OK. It's time. Here's my rundown on how I see the top 7 going down.
It's tough to pick how things are going to play out since the public has been getting it wrong week after week. I stopped voting the last few years because the public has generally gotten it right. This year the votes have been a bit "erratic" shall we say.
So in reverse order here's how I see it playing out
7. Casey Abrams
His growling is getting plain out weird at this point. I love it when he plays the stand-up base, but his performances last week did not appeal to a broad base and he didn't stand out this week, so I think it might be an early exit (again) for Casey. And admit it, J-Lo was afraid of Casey when he approached her, only to later give her a kiss on the cheek. Dude's a little creepy when he performs.
6. Jacob Lusk
I'm surprised Jacob has made it this far. His gospel inspired tunes and indulgent runs grew old on me long ago. I think his style has a narrower base of fans, so I see him leaving before the top 5.
5. Stefano Langone
Stefano has arguably the least amount of talent of those who remain, but he apparently has a loyal legion of female preteens voting for him. He may be able to eek out a couple more weeks on the show, but he's certainly not top 4 material.
4. Scotty McCreery
Scotty is obviously a one-trick pony. As talented as he is, he hasn't shown much growth throughout the season., which I think will hurt his chances of getting into the top 3. His inability to grow outside of his one genre will limit his appeal to a broad base.
3. Lauren Alaina
The youngest singer of the bunch, Lauren has a great voice, but week after week she's a deer in the headlights while on stage. Her inability to let go, may mean she'll be going soon. She fits the prototypical Kelly Clarkson-esque singer, so I think she'll go far despite her lack of confidence. If Scotty goes first, his fans may flock to Lauren and propel her to the final two, but there's no way she can win unless she grows a set of balls. I see her being similar to Kellie Pickler (minus the implants).
2. James Durbin
James has perhaps the best story of anyone on the show ever. You can't help but like the guy for all of the things he's overcomed in life (Tourretts Syndrome, Autism, etc.). I personally am getting tired of his Adam Lambert screams, but the dude can SING when he's not screaming. I see him lasting to the top 2, then not winning, and going on to appear as Roger in a traveling version of Rent.
1. Haley Reinhart
The past couple of years I've picked dark horses to win. This year it's Haley. I absolutely love her gravely yet sultry voice. She's got some pipes, able to belt out some tunes, and is also able to do what Pia was unable to do, harness a little bit of sexuality to add to her performance. Haley also fits the bill as most-improved, which seems to go a long way with voters. So there you have it: Haley Reinhart is my pick as the 2011 American Idol.
On Pia's elimination:
I still havent' gotten over Pia's elimination. She had what I would consider the best pop voice since Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson. The three things that hurt her were:
- Stage presence. She didnt' do too much while on stage. She was very similar to Carrie Underwood at a similar point in the season. I thought she'd last long enough to work on it, but alas, she did not.
- Wardrobe. For being as beautiful as she was, she did not wear clothing that flattered her figure. She had one week where she was wearing some strange pant suit thing which made her look huge. Then the week she was voted off she was wearing some weird Glen Stefani getup. She should have Hayley Scarnoto'd it up a bit and used the wardrobe and her perfect figure to her advantage.
- Song Choice. As perfectly as she sang the ballads, I think she did one too many. She finally mixed it up at the end, but it was too little too late.
| Pia, what's with the pants? |
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