Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Rae Boyd listens to the feedback following her performance of MacArthur Park on American Idol Monday night (ABC Photo)

American Idol said farewell to two supremely talented singers Monday night.

And both Philmon Lee and Ray Boyd took to social media to address their Idol eliminations.

Rae’s elimination was both shocking and not shocking at all.

It was shocking in that she was one of the show’s best vocalists and had turned in one solid performance after another once the voting shows began.

But she’d landed in the bottom two the previous week. So with a double elimination set for Monday, she figured to be one of the singers most in danger.

In a touching social media post, the 24-year-old from Frederick, Md., encouraged Idol fans to support the remaining contestants and praised the entire Idol crew for treating her with “the upmost respect, kindness, and love.”

She also addressed her Monday night song choice — Donna Summer’s “MacArthur Park” — a song choice that sparked a discussion among the Idol judges about the meaning of the song.

Rae clearly wanted fans to know what it meant to her.

“I spoke very briefly on the show, but I dealt with a lot of personal struggle during the final weeks,” she writes. “I’ve dealt with anxiety all my life, and feeling like I don’t fit in or have no purpose. This is in part why I chose the song MacArthur Park.

“I knew my idol journey was soon to end, so it was time to bare my soul on the stage without any expectation of advancing or not. More as a message that life is full of chapters, and sometimes your anxiety is just your intuition telling you that the next chapter is ahead.

“MacArthur Park also symbolizes to me what it feels like to be a woman in this climate. Tragic, unknowing, beautiful, fun, exciting, and powerful. I would want to be a woman in every lifetime, and I live to empower us. …

“I ended my journey proud, and ready for the next chapter … Big things coming.”

See also
Song by song grades for the Top 11 on American Idol

Meanwhile, Philmon, always impressive vocally, seemed to come into his own as a performer during the live shows. At least until Monday night, when he sang “Hot Blooded” by Foreigner and the judges were clearly hoping for more rock and roll attitude on Idol’s Rock and Roll Night.

“Making it to the Top 11 on American Idol still doesn’t feel real,” the 25-year-old from LeGrange, Ga. said. “This journey pushed me in ways I never imagined, and I’m so grateful for every moment, every performance, and every lesson along the way. The lifelong friendships I have made is truly an understatement …”

“Even though my time on the show has come to an end, this is just the beginning for me. I’m leaving with a full heart, a stronger voice, and a deeper passion for music. Thank you, American Idol, for changing my life forever.”

Philmon already has original music out. You can learn more about that here. Rae does not. Hopefully, that will change in the not-so-distant future. Meanwhile, you can stream their songs from Idol.

Philmon Lee performs on American Idol Monday night. (ABC Photo)