AI8: The Last Third Perform

My thoughts on last night’s singers:

Von Smith – Not a bad start to the show. He was very remiscent of Rick Astley in my opinion, and I said as much to Denis just before Simon compared him to Clay Aiken. If anything, he’ll get a wildcard spot.

Taylor Vaifanua – She never looks the same, this girl. From her audition to Hollywood to last night – I never know who she is because she always looks different. Her singing was fine, but I agreed that the song was too old for her.

Alex Wagner-Trufman – Well that was awkward, wasn’t it?

Arianna Afsar – She doesn’t want to be cute. So she destroys an ABBA song that is not a teen-appropriate song at all. And does a poor job of it as well. She should have sung something upbeat like Rihanna’s “Umbrella” or something like that.

Ju’Not Joyner – I liked his replay of “Delilah” (although I like Jamar’s Hollywood version better). I fear it was TOO downplayed though. Wildcard is his only shot but he may surprise me and take the third spot tonight.

Kristen McNamara – Easily the best female singer of the night after Lil Rounds. Pity that she picked a very generic song so the audience couldn’t connect with her. Because she is VERY talented.

Nathaniel Marshall – No. Words. Seriously. Even top AI queen Adam Lambert was laughing at this one (I’m not kidding – at one point Adam was visible on the screen and was openly enjoying it – and not in a positive way).

Felicia Barton – All that hype, all that disappointment. She’s in line for wildcard though, because the judges want to prove that the person-they-picked-that-they-didn’t-originally-pick is good. She better do well in wildcard.

Scott MacIntyre – I hate that song, but as a piano player I know why he picked it (piano players tend to steer toward piano-based songs). His vocals were all over the place, but he’s a lock for the male spot in the Top 3 because American loves a good backstory (see: Gokey, Danny).

Kendall Beard – I can see her claiming the third spot tonight, because she’s country. It’s the ONLY reason Michael Sarver made it through in Week One. She’s very Pickler/Underwood though, isn’t she? That’s why she’ll probably get that third spot.

Jorge Nunez – I was pleasantly surprised by this one. He was pretty good although NO ONE should attempt Elton John (I’m talking to you, Season 3’s John Stevens). His best shot is wildcard, but since there are more guys than girls this year, his chances are slim.

Lil Rounds – During the Hollywood sessions I didn’t get the draw that the judges had for Lil. She never particularly impressed me and I couldn’t understand WHY they loved her so much. However, last night I finally got it! The woman is a fantastic singer. She is absolutely taking the female spot tonight. No question.

The likely Top 3: Lil Rounds, Scott MacIntyre, either Ju’Not Joyner or Kendall Beard.