by Todd Betzold

 

The Top 13 have been named on American Idol and it is time for them to perform for America's vote to see who will be our next American Idol.

 

In a twist and for the first time in the finals, it is guys versus girls...guys singing Stevie Wonder songs and the girls paying tribute (and I knew this was coming) to Whitney Houston. Tomorrow, the bottom guy and the bottom girl will be announced and of those two, the judges will decide which one will go home. Mary J. Blige helped guide the singers this week.

 

Joshua Ledet - "I Wish" by Stevie Wonder
This was a fun one...he brought us to church with his soul, but he got us wanting to get up out of our pews and join him on stage to do some dancing...very good performance, and I have not been a fan of his before this. Randy said it was flavorless, flawless. Jennifer said that she loved that she felt his performance.

 

Elise Testone - "I'm Your Baby Tonight" by Whitney Houston
She came in wanting to sing "Greatest Love Of All," but Jimmy and Mary convinced her to change it to "I'm You Baby Tonight." It was not a great performance...she ended on a good night, but it was just kind of blah to me. Jennifer said it's undeniable that she has an amazing voice, but I don't think this was your best.

 

Jermaine Jones - "Knock Me Off My Feet" by Stevie Wonder
The judges gave him a second chance and now here he is in the Top 13...the baritone lives on. I didn't enjoy him during the auditions, but this was a great performance...such a good song. Steven said the song fit him perfectly and can't wait to see what he has in store for us. Randy said he didn't like the chorus, but he liked the verses.

 

Erika Van Pelt - "I Believe In You And Me" by Whitney Houston
This was amazing to me...she has a powerful voice and she made it look effortless up there on that stage and she looked beautiful. Randy said she has an amazing voice and an unbelievable tone...you can sing anything, let yourself go. Jennifer had "goosies" from her singing.

 

Colton Dixon - "Lately" by Stevie Wonder
This started out real slow for me and I got worried, but towards the end he finally kicked it in and you could feel he was feeling the song for the first time...a great finish for him after the rough start. Steven said they say you are as good as your last performance and your last note and that was beautiful.

 

Shannon Magrane - "I Have Nothing" by Whitney Houston
This was a very good performance...Whitney is tough to sing and I think she held her own very well. The judges didn't agree with me though. Jennifer said she just needs to relax, tell the story and make us all feel it. Steven said he thinks the nerves got the best of her. Randy said it wasn't great tonight.

 

DeAndre Brackensick - "Master Blaster" by Stevie Wonder
He kept his hair up and he lost his appeal to me. He was having fun on the stage, but I just didn't enjoy this performance. The judges liked it...Jennifer thought he bought it from the beginning. Randy said he was in perfect rhythm and he didn't want it to end.

 

Skylar Laine - "Where Do Broken Hearts Go" by Whitney Houston
She brought country to Whitney and I loved it...she gave me "goosies." This was amazing and she hit some huge notes...so good. Steven said was a thing of beauty...that was fantastic. Randy said she is a country singer, but she can sing any song.

 

Heejun Han - "All In Love Is Fair" by Stevie Wonder
Heejun came to play tonight...this was a solid performance by him and I just love his personality...so funny. Jennifer said I loved you from the first time you sang for me and I love you now. Steven said I love you voice...something about it that's real special. Randy said it wasn't perfect, but it was reallly good.

 

Hollie Cavanagh - "All The Man That I Need" by Whitney Houston
I think when you have such a powerful voice, like Hollie, you expect more from her...this was a huge song and she did it well. Jennifer said that was a beautiful...that's the Hollie I knew from last year and this year...you're the one. Steven said that was really nice.

 

Jeremy Rosado - "Ribbon In The Sky" by Stevie Wonder
Jeremy is a super nice guy and you want him to do well...I think he did very well on this song...should be enough to keep him in for another week. Randy said it's the kind of song you have to put a lot of swag into and in order to make it believable, so I didn't really believe it tonight.

 

Jessica Sanchez - "I Will Always Love You"
First off: she looked beautiful. Secondly: can we just give her the crown already? Thirdly: with Hollie and Jessica, I think we will have a girl champion this year...finally. Jessica took on Whitney's biggest song and owned it...loved it! A standing ovation by all three judges...Randy said not only the best vocal of the night, but maybe the best singer in this whole competition. Steven said that she may be the one...you just made 40 million people cry.

 

Phillip Phillips - "Superstition" by Stevie Wonder
He plays his guitar and he is so unique...brings a different tone and vocal to the show and I think he will go far this season. He had a blast on stage and it makes you want to have fun with him...very good. Jennifer said he made it his own and he killed it. Randy said he loves every time waiting to see how he is going to interpret the song...he loved it.

 

The first singer is eliminated tomorrow night on American Idol at 8/7c on FOX.

 

(Image courtesy of FOX)

 

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