Though Haley Reinhart was arguably the contestant who showed the most improvement over the course of the season – she went from being a shrug-worthy competitor trapped in the Bottom 3 to a confident, sultry frontrunner – the golden-haired Illinois native was eliminated from American Idol. Which means we’re left with two country-leaning teenagers in next week’s finale: 16-year old Lauren Alaina and 17-year old Scotty McCreery. Congratulations, country music fans. You won Season 10.
Of course, before Haley’s elimination (met with an unbelievable stink face from the ousted singer), we were treated to clip packages of the Top 3 being sent back to each of their respective home towns so that Idol producers could get juicy footage of them crying nonstop. Oh, and so they could see their families and friends and stuff, too.
First up, we’re treated to Haley’s rainy homecoming to Wheeling, IL, which features her limo ride around a race track and one extra weepy security guard:
Scotty’s homecoming to South Carolina included a trip to his former supermarket job and the greatest cameo of all time: Josh Turner, the artist behind “My Man” aka “Baby lock them doors”, comes out to surprise Scotty at his hometown concert. And Scotty’s reaction is pretty priceless – jump to 3:40 to check it out.
Lauren’s homecoming takes a turn for the truly depressing when Lauren sees the devastation to her town caused by the recent tornadoes.
And it wouldn’t be Idol without special guests promoting their albums. The X Factor host Nicole Scherzinger busted out her new Killer Love single “Right There” with 50 Cent in a pre-taped performance. Why pre-tape? Did the producers think Fiddy might start reenacting his R-rated Twitter feed?
And Jimmy Iovine must have ordered Idol to promote his teenage opera-singing group Il Volo or suffer his wrath. Il Volo is kind of like Simon Cowell’s group Il Divo, except… well, we haven’t figured out any differences yet.
After all the performance filler was out of the way, we got our answer: Scotty and Lauren are in the finals, and Haley is sent home (before having to head on the road for the Idols Live tour, anyway). Scotty wins the coin toss to pick what order he’d like to sing during the finale, and ever the courteous gentleman, he lets Lauren decide. (She picks to go second.)
What do you think of the two country-lovin’ teens in the Top 2, folks? Do these two contestants deserve to be at the top? Or are you still majorly bummed about James Durbin’s elimination?
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I am still shocked that James Durbin was eliminated. For me, he was the best off all. I like Scotty and Lauren and I wish them the best. They are young and just hope that whatever they do,don’t forget who they are and never loose their values. Even though I will miss James Durbin. Take care guys. The best is yet to come :)
Thrilled that Lauren Alaina is in the top 2. Hoping she wins. Thrilled Haley went home — oh what an ego on that girl.
Scotty and Lauren will each be a “one and done.” They’ll both release one album and then fall off of the radar. Neither of them really have what it takes to maintain a long, successful career like some of the past winners.
James is a totally different genre from Scotty and Lauren …. Scotty can sing ! as can James ! … the public voted and this was the outcome . I laugh at people that make comments that Scotty can’t sing …wonder if they can ??? .. Enjoyed James preformances as well , someone had to go … public voted . Wishing for Scotty to win…great voice and presence on stage ) would vote for Scotty ( Canadian here so cannot ). Vote not for his looks but his singing talent ! (I’m 51 yrs old and like all genres of music ). I enjoy American Idol…. love watching the talent of some of the singers ! Steven cracks me up ..LOL.. and JLO is so sweet and caring ! Best to both Lauren and Scotty …looking forward to watching the finale !
I’m sure Simon Cowell is hyper-ventilating at the realization that his ‘X-Factor” will have the same viewers as Idol…i.e. the southeastern quadrant of the United States. Alas, the voters will finally have to eliminate a country singer….hopefully Scotty.
Loved Haley! The only one that could really sing and was on the correct show. While I love country music, there is a talent show for that genre and its not Idol. Hope she gains the stardom she has earned.
About time that Haley got voted off. Perhaps if America had woken up days ago James Durbin would be going to the final fight. At least we are done with Haley. To me James was able to sing any type song I feel that Haley and Scotty were boring and will not linger on in their career. I hope and pray that James will become a world renowed singer.
i am kinda glad Haley left cause now its a real compition its just like Kelly .vs. Justin’s compition i am glad there the top 2 mow i dont care who wins they are both great they both diserve it….. GO Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina<33 :)
I’m very glad Hayley left, she is a okay singer but with that bitchy attitude of hers she wouldn’t be liked by anybody. I think Lauren should win, but i would’ve loved to see James win as well.
I am officially moving on from American Idol to X-factor. American Idol has been taken over by a bunch of teens voting only on popularity and not singing ability.
Also i don’t like the judges, they almost NEVER criticize. Which i believe doesn’t help these young singers.
Ever since season 6 there hasn’t been a singer that has made it far!
I hope James Durbin becomes a well known rock singer one day.
Also hope Pia Toscano also gets the fame she deserves.
Most of American Idol viewers will forget about every singer on American Idol.
Even if they were good….
Scotty is not from South Carolina!!!! He is from NORTH CAROLINA!!!! Please if you report the news get the information right before you report!!!!
Ilove James Durbin !!!!!!! He should have won American Idol !!!!!!! I am so dissapointed with this year’s American Idol. James is so much better than the last two contestants and yes, he will sell more recordings than the winner. I’m looking forward to seeing how far James will go and also his releases. He so deserves to become famous and he will! I watched American Idol as long as he was on there and looked forward to the next show. I couldn’t wait to see what James would do next. He is not only a great singer, but a true entertainer. James Durbin made the show this year. I am truly sad at the way the show went this year. Something was wrong and I don’t know what it was. The best did not win and I am so sorry. Why are the judges there anyway? I feel they should have more power over who wins. It should be talent that wins and only the judges know that, not the audience. This season of American Idol proved that!