One of these contestants will be your “American Idol!” But they have to make through the brutal cuts of Hollywood Week. (Photo property of FOX, FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment)
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
212 hopefuls have arrived in Los Angeles, California with one dream in mind: to become the next American Idol.
By the end of Hollywood Week, only 31 artists will have the privilege to duke it out for several converted positions in the Live Rounds.
But tonight…Hollywood Week evolved into a more brutal round and lots of singers were sent home in disappointment!
Who survived the judges’ brutal cuts? Read on to find out!
The sudden detour caught everyone off guard! Several standouts including Eric Wood, Neco Star and Adam Roth stepped up to the plate and delivered incredible save-me performances. However, others failed to live up to the judges’ high expectations and headed back to LAX.
However, the 22 contestants had only moments to breath as they joined the other 162 safe contestants at the Dolby Theatre. With their families watching in the balcony, it was time for the contestants to blow the judges away. 21-year-old Majesty Rose soared with her cover of Feist’s “1-2-3-4” while Brandy Neelly shined with “Stars.” The contestant that redeemed himself to me was Spencer Lloyd, who gave an excellent cover of A Great Big World’s “Say Something.”
Unfortunately, other contestants including Samantha Calmes and Celina Moreno fail to deliver with their performances. Meanwhile, Sam Wolff delivered a funkier version of John Mayer’s “Waiting on the World to Change that cemented his place in the competition. Also in the running for now was CJ Harris. His cover of Ray LaMontagne’s “Trouble” moved the audience and Jennifer gave him a standing ovation.
There was a tale of two fathers: Casey Thrasher and Maurice Townsend. Both men represent opposite of the spectrum but had one thing in common: they wanted to make their families’ lives better. Maurice’s “Impossible” gave me chills and had J.Lo singing along. Casey’s solo moved the audience and Keith called him a “heartbreaker.” Both fathers were sent through to the next round!
But before the Group Rounds started, it was the keyboardists’ turn to try their luck. Malaya Wilson, Jena Asciutto and Savion Wright delivered outstanding original songs that moved the judges and sent them to the Group Round. The 104 contestants had to incorporate choreography, harmony and unique performances within groups of three or four performers!
As the judges left the Dolby Theatre, the contestants got to work. Old group night habits (bickering, the flu and forgetting the melodies) began to show their ugly heads again! Some contestants made some sacrificial choices and left the competition. Others began to depart from their groups to form new partnerships.
Unfortunately, during the final run-throughs with vocal coaches…groups began to crumble! Idol’s music directors thought that some of the groups needed more time and last-minute in fighting between members (and parents) drained their energies!
Tomorrow night, the Group Rounds begin!
