American Idol Live: Top 10 Girls: How Did the Gals Do on Tonight's Auditions on Idol?

As always, judges recently engaged Simon Cowell, musician Randy Jackson, cougar Kara DioGuardi, and exceptionally nice Ellen DeGeneres were welcomed by Ryan Seacrest, the Dick Clark of our days, at the studio in Hollywood ,California.

"The guys were hot last night", said Randy Jackson. Simon Cowell told the ladies:, "This time, you've got to show that you can deal with the pressure."

1^st up: Crystal Bowersox, - American Idol #5701

Crystal told the audience, "I carry trinkets form different experiences and special people in my life. Last week I did 'Hand in my pocket,' and the judges were critical. I used to perform on the subway in Boston and it was kind of ironic when Simon brought it up during the judges critique. This week I am going to be doing 'As Long as I can See the Light', from Credence with a bit of soul twist. My goal is to prove to Simon, ( not that he would ever take the subway), but that he would stop [to listen to me].

Crystal sang and played the guitar wonderfully. She sounded like a coul- be star; gently starting the song and taking it up a notch with some rock gruff at the end. She is going some places and will stay this week for sure. My vote: 3

Randy Jackson said this, "In life truth is reality. You are the truth. You do what you do. I just love that you are not trying to be anybody else. I love that girl. That girl is hot." Ellen told her, "Pure, raw natural talent and I'm so glad that you are here. You are amazing." Kara said, "You completely recovered from last week. This is who you are - you are Americana Rock. You were focused in the way the greats are. Tonight you hit a new level, congratulations." Simon Cowell said, "I know how sick you were, and I didn't know whether you would be back. You didn't play the sympathy thing and I underestimated you. This is the moment that we realize we have a really serious artist, with you."

We never heard what was wrong with Crystal, but have I mentioned that we see many commercials of Kris Allen and Ford in between the American Idol performances?

Haely Vaughn, Fort Collins, CO - American Idol #5702

Haely Vaughn, from Fort Collins, TX, shared this, "I make hair things and I often wear them when I am performing. I am a bubbly happy person. This is my mean face", she told the audience cracking up in a huge grin for the camera, "I don't know how to not smile."

Haely did 'The Climb', by Miley Cyrus tonight and was 'trying not to smile so much.' To take the same reference that Ellen said the other night to Alex; I don't think Haely is ripe enough. She had some wonderful and really terrible moments. My vote: 10

Randy told her, "I gotta keep it real, but it didn't work for me. It was excruciating. You can sing; you have talent but it was pitchy. You weren't connected to the song at all." Ellen said, "Don't ever stop smiling and you are adorable. I was going to say I did not feel you connected to the song." Kara said, "People factor where people are rooting. When you are on the stage, you are open and real. You need another year to strengthen your talent, and you need to work your vocal muscle. You are a great spirit on the stage." Simon told Haely "It was a complete and utter mess. In theory it should have worked, but there is a certain irony about climbing, when you actually fell off."

Lacey Brown - American Idol Text #5703

Lacy told Ryan Seacrest, "I felt bad for the boys, but I think it helped the girls settle into the songs," when asked about the night switch because of Crystal's illness. "Something that people don't know about me is that I like to do antique shopping and refurbish them. I usually sell or give away what I do. When I'm on stage, I tell myself "you were made to do this - now do it!" Nerves played a big role in my performance last week but I'm going to try to manage that this week. I'm going to have fun with Six Pence None the Richer's, "Kiss Me".

Lacey worked the stage, and sounded much better this week. She had a few off notes, and she has gorgeous eyes. Maybe she'll stay another week but she was more memorable for her look rather than her voice. My vote: 8

Randy said, "Kara, nice choice... (Joking in her song choice that was suggested by Kara last week); it would have worked but I felt like I was looking for the words on a screen. It reminded me of Karaoke." Ellen said, "You didn't change it up, but I thought it was adorable. I thought you sounded like it was the right song." Kara said, "Last week I thought we were losing your tone. I especially liked it that I heard it was in the tone. You did some things with the song, but not where it should have gone. A step in the right direction." Simon - true to form, said, "Marginally better than last week, but compare your performance to Crystal. Unfortunately the problem is we're not going to remember that performance."

Katie Stevens - American Idol #5704

From Connecticut, Katie Stevens said, "This week I am doing something a bit more youthful. People probably don't know that I can say, 'Give me a kiss' in six languages. I'm now embarrassed to say that I can do it. I think it is cool to know this information, though I'm not walking around asking for kisses. I actually do pump myself up before I go out on stage. I'm singing 'Put your Records on'.

Katie reminded me of Megan Joy who sang this song from last season, but Katie's' voice was fuller (in spots). She struggled with the middle range transition from her chest voice to the high falsetto notes in her head. In fact she totally missed it and sang off key for a bit. With a little more practice she would do well but probably not this year - she was too inconsistent; maybe she should be sitting instead of moving around. Her last note was beautiful and she has talent but not yet. She is still young. My vote: 6

Randy said, "Believe that you can tackle some bigger songs." Ellen said, "You have a really good voice, but I want to see you younger. I don't want to hear something that I would hear in my dentist's office. You still aren't singing something for your age." Kara said, "I'm frustrated with you. I see so much in you and it is confusing because we tell you to do one thing and then the other. You have to pull us in from the beginning when you sing, not at the end. Certain songs are not great for performing. I am still waiting for that moment for you." Simon said, "It is very frustrating. You actually tried to listen to us, and if you came into my record label, I would ask you - what do want to sound like, because it wasn't a winning performance."

Didi Benami - American Idol - #5705

Didi said, "When the boys sang, I was paying attention to the judges. I was hoping that the guys nailed it. It makes you nervous when you hear them tell someone else something. You try and take that in and apply it too. When I was in middle school, you might not know it but I was the mascot. In reality, I wished I had made the cheering squad but oh well. Before I hit the stage, I do meowing (it helps open the vocal chords) and I pray. This week I'm going to do Bill Withers, 'Lean on Me', totally with soul. I hope I can connect more with people and pull up the Star meter a little bit."

Didi also reminded me of Megan Joy's voice but she had a lot more control of her voice, and did a great job working the stage, and getting the crowd rocking. I wanted to hear more but the judges were not so nice. I thought she did a good job, and kept herself in the top 5. My vote: 4

Randy said, "Hi how are you? Listen. I don't know dude. I would have not chosen that deep rooted song for you. It shows your perfections rather than heightens what you do well." Ellen said, "I love your voice. You have a great voice. And you are here because of a great voice, great presence.I don't know that was the greatest song choice." Kara told her, "Didi, it wasn't good. You said you were a singer/ song- writer. I don't know what you mean by different but that wasn't good. Sit down and give an honest interpretation. It felt like Karaoke, we lost you in this interpretation but I'm still a fan." Simon said, "At least you continued the cat's theme, it was a screeching, bad choice. It is frustrating because you get this fantastic place to showcase, and you are kind of cool, but you wasted the opportunity."

Michelle Delmar, Hollywood, FL- American Idol#5706

Last week, the judges told Michelle after her performance, "Be original, take the arrangement and make it your own, but don't go far." She told us, "Everything that the judge's say is really important. I take it all in and try and apply it. I decided to do, "With Arms Wide Open" by Creed; it is a bit of a risk.

Something that is dear to my heart is that I work with kids ages 5 -12 at church. I work with them to open up their voices with a Woo. Those kids mean the world to me and it is raw; I can connect that to what I'm doing at American Idol. I pray and mediate before every show. I'm hoping to give them to wow and I hope everyone enjoys it."

The song was too low for Michelle. She took a risk but it wasn't pretty. My vote: 9

Randy said, "Positive: the outfit is hot. The song - you didn't do enough with it. It was a great opportunity but it fell flat." Ellen said, "You look fabulous. You did a lot with the song, and I appreciated that you tried to do something with it that was completely different. I thought it almost worked, but not quite." Kara said, "My favorite performance of yours ever. It may have not been technically perfect. It felt believable and you have a good attitude. You listened and you are trying. I saw someone who did very different, but you believed in it, and I bought it." Simon said, "I am kind of with Kara. The first half was better than the latter half. To be fair, you took the point. You tried to do something different and the outfit is Vera Wang."

Lilly Scott, Littleton, CO, 20 - American Idol# 5707

Lilly told us, "Stage presence was an issue last week. I worked a lot this week on connecting with the camera and opening my eyes. I zone out and get into it I guess - but I'm trying to become a star." One thing you might not know about Lilly, she says is, "I play a lot of different instruments; I'm definitely trying to be unpredictable with arrangements and songs. Before I go on stage, I use a throat spray. It feels awesome that Randy called out the fact that I gave out Indie vibes. This one is going to be different."

I think Lilly has the Tracy Ullman or Cyndi Lauper thing going on. She performed a Sam Cook Classic from 1964, 'A change is Going to Come', with her 12 string guitar. She kicked it, great voice, annunciation, emotion, timing and she even kept her eyes open part of the time. She did great and the crowd hooped and hollered for her. My vote: 2

Randy said, "This season has the most unique people; I love that about you. You definitely worked it out, my favorite performance tonight so far. Hard song to vocally sing." Ellen said, "You have IT. I forgot we were in a singing competition. By far, the best performance of the night." Kara said, "You had your first moment. I found myself riveted to that performance. You are going to change the game. People who really want to do their own thing may look at Idol differently because of you." Simon said, "This makes the point - how you become relevant, how you use the show as a showcase. I wasn't crazy about that particular performance; I thought you over sang it a bit, and I thought Crystal did a bit better, but it was good."

Katelyn Epperly, Des Moines, IA - #5708

All week Katelyn told us, "It's been pretty intense. We've been wondering if we are original enough. I'm prepared and I hope that they like it. I'm not planning anything super epic; it's a very intimate song. I would like to open my own studio someday and I've been in school for recording. I guess if you are not ready before the performance, there is not much you can do about it at that point to prepare for. This week, I'm singing 'The scientist', by Cold Play. I hope I can show how much the song means to me, and I hope I can move people. "

This was her first time playing piano on stage. Katelyn sang softly and clearly. She reminded me of Alicia Keyes in terms of artistry. She's got a nice range, and sang it fairly well. But still a bit distant emotionally and the song was painfully slow. It was nice enough to come in the top 5. My vote: 5

Randy said, "It was way slow and I really liked it. It was nice to hear you play the piano." Ellen told Katelyn, "I like that you were playing guitar, err, the piano. I fell kind of asleep, it was so slow. Way too slow, people can't vote if they are asleep." Kara said, "I kind of love you. I understand what Ellen and Randy are saying, but I want her to work on this: you have an incredible instrument - but you have been switching it up too much. You are really hot but you need to figure out who you are." Simon said, "Smart choice, you become a bit corny when you perform but a million times better than last week and I think you are back in the race."

Paige Miles, Naples FL - American Idol#5709

Paige told us, "You might not know this about me but I like to color. Doing activities like using markers to trace the lines and color in the shapes are preshow chillers for me; everybody likes it. Some of the contestants are now even asking me, "Where is your coloring book?" Last week Simon and Kara really loved her performance.

Paige said, "I'm continuing with the same energy doing,' Walk Away' by Kelly Clarkson, the original American Idol. I'm here to be on the stage and show America what I've got."

Unfortunately, Paige wasn't Kelly Clarkson and I was reminded of it as she lost the pitch. But she still has a powerful voice; she just needs more performance time to find her controls and formulate her technique. She is going places some day. My vote: 9

Randy asked her, "Do you know who wrote that song? " And of course, the answer was Kara. He told her, " I didn't really get to hear you singing. You have got this big voice and for Kelly it worked but... I don't know. I want to hear you sing a nice long melody. I loved the song for Kelly." Ellen said, "I loved it - I liked everything you did with it. You changed just enough to make it yours. You had great energy and you had fun. You did and Simon is right, one of the best voices (from his critique last week)." Kara said, "I can see you in the soul, pop rock song, but if you knew the guy I wrote that song about, you wouldn't have been smiling when you told him to go to take a hike. You had some moments and I do appreciate what you did." Simon agreed with Randy, "Two weeks in a row you failed to sing the right song; the songs are over-taking you. You have a strong voice. Nail the song and put your mark down."

Siobhan Magnus, 19, Cape Cod, Ma - AmericanIdol #5710

"A year and a half ago," Siobhan told the audience, "I had a Mohawk. I don't know if you have ever tried to cut your hair like that, but looking in the mirron and trying to hold the sheers. Well I made a big bald spot on my head. She was laughing and brushed it off. "Before the show, I do, BRRRRR to loosen up my mouth. Sometimes you have to hold your finger on your nose so that it doesn't tickle." Last week the judges loved her and Simon told her, "You are a funny little thing." She told us," I've always been myself and I'm ok with it. This week, I chose to do Think by Aretha Franklin. This is the meaty kind of singing that I love to do the most."

For a funny little thing, it is hard to believe that those big sounds come from her. Siobhan got the crowd rocking, and she owned it. She was believable and unbelievable. That girl kicked it for a white girl and one note in the end stole the show - it was remarkable and memorable! My #1 (still)

Randy said, "Check it out. You take the dopest, greatest song of a powerful singer, and you are so bold and so fearless. I loved it. You were going crazy with your mouth open. I loved it." Ellen said, "I loved it and most people would say don't take on such as big song, and then they might say sleeves and blankets don't go together, but now they do." Kara told her, with chills in her voice, "I can't get over that note. I don't know how you do that note.

Siobhan said, "I figured out how to do that in the shower after I watched Kelly Clarkson...." Cowell said, "You are such a strange girl and I mean that as a compliment. That note was incredible. Two half's and you are interesting, and very talented. I also liked the clip. When asked by Ryan whether she was nervous hitting that note she replied, "That note is my favorite spot and the most fun; that was my least scary part!"

Better performances by the girls tonight than last week, but it is still hard to figure out who is the best in this season's American Idol lineup. In past seasons, Lil Rounds, Megan Joy, Melinda Carlisle, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson all had made strong impressions on the viewers. I think it is going to be a toss up between Siobhan, Crystal and Lilly unless somebody else steps up to wow us.

This year for the boys, same thing. No David Archuleta, no Sanjaya or Norman Gentle:/Nick Mitchell so far.

Source:

Fox Television, American Idol, March 3, 2010

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