In their last chance to make the finals, the Top 3 of Season 12, “American Idol,” sang three songs each: one selected by music mentor Jimmy Iovine, one selected by the judges, and one selected by the “Idol” producers, giving viewers some sense of how they might try to market each singer, should she win.
- Kree Harrison kicked it off with Jimmy’s selection, Pink’s “Perfect,” and she delivered a lovely country version of the song, wearing a fairly forgettable look: a white blazer with a black scoop-neck top and black pants. Keith Urban asked her about the song choice, because she’s a country girl, no matter what she sings. He loves that about her. Nicki Minaj liked that she’d gone back to her easy-going “Kreedom feel” and didn’t seem as nervous. She suggested that ought to wear flat cowboy boots to move around more. Randy Jackson didn’t love the song for her but “I loved you.” He said the song lacked pizzazz. Mariah Carey thought she could have gone further but thought maybe she’d been more restrained so she could give it more later in the show.
- For Candice Glover, Jimmy picked the U2 song “One,” and it reminded me of “Rattle and Hum,” where they did some blues-and-soul-suffused versions of their hits. She did exactly what she needed to: kept it interesting and relied on her strengths without coasting. She even came out of the shell in terms of fashion: wearing a fitted top in a black and white animal print, with a black shrug, a look that was far younger than her almost-matronly fashions of recent weeks. Nicki called her “Candi-girl,” and gave a shout-out to “my secret husband, Jimmy Iovine,” for choosing the song. She said, “Miss Ma’am, you are on your way. You are a diva.” Randy also gave props to Jimmy, because the song gave her room to soar. He thought the emotion was on point. Mariah observed that Candice didn’t seem happy with her performance the song, at which point Candice jumped in and said, “I’m a perfectionist.” But Mariah assured her that “we felt it,” meaning they felt the song, I guess, not Candice’s displeasure. Keith noted it got sharp in a few spots but he “felt every bit of it.”
- Angie Miller sang Elton John’s “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word.” The top end of it was out of her range, which ended up making much of the vocal in the middle sound harsh. She wore a leather mini-dress, which is typical for the “covered-up but slightly edgy” look she’s been sporting. Randy asked her if it was hard to play the song without playing the piano, because it was an Elton John song. Of course, with the trips home, there was a shorter period of time to learn the songs and therefore, to learn piano parts. Randy thought she’d done a good job with holding back. Mariah thought the mic stand had helped her to be grounded (whatever that means) and that it was “really good.” Keith said it’s a beautiful song, but he would have liked to see her hold back even more. Nicki loved her look. She thought this was a stellar vocal, but it didn’t hit her emotionally.
- In his comments, Jimmy gave Round 1 to Angie. Hmm. Could that be just because she went last?
- The next round were the judges’ picks, and for, I believe, the first time in “Idol” history, the contestants changed order in the second round. Going first this time was Candice, who on her hometown trip revisited the travel agency where she worked before the auditions. Her big family were waiting for her at her house, and she got teary on the drive there. She was also given a parade and feted at an event. For her judges’ pick, she sang the Emeli Sande song, “Next to Me.” Wearing a bright blue blazer and matching top with black-and-white patterned leggings — another fresh look, with color! — she gave the song a real gospel feel, although it wasn’t my favorite of her performances. Mariah called the performance “A-plus-azing.” She thought Candice had been rejuvenated by her trip home. Keith liked how she’d handled the lyrics and that she riffed at the end of the melody. Nicki said that Candice has come out swinging and “I am so proud of you.” Fighting back tears, apparently, she just said, “Congratulations.” Randy said it was amazing vocally and was glad the judges chose that song.
- Back in her hometown Beverly, Massachusetts, Angie was very excited during early-morning interviews. Her hometown crowds seemed a lot smaller, and it didn’t seem like she was being mobbed as much everywhere she went, although she did meet up with some friends, inviting them to join her for a limo ride as she traveled to a local elementary school. The kids not only were excited but gave her some dandelion bouquets. Her concert seemed to be fairly well attended, too. For her judges’ selection, she did the Pink song “Try,” dressed in black leggings and a sleeveless black top with gold metallic studs; understated but edgy. Her rendition of “Try” showed more of her rock side, which was a smart move, since her ability to launch into vocal acrobatics is more limited than the other two singers’. Keith loved that she didn’t play the piano and was breaking out of her comfort zone. Nicki said that she’d never looked so comfortable doing an up-tempo song. Randy’s good friend wrote that song, and he thought the song fit her like a glove, and she sounded amazing and looked comfortable. Mariah thought she’d really found a place to be at home on the stage.
- Kree, with her sister, revisited their childhood home in Texas (both parents died in accidents when the sisters were young). The house had fallen into disrepair, although there were still a few small mementos left behind. It was very emotional and a little hard to watch. Kree sang “Here Comes Good-Bye” by Rascal Flatts, wearing a black sleeveless evening gown with a lacy top. She had a little trouble in the upper end of the song, but it was a forceful performance, colored by the emotions she was clearly feeling for her parents. Nicki complimented her on her personal strength. She said she’s super proud of her. Randy said this is one of the best three finalists ever on “Idol.” He called her singing “unbelievably beautiful.” Mariah was “in awe of the purity of you when you sing.”
- Jimmy thought the judges did a great job picking songs for Angie and Kree but thought the song for Candice was a little too subtle for Candice’s capabilities. He gave the round to Kree, who coincidentally also ended the round.
- For the final round, Angie sang “Maybe” by Emeli Sande, sitting at the piano, wearing black and brown with a distressed/rocker look. On some of the higher notes, she sounded shrill. There were a lot of audible breaths, too. I’m wondering if maybe she picked up a little cold back home. Randy said she sang her heart out. He thought she’d become a complete performer tonight. Mariah felt she was really feeling the song and that the emotion was there. Keith joked that now maybe she should try singing a song under the piano. Nicki said that “your growth has surpassed my expectations.” She said that she’s emotionally connecting to the songs. “As long as you feel it, we’re going to feel it.”
- Kree’s producers’ pick was the Band Perry’s “Better Dig Two.” She strutted around in stiletto boots, with black leggings, a black leather jacket and black V-neck; sort of a female Johnny Cash! This is a dark sort of song about someone who swears that if her lover dies first, she’s going to have the gravedigger dig two graves (implying she’ll kill herself). Wow. It was unclear, though, exactly how to take these lyrics: the way Kree sang them, they sounded angry. Mariah liked seeing the “wild side” of Kree, the “rocker side.” But she likes the “sorrow more than the anger.” I think she was right about it; Kree’s interpretation of these lyrics was off. Keith said he likes the song but it didn’t feel right for him. He didn’t specify why. Nicki told her, “that’s not your comfort zone” and “whoever picked that for you should be stoned.” Randy jumped in, saying, “That was Sony’s.” That just shows they don’t seem to know how best to position Kree, who should have been given a bluesy country song. Randy called her a superstar, but he didn’t like the song because “your voice is too big for that kind of thing.”
- For her final song, Candice did “Somewhere” from “West Side Story,” joined onstage by an orchestra. While this song could have sounded dated, her version of it had a lot of dimensions, keeping it contemporary and fresh. Wearing a glittering sleeveless floor-length gown, her neck festooned with bling, she looked more fabulous than ever. The judges gave her a standing ovation. Keith raved, “How do you do that?” Keith joked that if you don’t want to vote for Candice, you probably don’t have a pulse. Nicki boldly predicted, “See you next week.” Randy said that she’d had one of the best vocals in “Idol” history. He compared it to a “singing lesson.” Mariah said she’d shown she could sing any song, and she threw in that this was her parents’ song, which made her even more emotional. Because of course, it always has to be about Mariah.
- Jimmy weighed in on Round 3, declaring that Candice not only won the round but also won the night with that song. I actually agree.
- Kudos to Candice and nods to both Kree and Angie. The voters are going to have a really tough time tonight. Definitely, Candice should be in the finale. Who should join her there? I think you could make an argument either way. If based solely on this week’s performances, it should be Angie, who had a stronger night. But if you’re looking at the ability to hold her own against Candice and make this a truly exciting finale, let’s hope the viewers picked Kree to advance.
