Idol Chatter & Voice Views

If the spoiler list published over at Rickey.org is accurate, Naima Adedapo is going to get a great chance to make a last impression on American Idol tonight.

Naima, one of the contestants on the proverbial bubble in my mind, will sing last and perform Rihanna’s “Umbrella,” according to Rickey.org.

That’s great news for the 26-year-old Milwaukee “custodian,” who needed a wild card berth to get into the finals.

But perhaps not such great news for the likes of Haley Reinhart and Ashthon Jones.

Haley finds herself singing between powerhouses James Durbin and Jacob Lusk and singing “Blue” by LeAnn Rimes, one of the weaker song choices on the spoiler list.

Perhaps even more vulnerable is Ashthon, who will be singing in the three hole, behind Lauren Alaina and Casey James and in front of Paul McDonald and Pia Toscano.

Ashthon is going to need to be spot on singing “When You Tell Me that You Love Me” to stand out amid that crowd.

Speaking of Paul, he might need to borrow Steven Tyler’s cuss stick for his performance.

And I’m a little surprised by James Durbin’s first-round song choice, Paul McCartney’s “Maybe I’m Amazed.” With a broad theme — Your Personal Idol — I thought he’d choose a rock song for sure. Maybe even something by Aerosmith.

Among my favorite song choices: Scotty McCreery singing Garth Brooks’ “The River.” Among the performances I’m least looking forward to: Karen Rodriguez singing yet another ballad, “If I Could Fall in Love.”

Speaking of ballads, there are an awful lot on this list, yet another reason the ever-bold-looking Naima could stand out when she takes the stage and performs Rihanna’s “Umbrella.”

Besides, she must have the potential to nail it. No way Idol is going to give the final spot of the night on the first finals show of the season to someone who’s likely to turn in a dud performance.

The song list

Lauren Alaina: “Any Man of Mine” (Shania Twain)
Casey Abrams:  “With a Little Help from My Friends” (The Beatles)
Ashthon Jones: “When You Tell Me that You Love Me” (Diana Ross)
Paul McDonald: “Come Pick Me Up” (Ryan Adams)
Pia Toscano:   “All By Myself” (Eric Carmen)
James Durbin:  “Maybe I’m Amazed” (Paul McCartney)
Haley Reinhart:”Blue” (LeAnn Rimes)
Jacob Lusk:    “I Believe I Can Fly (R. Kelly)
Thia Megia:    “Smile” (Charlie Chaplin)
Stefano Langone: “Lately” (Stevie Wonder)
Karen Rodriguez: “I Could Fall in Love” (Selena)
Scotty McCreery: “The River” (Garth Brooks)
Naima Adedapo:   “Umbrella” (Rihanna)