Jordin Sparks
'American Idol' Semifinalist
Age: 17
Hometown: Glendale, AZ
Song: Pat Benatar's 'Heartbreaker'
Grade: B+ (upgraded for her endearment)
While the backup singers saved her on most of the risky cover's tunelessness, Jordin possesses a charm. What she lacks in experience she makes up for in stage presence and her inherent joviality, as her tendency to go flat (or sharp) still towers above most of her competitors on delight alone, male and female, whether they're on-key or not. How far she'll be able to sustain is anyone's guess, but I hope she sticks around. The girl's got it!
Prediction: Safe
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Sabrina Sloan
'American Idol' Semifinalist
Age: 27
Hometown: Studio City, CA
Song: En Vogue's 'Don't Let Go'
Grade: B
Sabrina started the season like a powder keg while giving off sparks, but she has faltered since. Not that she's in the same 20,000-leagues-under-the-sea as Antonella (or Haley) but if she wants to sustain, she needs to follow Simon's advice: less mechanics, more aesthetic. She started wobbly and pitchy (I hate that word). In head register, her inclination is to go flat, especially when reaching for the high notes she just can't achieve, and that last note was a stinker. Once she finds her comfort zone, she might actually wow us yet.
Prediction: Probably safe, but she's losing ground
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Antonella Barba
'American Idol' Semifinalist
Age: 20
Hometown: Point Pleasant, NJ
Song: Corinne Bailey Rae's 'Put Your Records On'
Grade: D-
It is absurd to suggest that Antonella be asked to leave the competition because a few private Kodak moments were leaked online. Sure, in the modern age of instant fame it is silly to think these moderate, sexy but bottom-line non-explicit photos would NOT find their way onto the www the second she made it to Hollywood. But these were personal, not professional, so cut her some slack. That said, I'm not sure if it's VoteForTheWorst.com that's keeping her cozy, or her deranged Fantonellas, which, ironically enough, love her for her 'courage' in these 'trying times.' That said, her presence here is the most blatant display of va-va-voom over voice and fan base over ability. She is season 6's version of Ryan Starr, Jasmine Trias or any other number of unworthy Idol semifinalists.
Prediction (Plea): going... going... gone.
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Haley Scarnato
'American Idol' Semifinalist
Age: 24
Hometown: San Antonio, TX
Song: Faith Hill's 'If My Heart Had Wings'
Grade: C
Snoozy and banal are the two words that come to mind when pondering Haley. As a performer she has the Vegas styling down pat, a la Kathie Lee Gifford at The Bellagio. Her proclivity to sing below the proper key is a major hindrance on a vocal range that's nearly non-existent to begin with. And I never thought I'd say this about a Faith Hill song, but please, more bombast!
Prediction: Flying home on her wingless heart
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Stephanie Edwards
'American Idol' Semifinalist
Age: 19
Hometown: Savannah, GA
Song: Chaka Kahn's 'Sweet Thing'
Grade: B
I can't believe I'm writing this, but Randy was actually astute in his assessment of Stephanie tonight. It wasn't a grand performance - she warbled in the higher register and the next to last note was terrifying. She's a genuine talent but undertaking Chaka is a risk, so I'm a little nervous.
Prediction: Safe (fingers crossed)
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Lakisha Jones
'American Idol' Semifinalist
Age: 27
Hometown: Fort Meade, MD
Song: Whitney Houston's 'I Have Nothing'
Grade: A-
Hmmm. Is this a double dose of Jennifer Hudson from Lakisha Jones? Okay, I'm stretching it ... a bit. But after the universal hosannas she received with 'I Am Telling You I'm Not Going' (which I found over-praised by the judges, but wonderful nonetheless), tonight Lakisha takes on one of JHud's most memorable Idol performances. I thought she would lose her wig with all that power, as this was actually better than the aforementioned 'Dreamgirls' number. I'm still weary of the judge's exaltations - it seems whenever there's a big-boned African American with a powerhouse voice, their predisposition is to overvalue too soon. Still, Lakisha proves she's in it to win it and we'll see how far the same Americans who let John Stevens and Jasmine Trias through over Hudson, will let Lakisha sail.
Prediction: What do you think?
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Gina Glocksen
'American Idol' Semifinalist
Age: 22
Hometown: Naperville, IL
Song: Evanescence's 'Call Me When You're Sober'
Grade: C+
Like Season 1's Nikki McKibbin (the first incarnation of what the judges deem 'edgy rocker chick'), Gina's the best darned local battle-of-the-cover-band vocalist in Naperville. She hoots and hollers like Amy Lee's lost deranged cousin, while missing more notes than actually hitting - especially that braying at the end.
Prediction: She ain't going nowhere
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Melinda Doolittle
'American Idol' Semifinalist
Age: 29
Hometown: Brentwood, TN
Song: Peggy Lee's 'I'm A Woman'
Grade: A
Can we just call it a season and bequeath the crown? From her 'For Once In My Life' audition to last week's classic 'My Funny Valentine,' no one in memory has been so consistently magical. Her voice is as big as a Macy's parade, her tone is pure ecstasy and her unique phrasing is enchantingly original. She's such a paradigm you wonder where she's been your whole life. She displayed a brassy, vampy moxie tonight that adds another color to her rainbow glow. Am I gushing? To paraphrase Simon's appraisal of Tamyra from season 1: if she doesn't win this whole damned thing there should be rioting in the streets.
Prediction: Well, duh!
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Blake Lewis
'American Idol' Semifinalist
Age: 25
Hometown: Bothell, WA
Song: 311's 'All Mixed Up'
Grade: B- (docked a grade for admitting aloud 311 is his favorite band)
Improv comedy is Blake's great reveal and judging by that Blue Collar Tour bit only Larry The Cable Guy would be proud of, he should stick to his beat-boxing shtick -- just not on Idol. Indecipherable and tuneless (and out of breath once the reggae refrain began) the audience sat catatonic until Blake had to motion them to get up and boogie. The song ends abruptly, thankfully, but I have to give Blake his propers for being somewhat current (if you want to claim 12 years ago as current). Paula and Randy bestow their usual praise on him, while I agree with Simon who stated his safety. If this were any other year, I'd be irate that he's made it this far, but in the realm of Season 6's male finalists, Blake is a stand out.
Prediction: Safe
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Sanjaya Malakar
'American Idol' Semifinalist
Age: 17
Hometown: Federal Way, WA
Song: John Mayer's 'Waiting On The World To Change'
Grade: C+
Dont you wish your boyfriend were hot like Sanjaya? Well, don'cha? Because Sanjaya certainly thinks he is after all, while he lived in Hawaii, he learned to hula dance, and he displays his technique like it's National Coming Out Day at "Kāla'au Ken's Fusion Waikiki" in Honolulu. With his flat-ironed hair, double earrings and caked on makeup, his more butch sister sits home and laughs a vindictive laugh as her brother goes down in flames (no pun intended... well, maybe...). While he's more audible than last week, where his pansexual cooing gave the creeps to every witness, his miniscule vocal range, poor song choices and awkward choreography proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that Sanjaya is in the wrong reality contest he needs to hop the next flight to the CW's "Pussycat Dolls Presents: The Search For The Next Doll."
Prediction: Safe. His fan base is scarily strong.
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Sundance Head
'American Idol' Semifinalist
Age: 28
Hometown: Porter, TX
Song: Pearl Jam's 'Jeremy'
Grade: C+
If Sundance Head is anything, it's limited. (And comedy isn't his strong suit either; his 'I wear a fat suit' revelation/gag fell as flat as Sanjaya's hair). No, his restriction is a vocal range utilized for any genre other than what he does best. Choosing an incorrect song yet again, he gasps, he grunts and he bellows through this number like there was a Texas barbeque at the other end, catching none of the intestinal desperation that Eddie Vedder discharged in the original; only parched for air during his over-pronounced take.
Prediction: Safe
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Chris Richardson
'American Idol' Semifinalist
Age: 22
Hometown: Chesapeake, VA
Song: Keith Urban's 'Tonight I Wanna Cry'
Grade: C
Like last season Top 12 finalist, Ace, Chris will get by on his great looks in lieu of quasi-talent, because if there is a modicum of facility within him, it's overwhelmed by the reams of mucous membranes. This kid's nasality makes Ace Young sound adenoid-less, (although Ace makes Chris sound like Pavarotti) and like Young, he has no control over his quivering vocal whimpering. He started the song off flat, and it went downhill from there, straining his narrow range to a near-combustion - for a moment I wasn't sure if he realized that he was sitting on a wooden stool, not a porcelain toilet. Makes one ponder just what Randy meant when he stated he liked Chris' runs.
Prediction: Safe
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Jared Cotter
'American Idol' Semifinalist
Age: 25
Hometown: Kew Gardens, NY
Song: Stevie Wonder's 'If You Really Love Me'
Grade: C
Dear Stevie, since the time I was a lad very few have inspired me musically as you have. So please issue a Cease And Desist order to the "American Idol" producers as a call for a moratorium on your canon. Season after season they try and try, and we wonder 'Why?' And now we can add Jared's name to the list of pretentious attempts. This guy is in love... and it's with himself.
Prediction: Going home. I hope.
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Brandon Rogers
'American Idol' Semifinalist
Age: 28
Hometown: North Hollywood, CA
Song: Rare Earth's 'I Just Want To Celebrate'
Grade: B-
With a revealed classical piano skill, this background singer who shined during auditions has given none of his fans THE performance that is inherent but veiled. And unfortunately, that might be his downfall. It hurts your cause when you choose generic R&B ('Rock With You,') safe pop ('Time After Time') and cover a defunct all-white Motown group from the 70s who's biggest hit was used in a Ford commercial a few years back. Brandon is one of the finest singers this season, but his routines have been so unremarkable that even Simon called him Travis by mistake.
Prediction: Safe, if only because I hope he steps up.
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Phil Stacey
'American Idol' Semifinalist
Age: 29
Hometown: Jacksonville, FL
Song: LeAnn Rimes' 'I Need You'
Grade: D
I'm not sure what was more frightening tonight; Phil's hilariously wrong cacophony, or Randy comparing him to Steve Perry. Looking like Steve Buscemi on the set of "Powder II" and wheezing like the ghost of Anita Baker's career, this was clearly the worst vocal of the night, so ostentatious and so self-indulgent and disharmonious that his surprised reaction at the judge's negativity was priceless. This might be the most murderous cover this season (take that Sanjaya).
Prediction: Going home... where he belongs with his wife and kids.
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Chris Sligh
'American Idol' Semifinalist
Age: 28
Hometown: Greenville, SC
Song: DC Talk's 'We All Want To Be Blessed'
Grade: B
Clearly the best male vocalist of this season, but in a gaggle of over baked ganders, is that such high praise? He was also the winner tonight by decree; the least dismal of a gag-fest permeated with the most depressing male finalists since season 1. Indisputably his weakest turn-at-bat yet, lacking his usual flair for a fine-tuned delivery and smooth supple tones, instead, wafting off-kilter one time too many. His quandary with pacing and phrasing wasn't as noticeable as usual (but it was there). His religious proclivity has no bearing on his talent, of course, but I was wondering when his devout education was going to rear its zealot head, and this Bob Jones University alum 'came out' via a song by a Christian rock band.
Prediction: And God said unto the earth, 'Let Chris Be Safe'
Blake Lewis
