Before she charmed viewers on NBC's Smash, Katharine McPhee delivered stunning performances on the fifth season of American Idol
By: Jacob Elyachar
Starting tomorrow on FOX, American Idol will begin its’ eleventh season of live shows. To celebrate this incredible accomplishment, jacobelyacharjournalist.com and Examiner.com will cross over once again to countdown to the number-one best Idol performance of all-time.
20. David Cook, “Billie Jean” (Season Seven)
The future season eight American Idol champion charmed the audience with his incredible arrangements of classic songs. He breathed new life into Chris Cornell’s untouchable cover of the late King of Pop’s classic.
To watch David Cook take on the King of Pop, click here: http://youtu.be/h_aiawC-9aM
19. Kris Allen, “Heartless” (Season Eight)
Kris Allen took a page out of David Cook’s playbook by taking a risk and performing an acoustic cover of Kanye West’s “Heartless.” It was a brilliant tactic because he made it a very simple that countered his fellow competitor Adam Lambert’s outlandish performances.
Click here to watch Kris’ cover of “Heartless:” http://youtu.be/dvvykR2TQ0I
18. Allison Iraheta, “I Can’t Make You Love Me” (Season Eight)
One of season eight’s youngest contestants delivered an impeccable cover of Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me.” In her cover, she delivered a powerful performance that impressed viewers and then judges Paula Abdul and Simon Cowelll.
To watch Allison’s performance, click here: http://youtu.be/yBw6LYLV6D8
17. Katharine McPhee, “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” (Season Five)
American Idol featured a ton of talented female singers but none of them held a candle to future Smash star Katharine McPhee, who sang a powerful cover of the Wizard of Oz classic twice: once on the show’s Top Three week and at the show’s finale at the KODAK Theatre.
Click here to watch Katharine sing the song at the Season Five finale: http://youtu.be/SAg9C0OQr8c
16. Ruben Studdard, “Superstar” (Season Two)
Ruben delivered an outstanding performance of Leon Russell’s classic song. He brought passion and soul into his cover that moved the Idol audience to bring him all the way into the show’s finale and he eventually won the title. Simon stated after his performance, that Ruben was the show was all about and said that the 205 singer set the standard for that season.
To see Ruben’s superb performance, click here: http://youtu.be/06O9zwAHOA0
Part two of this series will continue on my Examiner.com page: http://www.examiner.com/user-jacobelyachar
