PREVIOUSLY: DEANDRE had been a tough nut to crack at the show’s beginning. Was he a talent to be reckoned with or a one-trick pony not long for this world? Turned out to be B.
SKYLAR will try to fend off the Curse of First with Kellie Pickler’s “Didn’t You Know How Much I Loved You.” I predict success. This little girl is just pure dynamite, and so likable as well. I officially do not know how far she can go. There is no limit. We’re seeing something very special here.
I can’t say enough about my admiration for COLTON, whose devoutness and gratitude seem genuine before he even opens his mouth to sing. Add a great take on “Love the Way You Lie,” The Skylar Grey song made famous by Rihanna with Eminem. It was wonderful, and this kid is so versatile. Another case of no limits.
What? More duets? Oh, well, gotta fill two hours somehow with a dwindling list of finalists. PHILLIP and ELISE roll out with some Belgian guy named Gotye and “Somebody that I used to know.” Whatever. Sure, it was good, but the duets are beating me down.
The challenge JESSICA faces with me is boredom. Yes, the girl has a great voice, but Idol is about the whole presentation- poise, stagecraft and the art of being interesting. The challenge goes deeper with an unknown artist and an unknown song. Jazmine Sullivan’s “Stuttering.” But guess what? Out of the park. It’s like she is growing up before our eyes. The song is great, her performance was great, and mature beyond her years. Simply superb.
Oh, well, time for the effeminate foppery of JOSHUA, who is just wearing me out as the weeks pass. You could say my expectations are low as he takes on Bruno Mars’ “Runaway Baby.” But dang, there is something about this week. Add some brass and an up-tempo song, and it brings out the best in him. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Go figure. But then we get one of those moments that just make me crazy, as Joshua’s Dad comes onstage to share some love. Stop this! This whole thing is about getting votes, and anything that creates surplus likability that others do not get to benefit from is just unfair. So no parents, no kids, no siblings. Stop it.
Duet break. COLTON and SKYLAR knock out “Don’t You Wanna Stay,” and it is just plain great. More evidence of Skylar’s power and Colton’s versatility.
HOLLIE tries to avoid a return trip to the Bottom 3 by trotting out Pink’s “Perfect.” It wasn’t. It wasn’t bad, but against this week’s backdrop of great performances, it paled. Hollie is a lovely child with a sweet and powerful voice, but she might be headed back to Texas.
PHILLIP and Maroon 5 is a nice fit, and “Give A Little More” fit like a glove. But it may be time for him to move beyond bouncy acoustic numbers and spread his wings a little.
Duet break #3 is actually a trio, and for all the talent onstage, it was pretty terrible. JOSHUA, JESSICA and HOLLIE struggle through Kelly Clarkson’s “Stronger.” Sadly, Hollie gets the worst of it. Yikes.
ELISE caps the night with what should have been a triumph for her, Lady Gaga’s “You and I.” It was good, not great. Risky, since America has been sour on her before.
BOTTOM 3 is hard beyond HOLLIE. Let’s go with ELISE and SKYLAR just from the Curse of First.
And who goes home? HOLLIE.
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