I got the whole John Stevens thing wrong - as the red-headed 16-year-old crooner earned a whopping 28% of the popular vote. I still think he is going to have problems adapting to "theme" nights... though with the novelty of his voice I would not be surprised if he slips through a few rounds. I was more impressed with the other finalist, Jasmine Trias, last night -- perhaps the weakness I detected in her voice was just nerves...something that I think her other Hawaiian colleague, Camile Velasco, is going to battling with as well.
But the bigger news was the unveiling of the wildcard contestants. No real surprises in the bunch -- and no dipping back into the larger contestant pool as was done last year. The only mildly notable absentees were Erskine Walcott from Group 1, my Google-hit honey Briana Ramirez-Rial, and, one of my personal faves, Charly Lowry.
Back in the race: All the 3rd place finishers (Matthew Metzger, Lisa Leuschner, Jon Peter Lewis, and George Huff) and half of Group 1 (Metzger, Jennifer Hudson, Marque Lynche, and Katie Webber).
With only 2 guys and 8 gals in the finals right now, I am thinking there might be some desire to inject some more testosterone into the mix. So the still in the minority 5 male wildcards really need to hit it out of the ballpark next week...I think they are going to have a tough time against the flashier (both singing style and performing ability) females.
Fearless predictions!
Moving On To The Finals:
Will happen: Leah LaBelle, Jennifer Hudson, Katie Webber, Matthew Metzger
Should happen: Jennifer Hudson, Katie Webber, Susie Vulaca, Matthew Metzger
Difference: I wasn't all that impressed with LaBelle (or her crying jag after failing to move on)...I thought Susie gave a more consistent performance. But of all the wildcards, LaBelle seems to have the greatest judge support. Matthew is here purely for having had past audience support and as personal eye-candy.
Rounding Out The Wildcards:
Will happen: Elizabeth LeTendre, Jon Peter Lewis, Susie Vulaca, Tiara Purifoy
Should happen: Elizabeth LeTendre, Tiara Purifoy, Eric Yoder, Leah LaBelle
Difference: Giving LaBelle her chance here. Think Yoder had the better voice over the Pee-Wee Herman-ish stylings of Lewis. LeTendre was one of the weaker performances of her week, but I think she is the contestant most likely to bounce back.
Cut From The Wildcard Show:
Will happen: Marque Lynche, Eric Yoder, George Huff, Lisa Leuschner
Should happen: George Huff, Jon Peter Lewis, Marque Lynche, Lisa Leuschner
Difference: Not good news for the guys here... I like Lynche and he has a chance to move up if he shows off more of what he did at his original audition than the milquetoast "Wind Beneath My Wings." Leuschner, like it or not, is most likely a victim of the image/star-quality card.
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