Top 12 Girls

So for those who follow this blog or care, sorry I have been M.I.A. for the last two weeks. I've had RS meetings and other commitments so I have had to catch up myself via my parents' DVR. But, I am back now eagerly watching the top 12 girls' performances tonight. I was SHOCKED with some of the cuts the judges made during Hollywood week, so I am interested to see if I agree with their choices.

The opening intro sequence with the judges was awkward at best and even though I love Ellen, this is the sort of thing I was nervous about happening when she signed on with the show. The whole "Simon's into me" thing was lame and wasted time that should have been given to contestants. I was watching it thinking, "Come on, lady, we've got 12 people to get through tonight...don't waste our time." Hopefully the time hogging won't last all season. So anyway, on to the performances.

Paige Myles - My first thought when she was announced was, "Who the heck is Paige Myles?" She hasn't been featured very much this season so far, so I was already nervous for her going in. She doesn't have as much built-in audience support behind her. I agreed with Simon that it was a bad choice of song for her, and I disagreed with all the judges in thinking she was the best singer in the competition. I just wasn't blown away. I thought her song had very poor diction and I couldn't understand most of the words. Even though the judges think she'll definitely be around next week, I have my doubts. If I watch Idol every week and was not that familiar with her, will the people that are just tuning in really vote for her? We'll see. Also, thanks Ryan for sharing that TMI moment about her being sewn into her 80s prom dress turned into shorts with a white obi belt. Way to make her feel comfortable. Who just sang? Oh yeah, the girl who hasn't peed in five hours. Grade: C

Ashley Rodriguez - Going into tonight, she was one of the people I was most looking forward to hearing. I loved her audition in Boston and think she is GORGEOUS. I also love that she is not afraid to rock a blazer and she went to Berklee which gives her cred. That being said, her song was shaky and I agree with Simon's critique that she sounded clumsy. During the verse in her lower register it sounded like she was scraping to get the notes out and I didn't know why she didn't sing it in a different key. She seemed relieved to get to the big notes in the chorus where she is obviously more comfortable. I really hope she stays around so I can hear her sing again with a different song. I agree with the judges that she needs to pick a song that she won't be compared to the original artist. Grade: C-

Janell Wheeler - For once in my life I agreed completely with Kara. Mark this day in the books. The song (What About Love) was WAY too big for her and she definitely should have picked something else. I think sometimes that contestants think if they pick a well known power ballad it will showcase their voice better, but if you don't have the goods, it will only make you sound worse. I think she is a pretty girl and I really liked her performance during Hollywood week . I would like it if she picked more songs like that. Grade: B-

Lilly Scott - To be honest, I have not been Lilly's biggest fan up to this point. I really did not like her Lullaby of Birdland performance during Hollywood week and the fact that her hair was lavender was not helping either. It seems like the stylists have at least brought it to platinum for this performance instead of it being so icy against her skin. That being said, I thought she did pick an interesting song and made it her own. She is not my cup of tea, but perhaps my opinion of her will change with upcoming performances. Grade: B

Katelyn Epperly - I liked her performance tonight WAY more than her others. I thought she picked an excellent song and I agree with the judges, there is something about her that makes me like her. I am not sure what it is. I also liked in her intro video that she didn't talk about her parents' divorce since I thought that was kind of weird when she did that in her original audition. Grade: B

Haeley Vaughn - Along with Ashley, I was very much looking forward to hearing the country girl tonight. I didn't think her rendition of I Wanna Hold Your Hand was as bad as Simon thought. I thought it was upbeat and age appropriate and I was impressed that she was brave enough at 16 to play and guitar and sing and make the song her own. Like Katelyn, there is something inately likeable about Haeley and I hope she is back for another week. It is funny to see her and then hear her talk. It almost reminds me of a movie where someone's personality is trapped in another person's body. She is by far the whitest black girl I have ever seen. When she came out wearing all white I admit, I chuckled. Grade: B

Lacey Brown - Wow, way to bring the show to a grinding halt. I really liked Lacey in the audition rounds and during Hollywood week, but her version of Landslide was painful and slow. I felt bad for her because I could tell she was at least trying to make in different, but her pitch was all over the place. Grade: D

Michelle Delamor - Very pretty girl (she looks like the love child of Jennifer Lopez and Beyonce) and she did better than I thought with that song (Fallin) I actually thought they banned that song from the show. She does have a very pretty voice and I wouldn't mind hearing her again. Grade: B+

Didi Benami - I was grateful in her intro that she said she wouldn't be crying anymore because she was making me nervous in the audition rounds that she wouldn't be able to handle the pressure. When she stepped out onto the stage wearing an afghan vest I literally winced. She is a pretty girl and doppelganger for Brooke White...embrace it and look cute for goodness sake! I was SO glad Simon said that everyone is trying to sound like Estelle and Duffy. I was feeling the same way and am glad I am not crazy. I also agreed with Randy that the performance was sleepy. The general rule of stage performance is start and end strong. That last note...painful. Grade: C-

Siobhan Magnus - A for effort and trying to take an odd song choice and make it right. I knew she was going to pick something weird because she has been weird the entire competition to this point. Odd hair, odd dress, odd shoes. She can really sing so I would like to see her sing again because she is very talented and a wildcard. I hope her song tonight was enough. Grade: B

Crystal Bowersox - Ok, I may be unpopular for saying this, but I really didn't think she was that great tonight, or in any of the other performances I've seen her in. I was very surprised that Angela Martin didn't make it into the top 24 and in my opinion, they could've given Crystal's slot to her. I don't get what is so fascinating about her. She looks like someone who would be singing at a subway station not on the biggest stage in the world. I feel like she got included to fill out the cast of characters so there would be something for everyone. I just don't think she has much versatility and ability to change it up. She just doesn't seem that in to it either. It feels like she is just going through the motions. Again, she is just not my cup of tea. Grade: C

Katie Stevens - I thought the judges were being rather harsh on her. She has a beautiful tone to her voice and I thought she was rather brave to choose that song and I thought she took risks in her performance as well. Sometimes I feel like the judges have no patience for people who happen to be young and like older music. My sister and I often joke that we are both a 40 year-old trapped in a 20 somethings body. At the Monterey Jazz Festival concert we went to a few weeks ago, we were definitely in the minority, but we loved the music and really wanted to be there. I just don't think just because you are young you can't sing an "older" song. Last I checked, Michael Buble isn't "old". I know he is not the first person to sing that song, but he has interpreted it and made it cool for a younger audience. Why do the judges not acknowledge that? And, other than Taylor Swift, what "young" music is out there that is worth singing? (I know I am really sounding old) Ok, rant over. I thought she did well. Grade: B

So tonight it was hard because I thought most people did reasonably well, and those that didn't I wished they had done better. No one blew me away but I think that is because they were playing it safe. If I had to pick the two people that I would like to see go home it would be Crystal Bowersox and Lilly Scott. Neither did that badly tonight though, so they will probably be around another week. My guess is Paige Myles will go because not enough people know her and are not invested in her story and Lacey Brown because her performance was rough.

What did you all think?