The first 12 finalists pull out everything from harps to haircuts to impress the judges.
Im going to be honest with you.
I hate Hollywood Week onAmerican Idol.
Credit: Michael Becker/Fox
Your life will be vindicated in scores of sequins and boots.).
Maybe some Trent Harmon slow jams?
A LaPorsha dance track?
Who knows, really?
Thats where the showcase round comes in.
You want to hear something crazy, though?
Harsh, I know, but lets be real honest about it, Bo Bice.
Tonight is solo night, though, and 12 of the top 24 will take the stage.
So lets get to it.
Thats not a technical term; thats literal squatting.
I dont know if that enhances the performance, but its hard to miss.
The judges tell her that its strong, but theyre not entirely overwhelmed either.
I wouldnt choose it, but Im not completely opposed to it in private company.
MacKenzie is (probably) not ever going to come out on stage groin first.
Hes a singer/songwriter, and if he sticks with that, he has a place in the live rounds.
Jeneve is winning me overrealhard.
And thats why Jeneve stands out so easily above the rest.
The opening felt pretty forgettable.
Problem is, the big notes are great when theyre great and awful when theyre not.
Luckily, she chose a totally different style of song with her rendition of Safe and Sound.
Her powerful voice was super chill, and she made the song her own.
But like, why is she in a floor-length gown?
Is she grown up Jackie Evancho?
Is she going to stop by and make a duets album with Rod Stewart after the show?
Stop putting Sonika in budget couture, and just let her sing.
In another life, Sonika is my frontrunner forAmerican Idol.
Gianna Isabella, I Put a Spell on You
My Rank:Second
Im going to get real serious.
At Giannas best moments, she throws some serious Kelly Clarkson vibes.
At her worst moments, shes better than just about everyone who went before her.
But when I open my eyes and see her wearing the leftover wardrobe fromAllegras WindowI get annoyed.
Im not saying this is a fashion show because its not, but lets give these kids a chance.
Giannas powerful voice is enough to overshadow everyone else, guys.
If shes not in the live rounds, its because the system has failed us.
She goes flat on and off during the song, and the judges dont let her forget it.
The thing that sucks is that Emilyisreally good.
But that song choice, man.
Shesnota girly girl, yall!
As annoying as the Im going to be myself, screw standards!
routine is, I really, really like Avalon and her confidence.
Hes traded it out for this wispy Jonathan Groff updo.
His rendition of All By Myself is a bit shouty, but I get distracted by his personal journey.
Do you think this song is prophetic?
Like, it starts with him casting aside his man bun, but then he leaves his less-talented wife.
And then his child, too, because, lets be real, babies cant even sing.
And yeah, he ends up center stage on Broadway, but at what cost??
His rendition of Radiohead sounds screechy to me, but the judges are all about it.
I feel like there can only be one hipster dreamboat, and that belongs to MacKenzie.
Everyones entitled to have an opinion, even if its wrong.
It could have been yelly.
It could have been full of runs.
Every group needs a Beyonce, and LaPorsha is happy to fill that void.
