Here’s how MJ & Mac rank the remaining 5 contestants. Leave your power list in comments.
MJ: 1. La’Porsha Renae – La’Porsha is blowing the competition away so soundly I can’t not put her in first place. If the show embraced her as the inevitable winner I think she COULD win. But I’m not convinced that’s going to happen as I believe Borchetta would prefer to sign MacKenzie Bourg or Dalton Rapattoni.
MAC: 1. La’Porsha Renae– I think this was the first week where I felt that maybe La’Porscha will win. Not only did she kick major ass but everyone around her had issues that I think will keep them from defeating La’Porscha. Last week, despite the fact that she didn’t choose her songs, she still showed who she is as an artist, which is so important. I think her talent is undeniable. My only concern is that she’s been a frontrunner so long. Can she maintain just a few more weeks?
MJ: 2. MacKenzie Bourg – MacKenzie had two well-received performances last week and I still think he’s on track to make the final. Trent Harmon and La’Porsha Renae are both better singers and interpreters. But MacKenzie was able to show both creativity and vulnerability last week. That’s a one-two punch that’s hard to beat.
MAC: 2. MacKenzie Bourg– To be honest, I thought last week was a bit of a wash for him. Wild World is just not the song you need to be singing on Idol. It’s a campfire song, not really a performance song. So, he had a missed opportunity there. Then, he performed Billie Jean, which was in no way the best performance of that on Idol. MacKenzie does a good job flipping a song to suit his style, but there was no connection to the lyrics. You can’t do that with every song, just flip it and hope for the best. Sometimes, you have to be an artist and actually interpret the song. I think his inability to truly give into a song will keep him from winning.
MJ: 3. Trent Harmon – Trent’s first performance last week was forgettable but he more than made up for it with “Simple Man” which had both him and Jlo crying. There’s nothing like waterworks to get folks to vote. And the hat is back.
MAC: 3. Dalton Rapattoni– I thought Sound Of Silence was really good, and possibly the best Non-LaPorscha song last week. Yes, Numb was a bit of a mess, but no one other than La’Porscha went 2/2 last week. Dalton has been showing more artistry than Trent, who is relying on sheer vocal prowess. Dalton may end up edging out Trent.
MJ: 4. Dalton Rapattoni – Dalton’s performances were solid this week and his story about his struggle with depression was moving but this early front runner may be losing momentum against competitors who are really stepping it up in the home stretch.
MAC: 4. Trent Harmon– I think Trent’s cover of the OneRepublic song showed that he struggles proving he’s radio friendly (which, admittedly doesn’t always stop you from winning). I don’t think Simple Man is the kind of song that rakes in votes either. Yes, he sang it well, but it’s still Simple Man. If this was just top 4 week, I’d predict Trent to go home.
MJ: 5. Sonika Vaid – Saved by the judges two weeks in a row, I don’t think America will extend Sonika the same courtesy for a third. Particularly after two performances that were as tentative and non-descript as ever.
MAC: 5. Sonika Vaid– I honestly would have saved Tristan. I thought her Independence Day was better than Let It Go, and Tristan has been more on point with her artistry than Sonika throughout the competition. Clarity was the worst performance of Sonika’s this entire season, and I can’t see her surviving another week. The girl who sang Bring Me To Life was clearly a fluke, and Sonika’s been living on borrowed time ever since.
