With the one-time judges’ save used up on Casey, it was business as usual this week on American Idol—with not one, but two sad singers given the toss on last night’s results show. Our Power List covers the Top 9 contestants, so say adios to reggae-loving Naima Adedapo and 16-year-old Thia Megia. Check out how we ranked the remaining hopefuls after the jump.
Elton John night didn’t really have us tiny-dancing across the living room floor, but James Durbin (9 points) at least brought the fire—literally! Comeback kid Haley Reinhart (8) and soulful crooner Jacob Lusk (7) were also somewhat impressive, while our reigning frontrunner on the list, Pia Toscano (6), was just okay.
Scotty McCreery (5) played it safe by doing Elton’s “Country Comfort,” Lauren Alaina‘s (4) “Candle In The Wind” was pretty forgettable and Casey Abrams (3) has been on a downward slide in our book for the past three weeks.
That brings us to Stefano Langone (2), who took on “Tiny Dancer” but failed to connect emotionally with the song, and Paul McDonald (1), whose slight performance and whisper at the end of “Rocket Man” grated on our nerves. But Paul can forget scoring this week, because he was in the Bottom Three last night. That means he’s docked his lone point.
AMERICAN IDOL POWER LIST, WEEK #4 — TOP 9
1. Pia Toscano (39 points, Last Week #1)
2. James Durbin (38, Last Week #2)
3. ↑Jacob Lusk (28, Last Week #4)
4. ↓Scotty McCreery (27, Last Week #3)
5. Lauren Alaina (23, Last Week #5/tied)
6. ↓Casey Abrams (22, Last Week #5/tied)
7. ↑Stefano Langone (16, Last Week #8) *TIE*
7. ↑Haley Reinhart (16, Last Week #11) *TIE*
9. ↑Paul McDonald (9, Last Week #10)
Check back every Friday to see how the contestants rise or fall in our power rankings! And, of course, we welcome debate in the comments.
Haley is continuing to impress me more and more
Here is my powerlist based on all performances to date
1. Jacob Lusk- Really hard to deny that he has some of the best vocals this show has ever seen
2. Scotty Mcreary- Has that voice that everyone dreams they could have. His stage presence and his ability to relate to the audience are undeniable. He will be a country star. Might even be bigger than underwood
3. Haley Reinhart- Tyler had it right when she said her voice is sexy. She is mesmerizing to me. I seem to replay her performances over and over, especially Benny and the Jetts, I’ve watched it 20 times at least.
4. Pia Toscano- Has a good voice, but seems to be a statue up there. She seems to do the same thing every week, and doesn’t seem to want or try to do anything but the safe thing. To me she is getting boring
5. Stefano Langone- Second best voice in the show mext to Jacob, unfortunately he has trouble with nerves I think. He reminds me a lot of Lee Dewyze last year. Started out slow unsure and unconfident, but finished with a bang. The longer he stays the better his chances get in my opinion.
6.Paul Mcdonald- He is a musicians musician. He has a great voice and a smooth delivery. He is fun, and a breath of fresh air. There is no smoke, flaming pianos and or other gimmicks that he hides behind
7.James Durbin- Ok so I’m not buying into the hype. He has been given free pass after free pass without criticism. This is where the show is missing Simon. This may not be a popular take, but I think he has the weakest vocals of the contestants left. Last week he was so concerned about pomp and circumstance, that he made people forget his vocals on that song were very average at best.
8.Casey Abrahms- I’m not quite sure what ti think right now. I went from liking him, to wanting him kicked off the show after what he did with Nirvana and Marvin Gaye, then last week he sung his way back on the show, which of course I think ended up sending a couple other singers home premature.
9. Lauren Allaina- she has bugged me from the beginning. I think it started with her tortuous cover of a good Reba song that set it off for me. Plus she is just so ditzy, and thinks her you know what doesn’t stink. She has never had an oustanding performance, but she has had some forgettable ones.
1. Jacob Lusk – He is ok but I think he oversings at times, the last 2 weeks he has been much better though. I do not believe he has some of the best vocals this show has ever seen. My opinion though.
2.Scotty Mcreary – I like him and even more after last nights performance but I don’t think he will win it. I think he could go out tomorrow and sign a contract because he does have an amazing voice.
3.Haley Reinhart – I have liked her from the getgo. I was singing Benny and The Jets all through the week.
4. Pia Toscana – I do not find her boring at all, if something isn’t broke why fix it? Some of the people up there look like idiots dancing or walking around on the stage. She is fine standing there and moving her arms. Last week and last night she had lots movement…
5. Stefano Langone – I love his voice and I think he’s better than Jacob. He is connecting more with the audience, so I think that is helping him. I agree, the longer he stays the better his chances are.
6. Paul McDonald – I personally think he sounds like a munchkin. I don’t think he’s anywhere near the other talent on AI this season. I hope it is him going home tonight.
7. James Durbin – What hype, that he can sing? If last night’s performance didn’t show he could sing then I don’t know what will. Yes, Simon probably would’ve said his performance last week was over the top but he did entertain the masses. He is my favorite out of all of them, so I guess I am biased.
8. Casey Abrams – I am not a fan of Casey’s. Something about him is off-putting to me. I think last week he had a lot of sympathy votes which irked me to no end. If Simon was on the show he would’ve said Casey is somewhat forgettable and he is. Kinda like Thia Megia, she could sing but was utterly forgettable, however I do not think she should’ve been sent packing, she was not the worst performance last week, Paul won that hands down.
9. Lauren Alaina – I don’t have a problem with her like you do. She is young and naive, not sure about ditzy. Kelly Pickler was a ditz. She didn’t do too well with Shania Twain’s song but she has picked herself up and dusted herself off and has performed much better since. I thought Candle in the Wind was amazing and showed her talent, just like last night’s number did.
Haley is so cool, she’s still impressing me more and more each day…
Pia is hot and has an amazing voice no doubt, but Haley is cute and much more fun to watch.I just need a CD to listen Pia, but for Haley I need the whole video performance.