American Idol Top 8 Girls Performance Show: Crystal Bowersox Breaks Away from the Pack

Crystal Bowersox broke away from the pack (far, far away) on Tuesday night's American Idol top 8 girls performance show. Her ridiculously sensational rendition of Tracy Chapman's "Give Me One Reason to Stay Here" was her best performance to date. Simply put, it gave me the chills.

"You are the one everyone has to beat," said the hyper-critical Simon Cowell. "It's yours to lose." Truer words have never been spoken. Here are more true words: Crystal Bowersox is one of the best "Idol" contestants ever - she ranks right up there with the likes of Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Adam Lambert.

Just a few weeks ago, I, like many other "Idol" fans, thought that season 9 was a lost cause. None of the contestants seemed to have the "it" factor, no one seemed to be giving off "star wattage." Clearly, though, we just needed to be patient; we needed to wait for some of the contestants to hit their stride. Well, Crystal Bowersox has hit her stride with tremendous ferocity. If she doesn't win the competition, she will be the runner up. It's going to be one or the other; mark my words.

The delightfully quirky Siobhan Magnus has also hit her stride. I just love this girl. She performed the classic "House of the Rising Sun" with intensity and passion. Her bluesy tone was exquisite, her control masterful. "You're spectacular," said Ellen DeGeneres. I so concur. Siobhan Magnus will join Crystal Bowersox as part of the elite top 12. You can count on it.

I'm going to be perfectly frank with you (or should I be earnest instead?). Last week, I voted for Didi Benami mostly out of sympathy - it was something of a protest vote against the judges for their harsh criticisms - criticisms that were utterly unwarranted, in my view. Don't get me wrong - I enjoyed her version of "Lean On Me" last week - I felt it. But it was the pain she so clearly exhibited after the judges got done skewering her that drew me to her even more. What can I tell you? Sensitive is as sensitive does - and this girl is deliciously sensitive. And with her gorgeous performance of Fleetwod Mac's "Rhiannon" Tuesday night, Did Benami proved that she is also a singer to be reckoned with.

Sadly, not all the performances were spectacular. The contestants who I think are in trouble are Paige Miles, Katie Stevens and Katelyn Epperly. We'll see what happens on Thursday night's elimination round.

Meantime, the top 8 guys hit the stage tonight. Bring it on, gents!

Source:

americanidol.com