The Top 10 Best Performances from American Idol Season 11, Part One

Elise Testone performed an incredible cover of Queen’s “I Want It All.” (Photo property of FOX’s Michael Becker)

By: Jacob Elyachar

Tomorrow night, Phillip Phillips and Jessica Sanchez will perform their final three songs on the American Idol finale which will be filmed at the Nokia Theatre at L.A. Live.

While they are prepping for one of the biggest nights in their lives, jacobelyacharjournalist.com has prepared a two-part series highlighting the 10 best performances from this season.

10. Jeremy Rosado, I Know You Won’t (Top 25 Results Show)

Jeremy Rosado was one of the six Wild Card contestants that the Idol judges chose to come back and get a spot in the show’s Top 13.    His cover of Carrie Underwood’s “I Know You Won’t” was one of the most emotional performances of the season because he fought for the spot with conviction and his brilliant vocal delivery.

To watch the performance that brought Jennifer Lopez to tears and his fellow contestants to their feet: http://youtu.be/ZipgVhTe0DQ

9. Jen Hirsh, Georgia on My Mind (Hollywood Week)

The late Ray Charles’s “Georgia on My Mind” was sang so many times on this show it was hard to pick out the best version.   However, it was Top 25 finalist and early frontrunner Jen Hirsh’s cover that blew viewers, judges and her fellow contestants away at Hollywood Week.

Jen’s cover of “Georgia” received a standing ovation from all three judges and secured her a spot in this year’s top girls.   Click here to watch the performance: http://youtu.be/2Pi_w9sEDKo

8. Groove Sauce, Hold On! I’m Coming (Hollywood Week-Group Round)

While many groups fought the flu and each other, only one group dominated this round of the competition and they were Groove Sauce.   Made up of Hirsch, Aaron Marcellus, Reed Grimm, Nick Boddington and Creighton Fraker, this group rocked the house with their incredible solos and outstanding background harmonies.

To watch the performance that received a standing ovation from everyone at Hollywood Week, click here: http://youtu.be/dxS2ojWS9Wo

7. Hollie Cavanagh, The Climb (Top Six-Contestant’s Choice)

Hollie Cavanagh was at the bottom five different times this season.   Going into Queen Week, it looked like she would be heading home if she did not give an outstanding performance.   She managed to stay in the competition after her powerful cover of Miley Cyrus’s anthem: “The Climb.”

Hollie finally received a standing ovation from the judging panel.  Click here to watch the performance: http://youtu.be/660w4SA3Oqc

6. Elise Testone, I Want It All (Top Six-Queen Round)

While Elise was consistently in the Bottom during the season, she was one of the contestants that always delivered outstanding performances.  One of her best performances on the show was the cover of Queen’s hit: “I Want It All.”   This performance is on this list because it was staged like an Idol alum homecoming and had some of Elise’s signature vocals and masterful showmanship that was showcased in this performance.

To watch Elise’s star making performance, click here: http://youtu.be/EsnIA3bJ3DI

 Part two of my countdown will be posted tomorrow.  American Idol’s two night finale starts on Tuesday at 8 p.m. EST/ 7 p.m. CST.