You know what’s kind of heartbreaking? Believing that two of the final three contestants on American Idol are completing deserving of the title, and knowing that the other guy will probably win it.
I am dying for Jessica Sanchez to win American Idol. She has an out of this world voice, astonishing control for her age, and I know this shouldn’t really matter but it has been so long since a woman won the show. I will accept Joshua Ledet as a winner, because he has a phenomenal voice and has increasingly impressed me with his performances. I was expecting a one-trick church-trained pony when the season began, and he’s proved to be more than that.
But Phillip. Sigh. Phillip, who is like every other cute, white, guitar-strumming boy who’s won this show recently. Phillip, who sings almost exactly the same every week. Phillip, who’s proven over the course of the show that he has less vocal range than Jessica’s left pinkie finger.
He shouldn’t win, but I fear he will. And at that point, do I stop watching the show? Will I stop watching The Voice if another handsome crooner wins next season? I don’t know – I’ve enjoyed this season of Idol more than I have a lot of the past ones, and that counts for something. But Phillip winning? It’ll be a letdown.
Round One – The Judges’ Pick
Joshua Ledet – “I’d Rather Be Blind”
This was definitely a slam dunk song choice for Joshua – you knew the boy would do Etta James proud. And yeah, the performance was really, really great. But for some reason, it didn’t draw me in the way some other of Joshua’s performances have. I don’t know why, but I found it forgettable.
Jessica Sanchez – “My All”
Mariah Carey is tough to take on, and Jessica is one of only a few Idol contestants that can match her vocally. Jennifer Lopez said this song was meant to bring out the tenderness in Jessica’s voice and I definitely think she accomplished that. It reminded me of her stellar performance of “Sweet Dreams” from earlier in the season, and when she sings like this the tone of her voice reminds me a lot of Beyonce. It was subdued, but beautiful.
Phillip Phillips – “Beggin’”
OK. Yeah. This was good. But that doesn’t mean he deserves to win! It just means that he should add this song to his set list for bar gigs and small concert halls. It’s just, this was great, but it’s exactly what we’ve seen Phillip do all season and I’m over it. But, you know, he’ll probably win so good for him.
Round Two – The Contestants’ Pick
Joshua Ledet -”Imagine”
So, could Joshua’s hometown visit have been any more adorable? From his nerves in the plane to “They are really acting like I’m Barack Obama” to the hilarious locals who love him. It was all gold. “Imagine” was a great song choice on Joshua’s part, I think, because it has that same intimate vibe that he thrived with when he did the India.Arie number. It was so good it gave me chills.
Jessica Sanchez – “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing”
Jessica has an adorable personality, and I wish the cutie pie we saw in the helicopter would come out in her performances more often. I wish that she’d do something a little younger or funner more often. I think she could sing the hell out of something like “The Dog Days of Summer” or “We Are Young” or “Single Ladies” and it would show some more range. Instead, she chose an Aerosmith song? It was just a weird choice. And why was she wearing an old Pocahontas Halloween costume? Anyway, Jessica sang very well as she always does, but it wasn’t a memorable performance – except for that last note, which was somethin’.
Phillip Phillips – “Disease”
I may not want him to win, but seeing Phillip Phillips cry while his dad talked about how much he loves him may have caused a flicker of warmth in my small, sarcastic heart. Anyway, the song choice. I’m not a big Matchbox 20 fan, so there’s that. And generally, I thought it was a pretty underwhelming performance. I’m glad the judges also felt that.
Round Three – Jimmy’s Choice
Joshua Ledet – “No More Drama”
YES! This is THE SONG for Joshua. This is one of my favorite Mary J. songs, and I think we can all agree that she’s basically a queen. Anyway, I loved this passionate – especially how Joshua ripped off his sparkly jacket halfway through like, “This article of clothing is TOO DRAMATIC for me”. Also, he lost his earpiece. It was, in fact, a very dramatic performance. And I loved it.
Jessica Sanchez – “I’ll Be There”
SERIOUSLY??? Why? WHY? Was this song choice just meant to ensure an all male final two? Does Jimmy Iovine hate women? I wanted to hear Jessica sing something fun. “Young” doesn’t mean “scrappy group of children forced into show business by their scary scary father”, it means “fun and light and upbeat”. I wanted her to do something current. I feel like this song choice (and her own, as well) doomed her. Jessica sang well because it’s impossible for her vocal chords to sing poorly. But I felt like she never got a “moment” this week, and that’s super important.
Phillip Phillips – “We’ve Got Tonight”
Because what America needs is for P-squared to sing to their tween daughters about spending the night together, this was a genius song choice for Phillip. Evil, evil genius. It doesn’t matter that Phillip seemed uncomfortable, and it doesn’t matter that the performance put me to sleep. He’s cute, he’ll win.
So, I think Joshua easily won the night and Jessica outdid Phillip because she is inherently better than him and neither of them were at their best this week. I want Phillip to go home, I think he should go home so that the two best singers of the season can take their rightful places in the final, but I’m pretty sure it’ll be Jessica going home tonight. What do you guys think?
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