Finally, we’re at the part of American Idol that I love.  Tonight we hear all twelve female contestants sing, tomorrow we hear all twelve males and then on Thursday, the bottom two males and the bottom two females will be eliminated.  In other words, it’s do or die contestants!

Ellen starts us off with a laugh saying that Simon is flirting with her, so she had to move her seat to the other side of the table.  She even has proof on tape.  It was kind of silly–but typical for American Idol.

This week’s theme is Billboard Hits – it’s a huge choice of songs, so no problem there.  Of course, song choice is always a problem for contestants so this week isn’t any different.  There are a lot of hopes being placed on these female contestants.  Simon thinks this year’s American Idol will be a girl.  But, he said this at the beginning of the show.  I wonder how he felt at the end?

First up tonight is Paige Miles.  She sings All Right Now.  Simon thinks that she has the best voice out of all the girls, but he doesn’t like her song choice.  Randy, Kara and Ellen all like her.  She has a big, powerful voice and I’m sure being first wasn’t easy for her.

If you’ve been reading my blog (you have right?) you know that I like Ashley Rodriguez.  I think she has a style all her own, but unfortunately its not showing through tonight.  None of the four judges liked her.  They don’t feel she’s original and think she needs to take more risk.  She did come across as conservative tonight, even with her hairstyle choice.

So next we have Janell Wheeler singing What About Love.  I’m not a professional, but I thought she was very off key for most of this song.  The judges like her a lot more than I did.  Did I miss something here?

Randy says, probably for the thousandth time that the contestants have to pick songs and change them up so the song reflects the contestants voice and style rather than just sounding like an imitation of the original.  I say, “Easier said than done.”  But, Adam Lambert perfected this last season.

Lilly Scott does a  Beatles song that I’m not familiar with.  This works to her advantage and the judges call it “original”, “believable”, “comfortable”, and “a true Indie artist”.  The judges all loved her.  Me?  I’m not so sure, maybe she’s just not my type of singer.

Randy says that Katelyn Epperly definitely has a big voice.  She’s right in the middle tonight–not bad but not sensational either.

Beatle’s songs are hot tonight and Haeley Vaughn chooses I Want To Hold Your Hand.  Now, I have to say right off, I thought she was truly bad.  She was off key and trying too hard.   Well, Simon was the only honest one of the judges – he said it was verging on terrible.  I have to say, I was disappointed with Ellen.   She definitely wimped out on this one.  I think she didn’t want to hurt Haeley’s feelings because of her age.  I don’t know what Kara and Randy were hearing, but I really think she should come out on the bottom on Thursday.  I liked her prior to this performance, but if you are going to rate her on her current performance, she should be saying bye-bye.

Lacey Brown is the contestant that almost made it to the top 24 last season. Randy thought she was terrible.  Ellen said she was better than that.   Simon said it was indulgent.   Kara mentioned the names of songs she felt were better suited for her.  I think this is the first time I’ve heard a judge actually name an alternate title.  The contestants should definitely listen up!   My husband didn’t like her either, but compared to some of the others, I didn’t think she deserved such a trashing.

Singing an Alicia Keyes song was Michelle Delamor.  She definitely has the look of a “diva” doesn’t she?   The judges were so/so about her.  The same story we’ve heard a million times–she needs to find herself, break away from the pack, etc., etc.

Interesting that Simon would say that a number of the females were doing their best Duffy imitations tonight.  Could it be that a number of the contestants in this year’s American Idol are Duffy-type singers?  Didi Benami is one of them.  Simon thought that she was indulgent.  Yes, that’s the second contestant he said that to tonight.   Other words used to describe her are unforgettable, boring and pitchy.  Randy says, “Where’s the star factor?”  I’m wondering about that myself tonight, not just with Didi but with all the females.   No one is exciting me so far.

Siobhan Magnus is called a little spitfire by Simon.  Is she the dark horse of this competition?

Playing her guitar and harmonica is Crystal Bowersox.  She has to win hands down for originality, both with her music and with her look.   I have to say, she was my favorite of the night.  I don’t feel a desperation from her.  She’s here doing her own thing and that’s what matters to her.  Simon says there are thousands of girls just like her standing outside subway stations everyday.  But then in his next breath, he tells her she’s refreshing and will do well.

American Idol is known to save the best singer for last.  Is that the case tonight with Katie Stevens?  She sings a Michael Buble song and I immediately think to myself that the judges are going to say it’s too old for her.  Yep, Ellen said she needs to sing something more suited to a seventeen-year-old and Simon agreed.  Randy and Kara thought she was pitchy.  I didn’t think she was at all pitchy, but what do my professionals out there think?

So on the whole I wasn’t very impressed with the females tonight.  I can’t say I can pinpoint the American Idol from those performances.  Also, as usual, you can download all the songs sung tonight on I-Tunes.  My question is would you want to?  Was there a song tonight that you just can’t live without?  I think I can live without hearing any of those songs again.  Tomorrow night, the males.  Let’s see if they can get me out of my doldrums.  Stay tuned, g’nite…Bloggergal1