The ladies of American Idol season 10 took the big stage tonight. It turned out to be mediocre, and set the stage for the guys to rule the season. Even though it will likely be an even split going into the top 12 or 13 of AI, I think the guys will outlast the girls. That is, if tonight is anything on which to base a decision.Ta-Tynisa Wilson: “Only Girl (In the World)” by Rihanna
Nerves got the best of Ta-Tynisa, or at least it seemed that way. She started off moving around the stage, but that was all she seemed to be be doing. Not really engaging the audience. Wilson just seemed very nervous.
Judges:
Steven Tyler seemed satisfied with Ta-Tynisa's performance telling her it was a great way to open the show. Randy Jackson and Jlo were at least more honest in recognizing her nerves and told her there were some pitch problems.
Naima Adedapo: “Summertime" from "Porgy and Bess"
Taking a big risk, Naima Adedapo went with former AI winner Fantasia Boreno's signature song. She definitely made it her own. It wasn't bad. It wasn't great. I think Naima's style will stand out more than her singing tonight.
Judges:
Steven Tyler liked Naima's “old-timey feel,” and said she could make it new again. Jlo called her an exotic flower (which happens to be what her name means). Randy liked the ending when she hit the big note.
Kendra Chantelle: “Impossible” by Christina Aguilaera
Kendra sounded good tonight. She still has too much of a Jessica Simpson sound for me though. I'll probably never be a big fan. Chantelle does have a big enough voice to go far on season 10 of American Idol though.
Judges:
All three judges enjoyed Kendra's performance and said she was “hot” (well okay, Steven Tyler said that). Jlo told her she has heart.
Rachel Zevita: “Criminal” by Fiona Apple
I didn't even recognize the song, not that that's a bad thing. Rachel Zevita had arranged it like a piece straight from Broadway... sadly it would not have made it there. Her singing was just a little off throughout the song. Enough to bug me.
Judges:
Steven Tyler said it was a little too Broadway for him. Jlo said it wasn't Rachel's style, and Randy said it wasn't great.
Karen Rodriguez: “Hero” by Mariah Carey
Karen chose to change up the song by singing part in Spanish. It definitely made it her own, and she sounded far more confident when she sang it that way. Maybe it was the gown she wore, but it really reminded me of a pageant contestant. Karen Rodriguez has a great voice, but I don't think this was a great performance.
Judges:
All three judges loved it, and Steven Tyler suggested Karen Rodriguez and Jacob Lusk team up on a duet of the song (with the Spanish included).
Lauren Turner: “Seven Day Fool” by Etta James
This was probably the weirdest song choice of the night. With a deep smoldering voice like Lauren Turner, she chose a song that did little if anything to make her stand out. It seemed like more karaoke to me. She did turn it loose a little at the end, but she did not connect with the camera well.
Judges:
Steven Tyler thought Lauren Turner was “spectacular” and a “full complete sentence.” Jlo advised Lauren to stop holding back, and Randy told us “that's how you do it, man!”
Ashton Jones: “Love Over Me” by Monica
I like Ashton Jones and she seems quite comfortable working the big “Idol” stage, but I did not like this song for her. I'm not even sure what I didn't like about it because I actually can't remember it at all. It was okay... I expected more from Ashton.
Judges:
Steven Tyler, calling her “Jonesie” said, “you've got the confidence of a queen...” Jlo told her she has all the makings of a diva, and Randy said he likes her but not the song choice.
Julie Zorrilla: “Break Away” by Kelly Clarkson
If you are gonna do a Kelly Clarkson song on American Idol you better bring it... Julie only brought about half of it. At times the band seemed to drowned her out. I had such high hopes for Julie Zorrilla, I still hope she can squeak through to the next round of “AI”.
Judges:
Steven Tyler thought it was the wrong song for Julie. Jlo agreed it was not the best they have seen from Julie. Randy Jackson complained that she did not bring anything new to the song.
Haley Reinhart: “Fallin'” by Alicia Keyes
Again, I want to like Haley Reinhart, and she has a good voice... but if you're gonna do an Alicia Keyes song you have to make it your own. There is no way to compare Haley to Alicia Keyes and that's all you can do when it's a sound alike contest. Haley did okay singing the song, but so do a lot of ladies around the U.S. in karaoke bars every night.
Judges:
Randy Jackson thought it sounded karaoke, but Jlo and Steven Tyler heard differently. Tyler said he heard “just the right amount of style and sexy” in her performance.
Thia Megia: “Out Here on My Own” from "Fame"
I didn't like the song choice at first, but it was uncanny that I did immediately think of Michael Jackson. Thia Megia has a pure quality in her voice that is both mature and child-like at the same time, like Jackson. I still think it was a boring song, but she stood out in a night full of big songs gone wrong.
Judges:
Steven Tyler said Thia has such perfect pitch it doesn't matter what she sings. Jlo said she captivated the entire room. Randy commented that her tone was like that of the “late, great Michael Jackson”, and that's actually where I connected the dots. The Dawg was on it tonight again.
Lauren Alaina: “Turn on the Radio” by Reba McEntire
Lauren has a big voice and can pull off a Reba tune. She did so tonight, though she seemed a bit lost on stage at times. She dressed the part of a young pop star, and while it was not my favorite performance by Lauren Alaina, it should be enough to get her through.
Judges:
Steven Tyler is a complete fan, saying, “...you kill me, I love you.” Jlo commented that singing is so natural for her Lauren doesn't even have to try. Randy said, “there is so much more in there.”
Pia Toscano: “I'll Stand By You” by The Pretenders
It's nice to hear a mature female voice... and have it come from a mature person on American Idol. Pia surprised me the most tonight, and she's been kept well hidden. I knew she was good. I didn't know how good. It was not my favorite song, but it was so well sung I can't argue with it.
Judges:
Giving the first standing ovation of American Idol season 10, the crowd was going nuts. Steven Tyler told Pia, “That was gorgeous!” Jlo said she knew Pia was a standout but, “you were holding that back!” Randy Jackson said Pia Toscano had put herself into the top all time “Idol” performances.
The picks for the top five ladies of AI season 10 are a lot of coin flips for me. The obvious choice based on talent is going to start with Pia Toscano. My closest guess would be: Lauren Alaina, Karen Rodriguez, Thia Megia (*fingers crossed) and Naima Adedapo. The fans seem pretty spread out for the ladies of “AI” season 10 though, so it's anyone's guess. We'll all find out live tomorrow night on FOX. See you on Twitter to chat during the elimination show!
Leave me your list of top five girls from American Idol tonight!
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