Jessica Sanchez vs. Jennifer Hudson: Who Sang It Better?
Jessica Sanchez gets major points for showing confidence and taking risks this season on American Idol.
First, the singer covered Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You," as challenging a track as there could be for a contestant to attempt.
Then, last night, she went with "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," the iconic single that essentially won Jennifer Hudson an Oscar in Dreamgirls. We've linked to Jessica's performance in this sentence, and we've posted Hudson's version below, and now we're asking:
WHO SINGS IT BETTER?
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American Idol Final 4 Review, Take 2: Wishes Granted
First, the American Idol finalists took on to California last night, covering singles by artists or bands that hailed from the Golden State.
Then, for their next quartet of songs, Phillip Phillips, Hollie Cavanagh, Joshua Ledet and Jessica Sanchez took on tracks they wished they, themselves, had written. A very odd theme, no doubt? But did it lead to any memorable performances? You tell us...
Phillip Phillips made like Damien Rice on "Volcano," breaking out his guitar like usual and following up "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" with this take:
Hollie Cavanagh slowed things down for a version of the Bonnie Raiit hit "I Can't Make You Love Me." Audio only, folks, we apologize:
James Brown, meet Joshua Ledet. This finalist became the latest Idol to turn "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" into his own:
Jessica Sanchez ended the evening with a powerful version of "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going." Compare it now to her performance of "Steal Away."
WHICH OF THESE PERFORMANCES DID YOU LIKE BEST?
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American Idol Final 4 Review: California, There They Went!
Note to American Idol: Who the heck is picking the weekly themes this season?!?
With the assignments growing more and more random, last night the final four finalists - Phillip Phillips, Hollie Cavanagh, Joshua Ledet and Jessica Sanchez - were tasked with singing on track by a California native band or artist; and one they wish they had written themselves.
Ummm... okay. Let's rundown the first set of performances and then let's vote on our favorite, shall we?
Phillip Phillips took on CCR and asked viewers one simply question: "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?" Well, have you?!?
Hollie Cavanagh went on a Journey via one of this group's all-time classics. Did she do justice to "Faithfully?"
We only have the audio for Joshua Ledet and his take on "You Raise Me Up," but it's easy enough to hear this man's talent, isn't it?
Jessica Sanchez wrapped up this portion of the evening with Etta James "Steal Away." What do you think of the cover?
WHICH PERFORMANCE DID YOU LIKE BEST?
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Rihanna to Perform on American Idol Finale
Rihanna will perform her latest new hit single “Where Have You Been” on the American Idol season finale Wednesday, May 23, Fox has confirmed.
The newest winner will be crowned that night, with the two remaining finalists duking it out in live performances a day earlier, Tuesday, May 22.
With only three performance shows left this spring, Hollie Cavanagh, Joshua Ledet, Phillip Phillips and Jessica Sanchez are still vying for the title.
Here's the video for the song she'll perform on the Idol season-ender. It was also a big part of Rihanna's SNL performance this past weekend ...
Skylar Laine to Tim Tebow: Date Me!
Skylar Laine owns 38 pairs of cowboy boots, but she only has one celebrity crush.
So the recently-eliminated American Idol finalist says in the following video interview, which touches on topics that range from meeting Carrie Underwood... to singing a duet with Miranda Lambert... to what she would say if she ever met Tim Tebow.
The answer to the final question? I love you. You're gorgeous. You should go on a date with me.
Succinct and straight-forward. We like it! What say you, Tim?!? As the world awaits this virgin quarterback's answer, we invite readers to watch this Q&A with Laine now:
American Idol Power Rankings: The Final 4
There's been a major shake-up in our American Idol Power Rankings, considering - ouch! - our number-seed from a week ago has been eliminated. Fare thee well, Skylar Laine.
Who will take over the top spot? Which of the final four do you think will will the title? Read on. Find out. Vote.
4. Phillip Phillips. We've just been here too many times. He's white. He's handsome. He plays the guitar. Very well, mind you. But we know exactly what to expect on a weekly basis and it's no longer unique or exciting.
3. Hollie Cavanaugh. Not too different of a critique than we have for Phillip, really. A great voice, but not a great deal of stage presence. We can't think of one performance that really stands out and expected her to be voted off this week.
2. Jessica Sanchez. A beautiful rendition of "You Are So Beautiful" on Wednesday, continuing her trend of the Ballad Master. We could easily see her win and would stand up and cheer if so, but...
1. Joshua Ledet... not after the week Ledet enjoyed. Both of his covers on Wednesday were stellar, highlighted by "Ain't Too Proud to Beg." Is he theatrical? Yes. Overly dramatic sometimes? Sure. But we're big fans of Adam Lambert, so we can't exactly complain about those traits. What a voice!
WHO DO YOU THINK SHOULD WIN?
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Skylar Laine on American Idol Elimination: Sad, Not Surprised
Skylar Laine is putting a positive spin on her American Idol elimination.
"I'm just relieved right now. No more stress," she told reporters soon after hearing Ryan Seacrest announced her name, adding that she really was "not surprised" to get the boot.
Ironically, Laine was eliminated on the same night Carrie Underwood performed. Many viewers saw similarities between these two country gals. ("I'm just ready to go into country music, y'all!," Laine exclaimed backstage.)
"I'm sad, but I just want to go home. I want to go home to my family, my friends," Skylar said. "I don't have any regrets from this whole experience. I've shown what kind of artist I want to be, I've shown who I am, and I know what kind of album I want to make in the future if I get the chance."
What did the judges say as a farewell?
"Jennifer didn't say much to me at the end, she just said 'I'll see you later,' but then Steven - Steven's a fan of mine, I really love Steven -- [he] and Randy both told me I'm going to have a long career hopefully."
We feel the same. What do you think of Laine's elimination? Did it come at the right time?
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American Idol Results: Who Made the Final 4?
At this stage, it's difficult to be shocked by any elimination on American Idol.
Only five contestants remained heading into tonight, and all are quite talented, and all enjoyed mostly strong performances on Wednesday. Still, we didn't see this ousting coming, not once Phillip was deemed safe... and Joshua... and Jessica...
It had to be Hollie going home, right?
Nope. Over 60 million votes were cast and the finalist who America sent packing was... Skylar Laine!
Yes, she struggled with "Fortunate Son," but enough to get the boot? You tell us: Did Skylar deserve to go home at this point?
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American Idol Performance Review: Great Britain, Great Performances?
After traveling back to the 1960s for their first round of performances last night, the final five on American Idol traveled overseas.
They covered a slew of British pop songs, with Joshua Ledet once again leading the way and an interesting race to the bottom unfolding. Who will be eliminated this week? Watch the second set of Idol covers from this week and then vote on the best...
Hollie Cavanagh went all Leona Lewis on viewers, following up a version of "River Deep Mountain High" with this solid take on "Bleeding Love."
It was back to the guitar for Phillip Phillips for "Time of the Season." Compare this performance with his rendition of "The Letter" now.
Phillip Phillips - "Time of the Season"
Skylar Laine struggled a bit with her opening song, but did she make up for it with "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me? We think so.
Skylar Laine - "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me"
Jessica Sanchez slowed it way down and told somebody out there: "You Are So Beautiful." It was an impressive follow-up to "Proud Mary."
But nothing could match Joshua Ledet on this night. Was "To Love Somebody" his best audition to date? Decide for yourself.
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Joshua Ledet - "To Love Somebody"
WHICH BRITISH POP COVER DID YOU LIKE BEST?
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American Idol Top 5 Review: Back to the 1960s...
There were no bell bottoms om stage. And we didn't notice a single civil rights protest.
But the American Idol finalists still took us back to the 1960s last night for their first round of performances. Who stood out? Joshua Ledet. Who might be in trouble? We're afraid to say, but Skylar Laine. Decide for yourself now as you watch the opening quintet of covers and then vote on your favorite...
Sauntering to the stage with her backup singers, Hollie Cavanagh went up tempo with "River Deep Mountain High.
Hollie Cavanagh - "River Deep Mountain High"
Phillip Phillips pulled out his guitar once again and wrote "The Letter" to fans.
How about a little CCR from Skylar Laine? Not our favorite performance of hers, but perhaps you were rocking along to "Fortunate Son."
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Skylar Laine - "Fortunate Son"
Jessica Sanchez showed off her range once again with "Proud Mary." But the moving around the stage and fussing with her hair was a bit distracting.
Joshua Ledet "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" and we ain't too proud to say: incredible job here.
WHICH 1960S COVER WAS YOUR FAVORITE?
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