Last night, we were left with a cliffhanger as Jennifer Lopez broke down and cried after having to be the one to deliver the bad news to Chris Medina that he had not made it into the top 24. Tonight, it was revealed that, after a short break, Jennifer Lopez was able to continue. One by one, the contestants were called in to walk up the long runway, sit in front of the three judges and hear their fates.
To recap from yesterday, Naima Adedapo, Clint Jun Gamboa, Haley Reinhart, Paul McDonald and Ashthon Jones are among the top 24.
Tonight we found out that the following contestants will be competing again next week, as part of the Top 24.
Karen Rodriguez has a beautiful voice. Jennifer Lopez remarked that she had kind of “disappeared” during the competition, but had come back.
Seventeen year old Robbie Rosen gave a sensitive rendition of “What Do I Have to Do” at his final audition. Randy Jackson expressed admiration that Robbie is unassuming, despite being a “genius.”
Although the three judges thought that the performances of Tatyinisa Wilson had been inconsistent, they saw something in her that impressed them.
Likewise, Tim Halperin was chosen, even though Steven Tyler thought his performances had been “up and down.” Tim was the one who sang only to Jennifer Lopez during his original screening audition. For his final solo audition, he had sung an original song.
Julie Zorilla is one of the top 24, even though Jennifer Lopez constructively criticized her for a lack of depth and emotion.
Low-voiced country singer Scotty McCreery had a bumpy ride during the course of the competition, including failing to stick up for Jacee Badeaux and forgetting the words of “I Hope You Dance.” He gave a strong final audition, however.
Jovany Barreto, who had taken off his shirt at the preliminary auditions, is in the top 24 as well.
Powerful-voiced Lauren Turner, who works cleaning houses, will also be appearing next week again, even though her Hollywood Week performances were “up and down.
Rachel Zevita gave a powerful, sensitive performance in her final audition. Jennifer Lopez told her that she needed to stop worrying about what people want and sing from the heart.
Kendra Chantelle has been progressing well during the previous proceedings and she, too, will be competing next week.
Music teacher Jordan Dorsey is a brilliant performer with a competitive spirit. Jennifer Lopez has high expectations of him. He even coached some of the other singers for Group Night, in order to put a tight group together.
Sixteen year old Lauren Alaina wore a sexy, frilly dress and boots when she went to receive the news that she has been passed through. For her final audition, she had sung “Unchained Melody.” Steven Tyler expressed a doubt that she would be able to handle the “big time,” but she is being given the chance to compete further.
Stefano Langone took a chance and sang a song of his own at his final audition.
Jacob Lusk has a big voice and a big personality. His great moment was his solo performance of “God Bless the Child” in Hollywood. Randy Jackson told him the judges had been “blown away,” and described the performance as the single best performance ever on American Idol.
Pia Toscano waited until the end of the tense, long day to find out that she is one of the top 24.
Powerful-voiced James Durbin was diagnosed as a child with Tourette’s Syndrome and Asperger’s Syndrome. Some of his performances were so intense that they tended to go out of control, but during his final audition he showed that he had what it takes to give a great performance.
Colorful Casey Abrams is a favorite of Randy Jackson, who remarked of him, “Great artists are fearless first.” Casey sang a sexy blues song at his final audition, accompanying himself on bass. Randy Jackson thought his musicianship made him “like three people in one.”
Young Thia Megia, who sang “You Raise Me Up” at her final audition, was the last female singer to be chosen to compete next week.
The last of the male singers to be informed that he was chosen to compete further was Brett Lowenstern, who had sung one of his own songs at his final audition.
Some early favorites did not make it to the top 24, including Jacee Badeaux, John Wayne Schultz and Colton Dixon.
Next week, the men will compete on Tuesday night, followed by the women on Wednesday night. The viewing public will be given a chance to vote, and the results will be given on Thursday night.
