IdolPhenomena

Dear America,

First I would like to start off by saying what were you thinking? Really we lost four amazingly talented people tonight. I’m going to say that we at IdolPhenomena are shocked. I like how I make it seem that I am more than one person too ;-). I totally tweet throughout each show if I am and not working. – Because I do work the man. 3 12 hour days on and 3 days off. Sounds fun right- not so much. But thank technology for DVR :-)

So tonight started off with another cheesy group number. I don’t think the group numbers have ever impressed me in a long time. I feel like the last time I was impressed was back around Season 4 and 5. Rolling Stones as a theme for next week I wonder how that will turn out? To start the only thing I got right in terms of predictions was that Didi Benami would be the first girl to make the Top 12. So congratulations to her. Then it was Siobhan Magnus with the second seat so far I agree. Up next Paige vs. Katelyn for the third chair. At this point I was totally rooting for Katelyn however out of nowhere Paige gets the seat. And I start thinking damn you VTFW.

Okay now for the first set of guys to go through. They start with Tim’s results and move down the line all the way to Casey who we find out is the first person to be safe. Then the next person safe is Tim and I’m thinking wtf America really. Next to make the top 12 is one of my favs Lee DeWyze. Todrick gets cut and to quote @SharonWilbur, “Todrick sang his tushy off” with his last performance of Somebody to Love.

Now we hear from tonight’s special guests who were season 8 contestants Matt Giraud and Scott McIntyre. Together they performed an incredible rendition of Tell Her about It. It was absolutely amazing. Check out Scott’s CD on his website and on iTunes. I am excited that Matt is currently working on and EP can’t wait for it to come out.

And now on to more cuts and tears. Crystal- Safe, Mike- Safe, Lacey- Safe, Aaron- Safe. Now for the guys it’s down to Alex Lambert and Andrew Garcia. Both of whom I think should continue on. I do feel that Alex needs more confidence and Andrew did peek too early in the competition. I am sad as we find out that we are saying goodbye to Alex Lambert tonight. To keep Tim Urban and not Alex something is wrong with America. I personally loved @LukeEdgemon ‘s tweet where he thinks it would be a good idea to sneak on set and knock Tim out with Alex’s ukulele and give Alex Tim’s seat--- too funny. I felt so bad for Alex it looks like he cried a ton.

Here comes the biggest holy f-word. Between Katie and Lilly I felt both should go on. So here I am at home with some fellow tweeters pushing for a Top 13-LOL. But unfortunately we say goodbye to the talented and original Lilly Scott.

America I wish I could understand where you are coming from but I still don’t. I feel like you watch this show with cotton in your ears. Do you even care that this is a singing contest… that has the goal of finding the next big artist in the U.S. I don’t think you do. As we move into next week I hope we start to agree more.

So only considering tonight's verdict. I am going to make a thought provoking prediction. Then as we get closer to the Top 5 I will be proved right or incredibly. I am going to go with incredibly wrong but this is what I foresee as this years Top 3. With no rhyme or reason this is what it will be. Our Final contestants will be Cyrstal Bowersox vs. Katie Stevens with Michael Lynche being cut during the Top 3 results show. I still feel it will be a girls year. While I maul the idea of who I feel the winner will be I still need to factor in Siobhan Magnus as the dark horse who may surprise us all.

Good morning IdolPhenomena followers. I would first of like to start by apologizing for not having my recap up after last night’s show. I’m just so tired after work lately that I just go right to bed after watching the most recent AI episode or during it… Thank God for DVR-LOL. So as for an overview of the guys performances on Tuesday night the judges noticed marked improvements and Kara followed that up that there were “bright” moments.
Our first lady of the night is Crystal Bowersox. You would never have guessed that 24hrs prior to this performance that she was in the hospital. She put it all into her performance of CCR’s As Long As I Can See the Light. It was absolutely amazing. Crystal is an incredible artist and she is definitely the girl to beat at this moment in the competition. Everyone else needs to step up their game. Overall her performance was so natural that it almost seemed effortless for her. Randy starts of the judging by saying, “I love that girl, that girl is hot.” Ellen expresses how Crystal is gifted with a raw natural talent. Kara loves how it is effortless, centered, focus and how it truly comes from the heart. Simon admits that is underestimated Crystal with his critique the previous week.
Haeley Vaughn is up next. She is dressed incredibly “adorable” and we learn how she makes her own headbands. Tonight she has chosen Miley Cyrus the Climb. I love how Haeley has fun on stage, however that doesn’t make up for the pitch problems and her lack of experience. However, her bubbly personality does come through in her performance which is something she definitely doesn’t lack. Randy expresses how the performance didn’t work for him. Ellen felt she didn’t connect to the song. Kara believes Haeley is extremely talented but needs to work on it. Simon follows this up with by calling Haeley’s performance a complete and utter mess.
Lacey Brown finally takes the stage. Choosing a song that is more suited for her voice, Kiss Me by Six’s Pence None the Richer. She still like last week had pitch problems; however this is the moment where I truly became a Lacey fan. Before tonight I wasn’t as convinced. I feel like this is the Lacey we’ve been waiting to see perform. Randy felt her performance was too karaoke. Ellen said she looked adorable. Kara feels that if Lacey is there next week she will need to step it up. While Simon said that this performance was marginally better than last week.
The fourth spot of the night goes to Katie Stevens who chose to sing Corrine Bailey Rae’s Put Your Records On. I feel that Katie is incredibly talented for such a young age. This song was definitely more current then her choice last week of Feelin’ Good, by Michael Bublé. She has an amazing upper register. Katie still needs to choose a better song, something that features more of her youth. Randy wants her to go with her sweet spot. Ellen, like myself wants to see her sing something younger. Kara is still waiting for Katie’s “moment.” Simon feels that Katie needs to show us that she needs to show us what kind of artist she wants to be.
Thank god we’re half way through the evening. Hopefully Didi Benami’s performance will be absolutely amazing. Didi’s performance of a Bill Wither’s classic, Lean on Me was a total and complete epic fail. I have loved Didi’s voice ever since they showcased her singing Terrified in Hollywood, what happened to that Didi??? She was all over the place. There were times where I felt like she was singing in a different key than the accompaniment. Randy says he would not have chosen that song for her. Ellen agrees by saying that Didi has a great voice but the wrong song. Kara simply says it wasn’t good while Simon says that she was screeching in parts and that it sounded like a cat.-Meow.
Michelle Delamor took on Creed’s With Arms Wide Open which was definitely something different for a girl to sing. Michelle definitely needs to work on her song choice in my opinion. However apparently she did really good tonight??? It appears to me that Michelle is incredibly talented she just needs to bring whatever it is.-LOL
Next was Lilly Scott with a Sam Cooke classic A Change Is Gonna Come. Lilly’s performance tonight was incredibly unique. She is also another natural talent. The uniqueness of her vocal tone sets her apart from the other girls. Not really a big Lilly fan however I know she is going places. Randy said she worked it out and that she was definitely his favorite of the night. Ellen says that she has it whatever it is. Kara feels that this was Lilly’s first moment and Simon felt that she did good as well.
We only have three performances left at this point I feel like I need to be extremely wowed vocally still. Katelyn Epperly’s song choice tonight is Cold Play’s The Scientist. Her performance is incredibly intimate. I love how she sounds vocally not too sure about her facial expressions but after all this is a singing competition. However she still needs to convey more emotion in her performances. Randy said that it wasn’t over the top but he liked it. Ellen liked how she was playing the guitar… WHAT? Ellen that’s a piano-LOL. Kara kind of loves her, but feels she was all over the place but really good. Simon felt it was a smart song choice. This performance made her appear contemporary and that she was a million times better than last week.
Up next was Paige Miles who apparently has the best voice out of all the girls? I just haven’t heard it yet. She did a big no no and chose to sing Kelly Clarkson’s Walk Away. I definitely thought it was forgettable. However this being the second performance I’ve seen of her I see the potential she has to be incredibly amazing and she just needs to pick the right song. Randy felt that it wasn’t the best choice. Ellen apparently thought it was fantastic while Kara felt she needed to connect more with the song. Simon said she failed to choose the right song.
Last up is Siobhan Magnus with Aretha Franklin’s Think. A big song for a big voice. Tonight Siobhan was absolutely amazing. She was rockin’ the stage tonight. I loved her energy and her stage presence. And that was absolutely the most amazing high note. Randy felt her performance was “dope.” Ellen follows that up with an, “Oh man that was good.” Kara wants to know how she hit that high note. While on the other hand Simon feels she is a strange person. She is both interesting and very very talented in his opinion.
Overall the girls improved however I am still not overly impressed. A lot of them need to step it up. They also need to be an artist. There are so many good voices but nothing that sets them apart. I feel we may be saying goodbye to Haeley unless her smile takes her into next week. I hope to God that we don’t say goodbye to Didi however her performance compared to the others was just horrible. HORRIBLE.

Okay IdolPhenomena followers here it is my interview with American Idol Season 9 contestant Alex Nester.

IP: I do realize that you weren’t the only cancer survivor in the competition how has overcoming that hurdle in your life affected your music?
AN: As an artist, your music is a reflection of where you’ve been, what you’ve been through, what you want in life--it’s a reflection of who you are...and surviving cancer has had a profound effect on who *I* am. It has given me a new perspective on life, love, music, people--and it has made me realize such a deeper appreciation and respect for everything...I know that may sound a bit cliché, but it’s true. Unfortunately sometimes it takes almost losing all those things to really make you internalize how important they are... I believe living through cancer has also made me a stronger person mentally, emotionally, and spiritually--another attribute I apply to my music.... Musically, I paint with all the colors of my life--experiences, feelings, people....surviving cancer is just another color for my canvas.

IP: What is the current project you are working on?
AN: MUSICMUSICMUSIC!!! I released an album a while ago called “Rattle the Walls”--it’s my baby. It took 8 years to finish that album, and I am so incredibly proud of it. So now I’m getting back into heavily promoting the album, shopping it to labels, etc. I’m also going to finally start gigging again. During Idol I kind of had to lay low for a while simply because I didn’t know what was going to happen--but now that I’m no longer confined to the Idol contract I am so excited to get back out there with my band! We just booked our first post-Idol show at the Key Club on Saturday March 20th at 8pm, and I can’t wait--it’s gonna be a killer show! =)
IP: I suggest that all IdolPhenomena followers purchase her album on iTunes. I just recently downloaded Rattle the Walls from iTunes it’s incredible. I personally love the soulfulness of your voice it’s too bad that you weren’t featured singing on Idol. Personally I like Darkness into Light and The Music in My Life.

IP: How has the overall American Idol audition process affected your life today?
AN: No matter how thick a skin you may have, going through the American Idol audition process will definitely make it thicker! ...I’ve also gained a much wider fan base, which is amazing. I find that people are much more likely to actually look me up and remember me with the words “American Idol” attached to my name.

IP: What is your most notable memory of the audition process?
AN: My most notable memory of the Idol audition process would have to be making it through the judges round. That was an insane day! I was so stoked to receive my golden ticket I kicked off my heels and literally ran through the hallway, down the stairs, freaked out in the elevator, then continued to run out into the lobby and all the way out the door--it was truly ridiculous! But it was sooooo much fun! Excitement+massive adrenaline+Golden Ticket=one heck of a celebration!!

IP: Are there any idol hopefuls that you still keep in contact with today? AN: I still keep in contact with Farayi Moore, Luke Edgemon, Tawny McCorkle, Katie Bernard (she was my first roommate in Hollywood), Tasha Layton (my second roommate in Hollywood), Samantha Musa, Tori Kelly, Jeffrey David Goldford...and a bunch of others as well. They’re all such incredible talents, and every single one of them deserves long, successful, amazing careers.

IP: What advice would you give to someone with the dream of being on Idol?
AN: Never lose sight of the music. It’s the whole reason why you’re there. American Idol is definitely not “easy” by any stretch, and the meaning can often be lost in the madness. Love what you do and do it because you love it. Work hard, be kind, and take it seriously but not too seriously. In other words, take your craft seriously, but realize it’s not your only shot at making it in this business. If you don’t make it on Idol it does not necessarily mean you are a bad singer. You have to realize that before anything else American Idol is a reality television show...it’s a whole different ball game when you get into the world of reality TV...

IP: Have you auditioned for any other idol like show before?
AN: I actually auditioned for David Foster’s show “Star Tomorrow” with a girl pop trio I was in for a bunch of years. Unfortunately, we didn’t really go anywhere with it though...but it was pretty cool hearing David Foster compliment my voice!

IP: Who was your favorite contestant throughout the audition process?
AN: I honestly never had a favorite contestant because they all brought something so unique to the table. That being said, I will always be a huge fan of Farayi Moore--both as a musician and as a person. I am blown away every time I hear her sing. Technically and artistically her voice is exceptional--it is such a travesty her auditions were not televised... As a person, she is so kind and loving and humble--I am truly blessed to have her as a friend.

IP: Who is your idol/role model and how have they inspired you?
AN: I absolutely adore Stevie Wonder. He is one of the most incredible artists ever to grace this planet. I am so inspired by him and his music...everything from his chord progressions to his arrangements to his lyrics to the sheer passion and technical expertise of his voice--it makes me want to never stop growing as a musician.

IP: Which idol contestant are you listening to on your mp3 player?
AN: I’ve been listening to Luke Edgemon a ton--the other night I must have listened to his one track about 20 times in a row! He is so talented and so passionate--his voice gives me chills every time I hear him!

IP: Is there currently a member of the Top 24 that you are rooting for or any other person you met along the way that we should take interest in?
AN: It’s so weird to root for any one specific person in the Top 24 when you literally know all of them personally... I know that probably sounds like a cop-out answer, but it’s true. However, I do think Lilly Scott has got a really cool thing going--I love her vibe... And even though he didn’t make the Top 24 (which he absolutely should have) you should check out Jeffrey David Goldford--put simply: he is amazing! =)

Check out Alex singing Think which got her four yeses to Hollywood.


Check out Alex singing I've got to Use my Imagination - First Round Hollywood

So for the East Cost we just finished the Top 12 girls performances. For me as an Idol fan I was totally dissapointed tonight. I really expected to be completely blown away. However, the overall of tonight left me hoping for tomorrow to see what the guys have to offer. This year Simon has been quoted with saying that this would be a girls year... I am not sure. But once we get into the Top 12 the competition is a whole other ball game.
Tonight started with an interesting montage of why Ellen and Kara traded seats on the panel, however it did feature some great singing by the following idol contestants that unfortunately did not make it to the Top 24: Keanna O'Quinn, Brittany Starr James and Samantha Musa.

The first contestant to hit the stage was none other than the underrated contestant who has had like no air time, Paige Miles. They showed a short clip of her singing in Hollywood which was absolutely amazing and then she hits the semi-final stage with a horrible song choice. I don't even remember her performance after watching. Sorry but song choice in this competition is everything which is also a common theme that I do see in my interviews. Next up was Ashley Rodriguez a great voice since the beginning. Tonight she tackled "Happy" by Leona Lewis. Ashley has a great upper register however to pick such an artist on the first night performing for America it was definitely not the right song to pick. Kara compares Leona to our generations Mariah Carey. However along with artists such as Whitney Huston and Alicia Keys Simon constantly preaches to contestants that they are not to come on stage and imitate them. Janell Wheeler was the third performer of the night sh sang what about love which was also a poor song choice on her part. I can't help but want to hear her sing Estelle again. Idol started to head in the right direction tonight when Lilly Scott hit the stage. Personally I've never known how how to feel about her as a contestant because she has never been one of my favorites. She sings "Fixing a Hole" by the Beatles so far compared to the other contestants tonight Lilly has been the most original. She knows who she is as an artist. Like Randy says I do feel that she has an Indie vibe. She is definitely comparable to artists such as Adele, Duffy or even Lilly Allen. Katelyn Epperley is the next to sing another Beatles song "Oh Darling." And I thought oh darling what did you wear. Her make over for tonight's performances was totally an epic fail on her part. However her voice made up for it. She definitely will be safe at least until next week. Next was Haeley Vaughn the third person to chose a Beatles song. Just some positives first. She always has fun while she is on stage and has an incredible presence. However she was all over the place with the vocals tonight and one point I even felt like I was being yelled at through the television and that doesn't happen often. Next up was Lacey Brown. If you were able to watch Twitter at all tonight Lacey has a big following comprised of many past idol contestants including Sharon Wilbur, Felicia Barton, Brent Keith and Ju'Not Joyner. However tonight nerves may have gotten the best of this amazing singer. She was dressed to impress and yet did not deliver what i expected. Consistently song choice has been the biggest issue so far tonight. Next Michelle Delamor took the stage singing "Fallin" by Alicia Keys and in the beginning of the performance its almost as if her pitch has run away somewhere. However overall the judges were pleased and Ellen said that it was safe. I would agree this type of music seemed to be her niche. Okay Didi was next. She has always been one of my favorites since she was featured in her initial audition. They showed a short clip of her singing "Terrified" which was written by Kara DioGuardi. Amazing vocalist. Didi's amazing performance of Ingrid Michaelson's "The Way I Am" made up for the afghan that she was wearing on stage ;-). Next up was apprentice glass blower Siobhan Magnus. I didn't even know that was a job you could still have.-LOL. Siobhan has an amazing big voice. She in fact could be a dark horse for this years competition even though she doesn't know exactly what a dark horse is. When it comes to technique and vocals Siobhan has full control of her voice. On a side note what was that thing growing out of her head tonight. Was that supposed to be a flower? Total clash with the rest of her outfit. The amazing Crystal Bowersox embodied artist tonight as she conveyed great honesty with her performance of "Hand In My Pocket" by Alanis Morisette. She definately had the whole Melissa Etheridge vibe emanating from her. Katie Stevens hit it home with Michael Buble's "Feel'n Good." For 17 she is amazingly talented and I'm not saying that only because she is from my home state of CT. The only downside of her performance tonight was that it was dated. For her age like the judges expressed maybe she should tackle something more contemporary.
Overall tonight was a slight disappointment however it is only the start. If I am to predict who is going home on Thursday I would feel that Paige Miles will be one of the girls to go. The next girl to go home would either be Haeley Vaughn or Lacey Brown. Just some personal feelings I can't believe that passed up Tori Kelly for Haeley but I do see where Haeley is more unique. I also feel that Lacey Brown will be around at least until next week. So she can finally wow America and the judges. Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings. Anticipating performances by Andrew Garcia, Jermaine Sellers, Todrick Hall and Lee DeWyze.

Photo Credit:AmericanIdol.com