them. The first being that Adam said he liked Elvis’ package –LOL. And Ryan thinks Adam has a talented tongue…. For music BAH. – Don’t lie to us Ryan. Oh and Adam likes the song Tim picked please… you just want him like all the teeny bopper girls. Oops I need to be more appropriate. Okay tonight Crystal chose to rock out to Saved with an electric guitar; having never heard this track before I felt that it definitely suited her. I liked how it wasn’t that popular and or an obvious choice as the judges called it. At this point I am nervous that a lot of the performances to follow could become really karaoke but that happens. The second performance of the night was Andrew Garcia with his version of Hound Dog. I don’t know whether to really hate it or love it. I like how he took a chance and changed it up but it was so laid back that it was boring. I felt that he wasn’t trying on the Idol stage tonight. He needed to really bring it and failed. Okay girls get ready for the next performer… Tim Urban. I can’t help but say shame on you Adam for wanting Tim to be vulnerable. Tim’s performance of I Can’t Help Falling In Love was I feel one of the best “Turban” performances. Somebody needs to pinch me because I may becoming a Tim Urban fan. I need a big does what am I thinking. Lee was up next with A Little Less Conversation. The first thing I have to say is Thank God JPL is not bouncing around the Idol stage this time-LOL. I have to say that this is another great Lee performance. I personally love the rasp in his vocal. This week I was almost nervous for Aaron because most of his choices are very karaoke and predictable. However he took Blue Suede Shoes and made it his own. He took that stage with this drive and concentration that you could see in his face. He was definitely performing to stay in the competition tonight. Siobhan was up next with Suspicious Minds. She started the performance playing to the camera – not sure if I like it. That’s right Siobhan yell at us. Will you ever actually sing a song and not shout/scream a song. You need to perform. Siobhan you don’t sing you yell somewhat in tune. ;-) Michael Lynche does an absolutely breathtaking version of In the Ghetto. There is so much passion in his performance. Amazing is all I can say. Katie in the eighth spot tonight with Baby What Do You Want Me to Do. As always an amazing performance from Katie. Finally Casey with Lawdy Miss Clawdy. Never heard it before and I feel like it was a good performance but not great. So we already know the results. I just don’t know what America is on. This week Idol says good-bye to Katie Stevens and Andrew Garcia. Next week the Idols are mentored by none other than Alicia Keys as they take on Inspirational Songs. Can’t wait.

So we started off tonight with a twist. After expecting to have the girls take the stage once again we actually got to see the Top 10 Guys perform tonight. It was revealed that the lineup change was due to Crystal Bowersox being rushed to the hospital earlier that day. Hopefully everything is okay and I know her fans everywhere are praying she’s okay to take the stage this Wednesday night.

Tonight each of the contestants share a little about them and first up tonight is Big Mike (Michael Lynche). Tonight we find out that he went to a performing arts high school but still made time for football. We also find out that he can bench about 3-4 Ryan Seacrest’s depending if Ryan’s wearing a suit or not-LOL. Tonight he has chosen to sing James Brown’s It’s a Man’s World. This performance is 10X better than last week. It definitely showcased his vocal ability he will definitely be sailing through to next week. Randy stood up after this performance and was excited that this season is finally really getting started. Ellen has loved every song he has chosen and believes he will be the one to beat tonight. And both Kara and Simon believe that he has gone from singer to artist tonight.

The second performance of the night was John Park with John Mayer’s Gravity. This song is definitely more relevant than the song he chose last week. As for the guys performances tonight I am definitely impressed with two down and eight more to go. J. However, the judges definitely saw it differently. Randy felt that it was not as good as the original. Kara believed it was safe and wants to see him take some risks and Simon thinks that Purple Haze will have their singer. For those of you who don’t know, Purple Haze is an a capella group John is in back home. In contrast Ellen feels that it was the right song choice.

Casey James who wowed us last week tackled Gavin Degraw’s I Don’t Wanna Be. Performed by idols such as Bo Bice and Chris Richardson he had big shoes to fill. In terms of a performance it was amazing what he did on the guitar. However in reality this being a singing competition the vocal wasn’t all there. Randy felt that this is the type of musical genre he could see Casey recording. Ellen felt that “everything on paper” was there. However Kara and Simon thought he took two steps back and that this was another one of those performances where someone who was trying to be a rock star.

Tonight Alex Lambert choosing to perform John Legend’s Everybody Knows. As we learn something about him he shares with us that he has made up his own language that helps him write music. I am sad to admit that I am an Alex Lambert fan, as to why I have no idea. Tonight he was indeed better than last week but he does have a lot of work ahead of him. Randy shares my view as tonight being improvement to last week. Kara feels he has an incredible recording voice that he doesn’t know what to do with and Simon feels he was a million times better than last week. Ellen references the banana again when she says it’s almost as if someone has taken the unripe banana and placed it in a paper bag.

Todrick Hall takes the stage performing Tina Turner’s What’s Love Got To Do With It. He tells us that he wasn’t going to change the song up too much and what does he do? I feel like he lied to us tonight about his performance. I feel just as ripped off as those kids he was supposed to be doing some program for. I can’t help but think that he still a dancer trying to sing. Randy wants him to sing a nice song. Ellen shares his sentiment with agreeing that it wasn’t the right song. Kara wants to know what happened to Todrick and Simon wants him to move but not sing. I as well want to know what happened to that unique talent that walked into his audition with a great voice and original tune. He needs to recapture that. I am crossing my fingers that he makes it to next week because I feel he will definitely bring it.

Jermaine was up next rockin’ the onesie??? He chose Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On. A great song in its own right however the only thing I liked about Jermaine’s performance is his vocal acrobatics. Overall he definitely did not have it tonight. Kara feels just one trick would mean enough. Simon doesn’t want him to water down the songs and Ellen feels he has a great sense of style. Do I sense going in his future???

Up next was Andrew Garcia who notably gave one of the best Hollywood performances with his acoustic performance of Paula Abdul’s Straight Up. However since then he hasn’t been able to recapture the magic. Tonight he chose to perform Jim Morrison’s You Give Me Something. I liked the fact he was taking a risk by not accompanying himself with his guitar, however I was disappointed again. I expect so much more from him. On a brighter note I felt that while he was singing that part, “You wanna stay with me until the morning,” every girl in America has like heck yeah I do-LOL. J Andrew definitely deserves to stay and I hope America gives him that chance. Randy didn’t get the performance while Kara see’s potential. And like Me Ellen misses the guy that performed Straight Up.

Tonight Aaron Kelly instead of choosing something current tackles something from the past with the Temptations My Girl. All I can say is hmmmm… and what did they say about Justin Bieber. Randy felt that it was definitely better than last week and Ellen felt he was likeable. Aaron will definitely be around for a while.

Up next is Tim Urban who they felt they made the right decision last week in Hollywood to cut based on his performance of Apologize. I just feel that this competition isn’t the right thing for him and I can’t help but be disappointed. I am also curious as to how the guys would be if Chris Golightly were there. Every time I see Tim I think horrible much?

Lee closed out the night with another incredible performance. Taking on Hinders Lips of an Angel. He definitely was passionate tonight and I liked the risk he took by not using his guitar. You could tell he was kind of nervous though. Randy like the performance despite the pitch problems and Ellen felt it was great. Kara saw it as a big improvement from last week. Surprisingly Simon believes that vocally Lee is the one to beat. He just needs to believe in himself. From day one I have been a Lee Dewyze fan, he is totally in my top 5. J

As to which guys I foresee going home this week I feel we are going to say goodbye to Tim Urban and Jermaine Sellers. I can’t for Wednesday night to find out how much growth the girls have made in a week.

Hey!! IdolPhenomena followers here it is like I promised my interview with Samantha Musa. If you are unaware of who Samantha Musa is she is a shy girl who works for the non-profit sector out in L.A. However, she is also an aspiring singer who has auditioned for both season 7 and 9 of American Idol. Just recently within the last several hours was featured in a montage where Simon runs his fingers down Ellen’s legs. In the montage she is singing Closer along with her group members Keanna O’Quinn and Brittany Starr James- Shout Outs to them :-) !

IP: How has the overall American Idol audition process affected your life today?

SM: More than anything, I think the audition process on American Idol (both this season and back in season 7) has really increased my confidence and belief in myself--which is something that is slowly affecting all aspects of my life! Sadly, I am not the most confident person. I am usually extremely shy, not willing to break out of my shell, and pre-occupied with what people think about me. So this audition experience has forced me to be outgoing and it has helped me truly recognize my vocal talent. I mean, if the judges gave me compliments and put me through to the top 74 out of thousands upon thousands of people, I must have something unique about me and I must be a decent singer!...Right?? :)

IP: What is your most notable memory of the audition process?

SM: My most notable memory from the audition process this year would have to be my final audition in Hollywood Week. I usually always walk off stage slightly unhappy, critical of my performance, and beating myself up trying to think about what I could have done differently. But after my final performance of the week, I walked off of the stage very confident and truly thrilled about what I had left with the judges! This truly was a defining moment me. I think that I knew that the final audition/performance this year could be my last opportunity to sing on the Kodak Theatre stage, so I wanted to take in the moment, give it my all, and feel great about what I had given. After that moment, I knew that even if I didn't make it to the top 50, I could leave satisfied that my final performance was a success (to me, at least!)--something that I couldn't say for my experience in Hollywood in season 7!

IP: Are there any idol hopefuls that you still keep in contact with today?

SM: I am still in contact with Chris GoLightly, who unfortunately was booted from the top 24 this season because at the last minute he was deemed "ineligible" (per Fox's press statement). He would've been the only one in the top 24 that I was close to. I keep in touch with others from Hollywood Week via social networking. Thank God for Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace! If not, it would be very hard to keep in contact.

IP: What advice would you give to someone with the dream of being on American Idol?

SM: I would say that they should go for their dream, 110%! Regardless of whether or not they actually make it into the top 24, the experience is a wild one!!... and one that they will surely never forget. I would say that you also need to know who you are and/or who you want to be as an artist before you audition. Don't go in telling them that you can be whoever they want you to be and sing whatever they want you to sing. They want to see people who know themselves and can make every song their own. It is a singing competition, so SING your heart out and make that connection with the judges. It's all about connecting with people through your performance!

IP: What is the current project you are working on? Music? Acting? Career?

SM: Right now I have a full-time job in the non-profit sector here in Los Angeles, so I haven't had much of a chance to start working on a project. When I have time, I am hoping to get

back into recording. I have been writing stuff as it pops into my head on my long commute home, so I am eager to get back to being creative and finish working on what I have started! I have always loved acting, so that might be something that I take time to pursue as well. We'll see...I am still young, and there are so many options! I love music and I always want to have it be a part of my life, so for now, I am taking baby steps as I try to figure out how to proceed and make that happen. The first move might be to weekly hit up some open mic nights here around L.A. and meet other people to potentially collaborate with. I am still super shy so I don't know if I want to always stay a solo artist, but we'll see! In the meantim

e I also might be starting a YouTube page to post videos of myself singing. That is apparently the newest thing to do to promote yourself, and I have had numerous people tell me that I need to do that. So...I will let you know if I post anything! :)

IP: Who was your favorite contestant throughout the audition process?

SM: Hands down, Andrew Garcia! He is absolutely incredible! He first auditioned in Los Angeles with me, so I was sitting right behind him when the producers had him pick up his guitar and sing for the first time on camera. I was blown away!...And in that moment, I knew that he would go all the way. He is so unbelievably talented. He has an

amazing vocal ability and as you saw from his Hollywood Week auditions, he can do anything with a song! I am rooting for him this year. He has such a great story and truly deserves it.

IP: Who is your idol/role model and how have they inspired you?

SM: Vocally, my idol is Celine Dion. I honestly believe with all of my heart that she is the greatest female singer of all time. There is so much power that is released when she sings. Every word that comes from her mouth has such emotion! Her success and passion have inspired me to sing my best in every performance and to capture the true emotion of the lyrics whenever I sing a song. She is also a great role model when it comes to mixing work and family. When her husband got sick, she left singing for a while to be with him. She is a woman of honor who puts family first.

IP: What other seasons have you auditioned for?

SM: I first auditioned when I was 16, I think it was season 3. I made it past the first round, but got cut before I had a chance to audition for the celebrity judge panel. I also auditioned for season 7 and made it just as far as I did this time--top 74ish. They actually aired my audition in season 7 because my sister crazily flew in a paper airplane with a message for Simon! I didn't know she was planning on doing that until right before I walked in! Simon invited her in and she got to sit on his lap and help judge me. It was a super fun audition for the judges and made my nerves much calmer because she was in the room with me! Hollywood Week was great that year--I remember always eating with David Archuleta and his dad because I was too shy to go and talk to other contestants, LOL! It was a fun week and even more fun to see David make it into the top 2!

IP: Which idol contestant are you listening to in your CD/MP3 player?

SM: My favorite idol contestant of all time is Carrie Underwood. She is so genuinely sweet, an amazing singer, and she is absolutely gorgeous. Her music is awesome not only because she is a fabulous singer, but because her lyrics are just plain incredible. Some of her songs have honestly helped me through some hard times in my life. So she is really the only one in my CD player... I rotate her 3 CDs in and out! :)

IP: Any other insights and comments?

SM: American Idol has bee

n a great experience for me and I feel that the process has just pushed me more to succeed and never

give up! I am whoever I dream of becoming!...And while I am still figuring out the scope of that dream, Idol has for sure been some good inspiration for me. I have made some great friends/fans (like you!) along the way that are soooo supportive and for that, I am so grateful!

Photo Credit: AmericanIdol.com Season 7 and 9

Let me start by saying this: What were they thinking ending idol like this tonite??? Talk about cliff hangers-lol. Decisions… decisions… decisions…. Deliberation it’s a funny word don’t you think. What are you doing tonite?? Deliberating-lol!! So this 2HR episode started by showcasing Angela Martin who sang an incredible version of Estelle’s American Boy. Jermaine Purifoy then sang Brick house… and Casey James performing Colbie Callait’s Bubbly…. This was followed by Jermaine Sellers singing Man in the Mirror accompanied by his “diva” move. Siobhan Magnus sang “Living for the City.” Then Crystal Bowersox sang an incredibly emotional version of “If It Makes You Happy.” Alex Lambert was the first of several “I’m Yours” definitely the right song for his type of voice. Michael Lynche singing the same song I am not so sure about that. Todrick Hall surprised me by making this Jason Mraz song totally his own very impressed. Without giving you a boring play by play some of the other performances in Hollywood Day 3 that I did like were Ashley Rodriguez singing “Battlefield” she is going places. Lee DeWyze , Tori Kelly and Andrew Garcia singing “Chasing Pavements.” So the Top 71 got split up into three rooms Rooms 1 & 3 moving and Room 2 being cut. At this point in the competition we say goodbye to some great unique voices…..
1. Lloyd Thomas
2. Mary Powers
3. Hope Johnson
4. Liz Rooney
5. Bryan Walker
6. Tasha Layton
7. Jermaine Purifoy
8. Charity Vance
9. Kelly Bachran
10. Nick Lynch
11. Christian Spear
12. Tisha Holland
13. Candice Glover
14. Ashley Hobbs
15. Brittany Stone
16. Kelsey Laverack
17. Dawntoya Thomason
And 8 other contestants. So then the episode moves into announcing who will be going into the Top 24. So announced in tonites episode are the following Top 24 Contestants:
1. Michael Lynche
2. Casey James
3. Didi Benami
4. Katelyn Epperly
5. Aaron Kelly
6. Todrick Hall
7. Lee DeWyze
As they move on there are even more goodbye. They include Shelby Dressel and Jessica Furney. I anxiously wait to see what Wednesday night brings. Follow me on twitter @idolphenomena.