Recap: American Idol - Top 24’s Top 12 Women

Tonight the top 12 women of American Idol’s Top 24 were performing for the first time on the AI stage. After showing a brief “reminder” of how it all went down (aka how they made it to the Top 24), it was time for the women to hit the stage. This is a recap of what they sang, how they looked, and how they did. Predictions of who should be (and will be) cut are included.

Ryan started the show off by rambling about how bad this cold and flu season is and how some of the girls are actually sick, but planning to try and do their best.

The Judges: Randy was his normal self in a trendy bling-wear sweater ensemble. Paula wore an outfit that was black and white. It was fairly plain for her, but, as usual, Paula looked high, so it’s all good. Her advice for the show…brings the vocals. I can’t help but wonder if she thinks this is the chicken rodeo again. What else are they supposed to bring?! Meanwhile, Simon looked like always and mentioned that he loved when the crappy singers spar with him over his opinion.

According to Ryan, tonight’s songs, just like the night before, are all from the 60s.

Up first is Kristy Lee Cook. Kristy sold her horse to try out for AI. She is known for “Amazing Grace”, but not much else at this point. Tonight we will find out if she’s capable of more or will be leaving quickly.

What she wore: Gold tank top and jeans with some fashion rips and a belt. Her hair looked nice, but it wasn’t singing, so she doesn’t really get points for that.

What she sang: “Rescue Me”

How she sounded: In a word…nervous. The song didn’t push her ability at all. The lyrics were all short and simple vocally. Despite that it did not hit a positive note to start the show. The first and immediate thought is that she won’t be the best and I hope it gets better quick. Her movements just weren’t there. She seemed like she wasn’t with it. Maybe she should have tried to stick with Amazing Grace.

What the judges said: Randy didn’t think it was her best. She had pitch problems, but it’s hard being first. Paula said it was okay, because she was sick. However, she shouldn’t let things get in the way of her performance. You can’t let people see you’re having a tough time. Paula said she did a good job.

Simon thinks this is the time to show what you’re made of. It wasn’t the right song choice and the performance was robotic. It doesn’t matter if you’re sick because it just wasn’t the right way to make a good impression.

Joanne Borgella was up next. She is the plus size model that was picked last during Hollywood Week. She mentioned that she felt it was important to win because big girls don’t often get love. Cardyn was really sweet about losing. It made me wish they would have reconsidered.

What she wore: A Dark Blue Top with Black pants and boots.

What she sang: “Say a Little Prayer for You”

How she sounded: I wasn’t into it. I don’t know if she’s sick, too. It was just off. I don’t know if she rearranged the song. It didn’t sound too different, but the whole thing got on my nerves. I just wasn’t into it. She was into it, but she can’t vote for herself so I don’t know where that will get her. I think the entire thing was awful and she definitely had pitch problems.

What the judges said: Randy noted her nerves. For him, the first part was weird, but it was okay during the end. Paula felt that in auditions she had confidence, and it is nerve wracking, but you have to shine on through. She liked it but didn’t love it. Simon didn’t like it at all. This is the point where you need to nail it and what she was doing was average and cabaret. There was no confidence and there was nothing to show she could be a good recording artist.

Just before break time, Ryan announced that Alaina Whitaker, who is one of the youngest contestants, would be up next. I don’t remember seeing Alaina at all during the auditions or Hollywood Week. Upon watching the flashbacks I realized that she tried out in Dallas. She thought she was hot, but Simon didn’t think she was as hot as she thought she was.

What she wore: This odd half-shoulder flowery yellow top, jeans, and heels.

What she sang: “More Today than Yesterday”

How she sounded: She is the best of the three that have been on so far, but I am not sure how great that is. She has a Southern twang, which adds something to her voice that is nice. She is the only one that has played it up for the audience. She had them on their feet, which is more than I can say for the other two. She started out a little sketchy, but the further into the performance she got, the more I bought it. It wasn’t half bad.

What the judges said: Randy thought it was funny because it’s the year of the younger ones. It was going on even though in the beginning it was weird. Paula felt it was a feel good song. It’s a joyful song. She nailed it, and had the best ending ever. Simon thinks she’s very good. This is the first time he saw no nerves. He hated the song because it’s corny, but if you can make a song like that sound okay, when she gets a good song, she will make it sound great. Simon predicts that she will be here for the next round.

It was time for another commercial, but when the show returns it was all about Amanda Overmyer. Amanda is the slightly creepy, biker nurse. She did a highly unflattering Janis Joplin song during her audition and an even more unflattering “Light My Fire” during Hollywood Week.

Needless to say she’s here and I am guessing she will be attempting to rock things out when she’s up. She has been called the female Daughtry. Personally, I think those calling her that are tone deaf and have issues, but that’s just me.

What she wore: Black tank top, ripped, rocker jeans, and too many rings. He multi-colored hair makes her look like a skunk.

What she sang: “Please Don’t Go”

How she sounded: Like a train wreck. The guitar drowned her out, the scatting thing sucked. My god this was by far the most awful song of any of the Idols I have heard so far. Actually, it should be…baby please just leave. Leave the stage, leave Hollywood, and leave singing behind. Everything about it was horrible!

What the judges said: Randy loved it and her pants. Paula loves everything that she does. She’s not a one trick pony. Simon died laughing. Simon likes her because she’s authentic. It wasn’t the best performance. She sounded like she forgot the words. He hopes she hangs out. She may need to prove that she’s a better singer.

Another commercial and then it would be Brooke White and Amy Davis. Brooke is the nanny who mentioned during her auditions that she has never watched a rated R movie. As for Amy, I have no idea who she is, but apparently she made it through.

Amy Davis came first.

What she Wore: An off the shoulder tank and jeans with heels. Her hair is curled and while she looks fine, she doesn’t sound fine.

What she Sang: “Where the Boys Are”

How she sounded: Wow, maybe she is sick. That or else she just truly sucks. She is hesitant, off key, and her voice is wavering like mad. It was a complete and total waste of time. It was just completely terrible. I suppose they have to weed people out and this is going to be a performance that may cause Amy to leave this week.

What the judges said: Randy didn’t think it was great. Country singers scoop up to the notes and you gotta hit it, but she didn’t. Paula says the camera loves her. The nerves were a problem and the song was lackluster. Simon said it was what it was. She looked great but didn’t sound great. It was boring. She needs country twang for that song and she doesn’t even have it. It felt like a ten minute song. After that she will be struggling.

Next was the innocent nanny, Brooke White.

What she wore: Silver sweater/top and black pants with heels.

What she sang: “Happy Together”

How she sounded: I’m trying to decide how I feel about her singing this song. It wasn’t that she was downright bad like Amy or some of the others. The song choice was weird, I think. She added in some little note changes so her voice would fluctuate and she did this odd kind of dance, where she bounced and kicked a little. It was awkward, but on a nice note the singing did improve, somewhat. Even at her worse (assuming this is it) she was one of the better ones.

What the judges said: Randy felt that it worked towards the end. It was bad in front, but the end was good. Paula says it’s about being original. She loves that she has her own thing. She picked the right song and did well. Simon felt she chose the right song. He felt like he was in a commercial for the 60s. It was very her, but he is struggling with all of it not being his cup of tea.

Alexandréa Lushington was up next. She is another of the many that got little to no airtime during Hollywood Week. At least that’s what I thought. When I saw her grandmother I remembered her from her audition.

What she wore: A white patterned t-shirt and black pants with suspenders.

What she sang: “Spinning Wheels”

How she sounded: She definitely is one of the better ones tonight. She came out confident and was hitting the right notes. Well, she had this odd high note moment, but other than that she was pretty on it. She recovered quickly and gave a decent performance for the most part. Of course, by now I had some pretty low expectations, so I am not sure how good that is for her.

What the judges said: Randy said she blew the roof off for that song. It was hot! Paula loved it because she took control from entrance to bottom. Her outfit was dope! She had more confidence than any of the others. Simon didn’t get it. The vocals weren’t great and it reminded him of a horrible little show that was like a 60s musical. She looked nice though.

Next up at bat, after a break was Asia’h Epperson and Kady Malloy. Kady was the girl who did impressions of Britney Spears during her audition. Asia’h on the other hand, is just a doll. She’s genuinely pretty and if memory serves, she has a nice voice, as well.

Kady Malloy came up first.

What she wore: A maroon dress that had silver design straps.

What she sang: “Groovy Kind of Love”

How she sounded: It wasn’t happening. The song was a little lower than she usually goes and it showed. She had this kind of demon look in her eyes and the song was just wavering in this off tune, off rhythm kind of thing that just wasn’t hot at all. The last note was okay though.

What the judges said: Randy loved the backstage thing where she impersonated Britney. This song was okay, but it was too restrained. It didn’t get there for him. Paula loves her personality. She wants to see the life and the fun. Simon agrees with Paula. It was like Night of the Living Dead. When she does Britney, she is brilliant. When she does herself, the lights go off. She appeared 80 not 18. She needs to lighten up. Ever since that first audition she has been going downhill.

Next up was Asia’h Epperson. Asia’h was the girl who lost her father right before the audition. Despite that she gave an amazing audition and is one of the most promising contenders for the females.

What she wore: Maroon/Purple off the shoulder dress shirt and jeans

What she sang: “Piece of My Heart”

How she sounded: She has attitude, which is good. This song needs that. I kind of feel like she wasted her voice on this song. She has such an amazing voice, but it doesn’t show it off with that song. Nothing was particularly wrong with the vocals. She was certainly one of the better singers, possibly even the best, but I would have liked her to do something that was more challenging for her.

What the judges said: Randy loved that she did her thing. He was impressed. Paula liked that she had fun up there. Simon loved it. It was his favorite.

Ramiele Malubay was set to take the stage after a commercial break. She’s got a big voice and she sounds great normally. No one has really impressed me tonight. Hopefully, she will be the first to do that.

What she wore: A Black and Red Sweater/Shirt combo and gray pants with heels.

What she sang: “Believe Me”

How she sounded: She started out a little bit weird, but she got it together some towards the middle. It wasn’t as good as what she had done in Hollywood and auditions, but she will be sticking around, I think. She did much better than a lot of them. She showed she could sing, which is the point. I didn’t have to love it to respect that she will most likely do well in the coming weeks.

Judges Comments: Randy liked it by saving it for the end. She stuck to it and made it her own. It was almost like a pro. Paula loves her. She’s a force to be reckoned with. There was a tenderness and it was great. Simon didn’t like her at first. In Hollywood, he felt she was better. Tonight, she out sung everyone.

Syesha Mercado was coming up next, which puts Carly Smithson in last place, which is what I was expecting would happen. Carly has received slack because she had a failed record contract at one point and a lot of people don’t feel she should be on the show.

AI’s policy is that you cannot currently be tied up, so votes permitting, Carly will be sticking around. As for Syesha, all I remember about her was a good voice and her wild hair.

What she wore: Black shirt, jeans, and a colorful scarf. She was also wearing some large hoop earrings and some hot black boots.

What she sang: “Tobacco Road”

How she sounded: She went for a rock song, which was interesting. It wasn’t bad. The guitar had a way of overpowering her voice. It felt like the guitar was playing one song and she was singing another. The vocals were not bad though. So, it was somewhat of a mixed bag for me. She nailed the last note. Regardless, she not going anywhere anytime soon.

What the judges said: Randy had some pitchy issues, but he liked it. Paula loves that she’s consistent, joyful, and big (I think she means in performance value). Simon agreed it wasn’t the best. It doesn’t matter though because she is one of the most talented in the competition. She has the total package.

Finally, the last performance of the night was Carly Smithson.

What she wore: A long, flowing maroon top with black pants. She looked very plain, but it worked well.

What she sang: “Shadow of Your Smile”

How she sounded: I don’t know if she was nervous or sick, but her voice just wasn’t on it tonight. She was either too breathy or she was screaming. I was completely shocked at this performance because I really do like Carly, but I wasn’t feeling this performance. I hope she sticks around based on past work, but if it was up to this performance alone, I think she would be in serious trouble. (Note: They said she has bronchitis).

What the judges said: Randy loved it and it was the best vocal of all 24 despite her being sick. Paula feels she’s the lucky coin in the pocket. She doesn’t have to power her voice. It was beautiful. Simon didn’t like it. He didn’t get it. There is so much hype and buzz about Carly, but the song was too old and the mic technique was cabaret. She has so many capabilities, but it was not fantastic.

The Best: This is one of those hard questions to answer because nothing was really making me jump out of my seat tonight. I didn’t see that wow performance. Syesha wasn’t bad. Asia’h, Alexandréa, and Alaina were decent, as well. I think they will all be sticking around.

The Worst: You can take your pick. There were very few incredible performances to be seen tonight. Some of the worst included Joanne Borgella and Amanda Overmyer, though like I said a lot of them were just terrible. Amy Davis was another one. I am thinking that two of these three will…or should…go home.

Technorati Tags: top 24, top 12 women, recap, American Idol, FOX, reality

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Written by Ashtyn - Visit Website
Ashtyn is definitely the casual gamer in the family. A game fan since she owned an Atari, Ashtyn can remember when her brother rigged the television so he wouldn’t lose his Super Mario Bros. game. That is, until the power went out! A fan of all things Mario, Ashtyn is a Nintendo loyalist. She digs playing Mario-style RPG games, watching others play violent shooters (because she sucks at them), and playing casual PC games (like Wedding Dash and Cake Mania). As of now, she is into the Wii and Nintendo DS, though she’s certain the games for PS3 and Xbox 360 are more appealing.