The Final! Who Will Be The American Idol 2019?

This is it. After a very good run and some excellent performances in what everyone agrees has been the best Season of all, one of Madison, Laine and Alejandro will take the prize.

We learn that Walker has already been taken on by Bobby Bones in a group of singers that he has in a comedy performance of some sort. I have also no doubts at all that Demitrius and Uché will find fame on Broadway and in broader entertainment respectively. Someone has to snap up Riley who will make them a fortune, Wade and Laci probably already have people offering them a deal - and there'll be a tour too for the Top 10, I expect.

So let's see what happens with these three.

Lionel Ritchie kicks things off by showing that he's still got it with a smart and quite energetic rendition of Dancing On The Ceiling.

Laine

He does a Marc Broussard number called Home. It's Bayou stuff again which he seems very much at home with. This guy does not make any mistakes. Each performance is him, not a copy. Very good and a great start.

Madison

Shallow by Lady Gaga. She's worked hard with this one and is so much better than last week's efforts. Well done. A tough song but she made it through.

Alejandro

An original number called Millennial Love.
Ding an original in the Final is a risk, surely! But there's no stopping this chap. He probably doesn't really care as long as he gets to do his stuff. This is actually a lovely number and has to be a hit very soon, hopefully here in the UK as well as there.

Laine has a huge party in Louisiana and the Governor says it's a day to have  Hardy Party. This is a lot of voters - I wonder whether what I thought earlier about Laine actually leading the voting is, in fact, the case?

He sings Jambalaya, a great classic and cheerful number that he cannot really go wrong with. It is very natural and I hope that it isn't too easy-going that people forget to vote for him! He has real star quality which, for TV appearance and show managers, Madison and Alejandro don't have.

Madison sings Learn How To Fly. She is still missing notes unfortunately. This is quite weak at the start - every time she's doing this. As the only girl left she might get the the last two as the male vote gets split but she really wouldn't deserve that on her singing today so far.

Alejandro sings another original called Tonight I think. It's a nice number but not quite as obviously vote catching as the Laine number. There is also such a difference in the 'Home-coming' and you can see that, for this guy, the studio is more his 'home' than anywhere else.

It really should be Alejandro and Laine as the final two.

Carrie Underwood is here now and puts on a good show,although she is looking older and less energetic now. She puts on  a great professional performance of a new single but it's not the greatest of tracks. Her writers are getting lazy now because almost everything she does tends to be released and make money. She can do much better than this. Someone sack her writers.

The first vote confirms that it is, indeed, Laine v Alejandro. Good.

Alejandro performs another original track. This one is called 10 Years and wow, this is impressive as he plays with a full orchestra backing him which, I presume, he has also arranged himself. Marvellous talent. Whatever happens, he is the real talent in this Season.

Adam Lambert now comes on stage and sings his new single New Eyes. Someone has to sack his writers too as he is too good for this. This fellow is fabulous and is someone you can totally trust to perform. His notes are perfect but he also has style and is just very, very smart and professional without losing emotion on the way.

Next he does Bohemian Rhapsody and is joined by Demitrius who is very much in his element here. A nice coupling and all credit to the producers for that idea!

Some duo called Dan & Shay do a dated number. It's OK but I have no idea who they are. Madison joins in and does a good job but that makes me wonder what is going on? Only a short while before she was a potential winner and now she's doing one of the 'also-ran' acts. Surely there must have been some rehearsal and was she tipped off in advance? Must have been. Maybe there was that much difference that it was obvious she would be third.

Luke Bryan's turn now and he gives us a jolly Country number. Then the lovely Laci joins in and really does seem to be enjoying herself now the pressure's off. Every Breath You Take is very cool for her and Luke together.

Laine is on now with John Pardi. It's Country style with Night Shift and Dirt On My Boots and you can see how smart this guy is as this must add the massive Country vote to his side o top of the Rock 'n Roll and Bayou votes already bagged. He could win for all the wrong reasons.

Katy P completes the judges' performances on the night with an extraordinarily good Unconditionally in which Jeremiah appears from the background and is fantastically good. That was the performance of the night, actually.

Weezer are now on stage - how many more acts are we going to get? Wade joins in for Africa and Walker helps out with Take On Me and Everybody Wants to Rule The World. Wade sort of hangs around and looks happy.

Alyssa joins someone called Kane Brown. They look good together.

Shay joins Andra Day for Rise Up.

Uché joins Kool & The Gang and has a great time. There is a star, for sure. He looks more at home on the stage than almost everyone else! Great stuff.

All a bit frantic as we get this end-to-end with no ad breaks!

For the final numbers Laine does Bring It On Home To Me which has a not-so-hidden message and, once again, will pull in some fans of Sam Cooke. It is an excellent choice and he sings it really well. He is the star, for sure. He could be the surprise winner of this thing.

Alejandro does a fourth original numberII I don't know the name of this one but I am amazed he's done this. No matter how brilliant they may be, people simply won't 'know' them and that is bound to affect the voting intent a bit. Yes, he is the winner in terms of artistry and sheer talent but it could well be Laine as the 'Idol' this year. Alejandro's song is actually a bit rushed, or seems so to me. I'm really not sure that's going to be enough.

Ryan Seacrest takes the stage at last. Dim the lights . . .

The winner is . . .

Laine Hardy!

Flame is his new single. That deserves to do very well and I very much hope that someone gets him over here. I hope too that we get an Alejandro album here soon. I'll buy that.

The Top 5 - Semi Final

This was supposed to be the Top 4 with one going but now it will be two that go home tonight as the Top 3 go into the big Final, or Finale as they like to call it over there.

Tonight each of the five will sing three songs - one will be 'Bobby Bones' choice', as their mentor all through and who has got to know what suits them well, an Elton John number and one about their 'personal hero'.

Wade
You Are The Best Thing
Very good. Excellent, professional performance from this guy. Impressed.

Laci Kay
The House That Built Me
An ideal song for her. Very nice. She looks great too and I'm glad she got saved last week.

Alejandro
No Woman No Cry
Once again the artist that is Alejandro paints a quite different but lovely picture.

Laine
A Bayou number of some description. He's good at this stuff and seems very comfortable on the stage, looking like a star.

Madison
What About Us
Bobby wants to get some emotion out of this girl - something I've been saying for a while. She has a nervous tremor at the start. She's good and this does give her a chance to come out of herself a bit more but she is not a winner. There are simply too many wobbly bits. Towards the end she did show us some talent. Katy spotted this too.

Elton John songs

Wade
Rocket Man
Comparisons with Kim Jong Un should not, of course, even be thought about :) Wade makes a very good job of this. It's a simple number but it works well for him. He's having a good evening!

Laci Kay
Saturday Night's All Right For Fighting
That's better. A really cool performance from this attractive girl. Every note in the right place. Well done. Katy calls her a real pop star. She seems to be enjoying herself too.

Alejandro
Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
It suits his voice and he's on the piano too, just like the writer would be. He plays this one pretty straight. Excellent, just excellent. Is there anything that this guy can't do musically so well?

Madison
Your Song
Waving her arm about doesn't help the visual and just makes her seem amateur and more suited to a cruise ship. She has quite a few bad habits and that wobble is still there and whining top notes. Once again, she does eventually get into gear and finishes well but she does seem to have reached a level at which she cannot really compete any higher.

Laine
Something About The Way You Look Tonight
In complete contrast, Laine stands and just delivers the song so well. There's a rasp in his voice and it suits him. It is unexceptional overall but the silver suit is impressive and the boy can sing for sure.

Personal heroes

Wade
Hard Luck Woman
A confident performance like he knows this track very well. A nice number for him. Really good to listen to. I might even buy his album! Great job.

Laci Kay
Dreams
Lovely. A great track and so good to see her doing it really well. I hope she manages to pick up those lost votes that left her in the bottom two last week. This may be really nice but it does remind me of the beautiful Did Benami who lost out at about this time with her Fleetwood Mac number. Laci's would be another album I would buy!

Madison
Make You Feel My Love
I didn't know this was a Dylan track. Nice choice. the wobbles are still there but maybe not so bad this time. As she progresses, though, there are still too many uncertain notes for my taste. They really spoil the whole thing.

Laine
Hey Jude
Good choice - he can now show off his singing but also have some fun and act like a new Beatle! This will do him a lot of good and may just have secured his place in the Final as he does look and act like a star.

Alejandro
Blesser?
I have no idea what this is but he produces some absolutely fabulous piano work. It was also very good! However, I do wonder what voters will make of this.

It's results time and this is really the big one as whoever gets through to the Final will get bags of publicity.

Two have to go. I'd say it should be Wade and Madison but it's Wade and Laci.

Sp the Final is between Laine, Madison and the one everyone expects to take the crown, Alejandro.

Top 6 Perform Showstoppers and Woodstock

This week each of the remaining six gets two songs - one from a film, supposedly a 'big number' and something from Woodstock, the 1969 festival.

Madison
She chooses Janice Joplin's Piece of My Heart
It's odd to hear this song done cleanly! She does a good, accurate job but it is just a copy of the clean version. I feel she has reached as far as she is likely to go now. She needs to get used to performing with audiences and connecting more. She's good but not great.

Laine
I Don't Need No Doctor from Joe Cocker
Now I don't remember this track but it's good and suits Laine's new image very well. I can see there being a market for this new-old look and sound.Laine does have some natural rawness which is needed for this too. It's not an exceptional performance though and he'll need to pull something out of the bag to be sure to keep going.

Jeremiah
Swing low Sweet Chariot by Joan Baez
Good numbers tonight - from my time. This is very easy-going for Jeremiah for a change. Maybe a bit too easy-going. He does pick it up later and brings something by way of excitement but he is also a bit whiny with it. Again, it was OK but not a stand out at all. If two are to go tonight he may well be one of them as things stand.

Laci Kay
The editing is very jumpy tonight with the as breaks deleted for Netflix but instead we just lurch from one scene to another. Laci sings To Love Somebody with is billed as coming from Janice Joplin. I didn't know she did this, one of my favourite numbers from the Gibb brothers.

I love this but Laci does not do it justice at all. It's not right in phrasing or even emotion. A poor performance, despite the way she looks which is fabulous.

She could be in trouble too and might save Madison as a result.

Alejandro
White Rabbit!! Wow, he's doing a cover of the Jefferson Airplane classic. I have never heard anyone do a cover of this. His version is way too muted, though. It's interesting, cool, and maybe with better sound engineering in the arena this could have sounded a lot better. It doesn't quite work for this programme, though. I admire his courage and the judges refer to him being like Pink Floyd and likely to be a winner anyway.

I definitely feel that he is coasting a little, surviving on his past brilliance for this round.

Wade
With A Little Help from My Friends
Now this is the Joe Cocker track I know. He sounds just like the guy and this is pretty damn good. The best performance of the night so far! It is probably not of great relevance to American Idol chances but you have to say Well done Wade for that!

We then hear Gabby Barrett who apparently came second last year. She sings a new number called I Hope which is great. Indeed, I do hope that we get to see and hear her over in the UK.

Now for the film tracks.

Madison should be safe with these but chooses Surrender by Celine Dion. Now no-one can really match Celine on a good day and Madison is still on the edge with her version. She is not quite hitting the notes and it really is annoying when she's just that fraction of a tone off. It is a very difficult song but then at this stage of the competition the candidates have to perform or get off the stage. She needs to be able to do stuff like this or choose something to make us remember with pride for her. This could be the end of her time at this level.

Alejandro decides to make his own 'ShowStopper' with an original track called Poison. That was very good. It is quite a night for this guy. The talent is fabulous. Katie says how powerful he will be when he wins American Idol!

Laci Kay does something called Open Arms and it's another song that does not suit her at all. It's OK but lacks any real connection or something to make us want to hear more from her. Not a good night and she could well be in big trouble which is a shame because I rate her more highly than Madison in terms of likely future success.

Jeremiah comes up with the classic Somewhere (There's A Place For Us) which Barbra Streisand did so well. It suits him and he does a nice job, a classy performance. Wade and Laine need to beat that somehow as Jeremiah might have rescued himself with that if they don't.

Wade sings Through The Valley, not a track I know but it is near perfect for the big guy. Amazingly good performance again - that's two in a row. I can hear this on some movie like Twin Peaks or some other dark theme. This guy is doing well.

Laine has a lot to do now. He chooses Johnny Be Good!! That's a cool choice and he seems totally at home with this genre. It really does help him to light up the stage and you can tell by the audience reaction that they love this guy. He has transformed over the weeks and must now be a real contender if he can keep this very natural stuff coming along.

So, there's two to go home and I would predict Jeremiah and Laci. That's what the votes say too. That's a big, deep cut this week.

But the judges still have a save. They decide to use it, just as the credits start to roll, and save Laci for another week. No-one gets a chance to say goodbye to poor old Jeremiah.

The Top 8 : Film Songs and Duets

This is really a very good series of the show - all eight remaining contestants are artists in their own right and none have any particular weakness that would prevent an album from doing really well and I can imagine any of them on stage for several years into the future. Walker and Wade may be the two slightly 'less likely to' but even they have their followers who have brought them to this point already.

Each person will sing a Queen number as well as appear in a duet with another contestant to do a film song.

Walker

A Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Walker seems the exact opposite of Adam Lambert, quirky versus professional, self-conscious v the diva. He is perfectly in tune, great timing, has a natural rhythm but this is still not a great version of the song. People will like him - he makes us smile. But he shouldn't try Queen songs.

Madison

The Show Must Go On
Adam is such a good mentor. Love him. Madison has a great start and is looking the best we've seen her. Here is a potential real star at the outset. She loses it, though, when she starts doing the hand touching thing with the front row and never really recovers. No, she is even sounding off-key in the broadcast but maybe OK in the arena. Luckily the staging and whole backing was all great and may have covered up most of the mistakes. Disappointing, though. She should be better than that.

Laci & Laine

Jackson
Now this is a very nice duo. Great sound, largely dominated by Laci and they do forget to look at each other at the right times. Very smart performance nonetheless. Laci looks fantastic, really comfortable and quite enlivened. Katy suggests that they are 'getting on well'! Interesting.

Jeremiah

Who Wants To Live Forever
More great advice from Adam. A fabulous original, slightly held back version by Jeremiah. Impressive and he makes it his own. First real emotion out of all the performances so far and easily the best. This is the first really Big Moment for a while. Beautiful staging and singing.

Alejandro

Under Pressure
This is a musical artist. He totally reworks the track. I am not sure he really does Freddie Mercury justice but it would be a great album track if not a single. Maybe this is not his best performance but he's still the star and the audience love him. For the first time, though, I've begun to wonder whether he will actually win after all. To date, he has seemed the natural #1. Now, I am not not so sure.

Alyssa & Wade

Ain't No Mountain High Enough
What a weird pairing! And a strange song for Wade too, in particular. They do pretty well actually. It worked well and both show that they are really quite experienced on stage. Alyssa is the little pop star who will surely be in the charts before long.

Jeremiah & Madison

A Million Dreams
I can't imagine many pairings doing this any better. They are truly professional and it is a genuinely excellent performance, Madison making up for the previous effort magnificently and Jeremiah just singing so well.

Laine

Fat Bottom Girls
He is surprisingly reticent but should be able to really set the stage alight. Adam Lambert encourages him and he certainly gets the girls' support, including Katy's from the start. He's good and make a great effort with this track. I still didn't feel he put as much into entertaining us as he could have done, though.

Laci

Love Of My Life
A lesser known track. Beautifully performed and presented by this girl who is beginning to look to melike the winner. On par with Jeremiah for the best performance so far.

Alejandro & Walker

Mrs Robinson
A pretty straight version - it never really comes to life and you have no idea of what the song is about either, as neither of the guys give us anything other than the notes. Really not something I particularly want to listen to again. A pretty little ditty. That's all.

Wade

We Are The Champions
Should be a god choice and Wade can really interpret this track well. I did expect more 'power', though.

Alyssa

Somebody To Love
Adam and Alyssa look good together and she gets all his suggestions straightaway.Aa competent and quite impressive performance. Nice to watch and she is really trying hard, you can see that. It's not bad but I'd like to have seen her try to reach a few higher and stronger notes. The end was also a wasted opportunity.

My rating this week:

1 Laci
2 Jeremiah
3 Laine
4 Madison
5 Alejandro
6 Alyssa

---

7 Wade
8 Walker

In fact it is Alyssa and Walker who go. They have both done well and should find a career from this. I am a little surprised Wade made it through but he does stand out.

No Judges' Save.

The Top 10: Disney Night

Only American Idol could have a Disney Night. Oh, now I think about it, the Philippines could too. This is where the show goes off the tracks a bit and the contestants find themselves either in teenage girl heaven or a kind of hell for those who don't see themselves as out-and-out commercial artists in the genre.

Having said that, everyone knows it's coming when they enter and I am sure we'll find that even the least 'Disney' contestant will find a way to adapt one of many thousand tracks.

Uché
121 from Goofy
This is an obscure song that no-one seems to recognise. Not that it matters hugely as it suits him and he gives us a superb performance once again. I do fear for his chances, though, on this night which is not a natural scene for him. He'll need to have an established fan club ready to vote come what may and it was clear this was not there last week so it is a bit early for that. If he does survive, it will be because the scene suited someone else even less well.

Laci
I See The light from Tangled
Much more her kind of scene, this. A nice, gentle song, beautifully presented. She has a super sultry voice. It should work well for her.

Alejandro
Remember Me from Coco
A nice job with his guitar. Re-written and much improved! Well done. This defines 'talent'.

Alyssa
Colours Of The Wind from Pocohontas
This week should suit her too and keep her in the competition. A bit boring but pleasant first half. She goes off key in the middle but, with only two other girls left, I suspect she'll stay.

Leah Michel sings on her own and it's lovely to see her back again on the stage. The sing-a-long? Not such a good idea but that section is mercifully short. Someone needs to have another word with the producers.

Wade
You've Got A Friend from Toy Story
Good choice. Something I actually recognise too! It's not a good night for this guy but he might well survive with this cheery number. Harmless. Still the least good so far Idol-wise but it's an odd week anyway so who knows?

Demitrius
You'll Be In My Heart from Tarzan
So far I've only known one of these songs. This is nice job too, possibly the best vocal so far. He's getting more likeable and we feel we're getting to know him better each week. Probably had enough of the talk about his mum, now, though, no matter how nice she is. I'm not sure how he'll appeal across the board, though. I feel he may suffer for no real reason at all.

Walker
When She Loved Me from Toy Story
He even looks like a Disney character! A pleasant song and maybe not as easy to sing as it may sound. A nice performance behind the piano, possibly his best so far. He seems popular with the voters so I predict he will reach the Top 8.

Madison
How Far Will I Go from Moana
A clever water effect on the stage. This is the girl who doesn't miss notes. "She could be cast for a musical tomorrow" says the mentor. That was good, very good. Best tonight.

Laine
Oo De Lai from Robin Hood
Laine is easy for fans at home to connect with. Here he brings a touch of Country. Not a bad move as the only competition that gives him is Laci who will be around for a while yet. Simple, but effective and I reckon he may have more support out there as this year's young handsome white guy than I'd appreciated.

Jeremiah
Candle On The water from Peter's Dragon
Only his sister is there to support him but that's better than none of the family. All very telling. A strange song. Not that great but he is flawless if not very inspiring this week.

I would place them:

1 Madison
2 Alejandro
3 Laci
4 Uché
5Walker
6 Jeremiah
7 Alyssa
8 Laine

---

9 Wade
10 Demtrius

The three at the bottom were, in fact, the same three who were saved last week which shows America's votes are pretty much the same. Alyssa scrapes through in 8th place and it is poor Uché and Demtrius who go. This time there is no save exercised. I think Lionel realises that not a lot is going to change in voting intent. Ryan hints that Laine has done very well indeed. Interesting.

It's all a bit white now.

Top 14 Pt 2

Before the results are announced I would place the contestants in the following categories:

Certain Top 10 Material!
Jeremiah | Uché | Alejandro | Laci Kay
Pretty Safe and deserve a place
Madison | Riley | Evelyn | Demitrius
Vulnerable
Eddie | Laine | Walker | Ashley
Would be lucky to make it
Wade | Alyssa

Now Ryan announces individually who makes it to the Top 7 and who may have to be chosen by the judges. They can choose three from the remaining 7. Oddly, even those who are through get to sing.

Madison is through and does a great version of You And I.

Evelyn is not. She sings Dust In The Wind, a Kansas song. It suits her well. Nice performance. Looks lovely.

Walker is through. He does a gentle little number which suits him much better. Nice. I can his appeal to voters.

Riley is not through. Wow. That's a shock. She does another super performance. They need a pure Country entry and, without her, Laci Kay has a pretty clear run to close to the Final.

Jeremiah is through. He sings an original number called Almost Heaven. It's really good and he has got to have done himself a lot of god with that.

Alyssah is not through. She sings Katy's number - The One That Got away! An excellent performance too.

Wade is through. He does a perfect song too. Superb and I'm glad to see him make it after an uncertain earlier week. It may be a pity he 'wasted' that track, though. He might have been better advised to play that card later.

Demitrius is not through. I had wondered whether he has enough appeal. With those vocal skills, though, he deserves another chance. He's solid but looks worried every time.

Laci Kay is through. She does a beautiful Fleetwood Mac number As Long As you Follow..  Nice.

Eddie is not through. I thought he might have made it as he seemed to have been very much liked by the judges to date. The Kings of Leon number, Use Somebody is powerful and it's another great performance. It'll be tough for the judges to choose three out of this seven.

It looks like it will be Alejandro and Uché through and Laine and Ashley are at risk with just four to go.

Ashley is not through. Sir Duke is possibly the most 'professional' performance of the night so far although I did wonder about her pitch in places. She did own the stage tonight and seemed very comfortable now.

Laine is next. Oh! He's in!! He does come across well and this CCR-type tune is great. I hope it's coming back in style but I doubt that it will just yet and that Laine may not get that much further. Top 10's cool though.

So, only one - presumably Alejandro - gets through. That shows how Uché just doesn't attract the same proportion of admirers as he does in the venue. I'm sure he'll get saved, though, but that only leaves two spaces for the others.

Alejandro does another original. At the piano showing superb abilities once again. I cannot imagine him not winning at the moment.

So who will be saved? I'd say Uché, Riley and Alyssah.

Uché sings Diamonds, the Rhianna number. He sounds amazing and it's a very powerful performance, the best of all in terms of star quality and entertainment. Wake up America and put this guy through. He deserves Top 5.

Emotions run high as Lionel simply goes on stage and walks him over to the Top 10 group!

Luke saves Demetrius. I was not expecting that. And Katy saves Alyssah. Again, whilst I would have given her an extra chance, I was not expecting Katy to deliver it.

So we have the Top 10. Pretty good group of people.

Top 14 Pt 1

Now we get the very big stage and the votes are public votes. Ryan's back. The judges will each pick one to save out of the bottom seven to create the Top 10 for this Season.

Laine

That's all Right Mama

Even this guy manages to bring the Church into his intro now. It's such a big thing across the Pond in this section of Entertainment land. Laine looks cool and does the Elvis number pretty straight but without any of the Elvis style. He is very competent, pleasant but a bit bland. There's no X factor, although I like the guy and would put him in the Top 10. Just.

Evelyn

The middle by Jimmy Eat World

Wow. This is different! Nice, best best pants in the world! Great number I haven't heard of before but i wish I had. Loved that. She's pretty too and very competent. I am not sure what voters will make of it, though. For that reason she may be at risk.

Alyssa

She Used To Be Mine

A classy look, way over 16. Not an easy song, quite an older person song which she delivers accurately but I'm not sure about the emotions and one or two off-key bits appeared to which spoilt her performance. A tough act but not one of her best efforts. She could be vulnerable as everyone's so likeable this year.

Eddie

Benny & The Jets

A good choice for this guy. Much better than last week. That could please the crowd too as he's more of an act than Laine was. A smart move and he puts a lot into a real performance. Not a winner, though. I wouldn't have put him in the Top14 but he might stick around.

Riley

Suds In The Bucket

Cheer leader, pom poms, this is the real Country American gal. Such a pretty young thing too. This is fabulous classic Country in both her voice and look. The best performance so far. Spot-on vocals and really very entertaining. The song's about an 18-year-old going off with her prince just like that one afternoon. Riley's a bit young but it just about rang true. That was cool. I hope people do vote for her and not just assume she'll do well.

Wade

Trouble

He tells us how he used to sing 'Metal' style music and looked the part then too. Quite a difference now. Now he's found a great niche and is quite different to the rest. It is a big, moody number but he's got tough competition now and I am not sure how good this was for catching votes. He may have saved himself. I'm not sure.

Dimitrius

Perfect (Ed Sheeran)

I'd forgotten that he sued to sing opera. That may explain why he is so good vocally. A nice track which should appeal. He may not get the Texas vote, I guess, but he is the best male singer so far. He puts an original touch to the well-known Ed Sheeran number. Well done.

Madison

Fallin' (Alicia Keyes)

Another 17 year old but what a difference! A really classy performance of this track which is very demanding. A strong presence as she moves from piano to the stage. I'd put her top with that at the moment.

Jeremiah

We All Fall In Love Sometimes

This is an Elton John track which I don't know. It suits him really well, though, and he could turn that into a hit tomorrow. A stunning performance. the vest so far.  A sure-fire Top 10 place for him.

Uché

Finesse (Bruno Mars)

He is the #1 performance artist this year. The track, though, did not work for me at all and I am not at all sure the voters will have figured it out either. However, for sheer talent, he needs to make it. Pretty amazing. The crowd and judges all loved it, whatever it was.

Alejandro

One Dance (Drake)

A different scene for Alejandro as the DJ or Electronic Board manager tonight. It's pretty cool and nicely 2020, which will get some useful youth votes. Fascinating to see this breadth of talent.This week he doesn't win but he will most certainly be in the Top 10.

Ashley

Fix You (Coldplay)

I feel she has a lot to do to stay in the Top 10. It's a great song to make the attempt, though. I love her voice. I prefer her to Madison on this occasion but I am not sure the public are right behind her in enough numbers. I hope they vote but i am not sure.

Laci

I Miss You (Blink 182)

A powerful and quite stunning performance. Very pure talent. I love this interpretation. Will the public? I guess she steals Ashley's spot. I also think she steals Madison's too.

Walker

Climb Every Mountain

Wow. that's unexpected. He's popular and even though this didn't quite work production-wise, with annoying drums, he might just squeeze into the Top 10, taking Edie's spot.