The final 12 of the Top 24 performed celebrity duets in front of the judges and a live studio audience on Monday’s (April 16) American Idol. At the end of the episode, five singers were sent home, revealing the Top 14.
Now, it’s time for you to vote for your favorite performances and grade the episode. Which contestant was robbed, if any?
American Idol 2018 Recap – Top 24 Celebrity Duets Pt 2 Live Blog (VIDEOS)
Again, I’m going to express my mixed feelings about these “celebrity duets” as part of the competition. On one hand, pairing a singer up with an established artist challenges the competitor to rise to the occasion. If a singer is matched up with a simpatico artist, the results can be beautiful. Lea Michele was paired with like minded artists–Jurnee and Ada Vox–and the results were spectacular (Jurnee in particular). And I must say, Lea’s Broadway and Glee background made her particularly well suited to the task. She instinctively knew how to collaborate.
Cam and Rachel Platten were also generous duet partners. Rachel completely changed the game for young Mara Justine, coaxing her out from behind her pretty pageant princess facade. And Cam coached her partners how to connect and be confident. She brought the best out of Effie Passaro, who, unfortunately, did not advance.
But then there was poor Alyssa Raghu who was partnered with the hapless and dumbly named “Banners.” First off–dude is just a mediocre singer and has no clue about how to collaborate. Alyssa, who seemed to be deliberately matched outside of her comfort zone, was set up to fail. And flail and fail she did. That young singer has some raw talent, and I’m thinking she deserved to advance. Banners was also paired up with Ron Bultongez who was tasked with singing the American Idol theme song “Someone to You.” Again–Ron was clearly uncomfortable and did the best he could under less than ideal circumstances.
Back to Effie. I would have rather seen her advance instead of the mediocre singers Garrett Jacobs and Caleb Lee Hutchinson. I’m going to say it right out loud here–Garrett and Caleb were advanced because CUTE BOYS. Effie lacks the proper “image” so she was a no go. Welp. That’s how it works in the real world. And Idol expects to market the winner after the confetti flies so… Still. Sigh. (Additionally, I would have preferred the ready to go Effie over Mara who is still figuring out who she is).
VOTE VOTE VOTE
Favorite Duet
Which Eliminated Contestant Was Robbed?
Grade the Episode
