Monday on American idol Season 19, what Ryan Seacrest called “the biggest shakeup in Idol history ”took place. Ten “familiar faces” from the last one year – who were given the chance to perform on the main stage due to the cessation of production due to coronavirus concerns – competed for a place in this top 10. “Those finalists never had the real experience of the big stage, the lights, the rooms, the hair, the makeup, the wardrobe, the funny things, Kris Pooley and the band that supports them,” he explained. Ryan, who Judge Katy Perry described as “kind of unfair.”
True. This one was unfair, though inevitable. But you know what otherwise was it a little unfair? Allowing another competitor – especially one with an existing fan base, such as Louis Knight, the most important seven of last season (which Judge Luke Bryan once predicted would be the biggest Idol ever star) or the current finale of season 18, Arthur Gunn – enters this season’s competition, already mastered by talent. Even the night before, three fantastic season 19 singers (Ava August, Beane, and Madison Watkins) had been eliminated, and one of them, probably former frontrunner Ava, would otherwise have finished 10th, if not for this useless new “turn of events. plot ”Called“ Return ”.
And that didn’t seem right. If the producers insisted on bringing back a second chance last year, at least that should have happened. way at the beginning of this season, maybe during auditions or Hollywood Week – not so late in the game, so much in the game.
The fans weren’t happy, except maybe Arthur’s fans.
Monday’s entire Comeback episode was just … strange. The virtual season removed from last year now seems a long time ago and with volubility Idol viewers inclined to switch from one season to another even under normal circumstances, to bring out one forgotten competitor after another this week have created a disconnect. Most of these competitors – apart from the memorable Arthur and Louis, the only two to have a hit – didn’t even make it past last year’s top 20, so this comeback setup was also kind of unfair. to the famous Faith Becnel, Franklin Boone, Dwayne Crocker Jr., Cyniah Elise, Aliana Jester, Nick Merico, Makayla Phillips and Olivia Ximines. (Side note: Some competitors who made it further in season 18, such as Francisco Martin, Grace Leer, Julia Gargano and Dillon James, were entered in 19 records, which is why they did not return this week. But It is still unclear why 19 recordings passed on to Arthur, as he almost won the entire show.)
But hey, I don’t make the rules. Obvious. So, without further ado, let’s evaluate these performances below and predict which of the 10 competitors if Arthur or Louis advance.
Cyniah Elise, “Edge of Midnight (Midnight Sky Remix)”
I vaguely remembered that Cyniah was a power singer, the kind of dynamic ballad-diva who could pose a threat to Grace Kinstler or Alyssa Ray this season. Lionel Richie even compared her to Whitney Houston. So it was mind-boggling that he decided to mix it with an uptempo rock song and show “another side” of it, rather than reminding viewers of it. main part – aka, what actually does the best. And rock is definitely not what Cyniah does best. The show was awkward and amateurish and, as the opening number of months, did not support exactly a convincing argument that this unique Comeback show was such a brilliant idea.
Nick Merico, “City Lights”
This was actually Nick’s third chance Idol. He gave up Season 17 for mysterious “personal reasons,” then returned last year with his tail between his legs – but didn’t receive a warm welcome when Lionel, flat-out, told him, “I don’t like you. “This week, Nick received a cold shoulder from Luke, who said,” The only thing I think you might face this year is our level of talent. I’m not sure he was removed from the park for me vocally. ”(Um, One single thing?) Nick’s voice was useful enough, actually. But his original song was terrible, as a bad parody of an 80’s action movie by Survivor or John Parr. “He will never receive such a blow again,” said mentor Bobby Brown. Bobby had ever said wiser words in this program.
Aliana Jester, “I Will Never Love Again”
He was the first contestant of the evening to look like a truly worthy contestant, giving an amazing voice. And, although she won’t get the votes (even though Katy claimed, “Really, you really have a chance to be in the top 10”), I’m glad she had her moment. I remember thinking Aliana was really sharp and green last season, but she clearly evolved. Lionel called it a “wonderful world-class performance,” and Katy said, “It takes 10 years of experience to look stylish.” It was like I was watching VH1 divas in the early 2000s. … It’s just incredible growth. ”
Franklin Boone, “He Wanted to Live”
I remember Franklin well; it was one of my favorites last season. I wasn’t happy with the choice of his song Switchfoot, which seemed too low for him, but he still emanates the quality of a star and I appreciated him bringing a bit of rock to Monday’s proceedings. “Wow. I just thought you were like a cafe / theater guy, and then you go out here and do Switchfoot. Switch it on! I miss singer-songwriter Franklin Boone, but it’s so nice to see all these colors and shapes.” , said Katy.
Faith Becnel, “Cry Baby”
Faith messed up this Janis Joplin song in Hollywood last year, so she was ready to redeem herself in many ways. Katy congratulated Faith for taking the judges’ notes from “Season 3” (referring to the third season of ABC, not the 2004 Fantasy / Jennifer Hudson season) for reducing the “too wild” vibrato. ”And while this performance got off to a tough start, and Faith is not Allison Iraheta, overall, this was a solid showcase for her big pipes and even bigger personality. I still wonder why a sparkling spitfire like Faith had so little stage time last season.
Arthur Gunn, “Iris”
Arthur deliberated between three options this week: an original song, a Bob Dylan song or … a Goo Goo Dolls song. I’m not sure why he went with the latter, but I think he made a big mistake. Maybe it won’t matter, considering how many fans will vote for him anyway. (Katy even told him, “I’ve seen you on trends on Twitter several times. You have a massive group of fans and I know I’m still there.”) But while Arthur had some great moments here, this it was finally overwhelming. It wasn’t Dibesh at its best, nor was it a performance at the level of almost any of the current top nine this season. (Side note: Last season’s “winner”, Just Sam, was finally recognized on Monday when Bobby Bones forced Arthur to revisit the 2020 final footage he lost to her. The producers should have brought Sam back this week too, because I did nothing to promote it and does not appear to be signed at 19 records. Just saying’.)
DeWayne Crocker Jr., “The Voice of God”
Interestingly, this week DeWayne confessed that last season he “focused on choosing the right songs” and “tried to fit the mold” of the show and regretted doing “I Got You (I Feel Good)” by James Brown during its top 20 weeks. So, this time, he did a religious song by Dante Bowe. It will not move forward Idol, but he could have a real gospel / CCM career after that, and certainly congratulations for keeping it real. This performance was a lot better than last year. Katy called her a “real drug” and said she “felt the chills of that church.” Lionel told DeWayne, “I don’t really know what happened in this free time and away from each other, but you’ve clearly stepped into your light.”
Makayla Phillips, “Anyone”
Makayla made the top 11 via Judges’ Save last year and this week proved she deserves to be saved – and given this chance to come back. Her emotional cover of Demi Lovato, which ended in tears, was strong. He wasn’t the early Disney teenager of season 18, but that voice was still fantastic. “Last year, you always had my favorite voice in the competition, and right there you accumulated as you always delivered. Good job. A way to really come back and show up, ”said Luke. “I felt every part of that performance,” Lionel said. “In the end, when your voice cracked and you were about to cry and it was a little unusual, it was All. He told the story and the best storyteller wins, ”Katy said.
Olivia Ximines, “Say Yes”
I remember that Olivia was another early teenager, very actress and curious, but she also matured a lot in the last year. This cover by Michelle Williams was still young and pretty, but she commanded the scene like an experienced professional. “You were not meant to be in the living room. That wouldn’t have been right. You had to be on this stage. You gave us moments. You gave us real show business. I thought it was a complete package, “said Katy.
Louis Knight, “Maybe This”
I would have assumed that Arthur had this in his bag, but then Louis got a “pimp spot” and, unlike Arthur, made an original song. And it was a That’s great song! It was as if Louis was the new Lewis, as in Capaldi. He truly excels when he does weeping, painful ballads like this, which, combined with his heartfelt attraction and dreamy British accent, could seal the deal for him. “I always thought you were super-authentic and I think you really came here and revealed your soul. … I really felt that for you and that means I was connected, ”Katy said. “It simply came to our notice then American idol moment I had with you and I’m so glad it happened tonight, “Luke added.
American idol it’s getting dark for Oscar week, with the Comeback voting window remaining open until April 26th. So, come back on May 2 to see either Arthur or Louis, and the rest of the top 10, sing Disney songs.
Read more from Yahoo Entertainment:
Follow Lyndsey on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Amazon, Spotify