Third Set of Twelve

Tonight's twelve are: Von Smith, Taylor Vaifanua, Alex Wagner-Trugman, Arianna Afsar, Ju’not Joyner, Kristen McNamara, Nathaniel Marshall, Felicia Barton, Scott McIntyre, Kendall Beard, Jorge Nunez, and Lil Rounds.

Von chose "You’re All I Need to Get By" --- started with a completely different sound than we’ve heard from Von so far. This was not an easy song, but I thought he managed to do a pretty good job. Much better start to tonight’s show than last week. He looked very comfortable, not nervous at all (well, if he was he wasn't showing it). I didn’t dig his outfit --- sort of looked like his dad’s suit paired with a bright-ass T and a pair of sale bin bowling shoes.

Taylor selected "If I Ain’t Got You". She looked great from the knees up, but I didn’t get the space-age tights and spike heeled boots combo she wore with her really age-appropriate cute dress. She did an okay job singing a really, really big song. She was a little pitchy in places and it WAS a repeat of a song she had done earlier in the competition. I think she may have lost her chance of advancing.

Alex helped Ryan pitch the "make your own Coke glass" contest (the winner will appear ON THE SHOW). I’m so excited (not).

They chatted about Alex’s inherent dorkiness which segued into his little video short. He picked "I Guess That’s Why They Call it the Blues" (because he’s in a long-distance relationship?). If you close your eyes, this kid is pretty good, but I suffered watching his attempts at moving around the stage and coyly pointing at the audience. I think the judges were a little harsh. They kept harping on the mike stand incident, even after Alex explained that it was an accident. And Paula, who manages to find something positive to say about everyone, couldn’t even manage a little pleasant snippet for him. He was close to tears by the time Ryan cut to the commercial.

Arianna’s choice was "The Winner Takes it All". She looked great. It was an interesting interpretation of the song, but perhaps a little dark for this stage in the competition. Her voice almost cracked in the middle and she barely hit the big note at the end. I can almost guarantee, though, that she will be a wildcard choice by the judges. She certainly won’t make it based on voting UNLESS everyone else bombs tonight, too.

Ju’not chose "Hey There Delilah" --- another repeat of Hollywood week but it worked for him. I really like this guy. He turned a pretty little love song into something altogether different; he changed it up in some really interesting ways and almost made it into a smooth, sultry love ballad. He has incredible control, took his time and didn’t hurry it.

Ryan chatted with the two drama queens, Kristen (looking like the cat who ate the canary) and Nathaniel, the girly-boy. The professed their "love" for each other before Kirsten went onstage.

Kristen picked "Give Me One More Reason". This is the chick who the judges thought didn’t have the "look" of an idol. She can sing but this arrangement made her sound like a cruise ship performer. There’s something I don’t like about this chick, but I’m not quite sure what it is yet. She just seems like a really, really old 23-year old, like the oldest 23-year old on the planet.

Nathaniel was next, singing "I Would Do Anything for Love". This was painful from the time he stepped onstage in his blue 80’s inspired jacket (with matching head band), the awful hair, the mish-mash of tattoos and piercings. From the kewpie doll facial expressions to the awkward movements, I couldn’t wait for this song to be over. The best part of this performance was when he was done.

Felicia (replacement for Joanna Pacetti) chose "No One". This girl was already eliminated once; she really has to prove herself tonight. I think she has a snowball’s chance in hell. She sounded like a poor imitation of Alicia Keyes; there was no originality in her voice OR the way she delivered the song. Her voice cracked at one point, she got pitchy and ended horribly. I liked her outfit but hated her performance. The judges kept talking about her "amazing voice" but I just didn’t hear it.

Scott was next with "Mandolin Rain". I was a little disappointed that he couldn’t play his keyboard, because I think he’s most comfortable playing while he sings. This kid has a really good voice, but I’m not sure America will see him as an American Idol. Unfortunately, his blindness is a real handicap here, because he can’t move around the stage like the other performers and his dancing is awkward, although that could be just because he’s a white boy and not because of his blindness. However, his performance is among the best of the evening so far. I can’t bring myself to diss the blind guy’s outfit, so I’m gonna skip.

Kendall (yay, country --- can you hear the enthusiasm in my voice?) sang "This One’s for the Girls". Another copycat, albeit shaky, performance. There was no originality in this rendition, except for the pitchiness and cracking voice, which was ALL Kendall’s. No alligator dancin’ for Daddy tonight! Psst, Kara, this isn’t a personality contest and Paula, it isn’t a fashion contest, either.

Jorge, who everyone else on the planet seems to adore but me, chose "Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me". Jorge’s got an "eye thing" goin’ on that I can’t figure out. I’m almost positive he has a glass eye, but I can’t figure out which one is glass!! I think his rendition of this song was over-dramatic and the pronunciation sounded like someone who doesn’t even know English, a little like when someone who doesn't speak a word of English learns a song phonetically. I don’t know what Paula was on to think he did such a great job with OR without the accent. The judges are all so full of praise that Jorge is reduced to tears. I completely missed what was so great about his performance. But then, I don’t know how he got this far anyway. He sounds like a lounge singer to me.

Lil was last, singing "Be Without You". She looked fabulous, and, like the Danny Gokey week, they’ve saved the best for last (as if we’d forget Lil no matter when she sang). I hope this girl has at least been singing in her church choir, because it would be a shame if her voice has been only heard around the house. This girl is the one to beat. If she doesn’t get voted through to the next round, I’m not sure I can continue watching.

My choices: Von, Ju’not, and it goes without saying, Lil. I'll be surprised if America votes any differently.