This week, it's the top 20-10 girls and 10 guys. The performances have to be better than last week. The contestants must choose better songs--uptempo at least. In a surprising change, the guys took the stage and the girls performed the next night.
Theme: same as last week, Hits from the Billboard Charts
Top 10 Guys
Michael Lynche-was a theater geek in high school and an athlete; sang James Brown's "This Is A Man's World"; got a standing ovation from Randy; unbelievable; the one to beat; owned the stage; changed from a "pussycat to a lion"; old soul; good song choice; best performance in the competition so far; Big Mike's Safe!!
John Park-his second language is English because he lived in Korea when he was 6 years old; sang "Gravity" by John Mayer; no originality; pitchy; better song choice; lacked connection; lack of believability; didn't take enough risks; John's going home!
Casey James-never had a TV his whole life--what cool TV shows did Casey miss growing up?; sang "I Don't Wanna Be" by Gavin DeGraw; played the electric guitar; he channeled Jimi Hendrix; hot; needs to move around the stage more; went two steps backwards; rock star wannabe; The cougars will get more of Casey next week
Alex Lambert-created a language in the 6th grade; sang "Everybody Knows" by John Legend; played his guitar; improvement over last week; gaining confidence; incredible recording voice; one million percent better than last week; Alex stays in the competition for another week
Todrick Hall-performed in "The Nutcracker" as a kid; sang "What's Love Got to Do with It" by Tina Turner; Randy hated it; not the right song choice; forgettable; performance can be found in any theme park in America; Todrick's on the bubble!!
Jermaine Sellers-wears a "onesie"-some kind of pajama wear; sang "What's Going On" by Marvin Gaye; better than last week but picked the wrong song; off key; tried too hard; judges were getting impatient and frustrated; old fashioned; Jermaine tried to get Simon to go to church with him; Jermaine's Idol journey comes to an end; that song is untouchable
Andrew Garcia-his hidden talent is breakdancing; sang John Morrison's "You Give Me Something"; ditched the guitar; pitchy; Ellen liked it; played it too safe; wrong song choice; Simon is disappointed for the second week in a row; Andrew has to get better next week or else, he will not make the top 12
Aaron Kelly-loves photography; sang "My Girl" by the Temptations; 200% better than last week; gained more confidence; Kara liked it but Simon did not; Aaron needs to sing a song that is suitable for his age--16 years old; Aaron has got to get it right next week to make the Top 12
Tim Urban-comes from a large family with 4 brothers and 5 sisters; sang "Come On Get Higher"-Matt Nathanson; played his guitar; karaoke; out of tune; he should try acting; no originality; Simon thought Tim improved better than last week; current; Tim returns next week
Lee DeWyze-got in trouble during his high school years; sang Hinder's "Lips of an Angel"; bold; Randy loved it despite pitch problems; big improvement from last week; could have his first hit single played on the radio; head and shoulders above the other guys in the competition; Lee stays
Top 10 Girls
Crystal Bowersox-has a twin brother; was in the hospital the other day but recovered in time to perform "As Long I Can See the Light" by Creedence Clearwater Revival; played her guitar; gospel feel; true to herself; pure, raw, natural talent; focused; hit a new level; great song choice; incredible vocal performance; Crystal's in good health and staying in the competition; Stay healthy, Crystal because we want to see more of you in the finals and maybe become our next American Idol
Haeley Vaughn-likes to make hair accessories and headbands; sang "The Climb"-Miley Cyrus; Randy didn't like it; pitchy; disconnected from the song; has an Alex Lambert-type factor; inconsistent; needs to work on her vocals; wrong song choice; Haeley's climb to the top may reach a dead end
Lacey Brown-loves to shop for antique furniture; sang "Kiss Me" by Sixpence None The Richer; karaoke; adorable; Ellen liked it; needs to step up her game to be the possible front runner in the competition; marginally better than last week; could be forgettable; Lacey may return next week
Katie Stevens-can say "Give Me A Kiss" in 6 different languages; sang "Put Your Records On"-Corinne Bailey Rae; needs to believe that she can tackle bigger songs; needs to sing young, hip songs; Kara was frustrated; Simon thinks Katie needs to convince the judges and America that she wants to be a young recording artist; Katie's safe!
Didi Benami-was a mascot in middle school; sang "Lean on Me" by Bill Withers; not a good song choice; terrible; lack of consistency; karaoke; screechy; Didi's going home this week
Michelle Delamor-directs a children's choir at her church; sang "With Arms Wide Open" by Creed; Randy was disappointed; pitch problems; Ellen, Kara and Simon liked it; Kara's favorite performance; took a risk; Michelle's safe for another week!!
Lilly Scott-in addition to the guitar, she plays several other musical instruments; sang Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come"; played her guitar; tough song to sing; Randy's favorite performance of the night; she got the "it" factor; had her first moment in the competition this season; unbelievable; Lilly could change the game-she moves on to the next round
Katelyn Epperly-was studying to be a recording engineer; sang Coldplay's "The Scientist" and played the piano; way too slow; great until the last few sour notes; needs to figure out who she is; smart song choice; a million percent better than last week; Katelyn's back for another next week
Paige Miles-likes to color pictures with crayons and markers; sang Kelly Clarkson's "Walk Away" which was written by Kara DioGuardi; Randy wants to sing the big notes; Ellen loved it; great energy; had fun; failed to pick the right song for two straight weeks; Paige gets one more chance to get it right next week
Siobhan Magnus-once sported a mohawk; sang Aretha Franklin's "Think"; bold; fearless; belted that big note well; interesting to watch; Siobhan's journey continues next week
Results-27 million votes were cast
Eliminated-John Park, Jermaine Sellers, Haeley Vaughn, Michelle Delamor
Performance: season 8 finalist Danny Gokey
Group Performance: "I've Got A Feeling" by the Black Eyed Peas
Next week, the top 16 compete for a spot in the top 12 and get one step closer to the title
