We’re live blogging The House of Blues Showcase! The Top 48 sing in front of a packed house AND the judges. In the end, 48 will become The Top 24. Join us!
Cold open is this video we posted earlier.
Read More: American Idol 14 Top 24 Spoilers
Ohhh. It’s the Green mile! Two outcomes. They make it into Idol history…or it’s the bitter end. COLD. The Top 24 results COMING UP!
This is how it went down. House of Blues performances in front of contestants, friends, family and the press on Day 1. The “Green Mile” or “Final Judgement” or whatever the producers are calling the results on Day 2. Performances and results are edited together, along with bits of interviews and past performances. I am disappointed that we only get snips of the House of Blues performances, because some of them are pretty amazing. And if there were trainwrecks, I want to see that too! These episodes are playing out like straight up results shows. Boo.
Twelve contestants are confirmed for the Top 24, plus a few revealed to be cut. The remaining 12 will be revealed tomorrow.
Michael Simeon – “Classic” by MKTO – Let’s watch him slow dance with Jlo! “I think girls are going to eat it up.” she says. OH WOW. HE’S RAPPING. It’s not terrible. He needs to take some risks to set him his gentle style apart from the rest. I like his sweet tone, but his performances don’t pop. Jlo wants to know what he brings to the table. He says versatility. The judges appear to agree (Hm. I’m not so sure). They put him through.
Michael Simeon Advances to the Top 24
http://youtu.be/b8s7wyf6nUM
Loren Lott – “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion – Is she really singing the Titanic song? Ugh. It’s pleasant, but not very interesting. She hit the notes? Loren tells the judges she thought the performance was good. Harry Connick felt a connection was missing. Nevertheless, she’s in.
Loren Lott Advances to the Top 24
http://youtu.be/AOhyGYnB0Ow
Adam Ezegalian – “Here I Go Again” by Whitesnake – He’s a good and entertaining classic rock singer, but do we really need another Caleb Johnson this season? “This is my passion,” says Adam. He didn’t expect to get this far. Keith finds him entertaining. But is there more? The judges are hoping to find out. They put him through.
Adam Ezegalien advances to the Top 24
http://youtu.be/Oc4-K4XoDvE
Cody Fry – “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay – Cody never leaves the stage thinking his performances are perfect. There’s something…off putting about Cody. His tone and phrasing is unique, but there’s a disconnect. It’s all so much affectation. Jlo wonders. “What makes someone stand out?” she continues “Unfortunately it wasn’t enough.” Harry thought it was a good vocal, but he needed to give “a little more show.” The kids waiting in the holding rooms are surprised. He’s the “shock boot” of the day.
Cody Fry is Cut
http://youtu.be/3AL3Ud61pY4
Lovey James – “Wings” by Little Mix – Is she more than just a pageant girl? This performance is a little wonky and underbaked. But she’s pretty! Harry felt she came alive at the showcase, but consistency is important. “We’re going to have to see how you do in the Top 24,” he says. Lovey is the type of contestant who could be molded into a pop star–I’m not not surprised the judges advanced her.
Lovey James Advances to the Top 24
http://youtu.be/WdFRUCCv2Q0
Hector, J. None, Reno, Zack, and Hanna are CUT
Adanna Duru – “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World” – Adanna pours everything into this performance. VERY DRAMATIC. Jlo is giving her a standing O, although she had previously criticized her. Harry goes on a long rambly thing about how hard it is to cut people…before he tells Adanna she’s through.
Adanna Duru Advances to the Top 24
http://youtu.be/fn8-qcS7VF8
Maddy Walker – “Big Girls Don’t Cry” by Fergie – Ohhh. She sounds strained here. I like her better singing country songs. Not her best. The judges tell her no…but then begin to second guess themselves…
Maddy Walker is Cut…BUT MAYBE NOT
Rachel Hallack – “Gunpowder and Lead” – She had a poor Hollywood Week showing, but feels her HOB performance was redemption. It looks like it will either be her OR Maddy. OOOH SING OFF.
http://youtu.be/7CE6gWxGG64
Rachel Hallack and Maddie Walker SING OFF. Harry says it was Rachel’s spot. When they told Maddy no…they questioned their decision. They weren’t really planning any sing offs. Hm. DON’T BELIEVE THAT. This feels TOTALLY set up. I feel bad for Rachel. They are basically telling her. YOU WERE IN NOW YOU’RE NOT. We have to wait until after the break.
Rachel looks SO pissed. Maddie sings first. She’s back to country, singing “Red High Heels” and this is MUCH better than her HOB song. Rachel sings “Son of a Preacher Man.” They are actually NOT ALIKE AT ALL. They’re both good. Rachel has an old school raspy sound. Maddy has a pure contemporary tone. In the end, they decide…Maddy Walker is through to the Top 24, “by a sliver,” says Keith.
http://youtu.be/ciEdtI5sqMo
Rachel is SO disappointed. “Back to shit bars” she says, after making it clear, as the more experienced singer, SHE should have advanced. I’ll allow her some anger. She got the crap end of the reality show “good tv” stick. I can’t even feel outrage on her behalf, though, because this is so typical, and not even as horrible as some of the stuff the show pulled last year. When kids sign up, the possibility of being toyed with or treated unfairly is always lurking. Gotta have a thick skin to compete.
Maddie Walker Advances to the Top 24, Rachel Hallack is Cut
Clark Beckham – “Georgia” by Ray Charles- OMG he’s killing this, on the piano. I swear, this guy is going to be a FORMIDABLE competitor. What an amazing voice. He’s southern too. And easy on the eyes. Oh boy. STANDING O FROM THE JUDGES. Harry says he’s a harsh judge when it comes to piano players. “Go practice!” says Harry, but Clark is through, nevertheless.
Clark Beckham Advances to the Top 24
http://youtu.be/pCwf6jncziI
Daniel Seavey – “Straight Up” – Not bad. The boy has something, but I’m still standing by my “undercooked” critique. Jennifer wastes no time telling him he’s in the Top 24.
Daniel Seavey Advances to the Top 24
http://youtu.be/tmByW-NlhlE
Tyanna Jones -“Love On Top” by Beyonce – Tyanna is REALLY feeling the pressure. She cries as she talks about how poor her family is. She feels so much responsibility for their well being, and that’s wrong. She needn’t worry, however. This young singer is AMAZING. She’s got charisma for days and a powerful voice. I love this girl! She confesses that she doesn’t sing live much on stage. You’d never know it. Jlo felt she came to life in front of the audience. The judges want her in the Top 24.
Tyanna Jones advances to the Top 24
http://youtu.be/xWlyzKK5ru8
Rayvon Owen – “Lay Me Down” by Sam Smith – Wow. This little snip we get is amazing. I want more! Jlo thinks Rayvon has done REALLY GREAT. They want him in the Top 24. If they had cut Rayvon, I would have been cutting a bitch!
Rayvon Owen Advances to the Top 24
Shannon Berthiaume – “Piece of My Heart” – She confesses the HOB was the first time in front of an audience. She performs a solid version of the Janis Joplin classic. Not bad for a newbie. I’m still on the fence about her. I can’t help but think she’ll freeze in front of the live cameras. There’s some raw talent there, for sure, however. The judges put her through.
Shannon Berthiaume Advances to the Top 24
Jax – “You & I” – She’s off to a great start, before she stops. Just stops. What? It’s a little awkward. She eventually launches into the chorus. Jlo didn’t feel it was her best performance. She didn’t gauge the audience well. Her “green” is showing, Jlo says. Keith stresses they all need to agree…and they do. She’s in the Top 24. OK Jax. You made the Top 24. You’ve established your talent. It’s time to lighten up. You don’t need to try so hard.
http://youtu.be/UVNwYmY_7co
Jax Advances to the Top 24
http://youtu.be/-wmnBO_ew9s
Hollywood Anderson – The judges loved his audition in New York, but he struggled in Hollywood. Before we go further, however, we’re previewing tomorrow’s show. We won’t find out if Hollywood made the cut until tomorrow.
AND IT’S A CLIFFHANGER.
TOP 24 So Far
Michael Simeon
Loren Lott
Adam Ezegalien
Lovey James
Adanna Duru
Maddie Walker
Clark Beckham
Daniel Seavey
Tyanna Jones
Rayvon Owen
Shannon Berthiaume
Jax
CUT
Cody Fry
Hector Montenegro
J.None
Reno Anoa’i
Zack Kaltenbach
Hannah Mrozak
Rachel Hallack
