Tonight on American Idol we get to see the last group of performers and find out which three will make it to the Top 12. The contestants will perform and then the judges will announce their decisions. Peforming tonight:
Anoop Desai
Ricky Braddy
Von Smith
Jesse Langseth
Jasmine Murray
Megan Corkrey
Matt Giraud
and horror of all horrors . . . Tatiana del Toro.
Remember, the Wild Card picks are really important to the competition. Jennifer Hudson was a Wild Card pick. So was Clay Aiken. The next American Idol might be in this group.
And here we go:

Jesse Langseth performs first tonight, and Anoop is in the money spot, singing last.
She’s singing “Tell Me Something Good” and even she sounds a little sharp once in a while she’s clearly a professional.l I love her voice. Randy gives her props for an interesting song choice but says she didn’t sing it well. Kara agrees that some notes weren’t on key but loves her swagger. Paula impressed with her tenacity and determination and uniqueness, and says it’s going to be a hard night. Simon reminds her that she was a last minute choice and he’s glad they added her. He says the song and performance were slightly indulgent. The guys and girls have a debate about the self indudent nature of tonight’s performances. Paula and Kara said it’s supposed be a sexy, self indugent song. Randy and Simon say it’s about the judges tonight.
The show’s moving quickly tonight! Matt Giraud is up next. He’s singing “Who’s Loving You,” by the Jackson 5. Not sure I love the hat and scarf but it’s a MUCH better song choice. Love his bluesy voice. If Jesse was self indugent, this performance has to be as well. Kara says thanks for bringing back the bluesy soulful Matt. Paula says it was athe perfect song as simon keeps interuppting her and being snarky. Simon says it was again a billion times better than that Coldplay fiasco he did last week. He hates what Matt is wearing – agreed – and says he saw bits of Taylor Hicks in there. Randy says he made everyone scared that he’s going to give them a run for their money in the competition. Depending on how well the others do, this could put him through.

Megan Corkrey’s song choice tonight is “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree.” She has a nice voice but this is weak karaoke. Let’s face it, we think of Katherine McPhee when this song is sung on Idol. Can’t top that. Paula says she picked the right song; that’s the nicest thing she could say. Simon says he’s always liked her and still does, because she’s current. He says he doesn’t get karaoke from her, even though it wasn’t the best vocal. Randy agrees; they all love her though because she’s quirky. Kara thinks the show needs her because she gives some variety. So not agreeing with that at all.
Von Smith is up next, with “Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word.” Hmmm, a little shaky at the beginning, which is too bad because I would like to see him go through. Oh good, he gets stronger as the song goes on. Not a great performance overall. Simon says he loves that song and says it didn’t start well; he says Von is beginning to become a bit boring and ordinary. Randy says they had a different vibe in auditions and now he’s too serious. Kara also wasn’t crazy about the song choice. She says he has what it takes but he hasn’t “dialed it in yet.” Paula says she studies him, and when he gets too concerned with the technical parts of singing he sinks. She said he was thinking too hard.
Jasmine Murray’s using her second chance to sing “Reflection” by Christina Aguiliara. Right out of the gate she’s much better than her last performance. Not perfect – it’s a little shouty at times – but she has such a stong voice I’m glad she got a second chance. Randy says she’s 100% improved but this song was still a little too big for her. Kara says she’s confused because she didn’t know Jasmine had that big of a voice. Paula says Jasmine looks lovely and picked a beautiful song, says there were some off notes but it was a wonderful job. Simon says it was pretty special compared to what they heard before and says Paula didn’t give her enough credit. So Simon and Paula have a trademark spat while Jasmine stands there uncomfortable. Simon says Jasmine just put herself back in the running.
I’m glad Ricky Braddy is back. He’s singing “Superstition”. I don’t think this is as good as his last performance, unfortunately. He’s dressed oddly, too. Kara says he showed them his personality and says while she wouldn’t have picked that song he did a good job. Paula likes him loosened up, too, and he nailed it. Simon says he sounded good, but that his performance was a bit lightweight, karaoke and clumsy, and didn’t really make the impression he could have. Randy says he has a good voice but that voice was not the one for him, it was self indulgent.
And here she is: Tatiana! Good grief. She’s going to sing “Saving All My Love For You,” after which she’ll probably cry. She really does have a lovely voice, even if she is over the top, but she’s just a total basketcase. She’s babbling and now speaking and singing in a Spanish accent. Blah, blah, blah. Paula is getting her even more riled up emotionally. Simon says they’ve heard her sing that song three times already, so he wants to know what happens if she makes it through? Does she know any other songs? She says she couldn’t come up with a better song in one day, and Simon says, “Rubbish.” Thank goodness Simon doesn’t like it because if there’s a tie, his vote breaks it. Randy says it started out rough, and it’s a mixed bag of tricks, with good and bad moments. Kara calls it the Adventures of Tatiana, and asks who is she today. Kara says at least she’s not crying, so we’re moving in the right direction. Simon says she will – cry, that is.
And batting clean up is Anoop, singing “My Perogative.” His outfit looks more like he’s headed to the computer lab but he’s completely comfortable on stage. I wouldn’t have picked this song, but I do love Anoop. Paula and Simon are laughing as the crowd goes wild. Simon says it’s been a strange night and likens Anoop to an enthusiastic dog. He says Anoop isn’t the best singer but people like him, and that’s important. They need to put personality through. Randy says it was better than the last time he sang that song; it was a good song. Kara agrees and says she wanted to dance. Paula danced through the whole song and says he was whipping out some nasty dance moves, and says everyone loved the performance.
i think they’re going to pick Anoop, Matt, and Jasmine. Or Jesse.
And after the break,here are the results:
Ryan calls Jasmine, and Randy says after heavy deliberation she’s through.
Ricky is up, and Kara says that while he showed his personalty tonight he’s not going through.
Megan and Tatiana are both up now; Tatiana is already tearing up. Paula says to the girls that this isn’t end, it’s a platform, I think she’s trying to keep Tatiana from a total meltdown when they send Megan through. And in her typical self centered way, Tatiana completely ruins any moment of excitement that Megan could have has. Tatiana goes to the judges table and hogs the limelight. Good grief.
OK, so that means the last spot has to be Anoop. We’ll find out after the break.
Here we go! Jesse is up, and she’s not going through. Simon says she nearly got through. Von is up, and Paula says he knows where he needs to make some corrections, and believes in him but he’s going home.
Matt and Anoop are up: which one goes through? Simon says Matt is going through. He adds that they decided recently that they decided to make it a top 13 and Anoop is in!! Whooo hoooo!
So there you go – instead of a Top 12, we have a Top 13. What do you think? Did the right contestants go through?
MORE AMERICAN IDOL POSTS
Tension At The American Idol Judges’ Table: Is The Honeymoon Over?
American Idol: Is This The Season of the Worship Leader?
More on American Idol contestant Danny Gokey and wife Sophia
American Idol Contestants With Ties to Christian Music – Round 2 & Updates
More American Idol Posts
And if you want more American Idol show recap, visit my Idol blog at NewChristianVoices.com.
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