What will happen on next week’s American Idol 14 finale?
UPDATE: I confirmed with FOX that the press release quotes I posted in the article are correct. One contestant will be eliminated. The final 2 will sing 3 songs each. I was not able to confirm at what exact point the elimination would occur during the show, or if the eliminated contestant would perform a sing-out number.
In an interview after Wednesday’s broadcast, with HGNG.com, Scott Borchetta revealed that the Top 3: Clark Beckham, Nick Fradiani and Jax, will all be recording separate coronation songs. Scott made a point of making them different because he “didn’t want to do something silly and have them all sing the same song.”
“Nick’s song is fun. Jax’s song is so her and Clark’s song is called ‘Champion.’,” Scott added, “We’re trying to nail a great theme song for the Women’s World Cup, so they all have a victorious champion vibe to them.” No word on song titles for the other two finalists.
The article gives the impression that all three finalists will sing on Tuesday. However, American Idol PR releases have made it clear that while it will be a Top 3 that will enter the finale, only two singers will actually compete. “Tuesday’s performance show will feature the final battle between the Top Two finalists, after one singer is eliminated,” stated a release announcing the finale performers.
Another release, that came out late Wednesday after Rayvon Owen was eliminated, announced that during Part One of the finale airing Tuesday, May 12, at 9/8c pm, “the Top Two finalists will be revealed, and both will sing three songs for America’s vote.”
Although FOX press releases have had errors in the past, I tend to believe that the producers won’t attempt to cram 9 performances and an elimination into a live one hour performance show. It’s unfortunate for the person who prepared songs all week, only to be eliminated without performing. Perhaps their send off will include a final goodbye performance.
During a reporter’s conference call on Thursday, I asked Rayvon if he had planned songs for the finale. He told me that he would have learned his song choices after Wednesday night’s show if he had advanced. When I asked if the Top 3 got to choose their own songs, he said, “Well, possibly. There was one category that they were tossing back and forth. We may have repeated a performance. I’m not sure exactly what that would have been. It wasn’t confirmed.”
It’s hard to tell if Rayvon was being purposely vague in order not to give the format away, or if he truly didn’t know.
The Top 3 are, indeed, recording their coronation songs today (5/7):
Ahhhhh! The #IdolTop3 are recording their coronation songs right now! PUMPED. ???? ???? pic.twitter.com/HoBmOyohFW
— American Idol (@AmericanIdol) May 7, 2015
Clark, Jax and Nick all dished on their respective songs to HGNG.com:
“I really love the lyrics and I’m really looking forward to putting all I’ve got into it,” Beckham revealed.
Fradiani described listening to the song as more nerve-wracking that getting up on the “Idol” stage. “It’s so important,” Fradiani said. “The song is really good and sounds like a cross between Fun and The Goo Goo Dolls. It’s big and really does sound like me.”
Jax added, “I love it! I’m excited for it. It’s very Jax and like an anthem. It’s like an empowering chick-anthem with a message of don’t mess with me.”
So there you go. More will be revealed, I’m sure.
Idol Post Show: Top 3 Revealed
