Monday on American idol Season 19, what Ryan Seacrest’s biggest shake-up in Idol history ”has taken place. Ten “familiar faces” from last years – who were deprived of the opportunity to perform on the main stage due to production shutdown over coronavirus concerns – vied for a spot in this top 10 of the year. “Those finalists never have the real experience of the big stage, the lights, the cameras, the hair, the makeup, the wardrobe, those fun stuff, Kris Pooley and the band that support them,” explained Ryan, that judge Katy Perry commented that it was “a bit unfair”.
That’s right. It used to be unfair, although inevitable. But you know what different was a bit unfair? Allow another contestant – especially one with an existing fan base, like Louis Knight from last season’s top seven (whose judge Luke Bryan once predicted the biggest Idol star ever) or Arthur Gunn, # 18 of Season 18 – enter this season’s already talent-stacked competition. The night before, three fantastic singers from Season 19 (Ava August, Beane and Madison Watkins) had been eliminated, and one of them, probably former front runner Ava, would otherwise have secured that 10th spot had this unnecessary new ‘plot twist’ not happened. “Called” The Comeback. ”
And that just didn’t seem right. If the producers insisted on bringing back second chances from last year, then at least it should have happened way earlier this season, maybe during the auditions or Hollywood Week – not so late in the game, with so much at stake.
Fans weren’t happy, apart from maybe Arthur’s fans.
Monday’s entire Comeback episode was just … weirdLast year’s remote, virtual season now seems so long ago and fickle Idol viewers were inclined to move from one season to the next, even under normal circumstances, trotting out one forgotten contestant after another caused a disconnect this week. Most of these contestants – aside from the memorable Arthur and Louis, the only two with a chance – didn’t even make it into last year’s top 20, so this comeback lineup was also a bit unfair to Faith Becnel, Franklin Boone, Dwayne Crocker Jr., Cyniah Elise, Aliana Jester, Nick Merico, Makayla Phillips, and Olivia Ximines. (Side note: some of the contestants who progressed through Season 18, such as Francisco Martin, Grace Leer, Julia Gargano and Dillon James, were signed to 19 Recordings, which is why they didn’t come back this week. But it’s still unclear why 19 Recordings went. by Arthur, since he almost won the entire show.)
Anyway, I don’t make the rules. Clearly. So, without further ado, let’s review and predict this performance below which of the 10 participants whether Arthur or Louis will continue.
Cyniah Elise, “Edge of Midnight (Midnight Sky Remix)”
I vaguely remembered that Cyniah was a power singer, the kind of dynamite diva balladeer that could threaten Grace Kinstler or Alyssa Ray this season. Lionel Richie even once compared her to Whitney Houston. So it was baffling that she decided to mix it up with an uptempo rock song and show ‘another side’ of herself, instead of reminding viewers of her head lace – in other words, what she actually does best. And rock is for sure not what Cyniah does best. This performance was clumsy and amateurish, and as Monday’s opening track, it wasn’t exactly a compelling argument that this one-off comeback show was such a smart idea.
Nick Merico, “City Lights”
This was actually Nick’s third chance IdolHe quit season 17 for mysterious’ personal reasons’, then returned last year with his tail between his legs – but didn’t exactly get a warm welcome then, when Lionel told him outright, ‘I don’t like you. “This week Nick got the cold shoulder of Luke, who said,” The only thing I think you could be dealing with this year is just our level of talent. I’m not sure it’s been knocked out of the park for me vocally. ” (Um, the only one?) Nick’s vocals were actually useful enough. But his original song was terrible, like a bad parody of an 80s action movie theme from Survivor or John Parr. “He will never have such an opportunity again,” said mentor Bobby Brown. Bobby had once spoken wiser words on this program.
Aliana Jester, “I’ll Never Love Again”
This was the first contestant of the evening to appear like a truly worthy contender, with an amazing voice. And while she won’t be getting the votes (even if Katy claimed, “You really have a shot at being in that top 10”), I’m glad she had her moment. I remember thinking Aliana was very spicy and green last season, but she has clearly evolved. Lionel called this a “great world-class performance”, and Katy said, “It takes 10 years of experience to look balanced and elegant. VH1 Divas back in the early 2000s … It’s just incredible growth. “
Franklin Boone, “Meant to Live”
I actually remember Franklin well; he was one of my favorites last season. I wasn’t thrilled with his Switchfoot song choice, which seemed way too low for him, but it still exuded the quality of a star, and I appreciated that he brought a little rock to the goings-on. “Wow. We just thought you were some kind of coffee shop / theater guy, and then you come out here and do Switchfoot. Switch it off! Miss Franklin Boone’s singer-songwriter, but it’s so nice to have all these colors. and shapes, ”said Katy.
Faith Becnel, “Cry Baby”
Faith screwed up this Janis Joplin song in Hollywood last year, so she was ready to redeem herself in more ways than one. Katy praised Faith for taking the judges’ notes from “ Season 3 ” (she meant the third ABC season, not the 2004 Fantasia / Jennifer Hudson season) on toning down her “ too cheeky ” vibrato, and while this gig got off to a rough start, and Faith is no Allison Iraheta, overall this was a solid showcase for her big pipes and even bigger personality. I still wonder why a sparkly hothead like Faith got so little film time last season.
Arthur Gunn, “Iris”
Arthur considered between three options this week: an original song, a Bob Dylan song, or … a Goo Goo Dolls song. Not sure why he went with the latter, but I think he made a big mistake. Maybe it doesn’t matter when you consider how many fans will vote for him anyway. (Katy even told him, “I saw you trending on Twitter several times. You have a huge fan group and I know they are still around.”) But while Arthur had some fun clay court moments here, it was disappointing in the end. It wasn’t Dibesh at best, nor was it an achievement at the level of almost everyone in the current top nine this season. (Side note: Last season’s “winner”, Just Sam, was finally recognized on Monday, when Bobby Bones forced Arthur to revisit the 2020 finale footage of losing from her. The producers should have brought Sam back this week as well, since she ‘did nothing to promote her and she doesn’t appear to be signed to 19 Recordings. Just sayin’.)
DeWayne Crocker Jr., “Voice of God”
Interestingly, DeWayne confessed this week that last season he was “focused on picking the right songs” and “trying to fit the form” of the show, regretting James Brown’s “I Got You ( I Feel Good) ”during his top 20 weeks. So this time he did a Dante Bowe religious song. He doesn’t go any further Idol, but he could certainly have a real gospel / CCM career after this, and kudos to him for keeping it real. This performance was a lot of better than last year. Katy called it “really dope” and said she “felt those chills in church.” Lionel told DeWayne, “I don’t really know what happened outside and together during this time, but you’ve clearly stepped into your light.”
Makayla Phillips, “Everyone”
Makayla made it to the top 11 through the Judges’ Save last year, and this week she proved she deserved to be saved – and to have this comeback opportunity. Her emotional cover of Demi Lovato, which ended in real tears, was powerful. This wasn’t the precocious Disney season 18 teen, but that voice was still fantastic. “You probably always had my favorite voice in the league last year, and it was exactly like you always did. Good job. Good to come back and really show up, ”Luke said. “We felt every bit of that performance,” said Lionel. “At the end when your voice cracked and you were about to cry and it was a little bit false it was everythingIt told the story and the best narrator wins, ”said Katy.
Olivia Ximines, “Say Yes”
I remember Olivia being a precocious teenager again, very actresses and flashy, but she too has grown up a lot in the last year. This Michelle Williams cover was still youthful and cute, but she ruled the stage like a seasoned professional. “You weren’t supposed to stay in the living room. That wouldn’t have been fair. You had to be on this podium. You gave us moments. You gave us real show business. I thought it was a very, complete package, ”said Katy.
Louis Knight, “Maybe That”
I totally assumed Arthur had this in the bag, but then Louis got the “pimp spot” and, unlike Arthur, he did an original number. And it was one very well song! It was as if Louis was the new Lewis, just like in Capaldi. He really excels at doing plaintive, painful ballads like this one, which, combined with his heartbreaking appeal and dreamy British accent, could seal the deal for him. ‘I’ve always thought you were super authentic, and I think you really came out here and bared your soul. … I really felt that for you, and that means I was connected, ”said Katy. “This may be my favorite American idol moment I had with you, and I’m so glad it happened tonight, ”added Luke.
American idol It’s getting dark for Oscar week, with the voting window for the comeback until April 26. So come back on May 2 to see Arthur of Louis and the rest of the top 10 Disney songs play.
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