American Idol 14 Top 12 Recap

Tonight, the American Idol 14 Top 12 WILL be revealed! First the Top 10 highest vote-getters will be announced as they perform their audition songs. It’s called Back to the Beginning! The judges–Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick Jr.–will reveal the TWO Wildcard picks, before they perform. Four contestants will be eliminated and head home.

TOMORROW: The Empire cast will perform! Yes. Plus the SHOW EXPANDS TO TWO HOURS AND WILL BE LIVE. One contestant will be eliminated and the Top 11 will sing “Party Songs.”

Read More: American Idol 14 Season Schedule

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I wouldn’t have minded trading out Daniel Seavey for Mark Andrew, but I’m not mad at all about tonight’s eliminations. Adam Ezegalian had a decent voice, but his song choices cast him as a clown. I could never take him seriously. Mark Andrew can sing, but he’s generally charisma free. Alex Gomez’s performances were wildly inconsistent, culminating in last week’s mess, “Sugar Pie Honey Bunch.” Ditto Loren Lott, who delivered a couple of nicely controlled, performances, but more that were not on point. I wasn’t feeling her old fashioned song choices.

The remain 12 contestants are a nice, diverse mix of singers. R&B, country pop/rock and pop are all represented. I think there’s something for everyone.

It was alarming, but not surprising that Quentin Alexander had to be wildcarded into the Top 12. I have actually been saying all along that his over the top style may be too much for America. I hope he sticks around. He’s not the best singer, but he’s a wonderful performer. As much as I love watching Qaasim Middleton perform, I have to admit his vocals are messy and need work. If he continues to deliver pitch impaired performances, he will be eliminated sooner rather than later.

Every season has one. Daniel Seavey is the contestant who should have never advanced in the first place, but has amassed a fan base on factors other than his talent. He’s adorable, but the 15 year old’s vocals are not ready for prime time.

Sarina Joi Crowe had an off night tonight, in addition to performing first. Those combined factors could be deadly. I hope not. Joey Cook sounded the best she ever has, coming out from behind those affectations to show who she is. Keep it up Joey. That girl can sing. The same for Jax. She sang from her heart tonight, and I responded. Like the judges said, though, it would have been better if she’d stayed put at the piano.

My pick to leave the competition tomorrow: Adanna Duru or Daniel Seavy. But you never know. We could be in for a shocker, people. Take the time out to vote for your favorites!

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A Top 12 reveal, and performance, all in one show, announced host Ryan Seacrest. An American Idol first! It’s called budget cuts, baby.

First we find out which 5 guys and 5 girls made it into the Top 12. The judges will announce two instant wildcard picks.

We’re right into it! The first person to make it into the Top 12 s Sarina-Joi Crowe

Sarina-Joi Crowe — “Love Runs Out” by One Republic – Oh my gosh. Sarina is so excited to be through, she loses control of her performance. She’s very off pitch through most of the song. She needed to take a second and calm down before taking the stage. There’s very little time to process, here. The pace of this show is ridiculous. Keith notes her pitch. PITCH says Jennifer Lopez. Harry is happy that she’s here. I am too, but I feel like I’ll need to throw her as many votes as possible tonight. – 1-866-436-5701 – Text 1 to 21523

https://youtu.be/A4VHUnGbY6Q

Rayvon Owen – “Wide Awake” by Katy Perry – I’m glad that Rayvon is calm enough to deliver a beautiful, heart rending performance of this song. Rayvon’s adlibs, and the way he crafts the dynamics of his delivery is simply storytelling at it’s best. Just gorgeous. Perfect build from beginning to end. That last note! I’m so glad Rayvon made it. Jlo loves that he felt that moment. Harry says “you sounded terrific.” Keith is glad he’s here. 1-866-436-5702 – Text 2 to 21523

https://youtu.be/u6vqmiHFEm8

Time to introduce mentor, Scott Borchetta. A video package runs lauding Scott and his accomplishments. Taylor Swift, Taylor Swift, Taylor Swift! Ex American Idol judge Steven Tyler makes a cameo. Scott reminds the assembled contestants that the winner will sign with his record company.

Daniel Seavey — ”Straight Up” by Paula Abdul – Daniel performs this time without his guitar. The band is swallowing up his performance. Daniel is pitchy and his timing is off, as he runs around the stage, charming the sorority girls in the front row. Bleh. He’s in over his head. Harry thinks his lack of experience is showing. Keith and Jennifer emphasize finding the right song. Keith thinks an emotional song would work. I think they should have never put him through to the Top 24. That’s what I think. 1-866-436-5703 – Text 3 to 21523

https://youtu.be/CKZstheFn-g

Maddie Walker — “Suitcase” by Gwen Sebastian – Maddie sounds really good here. This is what happens when a contestant chooses the right song. She needs to stick to country music when she can. There are a couple of false notes, but her tone is beautiful. She needs to be a little more animated on stage though. Her face is blank when she sings. Keith thinks the song suited her. Jlo could see her thinking. She needs to get out of her head, she says. Harry thought it was a solid performance. 1-866-436-5704 – Text 4 to 21523

https://youtu.be/s6YD52Bve0Q

Empire peeps in the audience! The actors who play Andre and Rhonda are representing. “To be number one. Yes I remember those days.” RYAN YOU ARE SAUCY.

Tyanna Jones — “Wings” by Little Mix – Tyanna is having some of those nerve-induced pitch problems she talked about during her audition. Some of the high notes in the middle are problematic. But it’s a fun performance from the singer. The last note is a winner! Jennifer loves her composure. Harry thinks it’s crazy how comfortable she is on stage. Keith calls her a star. I’m not sure how composed she was. I think her excitement may have caused the pitch issues. 1-866-436-5705 – Text 5 to 21523

https://youtu.be/xE223cGag5E

Nick Fradiani – “In Your Eyes” by Peter Gabriel – Nick accompanies himself on guitar. The band comes in quietly on the chorus. A solid, assured performance from Nick, as always. Harry loves that he brings experience to the competition. “Nice job,” he says. He needs to believe in himself the way America does, says Keith. Jennifer wants him to pick a song where every part of it suits his voice. Nick did sound vocally stressed in spots. 1-866-436-5706 – Text 6 to 21523

https://youtu.be/3qkd2XZDHZI

Jax — “I Want to Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles – Jax starts off at the piano, accompanying herself without the band. But on the second verse, she grabs the mic and launches into a rockier version. Her vocal is SUBLIME. Lovely tone and unique phrasing. This is why I loved Jax from the get go. But I agree with the judges who LOVED the performance, but felt it would have been even better if she had stayed at the piano. That arrangement was choppy. 1-866-436-5707 – Text 7 to 21523

https://youtu.be/62iZB8299-E

Qaasim Middleton – “Sir Duke” by Stevie Wonder – It’s another high energy performance from Qaasim. He works the stage, breaks into some beatboxing even. But this vocal is all over the place. I love his phrasing and adlibs, but he needs to work on his pitch. I don’t think the problem is his dancing. Jlo calls his energy contagious. Harry would like to see a different kind of performance, eventually, one that doesn’t EXPLODE. Keith appreciates the way he works the entire stage. Vocal issues aside, Qaasim really is fun to watch. 1-866-436-5708 – Text 8 to 21523

https://youtu.be/kfVLOrAwdwQ

Clark Beckham – “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World” – Another soulful beautifully executed performance from Clark. I have to admit, I am ready to hear him tackle some current music. Still, there is no denying his vocal prowess. “Amazing job,” says Keith. “Vocal of the night” says Jlo. The rendition made Harry forget how sexist the song is. Keith has covered this tune, and he adds “FOR A WOMAN OR A GIRL HARRY.” Oops. 1-866-436-5709 – Text 9 to 21523

https://youtu.be/Wlx1o2vCItY

Joey Cook — “King of Spain” by the Tallest Man on Earth – No accordion tonight! She pulls out her little mandolin. This is a very good vocal. She’s toned down tonight. The affectations are still there, but they aren’t obscuring her pure tone and phrasing. She didn’t come off as an amalgam of tics tonight. Joey is shocked that she’s up there. Jennifer and Harry are both impressed by how she filled the big stage. 1-866-436-5710 – Text 10 to 21523

https://youtu.be/pYOusIpDqoY

Time to pick TWO wildcards. The judges will choose INSTANT wildcard picks. Jennifer announces the first. Quentin.

Quentin Alexander — “Royals” by Lorde – Not a perfect vocal, but it’s all in the execution. The drama, emotion, power. Quentin brings it all. The last chorus gave me chills. Very moving. Jlo calls him a great artist. Harry loves that he’s deeply in touch with his artistry and emotion. A “spiritual performance,” says Keith. 1-866-436-5711 – Text 11 to 21523

https://youtu.be/j95IBwQgRB0

Keith announces the last spot–the five remaining singers holding their breaths, no doubt! The judges choose Adanna Duru.

Adanna Duru — “You and I” by Lady Gaga – Whoa. This vocal is sloppy and out of tune. She needs to calm down. Waiting all episode to be called contributed to that unhinged performance, I’m sure. But that was NOT good, by any stretch. She bursts into tears at the end. All the judges agree that she’s talented, but has to work on controlling her performances. 1-866-436-5712 – Text 12 to 21523

https://youtu.be/y7y4dEjDAwQ

Eliminated from the American Idol Top 16: