AIX Recap, Semi-Finalists x 12, Gals (03/02/11)

So a few things from last night. Stefano reminds me of John Turturro’s brother, Nicholas. It was pointed out to me that Jordan was the real offender in making people “audition” for his group (although Scotty did partake in it too). I guess Casey Abrams did an amazing version of “Georgia On My Mind” that I haven’t seen yet. He reminds me of the chef “Kevin” on Top Chef 2 seasons ago.

I read on MJ’s Big Blog that the gals were actually taped Monday night. Interesting.

01 – Ta-Tynisa Wilson, Only Girl (In The World) (Rihanna)
She did not start the show off well. Kinda reminds me of the chubby Janet Jackson (circa Control, with the one house key earring). And I cringe at the camera upshots from the front of the stage when the gals are wearing dresses… Steven & JLo loved it. Randy kept it real and said it was just okay and she didn’t bring anything different to it. So long, Ta-Tynisa. We hardly knew you.

02 – Naima Adedapo, Summertime
Before she sang, my son Jared said she is good (he remembers her from the auditions). I agree that she had a spot on voice for the song. He also thought this song belonged in a Disney movie. It’s fun watching AI with my son! JLo called her an exotic flower (which Naima said is the meaning of her name). Randy called it a little lounge acty. Tyler called her early Ella Fitzgerald-ish.

03 – Kendra Chantelle, Impossible (Christina Aguilera)
Kendra came out in what looked like a dominatrix outfit designed by Brighton. I don’t remember her from the auditions but I thought she did pretty well for herself tonight. Randy liked her vibrato. Tyler thought her voice, clothes and style were hot and JLo said she has heart. I think she’s on the fence tomorrow night. Not at the top, but definitely not in the bottom.

04 – Rachel Zevita, Criminal (Fiona Apple)
I guess this is 4 years in the making for Rachel? My thoughts have always been, if it takes you that long to get in the finals, you probably don’t belong there. And she didn’t disappoint me. I thought she was totally scripted. From the dropping of her cloak to the throwing down of the mic stand. It was like how the callers read their “takes” on the Jim Rome Show. Tyler loved the strut, but called it too Broadway. JLo wondered why her first impression to America would be Broadway? Randy was a bit harsher saying it wasn’t great, wasn’t good and didn’t work. In case you haven’t noticed yet, Steven & Jennifer will not say anything negative this year. I think they’re playing it safe and NOT trying to be Simon. I think Simon was honest, but he really was mean in some (most) of his comments. Poor Randy has to take the boos now when he’s really speaking the truth. Rachel’s done.

05 – Karen Rodriguez, Hero (Mariah Carey)
She mixed in some Spanish verses into this song, which I thought was cool. But she kinda looked cross-eyed at times, which bothered me a tad. And that toga-ish dress did nothing for her. I think she has a nice voice, but not a huge voice. She may tap into the Latino votes, which will help her. All Jenny from the Block could say is “wow” and show her goose bumps. Randy thought the Spanish was better than the English. I think she’s on the fence tomorrow too, but may make it as a Wild Card if she’s not voted through.

06 – Lauren Turner, Seven Day Fool (Etta James)
Jennifer called her a young Bette Midler, but she reminded me of a young Kirstie Alley. She’s got a big, husky voice. I wouldn’t mind seeing more of her if she makes it to the finals. Randy liked her bluesy, soul flavor. Tyler called her spectacular, but JLo didn’t want her holding back. She’s also on the fence (big fence tonight).

07 – Ashthon Jones, Love Over Me (Monica)
She reminds me a bit of season 1’s Tamyra Gray. I couldn’t believe her outfit though. Denim brazier with speed skater pants. But she pulled it off! Tyler said she had the confidence of a queen. Jennifer said she has all the makings of a diva (hair, body, composure, moves). Randy didn’t like the song choice, saying she is bigger than the song, but he does like her. I think she should be in the top 5 gals.

08 – Julie Zorrilla, Breakaway (Kelly Clarkson)
Very pretty girl with a nice story (wasn’t she the one with parents from war torn Columbia?), but she fell way flat tonight. Bad dress (looked like she was going to prom) and horrible song choice. Has anyone covered Kelly Clarkson well yet? Song ate her up. JLo said she liked it, which is code for she hated it. Randy thought it paled in comparison to the original. Tyler thought it was the wrong song for her. She’s pretty though, so he may use his Wild Card pick on her…

09 – Haley Reinhart, Fallin’ (Alicia Keys)
Judges were mixed on Haley. Randy didn’t get it. Tyler thought it was the right amount of everything. Jenny thought there was a lot of different colors to her voice. I thought she was good with this. Song didn’t eat her up, but she also didn’t change it up much. I cringed when she started a cappella, but worked for her. Bold move. But she had bad posture when she was singing. Mixed on her. Not in the bottom, but on the lower end of in the middle.

10 – Thia Megia, Out Here on My Own (Fame)
Her dress reminded me of the stork dress Bjork wore a few years back. Can’t believe she’s only 15. I think her voice is great, but don’t know if she has the personality to win this thing. Steven said her pitch is so perfect it doesn’t matter what she sings. JLo thought it was a beautiful, quiet moment. Randy loved the quality of the tone of her voice and likened her to a young Michael Jackson. I think she should make the final 5.

11 – Lauren Alaina, Turn On the Radio (Reba McEntire)
I don’t like country music, but I sure like Lauren. She’s so effortless up there. They featured her so prominently in the auditions that I think they want her to win. I thought it was a cool moment when she sang the Aerosmith song with Steven Tyler. Is it wrong that I think of Miss Piggy when I see her? Jennifer thinks it’s crazy how much of a natural she is up there (especially at 16). Randy thinks she’s like Kelly Clarkson meeting Carrie Underwood (that’s high praise). Lauren let the audience know that she calls Ryan “Peaches” since he’s from Georgia.

12 – Pia Toscano, I’ll Stand By You (The Pretenders)
I envision her on the Real Housewives of New Jersey in 20 years. She kinda looks like Selena Gomez, but with a five-head and eyes too close together. And way tanner. But I do like Pia. Love the song and she hit all the notes. Judges gave her a standing O, which I think was a bit overboard. She was good, but a standing O? JLo knew she’d stand out, but said she was saving that for when it counted. And it counted. It’s like saving your good dunks for the finals in a dunk contest. JaVale McGee had to do his best 2 dunks (a 2 basket dunk and a 3 ball dunk!!!) to get into the finals, then didn’t have anything to top them. I’ve got to think Pia’s safe tomorrow.

This is a tough one because only Ty-Tynisa, Julie and Rachel were horrible. I think Pia, Lauren Alaina & Thia were real good. If I had to round out the top 5, I’d have to put the other Lauren and Ashthon in there. But Naima, Karen, Kendra & Haley were very close too.

At this point, I think the gals are stronger than the guys. It’ll be interesting tomorrow night because there will be a few that make the top 10 that don’t deserve to. Vote for the Worst has Brett and Rachel as their posterchildren.

It also looks like they are naming the top 10 (5 gals, 5 guys) tomorrow night, then the remaining 14 may sing for their lives next week for 2 or 3 Wild Card spots. Idol seems to be doing quite a bit on the fly this season. They already cut down the Beatles stuff in the final cuts (so I was told, as I haven’t watched it yet).