American Idol Power Rankings: The Top 5
We are down to the final five.
With the elimination of Elise Testone this week, American Idol kicked off its home stretch on season 11, meaning this is an ideal time to line up the remaining contestants in a Power Poll and ask readers who they think will win.
5. Hollie Cavanaugh: She's made a living in the bottom three for weeks now. A perfectly strong voice, deserving of a place in the top five, but next Thursday night should be it for her. Lacks a personality or anything distinct to go with the vocals.
4. Joshua Ledet: We rank him fourth, but wouldn't object to him winning the whole thing. The talent is there, but, to many, so is some yelling and a bit of over-acting. But if you like theatrics, Ledet is your man.
3. Jessica Sanchez: Responsible for the single best performance of the season, her cover of Whitney's "I Will Always Love You." Has a lot of Pia Toscano in her. We mean that as a big compliment.
2. Phillip Phillips: He just can't win, people. Seriously, it would make like five straight handsome white guys who play guitars. The talent is there, the consistency is there, and we feel bad holding David Cook and Kris Allen against Phillip. But we need a change.
1. Skylar Laine: And let's hope Laine benefits from that change. She's fun, she's eccentric, she has her own sound. Her cover of Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" is what American Idol is all about.
WHO DO YOU WANT TO WIN?
View Poll »
Elise Testone on American Idol Elimination: Shocking!
Elise Testone didn't see it coming.
The 28-year old crooner told reporters, soon after her elimination from American Idol last night, that she felt "completely successful... in every aspect" with her rendition of Jimi Hendrix's "Bold as Love" and was surprised when she heard her name called by Ryan Seacrest.
Still: "I accepted what happened to me as soon as it happened,” she said. “I just thought, ‘What’s next? What am I going to do now?’”
But while Testone looks to the future, she does have something to say about the past; namely, the judges' critiques.
"Some things [the judges] say don't line up with what I feel I've learned on my own," Testone said. "I don't always feel like [their feedback] was helpful. I'm not saying I'm the best. I don't think for the most part it always made sense."
Fair enough. And what does she have planned next?
"I'm going to reach out to everyone. [Queen's] Brian May and I are pretty much best friends now, so we're going to hang out. Ellen [DeGeneres], we're pretty much homegirls. I haven't met her yet, but she tweeted me and said she loves me."
What do you think, Idol viewers? Do you agree with Elise's ousting?
View Poll »
American Idol Tour Dates: Revealed!
Only five American Idol finalists remain - but 10 will soon be coming to a city near you.
The Fox series has announced its full slate of summer tour stops, as Skylar Laine, Phillips Phillips and the remaining contestants will be joined by the five most recently eliminated singers, starting in Detroit on July 6.
Who are you most excited to see in person? Ponder that question as you plan when you'll go see the Idols in tour. Dates/locations are listed below.
Katy Perry on American Idol: Pre-Recorded "Part of Me" Performance Booed By Audience
Katy Perry performed on American Idol Thursday night.
Sadly, it was pre-recorded, leading to a chorus of boos from an audience that was beyond pumped for her to treat them to a live rendition of "Part of Me."
While awaiting the week's American Idol results, the crowd was screaming and squealing in anticipation of Perry, one of the biggest stars in music today.
For whatever reason, the stage manager and audience coordinator refused to let the crowd in on the secret that the performance was actually pre-taped.
According to E! Online, they kept teasing enraptured fans, saying, "Should we tell them? Do you want to tell them? OK, let's just let it be a surprise."
That "surprise" sucked royally. Disappointed Katy Perry fans began booing and being vocal about their disapproval of only seeing a pretaped performance.
Pretty weak for sure. Why not just say it up front? Anyway, you can still watch Perry's pre-taped rendition of "Part of Me," her latest hit, after the jump:
American Idol Results: Down to Five
Following a performance night that saw the remaining American Idol contestants cover both Queen and a song of their choice, six finalists awaited their fate this evening.
And after both Stefano Langone and Katy Perry took the stage, we were left with Elise Testone, Hollie Cavanagh and Skylar Laine in the bottom three. There's no way viewers were voting out Laine, right? Right?!?
Right.
Instead, Elise Testone heard her name called by Ryan Seacrest to conclude the episode. The soulful crooner bid farewell via "Whole Lotta Love," as J. Lo got up and danced and the crowd offered one final ovation.
What do you think? Did America get it right? Should Elise have been eliminated?
View Poll »
American Idol Top 6 Performances: Choosing Wisely?
The top six on American Idol were given two tasks on last night's performance show:
- Cover a Queen classic.
- Cover any song your heart your heart desires.
The latter option led to tracks made famous by artists such as Jim Hendrix, Miley Cyrus and Dave Matthews. Who came out on top? Whose second round performance makes him/her deserving of your vote? Watch them all now and then cast it...
Jessica Sanchez initiated the second round of performances with a take on Luther Vandross. She just wants to "Dance With My Father," people.
Skylar Laine then followed up a terrific version of "The Show Must Go On" with a flawless cover of "Tattoos on This Town." She's our favorite at this point.
Hollie Cavanagh didn't reach far back for her selection, honoring Miley Cyrus with the following rendition of "The Climb."
Joshua Ledet made India Arie proud with a lovely performance of "Ready For Love."
Elise Testone making like Hendrix? The finalist actually pulled it off well with this cover of "Bold As Love."
And, finally, in the least surprising choice of the night, Phillip Phillips emulated Dave Matthews with "The Stone."
WHICH PERFORMANCE DID YOU LIKE BEST?
View Poll »
American Idol Top 6 Performances: Queen Me!
With an ailing Ryan Seacrest at the helm, and with the challenge in front of them to cover a band whose prime started and ended long before any of them were born, the American Idol final six took to the stage last night.
For their first song of the evening, Phillip, Skylar and company were asked to cover a classic by Queen. Who deserves to stick around? Watch all the initial round of performances now and then cast your vote...
Jessica Sanchez kicked things off with the song made famous by Wayne's World, "Bohemian Rhapsody."
Skylar Laine then sent the kind of message that's been relayed to injured athletes and actors for generations: "The Show Must Go On."
As usual, Joshua Ledet proceeded to soulfully slow things down with "Crazy Little Thing Called Love."
Elise Testone? She wants it all! And she wants it now! Watch her rendition of... "I Want It All."
Phillip Phillips didn't need his guitar for this version of "Fat-Bottomed Girls." What do you think?
Hollie Cavanagh closed this round with what appeared to be a plea to viewers across the land: "Save Me."
WHICH QUEEN COVER DID YOU LIKE BEST?
View Poll »
Ryan Seacrest Signs New American Idol Contract
THIS... is your American Idol host for at least the next two years.
Fox has announced that Ryan Seacrest inked a new deal with the network yesterday and will remain at the helm of TV's highest-rated show through 2014.
“For the last 11 seasons, I’ve had the privilege to be a part of one of television’s most iconic shows,” Seacrest said in a statement. “It’s been a wild ride, and I’m excited for my journey with American Idol to continue. The legions of fans, amazingly talented contestants, judges, and producers, along with the hard working Idol crew, impress me every time we go on air and make hosting the show a dream job.”
Seacrest, easily the busiest man in show business, will also help cover the Summer Olympics on NBC in June.
Colton Dixon on American Idol Elimination: God Will Guide Me
Immediately upon hearing his name called by Ryan Seacrest last night, as the latest American Idol finalist to get the boot, Colton Dixon was gracious and humble. He even apologized to the crowd for his poor Wednesday evening performances.
A little while later, backstage with reporters, not much was different for the dyed-hair rocker.
"[I'm] a little overwhelmed, but besides that, I'm good," Dixon said. "I know God is going to use me to do other things."
Was he at all resentful that the judges used up their save on Jessica Sanchez the week before? Not remotely.
She "deserved to be saved, hands down," Colton said, adding that he knew he'd be in the bottom three was he was called to center stage along with Sanchez and Phillip Phillips.
LMFAO on American Idol: Sorry For Party Rocking!
American Idol featured a pair of contrasting performances on its latest results show.
Indeed, prior to narrowing down the season 11 field to six contestants - did you agree with the elimination of Colton Dixon? - former series winner Kris Allen took to the stage, sat behind a piano and calmly belted out a version of the first single off his new album.
Later, following a tribute to Dick Clark, LMFAFO also entertained the audience, but this group did so in a slightly different manner than Allen. Case in point: there were dancing zebras on stage. And a lot of yelling.
Watch the group's rendition of "Sorry For Party Rocking" now.
