American Idol Season 11 Recap: The Top 3 Perform
May 16 2012 10:13 pm ET
The fight is on for the finale as our top 3 travel home to a hero’s welcome. Tonight Jessica, Joshua and Phillip will take on 3 songs (yes in two hours, how ever will they find the time). Round one will be the judges’ choice, round two will be the contestant’s choice, while round 3 will be Jimmy Iovine’s choice. So who’s heading to the finale, and who’s just heading home again? Let’s find out.
Kicking off the judges round will be Joshua with Randy’s choice of “I’d Rather go Blind” by Etta James. He sounded great, a nice choice from Mr. Jackson. Standing O from the judges. Steven said Joshua sang like an American Idol. Jennifer said he brought down the house. Randy said the song fit him like a glove, going on to call the performance amazing.
Next up we have Jessica with Jennifer’s choice of Mariah Carey’s “My All.” The song seemed low for her and the phrasing had her breathing off at times. That being said this is Jessica and the girl isn’t capable of a bad performance. Randy called it absolutely beautiful, going on to say it’s the best Mariah’s ever been done on TV. Jennifer said she showed her tenderness and control. Steven said when she sings people hang on to her every note. He went on to say he thinks she will be the last person standing this season (I hope).
Closing the first round is Phillip with Steven’s choice of Madcon’s “Beggin.” I’m not familiar with the song, but regardless it was just an okay performance for me. Same old same old from Phillip in my opinion. However, the judges and the audience seem very excited by it. Judging by the audience’s reaction, I’d say there’s no way Phillip isn’t making it to the finale (boo). Jennifer called it great. Steven said he could be a new Springsteen. Randy said “we were just at the Phil Phillip’s concert.”
Back again to kick off the contestant’s choice round, we have Joshua. During this round we’ll see some footage of hometown visits. Josh headed home to Westlake, Louisiana, where he visited his church, his high school and sold out the town’s arena (which Josh believes has never been sold out before). For this round Joshua will be singing “Imagine” by John Lennon. It seemed an odd choice, but he sounded really good, and you could tell he really felt the song. Steven called it beautiful. Jennifer said it was a pulled back and controlled choice for him calling it beautiful. Randy said he digs deep into the lyric going on to call it brilliant.
Next up is Jessica who headed home to Chula Vista, California. She visited the stadium she originally auditioned at and a local high school (though she never attended the school as Jessica was home schooled). She performed for the local military. She had a touching reunion with her family and friends along with the family dog. Jessica will sing “I don’t Want to Miss a Thing” by none other than Aerosmith. Another odd choice, and though she sounded good the song didn’t showcase her powerhouse vocal ability (with the exception of the last note), which at this point is beyond important. Standing O from Steven though. Steven said she “took a great song and made it greater.” Jennifer called it amazing. Randy called her bold to sing the song in front of Steven.
Closing round two we have Phillip, who headed home to Leesburg, Georgia. Phillip visited the pawn shop that he worked at before Idol. He had a very touching reunion with his family, many a tear was shed. He was also honored with a parade (where Phillip was moved to tears) which concluded with a concert. I will say this, Phillip seemed the most humble and sincere in his hometown visit. For this round Phillip will sing “Disease” by Matchbox 20. It was a jazzy slowed down version of the song, he sounded fine, but nowhere near as good as either Jessica or Joshua, or Hollie, Skylar or Elise for that matter. Jennifer didn’t feel it was a “wow” performance. Steven agreed completely with Jennifer. Randy didn’t like the performance, calling it too subdued.
For our final round Jimmy has chosen “No More Drama” by Mary J Blige for Joshua (wow great pick). By the middle of the song Joshua had that song in the palm of his hand! It was really pretty amazing. Joshua is such a gifted and natural performer. Randy said he has laid everything he has on the stage this season. Jennifer said he has the perfect marriage of knowing what he’s going to do but then letting go. Steven called it beautiful and over the top (in a good way).
Next up we have Jessica with “I’ll be There” by the Jackson 5 (another great pick, go Jimmy). She sounded great, but it felt like something was missing. I guess I expected the Mariah Carey version of the song and I definitely didn’t get it, it was straight up Jackson 5 all the way. Steven said she nailed it. Jennifer said she killed it. Randy said it was only okay.
Closing the show we have Phillip with “We’ve got Tonight” by Bob Seger. So I have to give credit where credit is due so…he sounded good, other than his Damien Rice performance, this was his best work. But he failed to use his growl on a song that screams for it! Standing O from the judges. Randy called it his best performance on the show ever. Jennifer said it was really sweet. Steven called it beautiful and then was bleeped for some reason, sorry no idea why.
So there you have it, the final performances before the finale. There is no doubt in my mind who should be going to the finale, and there is also no doubt that one of those people won’t be going. The tweens will save Phillip, which is just sick and wrong, but it’s true. So that leaves Joshua and Jessica fighting for one slot. So who gets it? Hard to say, but based on tonight’s performances I’d say Joshua had a better night. However I adore Jessica so my fingers are crossed. Obviously it should be Jessica and Joshua battling it out in the finale, but that would mean that America actually got it right and that hasn’t happened in years! Be sure to join our live coverage of the elimination show Thursday night, it’s sure to be a nail biter. Hope to see you all then!
Kellee Knowles – TVLatest.com
Want to join our team of writers? Have a look HERE!