Syesha Mercado Shines with A Change is Gonna Come and Proud Mary

When Syesha Mercado took the stage on American Idol on Rock and Roll Hall of Fame night, it was as if a star had finally found her footing. She looked the part, sounded the part, and performed the part. Once again, Syesha proved that she was going to give American Idol contestants a run for their money. She was not going to bow out and leave the competition to the boys. As the only female left, she was not going down without a fight.

Tina Turner's Proud Mary was Syesha's first song. Instead of standing there and belting out the powerful song, Syesha chose to mix it up. She danced around the stage, and actually looked like she was enjoying herself. More than that, the American Idol viewers were able to enjoy watching her. It was a fun all around performance, and she hit the big notes. She upped the ante and it paid off. She looked like a rock star instead of a contestant in a talent competition. It took bravery and self confidence to pull it off, and she did it.

Syesha tapped into her emotions for her second song, Sam Cook's A Change is Gonna Come, and she allowed the American Idol audience to feel what she was feeling. She connected to the audience in a way that she had lacked in previous performances. American Idol viewers could tell that she meant the words that she was singing. Her voice was rich and pure, and full of pain at the same time. it was the song of a woman who had been hurt, but still managed to pull herself up and carry on. There was hope, and she could see it, even if that hope had yet to materialize.

And yet, it was not enough for the judges. The judges, so hard pressed for a David versus David finale, dismissed Syesha's performances. She got mixed reviews on two great performances, leaving her, along with many American Idol fans, perplexed.

What will it take for this girl to get some recognition?

It as if the judges expected her to go home long ago, and now they're attempting to push her out the door. The flawed attempts of the judges to guide American Idol voters are making the competition appear to be a joke. The judges are so afraid of the possibility that one of the Davids will get voted out that they are trashy performances that are really good. It is making a mockery of the so called "talent" competition.

Syesha is not going to win American Idol. It will end up going to one of the Davids, who have gotten all of the attention in season seven. However, she has proven that she deserves the spotlight as well. She will surely finish ahead of Jason Castro, even if he is the pick on Vote for the Worst. She will go home before either David, but she should hold her head up high. She has improved every week and showed a fighting spirit, even though the judges have been unfair to her.

It has been an uphill battle for Syesha all season long, and she has fought with dignity. She has allowed her American Idol performances to speak for themselves. The judges have lost credibility for their treatment of Syesha, and it will be difficult for them to recover.