American Idol Season 11: The Top 12 Girls Perform

American Idol Season 11: The Top 12 Girls Perform

1) Chelsea Sorrell ("Cowboy Cassanova" - Carrie Underwood)

When will people learn to stay the hell away from big voices - especially when it's someone from American Idol? I just don't get it. I felt it was really so-so and I think Jennifer was right to call her performance "nasally" and she was also right about it sucking to go first. Again, we have Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler actually giving some constructive feedback, but nerves definitely got the best of Chelsea and given that she went first I see no path to survival for her and that's too bad because we haven't really gotten a chance to get a better feel for her.

2) Erika Van Pelt ("What About Love?" - Heart)

Even in their more pop era of music, Heart produced some quality music. (Full disclosure: I grew up in the late 70s and 80s so I'm more than just a little bit biased.) Again though, Ann Wilson has one of the greatest voices ever. That's right. EVER. It is so powerful and dynamic and to tackle her is almost guaranteed suicide. Steven Tyler loved her confidence, as did I, but you do have a HUGE basis of comparison working against you. Ignore Jennifer's "going even further" crap because she's retarded when she talks like that. I did love Randy's singing DJ shtick. I was probably the only person who did but there you have it. 

3) Jen Hirsch ("One and Only" - Adele)

And once again, someone "goes there" and once again it's Adele. Ugh. Jen did a really good job but because it was Adele and because it was not necessarily a great performance, I'm not quite sure where Jen stands tomorrow night. She still absolutely deserves a spot in the Top 13 however and I'd stil be surprised if she didn't make it.  I would hate to see her go because Jen certainly has one of the best voices on the show for sure. The judges heaped praise on her. If she goes home then it's clear that the public (and possibly the) judges got into her family's wine vineyard.

Okay, quick break here - all of a sudden the judges are asked about the boys being taken easy on? How unfair is this to the girls?

4) Brielle Von Hugel

Brielle's been one of my favorites since last year but I probably enjoyed the performance a tad bit more than her singing. I felt there were a few rough patches but overall I really loved her energy, her performance value and energy, and I think she provided a generous amount of power in her voice. I actually think her voice is up there with the power voices for the most part. I think she was very sweet and fun on the stage and I got a kick out of her plugging her own voting number like Ryan Seacrest. Unfortunately, my guess is that the damage is done and that the editing job of Hollywood Week and specifically in regards to her mother did not help her. I was not, however, a fan of Brielle talking about Brielle in the third person and that almost certainly will seal her fate. I seriously, seriously, seriously hope I'm wrong though. I love this kid and I love her voice.

5) Hallie Day  ("Feeling Good" - Various)

My heart sank during this performance because she had a few very strong spots but overall it was just a very generic version with even some sleepy components to it as well. I think Hallie's on the bubble but I also believe that she will probably get the chance to at least sing for her life at the very least. Randy asked Hallie where she sees herself musically and Hallie said soul and R&B. I'm concerned for Hallie because she's definitely one of my favorites and I'm hoping she gets the chance to at least sing for the opportunity to stick around.

6) Skylar Laine ("Stay With Me" - Faces)

Skylar just went freaking nuts and kicked ass like few others did in the first live rounds this season. Just the fact that an 18 year-old girl in 2012 would love Faces to begin with is freaking awesome. The crowd loved it and I'm betting America did too. I do think there was definitely a Tina Turner-meets-Kelly Clarkson-meets Tina Turner vibe as the judges and Ryan all threw out in various forms to describe her performance. There is no way she's not Top 5 girls Thursday Night.

7) Baylie Bown ("Amazed" - Lone Star)

Baylie's nerves were on display in full force and she never really got going. She knew it too. She was all too jittery about it and she nervously fumbled her thoughts on being nervous as much as her performance and it's really too bad, really. She's really the complete package and she very well could become their next country star (she's even got a great country star name!) but I can't imagine her surviving the cut this round. Even Steven was not sold on the performance and her ptich and control of both the song and voice just seemed lacking. She did however handle herself with tremendous grace and dignity and even managed to smile to the camera.

8) Hollie Cavanagh ("Reflection" - Christina Aguilera)

Hollie was undoubtedly the best of the evening up to this point. While it was not a perfect performance, it was still an incredibly strong one and one of my favorite Idols since last season absolutely nailed it. Hollie also looked incredibly mature and eloquent in her gown. Steven wanted her to literally let her hair down but I preferred it up. Jennifer said she has the chance to win it all and while I'm not sure she can break through that WGWG realm, I would absolutely love to see her try to do it. Won't hide my love for this kid and I'm incredibly proud of her for the way she's improved and mature both personally and vocally since her initial audition last year.

9) Haley Johnsen ("Sweet Dreams" - Eurythmics)

This performance was anything but good and it's too bad because Haley Johnsen had the ability to be this year's Haley Reinhart but that will almost certainly not happen now. Randy was absolutely right and even the sexy outfit Haley sported will probably not generate enough votes to stick around. Randy advised her to pick better songs if she survives (she won't) and it's too bad that won't get to hang around because she was probably one of the more overlooked dark horses of the season. 

10) Shannon Magrane ("Light Up Your World" - 

There were parts I didn't care for but when Shannon hit her sweet spot she sounded incredible. She also sang with incredibly strategic intent. Singing a Christian song was absolutely genius on her part. The Tampa, Florida native got better as the song progressed (I felt that way about Hollie's performance too) and while there were still some parts that were a little off. Unfortunately, this song gave Jennifer "goosies" which made me want to reach for the shotgun I really should own by now.

11) Jessica Sanchez ("Love You I Do"

What does it say about this 16 year-old "powerhouse" when she has an uncooperative voice and she can still come out and just set the standard for the entire live rounds for the season? This girl is probably the closest thing to a star that the show will produce this season. Loved Steven's comment,"They're going to have to pay you the next time you sing the national anthem for the Chargers." LOVED it. The way she sang tonight also proved that she's not there to win the competition, whether she ultimtaely does or not, but rather to launch a superstar career. She's 16 going on diva. Clearly the best. Clearly. Round One of the live rounds goes to Jessica Sanchez. Hands down.

12) Elise Testone ("One and Only" - Adele)

Jennifer called Elise quite possibly the best voice in the competition. It's close. She's right up there but I wouldn't go quite that far. (Jessica Sanchez owns that distinction.) Still, Elise touched the untouchable Adele and did an outstanding job with it. I still think Jessica won the entire week so to speak but Elise was right up there too and I think people are going to really latch onto Elise, especially if she continues with these kinds of power performances. One of my favorites of the week by far.

Randy - Elise, Jessica, Shannon, Jen, Erika, and Skylar.

Jennifer - Jessica, Hollie, Skylar, and Jen.

Steven - Elise, Jessica, Hollie, Erika, and Hallie.

Randy - Phillip, Joshua, DeAndre, Colton, and Heejun.

Jennifer - DeAndre, Joshua, and Phillip.

Steven - Joshua, DeAndre, Adam, and Phillip.

My predictions? Skylar, Hollie, Shannon, Jessica, and Elise are all locks. Wild cards? Hmm...I will say Erika Van Pelt and/or Jen Hirsch with Hallie Day looking in from the outside. I'm not quite sure there will be quite the suspense as with the boys. I would love to see Brielle stick around and it's pretty clear that Chelsea, Haley, and Baylie are definitely gone. Stay tuned.

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