Jeneve Rose Mitchell advanced to the Top 24 on American Idol. (FOX Photo)
Some singers we know will make it. I mean, how could Idol deny La’Porsha Renae or Emily Brooke. Or MacKenzie Bourg after that amazing original.
Lots of others — from Shelbie Z. to Trent Harmon — well, I’m not so certain.
And it’s already time to start handing down judgments.
1. Stephany Negrete: We see her performance of “Girl on Fire” and she shows great stage presence and impressive vocals. And she advances.
2. Shelbie Z. — The former contestant from The Voice shows tons of attitude on stage singing Heart’s “Barricuda.” Not so sure she would make it since the show seems so taken with young country singers Jeneve Rose Mitchell and Emily. But Idol puts Shelbie in the Top 24. Hmm, will Idol use three of the Top 24 spots for female country singers?
Eliminated: Michelle Marie — She was the very first contestant we meant in Season 15 — the huge fan of the show who was able to recite the name of every winner. Not sure she’s ready based on her performance of “Little Toy Gun,” but Idol loves young contestants. And Michelle doesn’t move forward.
Eliminated: Colette Lush — Harry says her audition was one of this season’s best, but she seemed defeated during her final Hollywood performance. Her showcase performance is solid, not great.
Also eliminated Jessica Cabral, Jessica Clark, Terrion and Ameet Kanon. Really sorry to see Jessica not make it. She has such an impressive soulful style.
3. MacKenzie Bourg: The former contestants on The Voice followed that original with a nice performance of “Can’t Help Falling in Love with You.” He’s gotta advance. And he does.
4. Trent Harmon: He should advance. Considering he had mono, he did an outstanding job in Hollywood. He was pretty solid again with his showcase performance of “Tiny Dancer.” He moves forward.
5-8: Also advancing, Jenna Renae, Adam Lasher, James VIII and Kory Wheeler. Adam pretty much disappeared during Hollywood Week, but apparently did enough to advance.
9. Jeneve Rose Mitchell: Here comes the gal from off the grid. She certainly put her own spin on “Ring of Fire” in the showcase. Just wish she’d tone down her costumes. Yep, she moves forward.
10. C.J. Johnson: If you like high energy performances, C.J. might be your guy. He takes the stage by storm and just turned in an impressive showcase performance. Very good. He advances.
11. Amelia Eisenhauer: She’s one of the most impressive of the youngsters. She performed “New York State of Mind” for her showcase, adding a touch of violin along the way and showing absolutely no fear of the stage. She advances, too.
12. Lee Jean: Vocally, he’s been the most impressive of the younger males. Let’s put it this way, he seems much more ready for the Idol stage than Daniel Seavey did last year. He moves forward.
13. Avalon Young: She’s the tomboy who lets her music do the speaking and she’s going to get a chance to keep doing that as a part of the Top 24.
14. Dalton Rapattoni: He’s next to learn his fate and says he doesn’t think what’s happening in terms of eliminations makes lots of sense. What doesn’t make sense is what a former member of a Simon Fuller-created boy band is doing competing on American Idol. But he’s in the Top 24.
15. Manny Torres: Sounds like Manny had a tough time in the final round in Hollywood, but redeemed himself during the showcase. Manny advances.
16. Thomas Stringfellow: Not sure I’m as sold on Thomas and the squeak in his voice as the Idol judges are. He did a pretty nice job with “Story of My Life” though. He moves forward.
17. Sonika Vaid: I’d really like to see this young lady advance. I think she has one of the best voices among this year’s gals, not to mention plenty of star power. She advances.
18. Olivia Rox: She’s another of the talented teens, and also went with an original song in the final round in Hollywood. Just wish there hadn’t been so much chatter over it during last night’s episode. Olivia advances.
19. Emily Brooke: The judges seem quite taken with Emily this year, so I’ll be surprised if she doesn’t advance. She sang “So Small” for her showcase performance. She advances.
20. Gianna Isabella: Another teen advances. Gianna sang her mom’s hit song from the 1980s — “I Still Believe” — in the showcase. It wasn’t one of my favorites, but the judges seem quite taken with Gianna’s big vocals.
21. Jenn Blosil: Jenn is the quirky contestant from Season 15, sorta this year’s Joey Cook. And she moves forward.
22. Tristan McIntosh: Another of the youngsters Idol seems to favor. She turned in a very strong showcase performance, so I’ll be shocked if she doesn’t move forward. She advances. That makes eight contestants, if I’m counting right, in the 15-16 age range.
We’re down to the final two spots, and Idol is pulling the old trick where they send in two contestants at a time to learn their fate.’
23. First, for the guys, we have Jordan Sasser, who turned in a fine performance of “Til the Love Runs Out.” He’s up against Kayce Haynes. I enjoyed Jordan’s showcase more. And Jordan advances.
24. For the gals, the final spot comes down to Lindita versus La’Porsha Renea. L’Porsha needs to get the spot. Both display big voices during the showcase, the Lindita performing “Bang Bang” and La’Porsha singing “House of the Rising Sun.” La’Porsha advances.
Leave a reply