American Idol Season 10 - The Top 12 Girls Perform

Well, I'm much less concerned with the women, because I only really like one of them, Lauren Alaina. A couple others are okay, but I'm not too keen on anyone in particular (insert possible yet).

Ta-Tynisa Wilson should not have made it through. Her performance was okay, but breathy and nothing special. Actually, it was alternately breathy and shouty, and her second to last "girl in the world" was seriously off key. i agreed with Jennifer's comment: "It's good that it's over now."

Naima Adedapo dresses like a crazy home sewer set loose in an Indian and flamenco dancer store. And I wrote that before she said she designed her dress herself. But hey, Stevie Nicks. Who are we to judge. Naima's arrangement is a little weird, a bit lighthearted for the song in an old-fashioned way. This is a weird year at AI. The actual vocals were pretty good. With a makeunder and the right direction, she could go far. Hair cut off, less oddity drama, no sewn-from-table-linens outfits, could all work big time.

Kendra Chantelle was okay, nothing special. She's good, but empty. Her stage presence detracts from her even more: the sway, touch chest, reach out, bobble head, and repeat is very R&Boring. I didn't think she'd even be chosen, and she may be only just realizing what she can do, which could be too late to really have a handle on herself.

What's weird is that the girls are sounding so much better (in terms of audio handling), it seems like the producers are trying to make it a girls' year even though in the auditions there were so many more strong guys.

Rachel Zevita needed to work on that arrangement more to be comfortable with her show/presence. It was like a weird cocktail burlesque version of "Criminal." Strikingly odd. Almost jaw-droppingly weird. And it's too bad, because I really liked her, and liked her weirdness. But not this.

Karen Rodriguez brings the super-safe song choice, plus exploitation of her Latina-ness. In spite of the Spanish (or maybe in addition, sub French), with the dress and hair, it was all very pageanty Celine Dion. She has a pretty high register, but she's boring. Miss America Newscaster.

Lauren Turner looks surprisingly at ease in the cocktail dress, in spite of seeming a little like a butch feminist. I can see Jennifer Lopez makes assessments mostly on the superficial: the only similarities this girl has to Bette Midler are her figure, nose, and curls. She has an amazing voice and sang very well, but I've never heard that song, and I don't think she's physically appealing enough to anyone to make it. Randy did her a huge favor in that department with his critique, bringing in the Amy Winehouse comparison. And her banter showed a fun, likable side of her. I hope it's enough to win her a place her voice deserves. But remember we saw zip of her in auditions. Never a good sign.

Ashton Jones is pretty and an able singer, but she's a contestant type we've seen a million times before, and several times much better. Tonight her expressions were a little scary intense, and she veered off pitch here, there, lots of wheres. Another okay performance.
Jennifer Lopez's take is annoying. All the makings of a diva---hair, body, composure! Yes, that's all a diva needs, Jennifer. Forget the talent.

Julie Zorrilla seemed to be suffering from some of the boys' sound problems. I think "Break Away" was a poor song choice because so much of it is monotone and/or has little melody movement. It has a few breakaway (no pun, but not going to waste my time rephrasing) bits, but it's more the bad choice you make at karaoke and then realize you didn't really get to sing. So it didn't showcase her voice at all. She's very pretty, but she didn't come out impressively. It reminded me of hearing the song in the grocery store, and she reminded me of the pretty dark-haired Barbie (Whitney).

Haley Reinhart is hit or miss for me. She has amazing ability, but then she goes all gross and crazy a lot, and tries to hard. the gravelly is not good on her. She should cut that out entirely. Along with that is the weird thing she does on, for example, her line "and at times I feel used." You--ooo--oooe is not "used." She also often sings in a baby voice. All together, it's creepy. How old is she, anyway? It feels like watching a little girl being exploited. Apart from the creep factor, she was decently good, sweet, and gave an individual performance. There was a little too much baby, but at least less of the growly I hate.

Thia Megia has a terrific voice, but she's always sounded very high school musical to me. Real high school musical, not the movie. Not tonight. She sounded very radio-friendly, extremely mature. One or two notes off key, but otherwise brilliant and timeless in several ways. Also a gorgeous dress. She also stands as a model of the ballad that is not from the talent portion of the pageant. The judges got it completely, except for Randy, who in this case is off his rocker comparing her to Michael Jackson. I was trying to figure out who she reminded me of, and I landed more near Linda Ronstadt.

Lauren Alaina has the voice and attitude of someone already recording. She seemed like the performer who comes on after the competition. I agree with Steven Tyler that she's clearly the best.

Whoops! there's someone else? Is it even necessary? Too bad for Pia having to follow that. Especially as a pretty but wavery.

Pia Toscano chose one of my favorite songs ("I'll Stand By You") and did enough interesting things with it to show she either loves it, knows what she's doing, or both. So she's landed higher than ever before with me tonight. This is the best she's done. But I think her standing O and general reaction had a lot to do with amazement that she could hold up against Thia and Lauren.


Tonight's ranking:

1) Lauren Alaina
2) Thia Megia
3) Pia Toscano
4) Lauren Turner
5) Naima Adedapo
6) Haley Reinhart
7) Rachel Zevita
8) Kendra Chantelle
9) Karen Rodriguez
10) Ashthon Jones
11) Julie Zorrilla
12) Ta-Tynisa Wilson

Who I'd want to stay, based on everything: Lauren Alaina, Thia, Pia, Lauren Turner, Rachel, Naima.

Who I'd bet on: Lauren Alaina, Thia, Pia, Ashthon.

Who should go first: Ta-Tynisa.