While fans and followers of the contestants of the American Idol Season XIV were treated with spectacular performances from their favorites as well as guest appearances and numbers from widely known hit makers in the industry, the time has once again come to send one of the "hopefuls" home.
The latest episode of the widely popular talent competition featured the contestants singing hits that have dominated the air waves since their launch, according to Cartermatt.com. In this week's performance round, the top eight had to pick from their songs among those that made it to the Billboard 100. Hence, the challenge for the contestants was to make their performances memorable enough as the hits have already been heard everywhere virtually endlessly.
The hit single by Lady Gaga, titled Poker Face, was given a definitively unique take by Jackie "Jax" Cole. Although the judges applauded her courage to completely make the songs hers, she appeared to have overdone the change as the single no longer sound like the original at all. While Keith Urban described her version "interesting," Jennifer Lopez cautioned her against going "so far left that people can't relate." Lopez further added, "That rendition could never be on the radio." Despite the mixed reactions from her performance, Jax was saved.
Nick Fradiani was also declared safe following his rendition of Teenage Dream by Katy Perry. He made his mark on the number by turning into a rocker-like version which Lopez defined as "so good." Urban agreed to this description and felt that the number highlighted Fradiani's strengths. However, Harry Connick, Jr. disagreed and remarked that a more intense song would have made the performance better.
Joining Cole and Fradiani in the "safe side" are Joey Cook and Clark Beckham who sang Miley Cyrus' Wrecking Ball and Ed Sheeran's Make It Rain, respectively. While Cook predictably showed off her unique vocals and handling of the melody, all three judges shared that her performance was lacking something. Moreover, Connick, Jr. admitted that he felt bored even before quirky singer wrapped up her number. Meanwhile, Beckham once again wowed both viewers and judges in his rendition. While the judges agreed that he has killer vocal chops, Lopez commented on the need for him to go for a makeover to make him a complete package.
Among all the performances, it appears that the version of Tyanna Jones of Rihanna's Stay appealed to the hearts of most people. Her heartrending rendition of the hit single definitely moved a lot of the viewers to tears as subtle cracks in her voice signified the emotional investment she had in the song, which she dedicated to her late grandmother. She was saved as well.
Quentin Alexander, who has been constantly reminded to try to get out of his comfort zone, was also saved by the voters. His performance of Latch by Disclosure gave the fans and the judges a view of his fun side and proved his versatility as well. Although Connick, Jr. still found some technical issues in his number, the judge admitted that it was one of his favorites for the night.
With all the aforementioned contestants safely tucked in the corner, it was then up to Qaasim Middleton and Rayvon Owen to battle it out for the Twitter save. The latter's performance of Adele's Set Fire To The Rain garnered him praised from the judges who felt that he finally connected to the people emotionally. Moreover, all three appreciated his intensity and passion in the performance. As for Middleton, the judges also commended his rendition of Outkast's Hey Ya. Although his vocal chops may need improvement, Lopez, Urban, and Connick, Jr. all felt that he always delivers a fun and inspiring performance.
In the end, the voters picked Owen over the energetic Middleton. Hence, the former will have another week to prove himself worthy to be the next American Idol.
