Monday on American Idol Season 19, which saw Ryan Seacrest “the biggest stir in Idol history ”. Ten “famous faces” of last year – who was robbed of the chance to act on the main stage due to production strike amid concerns about coronavirus – has a place in this the top-10 of the year. “Those finalists never got the real experience of the big stage, the lights, the cameras, the hair, the makeup, the wardrobe, that fun stuff, Kris Pooley and the group that supports it,” Ryan explained to judge Katy Perry noted that it was ‘kind of unfair’.
Where. It wash unfair, though inevitable. But you know what else was kind of unfair? Allow another contestant – especially one with an existing fan base, such as Louis Knight’s top seven lead season (which Judge Luke Bryan once predicted would be the biggest) Idol star ever) or the real runner-up of season 18 Arthur Gunn – enter the season’s already talented competition. Just last night, three fantastic season 19 singers (Ava August, Beane and Madison Watkins) were eliminated, and one of them, probably the former forerunner Ava, would otherwise have finished tenth if it were not for this unnecessary new ‘plot twist ‘was not. Called The Comeback. ”
And it just did not look right. If the producers had insisted on bringing back second chancellors from last year, it would at least have to happen manner earlier this season, maybe during the auditions or Hollywood Week – not so late in the game, with so much at stake.
Fans were not happy, except for Arthur’s fans.
Monday’s entire Comeback episode was just … strange. Last year’s remote, virtual season now seems so long ago and fickle Idol viewers tend to move from one season to the next even under normal circumstances, trotting out one forgotten contestant after another this week has created a disconnect. Most of these contestants – apart from the memorable Arthur and Louis, the only two with a hit – did not even make it to last year’s top 20, so this comeback lineup was also unfair to Faith Becnel, Franklin Boone, Dwayne Crocker Jr., Cyniah Elise, Aliana Jester, Nick Merico, Makayla Phillips and Olivia Ximines. (Side note: Some contestants who progressed in Season 18, such as Francisco Martin, Grace Leer, Julia Gargano and Dillon James, were signed to 19 Recordings, so they did not return this week. But it is still unclear 19 Recordings were by Arthur transferred, as he almost won the entire show.)
But hey, I’m not making the rules. Of course. So let us simply evaluate and predict the following achievements below which of the ten participants or Arthur or Louis will progress.
Cyniah Elise, “Edge of Midnight (Midnight Sky Remix)”
I vaguely remembered that Cyniah was a power singer, the kind of dynamite diva ballad egg that could pose a threat to this season’s Grace Kinstler or Alyssa Ray. Lionel Richie even once compared her to Whitney Houston. So it was surprising that she decided to mix it with an uptempo rock song and show a ‘different side’ of herself, rather than remind viewers of her head side – aka, what she actually does best. And rock is definitely not what Cyniah does best. This performance was clumsy and amateurish, and as Monday’s opening number, it was not exactly a convincing argument that this one-off Comeback show was such a brilliant idea.
Nick Merico, “City Lights”
This was actually Nick’s third chance at Idol. He stopped in season 17 for mysterious’ personal reasons’, and returned with his tail between his legs last year – but did not receive a warm welcome when Lionel told him: ‘I do not like you . “This week, Nick got the cold shoulder from Luke, who said, ‘The only thing I think you’ll encounter this year is just our talent level. I’m not sure it was vocally knocked out of the park for me. ”(Um, die only thing?) Nick’s voice was actually serviceable enough. But his original song was horrible, like a bad parody on an 80s action theme by Survivor or John Parr. “He will never get such a chance again,” mentor Bobby Brown said. Bobby has ever uttered wiser words about this program.
Aliana Jester, “I Will Never Love Again”
It was the first contestant of the evening who looked like a worthy candidate and delivered an amazing voice. And while she will not get the votes (even if Katy claims, ‘You really have a chance to be in the top 10’), I’m glad she had her moment. I remember Aliana was really spicy and green last season, but she clearly evolved. Lionel calls it a ‘wonderful world-class show’, and Katy said: ‘It takes ten years of experience to be on the lookout to be ready and elegant. It was like I was watching VH1 Divas back in the early 2000s. … It’s just incredible growth. ”
Franklin Boone, “Intended to Live”
I actually remember Franklin well; he was one of my favorites last season. I was not pleased with his Switchfoot song choice, which seemed completely too low to him, but he still expressed the star quality, and I appreciated that he brought a little rock to the proceedings of Monday. “Wow. We just thought you’re like a coffee shop / theater man, and then you come out here and do Switchfoot. Turn it on! I miss the Franklin Boone singer songwriter, but it’s so nice to have all these colors. and shapes, ”said Katy.
Faith Becnel, ‘Cry Baby’
Faith confused this Janis Joplin song in Hollywood last year, so she was ready to redeem herself in more ways than one. Katy praised Faith for the reviews of the judges from “Season 3” (she means the third ABC season, not the Fantasia / Jennifer Hudson season from 2004) about the decline of her “too saucy” vibrato, and while this action to a a rough start, and Faith is no Allison Iraheta. Overall, it was a great showcase for her big pipes and even a bigger personality. I still wonder why a sparkling fire like Faith got so little time last season.
Arthur Gunn, “Iris”
Arthur pondered this week between three options: an original song, a Bob Dylan song, or … a Goo Goo Dolls song. Not sure why he went with the latter, but I think he made a big mistake. Maybe it will not matter, considering how many fans will vote for him anyway. (Katy even told him, “I’ve seen you trending on Twitter several times. You have a massive fan base, and I know they’re still there.”) But even though Arthur had some wonderful moments here , it was ultimately overwhelming. . It was not Dibesh at his best, nor was it a performance at the level of almost anyone in the current top nine of this season. Note: The ‘winner’, Just Sam, from last season was finally recognized on Monday when Bobby Bones forced Arthur to watch the final 2020 recording of how he lost to her. The producers should have brought Sam back just this week as well. , since they’re done nothing to promote her and it seems she was not signed to 19 Recordings. Just say ‘.)
DeWayne Crocker Jr., “Voice of God”
Interestingly, DeWayne admitted this week that he was’ focused on choosing the right songs’ last year and ‘trying to adjust the form’, and that he regretted performing James Brown’s’ I Got You (I Feel Good) ‘during his top 20 week. So this time he did a religious Dante Bowe song. He will not go further Idol, but he may have a true gospel / CCM career after this, and it’s a good idea to keep it. This performance was much better than last year’s. Katy calls it “really dope” and says she “feels that church shivers.” Lionel told DeWayne, “I do not really know what happened to each other during this time, but you clearly came into your light.”
Makayla Phillips, “Anyone”
Makayla reached the top 11 last year via the Judges’ Save, and this week she proved she deserves to be saved – and to get this Comeback chance. Her emotional Demi Lovato cover, which ended in real tears, was powerful. It was not the premature Disney teenager from season 18, but the voice was still fantastic. ‘Last year you always had my favorite voice in the competition, and it was just like you always did. Good work. Way to come back and really show up, ”Luke said. “We felt every bit of the performance,” Lionel said. ‘In the end, when your voice cracked and you were about to cry and it was a little unobstructed, it was everything. It told the story, and the best storyteller wins, ”Katy said.
Olivia Ximines, “Say Yes”
I remember that Olivia was still an early teenager, very actress and communicative, but she too has become very mature over the past year. This cover of Michelle Williams was still youthful and cute, but she commanded the scene like an experienced pro. ‘You were not meant to stay in the living room. That would not have been fair. You had to be on this stage. You gave us moments. You gave us a real show business. “I thought it was a complete package,” Katy said.
Louis Knight, “Maybe That”
I totally assumed Arthur had it in his pocket, but then Louis got the ‘pimp spot’ and, unlike Arthur, an original song. And it was a wonderful song! It was as if Louis was the new Lewis, as in Capaldi. He really excels when he does lamentable, painful ballads like these, which, coupled with his sad appeal and dreamy British accent, might clinch the deal for him. “I always thought you were super-authentic, and I think you really came out here and exposed your soul. “I really felt it for you, and that means I was connected,” Katy said. ‘This may be my favorite American Idol moment I had with you, and I’m so glad it happened tonight, ”adds Luke.
American Idol it’s getting dark for Oscar week, with the voting window for the Comeback remaining open until April 26. So come back on May 2nd to see Arthur or Louis, and the rest of the top 10, perform Disney songs.
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