While Randy was at the recording studio, the three new judges: Mariah Carey, Keith Urban and Nicki Minaj had to judge the first groups alone. (Photo by Getty Images)
Last week, the guys of American Idol: Season 12 battled it out to impress Randy Jackson, Mariah Carey, Keith Urban and Nicki Minaj in three hard-core rounds that saw fan-favorites’ dream shatter and unexpected frontrunners emerge.
This week, it is the ladies’ turn to face the judges and experience Hollywood Week. Who will emerge as a favorite and edge closer to becoming part of the American Idol Top 40? Read on to find out….
The ladies were divided into lines of 10 and they have to perform a song a cappella. If they do not impress the judges, they will be eliminated immediately. New York shinning star Angela Miller, judge favorite Candice Glover, Mariachi singer Victoria Acosta, singer-songwriter Kez Ban, country singers Rachel Hale and Janelle Arthur were among the contestants that moved forward to the Group Round. Unfortunately, early favorites Ashley Smith, Sarah Restuccio and Mariah Pulice and Megan Miller were all eliminated during this round.
While a majority of ladies should have breathed a sigh of relief, they did not have time for it. Longtime Idol executive producers Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick told the 76 remaining girls that they would be picking the groups. Some groups were fighting over song choice from the word: “Go!” while others faced problems with choreography and vocals.
After a hard night of rehearsing, ready or not, 19 groups of ladies had to present their numbers to the judges. While Randy was hold up in the recording studio, the ladies had to sing for the new judges until the Dawg arrived. The Swagettes (Kamaria Ousley, Melinda Ademi, Denise Jackson and Candice Glover) set the bar during their performance. All four girls soared on both their harmonies and solos that impressed Keith, Mariah and Nicki so much, that they were sent through to the final solo round.
Unfortunately, some groups had great camaraderie but failed to please the judges. Three-fourths of Almost Famous did not make through to the next round because of their harmonies. The Dramatics also faced problems with an overbearing group member but made it through to the next round. Other groups were not in tune and disappointed the judges. Among the people that were sent home from this group included Seretha Guinn, Shira Gavirelov and Alisha Dixon.
Once Randy Jackson rejoined the panel, the Boot Snaps took the stage and rocked their cover of “Knock on Wood’ that featured explosive vocals from Zoanette Johnson, Erin Christine and Isabelle. While those girls moved on to the next round, as Handsome Women did not share the same fortune as Liz Bills was the only one to make the next round.
Not every group was happy with their song choice. 4 You originally chosen to sing Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart” and decided to change the song at last minute to Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know.” In addition to changing their song choice at the last minute, the girls were among the first groups to write the lyrics on their palms. Their actions disappointed the judges and some were eliminated from the competition because of their actions.
The final group to perform was The Misfits (Kez Ban, Angela Miller, Brianna Steer & Janelle Arthur). Unfortunately, Kez Ban seemed like she was in her own little room and showed no interested in jelling with her group. However, it did not show when the quartet hit the stage as each of them shined and Nicki gave them a standing ovation. All of them received a unanimous “Yes from the judges and headed to the Solo round.
Tomorrow night, the Girls tackle their Solo Rounds and the Top 40 will be revealed!
