A fan-favorite since his audition, Lazaro Arbos, continues to shine with his performances. (Photo by FOX’s Michael Becker)
By: Jacob Elyachar
American Idol: Season 12 will be in Las Vegas for the Sudden Death portion of the competition.
As the competition gets closer to nearing the Top 10 round, I will be posting two separate articles that showcase my endorsements of the contestants that I strongly believe would face the pressures of this week to make it towards the Hollywood stage at CBS Television Studios.
Today’s article features five candidates that I strongly believe will move on to the final rounds of the competition and one Wild Card contestant that could shake things up in the coming weeks.
Lazaro Arbos
The Cuban immigrant blew everyone away with his rendition of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” at the very beginning of this season. He continued to get stronger during Hollywood Week and successfully faced each obstacle and delivered incredible performances that included his take on “The Edge of Glory.” If he does not let the pressures of Las Vegas week and performing in front of a live audience get to him, Lazaro has chance to make it into the Top Six.
Curtis Finch, Jr.
“Finchie” is one of the strongest contestants this season that could continue the R&B/Gospel “rebirth” legacy that Joshua Ledet began last season. His “Jar of Hearts” solo was one of Hollywood Week’s best moments, which carried him to the Sudden Death round. My only concern is that the audience might see him as arrogant after his true colors showed during the Group Round. But, overall, he is one of the strongest guys left standing in the competition.
Nick Boddington
Nick returned this season after being cut during the Vegas Round last season. This time, he impressed all of the judges with amazing cover of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals’ “Stars” and was inducted into this year’s Top 20. In order to survive the Sudden Death rounds, Nick needs to be at the top of his game vocally and continue to show off his incredible showmanship.
Charlie Askew became a contender after his solo performance during Hollywood Week. (Photo by FOX’s Michael Becker)
Charlie Askew
One contestant that continues to have grown on me this season is Charlie Askew. He is a fantastic artist with an incredible voice that has shined throughout the competition. I strongly hope that Charlie continues to be himself because if he plays his cards right, his artistry and voice will carry him to the Top 10.
To watch Charlie’s performance of “Somebody That I Used to Know,” click here: http://youtu.be/EhKUMWhqWiI
Cortez Shaw
Another returnee that made a big impact on this season was Season 11’s Cortez Shaw. Despite polarizing the judges with his rendition of Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You,” Cortez redeemed himself with Bobby Hebb’s “Sunny” that delivered him to this year’s Top 20 Guys. In order to stand out during the Sudden Death round, Cortez needs to select the right songs and blow the audience away.
Despite forgetting the lyrics during Group Round, Gupreeet Singh Sarin delivered an impeccable cover of a Ray Charles classic. (Photo by FOX’s Michael Becker.)
Gurpreet Singh Sarin
While American Idol Executive Producer Nigel Lythgoe has stated in multiple interviews that the Wild Card element will not be used this season, Gurpreet Singh Sarin would have been a worthy candidate. Despite forgetting the words during the Group Round, he delivered a solid cover of “Georgia on My Mind” during his solo round. Gurpreet is a great singer and a talented showman that can definitely shake up the competition.
To see both Gurpreet’s and Cortez’s final Hollywood Round performances, click here: http://youtu.be/FPTjjrfkVgg
For all things related to American Idol, visit the show’s website: http://www.americanidol.com/
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