American Idol XIV: The Top 24 Perform

So here they are - at last, 12 girls and 12 boys get to sing live and the public will get to choose who stays. Rather than include the whole show, which might get deleted, I have used the 'just singing' video that someone has put together pretty effectively. Whilst we do miss the panel members' comments we get some good indications as to how people are doing from their expressions and the audience!

As the show progresses I will try to include full show videos that look reliable. Indeed, it is always worth checking back as I do change them when I find something better for earlier posts.

1. Michael Simeon – “Classic” by MKTO 

This is the chap that Jennifer seems very fond of and who has really benefitted from the backing she's provided. Now, has it all been worthwhile? Initially I am not sure as he just seems very average but he does manage to put his own slant on this modern track and somehow makes himself both relevant and deserving to be on the Top 24 stage. I don't know how long, mind. Much depends on the tracks he chooses and now he has to stand on his own to get through.

2. Loren Lott – “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion 

It is a small stage and you don't get the feeling there are many people there at all which is a shame because Loren puts on a stadium-filling performance. That was very very good, all the notes in the right places and she just stood still and let her voice do the work. She also looked good, not overly made-up although there is time for the makeover artists to have their way in weeks to come. She should definitely stay around after that. My only negative comment is to wonder whether she engaged with the audience or those watching on TV. Bridging those gaps between the person, camera, tv screen and us is often what determines who becomes the real star.

3. Adam Ezegalian – “Here I Go Again” by Whitesnake 

Singing rock in a 60s shirt and tie is fascinating! You can only admire Adam's style and originality. He sings this, as everything he has done so far, well, apart from a note he perhaps would have been better advised not to attempt. He does bridge those 'gaps' I talked about before and certainly has bags of talent. He's likeable, sings well and knows what he wants to do and will be around for a while yet. Last year's winner, of course, had similar taste in music and a bit of an old-style air so I am not planning to predict Adam as a winner.He ought to be there in the Top 12 though, as and when they get to that point.

4. Lovey James – “Wings” by Little Mix

Starting a capella was brave and just showed how good Lovey can be. Not a brilliant song for her, though. She had lots of energy and seemed nice and young, compared to the three that preceded her in this video. That and an ability to perform well are all to her credit and she looks great in a simple short dress and minimal fussing with anything else. She does almost seem to be trying a bit too hard in places and the song gets a bit tedious towards the end with some rather mangled words and notes as she closes. I like the girl and she's good but I am not sure I am rushing to find out what she'll do next.

5. Clark Beckham – “Georgia” by Ray Charles 

Now here's a classic everyone knows which means he has to be ultra good to stay in. He is looking quite different to when he started, almost too respectable now. He sings very well and pulls every ounce of emotion out of the lines. He is old-style and I am not sure that'll win him the show but he will probably have more appeal than Michael with whom he might be competing for votes. You'll see Keith standing up as he finishes, clearly very impressed. Could be Keith v JLo for that vote.

6. Adanna Duru – “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World” by James Brown

Compare Adanna to Loren. It's interesting as each is an excellent singer but this girl has just put a big marker down for her chances for the title. She moves every inch with that song - you can feel her feeling it and you almost want that stage to expand and let her free to move even more, That was impressive. One of the best versions I have seen of a woman doing that track and the best performance by a mile so far. I pity whoever had to follow that! That could affect Loren's votes too.

7. Daniel Seavey – “Straight Up” by Paula Abdul

Here's a happy little fellow. The first nervous performance of the night. He looked relaxed but didn't sound so sure. Paula would have loved him had he been on X Factor USA but unless there are only teenage girls in the voting pool he could struggle to get through with that. Lovely fellow and he's certainly doing well and, looking as good as that at 15, he can't fail to be a lot richer by the time he's 16. Just maybe not as the American Idol.

8. Maddy Walker – “Big Girls Don’t Cry” by Fergie 

You'll remember that Maddy just got through last week and so she'll feel she has to perform even better than her best to justify the faith Keith, in particular, put in her. Let's see. I am not so sure she started as well as she could but once she got going it was better. She is good but just a bit bland - nice shiny blonde American pretty girl and I don't think she did enough to stay. Again, a super person and nice singer, someone you'd be quite happy to see on stage for a while in between the acts that you'd actually paid to see at a concert. There are plenty more yet to play but I'd say she was likely to go unless the rest are a bit average too.

9. Rayvon Owen – “Lay Me Down” by Sam Smith 

Good choice by this lad who I would say is a definite to stay in the competition for a while at least. He needed longer than he had, though, to get this across and I hope his vote doesn't suffer from the brevity.

10. Tyanna Jones – “Love On Top” by Beyonce 

Is Michael Jackson back from the grave? Oh no, it's Tyanna. She looks active and as if she is about to dance and bring the stage to life. But she doesn't actually seem to get going. The notes are sadly missing here and there and the beat is neither here nor there. Odd.

11. Mark Andrew – “Take Me To Church” by Hozier

Another 2015 classic that brings the old-looking fellow firmly back into a younger age group. This is a fabulous choice for him and suits his voice and personality well. We do tend to lose the meaning of the sond, though, and he can only bounce up and down for so long before it starts to look a bit tedious. 

12. Shannon Berthiaume – “Piece of My Heart” by Janis Joplin

Oh yes, I like this girl. Yet another extremely simple dress and minimal make-up on a small stage perfromance. She just doesn't look like the person who should be singing the Janis Joplin number, and you don't really belive that she means the words. She may not be innocent but she looks it. I do like her and how she performs but how credible will she be?

13. Quentin Alexander – “Youth" by Foxes

Here's a star in the making. This fellow is good. Modern and I see him going a long way in this competition. His only trouble will be if he too 'modern' for the voting public. He was only running at half speed but still impressed.

14. Jax – “You & I” by Lady Gaga

Jax v Quentin could be a good final. This girl is a totally natural performer, almost out Gaga-ing the Lady with You And I. The difference between Jax and Shannon is that you believe Jax. Too short though. But nice. The competition needs her for a while yet at least. there are times when I feel she's trying too hard and I would like to see her just as she is one week, no deliberate gaps, no odd words at the end, just some passion.

15. Savion Wright – “I Don’t Trust Myself (with loving you)” by John Mayer 

He's up against Rayvon and Quentin for votes in his category of style. In many ways he beats Rayvon and gives Quentin a good run for his money. The only problem is that track was so instantly forgettable. I cannot imagine anyone remembering enough to think that they really must vote for him.

16. Joey Cook – “Sweet Pea” by Amos Lee

This girl is different again. Nice jazz style and she is certainly someone people will remember. Very professional and a good, reliable musician that the live shows will benefit from having around for a while yet. I can't imagine the votes piling up big time but I like her.

17. Trevor Douglas – “Burnin Love” by Elvis Presley

Mr Cool Guy. I do like Trevor and admire his nerve in doing another Presley number. At the start I do wonder if he's not really overdoing it but once it settles he works well and I am pretty sure he will have bags of appeal out there in voting land. He is also extremely talented. Every note and beat was spot-on. That's quite an achievement.

18. Katherine Winston – "Rhiannon" by Fleetwood Mac

I adore this song so can be a bit fussy as to how girls treat it. Katherine knows what she's doing but I have heard and seen better, notably Didi Benami several years ago. You felt she meant it but I feel that Katherine is just an actress. Good but that's all.

19. Nick Fradiani – “Drops of Jupiter” by Train 

They really do need a bigger stage. Nick almost steps on the stage lights as he tries to find his way around. It sort of spoils the performance a bit as well which is a pity as that was excellent otherwise. I would love to see him progress but there are almost certainly six more likely to survive than him this time.

20. Alexis Gomez – “Better Dig Two” by Band Perry

First Country number of the night! She will get a lovely big pile of votes for this. One, she's damn good and two, she's the only Country girl so far. She may be blonde and pretty and American but she has something else that I didn't see in Maddy.

21. Qaasim Middleton – “Satisfaction” by Allen Stone 

In the competition for original style it will be between the two Qs. Tonight Quentin wins as Qassim went a bit over the top with this and may well have turned off a lot of AI voters. This isn't their bag, no matter how good it actually is. Jennifer goes mad and clearly loves it.

22. Sarina-Joi Crowe – “Big White Room” by Jesse J 

This girl has had several goes at getting on the show. She has a lovely voice and great control, possibly as good as anyone in this competition and that can only help her. The song was a great choice too for her. Lovely. I hope she stays but her character and stage presence just may not keep her in people's minds. She deserves a chance but may well lose out to a wilder child.

23. Riley Bria – “Love this Pain” by Lady Antebellum

This chap just looks like he's a winner already. OK, he has to fight off Jax and Quentin and maybe Alexis and the Country vote and Trevor and the Nerd vote, after disposing of Adam and the Rock group! This was a bit bland and sort of rolled along but I am prety sure it will have rolled along well enough to keep him there.

24. Shi Scott – “Higher Ground” by Stevie Wonder 

This girl is a natural performer. She tends to chew the words more than she should but she isn't the nice clean blonde that we've seen earlier. I would have changed the shorts as she looks identical to last time and those legs are just a bit too long to allow us to concentrate on the song. When you do listen to the song, though, it isn't really up to much. I wasn't impressed and have seen her do a great deal better than that.

If this is the week when America votes and splits the 24 into 12 then it will be a hard cut for some but there are several who probably already know they're not going much further.

It is always difficult to predict votes across The Pond but my Top 12 would, assuming I have to have 6 Boys and 6 Girls, look like this based on tonight and one or two earlier performances. I've given the two oddballs ? as they may just make it but I don't know who they'd replace.

Riley

Quentin

Trevor

Adam

Clark

Rayvon

Qassim?

Jax

Adanna

Alexis

Maddy

Loren

Shi

Joey?

American Idol XIV: Showcase Pt 2. The Top 24!

This edition starts with Josh getting a 'No' but there is clearly some disagreement as Jennifer pointedly says she would have had him in the Top 24 and tells him too!

So Hollywood is back. He was fabulous earlier on. We didn't see much of his Hollywood audition. Now on stage he has to perform and I'm not so sure he did. He writes well and I am a bit surprised that he didn't make it. I suppose I should have checked my own Spoiler list published here! I was sure he'd make it. Big character that would have had the viewing numbers doing well.

Joey Cook has forgotten words in the past and taken some easy options but this time she does remember everything. I am not sure she is material for the Live Shows. She has the talent but I am not sure she fits in. She makes it, though. Girl No. 8.

Katherine Winston is a bit more 'normal' but sings Stevie Nicks so she's great in my book! Rhiannon isn't as easy as it may seem to sing and she nails that beautifully. I don't know how she'll appeal to the voting public but I like to see her get the chance and she's Girl No.9. That'll be interesting to see how long she lasts. I do worry about her not lasting long.

Maddy Hudson is the one Jennifer said could win it. She is only 16, though, and will get another chance. She is good and I am sure we will see her another year.

Alexis Gomez and Quentin Alexander next. Both are strong performers. They both make the Top 24. Girl No. 10 and Guy No.6. Alexis is a stand-out with very professional Country style.

Savion is quite similar to some others already through. Whether he can beat any of them I don't know. He doesn't seem to me to be someone likely to win. But he gets Guy No.7.

A couple more good girls, Hunter and Jaq, get rejected. Mark Andrew does an excellent Hozier performance and must get through after that. Nice job. Again, not a winner but he'll make the Live Shows reliable. he is all nervous about it. He is so glad to get Guy No.8.

Trevor Douglas has been adorable all the way through and you almost want him through because he is such a cool geek! He can also entertain and how on Earth can this guy be just 16? He comes from a totally different planet to the other 16-year-old guy in this thing. Guy No.9.

Emily Brook. Ah, Emily. I remember how little we have ever seen of Emily. At 15 she is a Country girl up against Alexis and Maddie. Let's hope we get to see more of her when she returns next year as she didn't quite make it.

Nick Fradiani is different to many of the others and gets the Guy No10 slot. I haven't figured out what his theme is yet.

Sarina-Joi Crowe has had three goes at this already, we're told. She sounds confident but has always failed at this point. This time she makes it. Girl No. 11.

Qassim is someone I can see doing extremely well and he is the last of the guys through. Guy No.11.

For the last spot it's a choice between Ricky Dale Hendricks and Riley Bria. Both are excellent, Riley with the more rock version of performance whilst Ricky is perhaps the better singing of ballads. Riley is a young Bryan Adams and has that special quality that I think will mean he could be around a while. Quite a while. Riley is Guy No. 12.

So now for the last girl. It's between Jelly Joseph and Chi Scott. No competition. Chi wins that easily and will be someone that the Live Shows will benefit from. Jelly was OK but there are already several like her and Chi seems that much more special and also reliable on the live stage. Chi. Girl No.12.

So that's it, folks. It's over to you now. I'll take the wraps off the list on this site and you can see some faces hopefully here too as reminders, although some are not particularly flattering at all. The public get to vote next week in what must be a massive show or two if each one is to perform fully. Sound good. From here the show really starts.

My money's on Trevor, Riley, Daniel and Jax at the moment.

American Idol XIV: Showcase Pt 1

Michael Simeon seems a bit average to me and I don't get the 'appeal' to girls that we're told he has. He is confident and should be reliable and is confirmed as the first to make the Top 24.

Lauren Lott is a far better performer in my book although there is some screeching going on in the Celine Dion track we see her doing. She's the first girl through.

Adam is interesting in many ways. he has a cartoon look about him and is actually a toy designer! His earthy rock voice is almost pitch perfect (although the track we see this time isn't!) and you can tell he's enjoying himself a lot. No. 2 guy through.

Cody Fry is the first not to make it. A talented fellow but I am not sure he fits the bill for the show. He is also up against a few who can put on a good performance but it is clear, as Ryan, informs us, that no-one is safe.

Lovey James plays and performs far older than her 16 years. She is very good and, although she does get a bit raucous, she could be a contender. I think I see her dropping out fairly early but she does make the No. 2 girl spot.

We see several not making it through.

Adonna Duru is someone I seem to have missed so far. She does It's A Man's World with real passion and some super singing. Real entertainment and if we had to choose between her and Lauren then she would win that battle of two fairly similar acts. She deserves to get No.3 girl spot.

Maddie Walker does Big Girls Don't Cry very well indeed. Surprisingly she is rejected. Eh? Even the panel don't seem too sure. I thought she'd be a certainty.

In contrast Rachel Hollick puts on a great show and that may be their preference as she does a great job. We get to hear that the panel is unsure which to choose between Maddie, who they do bring back, and Rachel. They get asked to do a sing-off more or less there and then! That's pressure for them. Maddie will be thinking she has nothing to lose. Rachel will be thinking she can only finish up where she is. They do just sing in front of each other with no backing. In the circumstances they both did well but the three judges decide that Maddie has the edge. That was tough for Rachel who doesn't take it well. I guess she won't be watching the next few weeks. So Maddie Walker is girl No.4.

Clark Beckham is going from strength to strength and is very very good in his showcase performance to a big audience. He would knock Michael Simeon off the stage as soon as the Live Shows start if he gets in. And he gets the No.3 guy slot. Another deserving case.

Daniel Seavey is the young one. It looks like a different TV show when he's performing. He does sound very mature, though, this time. A lot more modern than many of his competitors and he could have a major fan club develop. So I can't argue with his selection as guy No.4 at all. He's good and is even a potential winner. First one I've said that for.

Tianna is 'doing it for her family' which I think too many say, however true that may or may not be. I am sure she's genuine. I found her singing off key and strained in places and, looking at who she has to compete with, I wouldn't have put her through as I don't see her lasting long. There must be something that the panel can see that I've missed as they are quite clear about giving her the Girl No.5 slot.

Rayvon Owen is another very good singer who could do well and is so sound. Shannon  Berthiaume has never performed in front of an audience like that before and did a super job of a Janis Joplin number. Both make it - guy No.5 and Girl No.6. Both deserve that place and could be around for a good while.

Main contender that everyone has to try and beat, though, is Jax and if she keeps performing as well as she has throughout these shows so far that will be tough. She takes some chances but I think she's great and so do the panel. Girl No.7.

Hollywood is coming up next. You'll need to see the next show to find out who the remaining 11 are and there's something about a vote but I am not sure what that is. Do the public vote to decide who makes the Live Shows? Wow. I vaguely recall typing something like that at the very start but not at all sure, having got to know the Top 24 now, how I feel about that. I have always advocated as many as possible getting to perform for the public and having slower evictions at the start. That's simply because not everyone is a ready-made live show professional and some may just need a week or two to get their personality across. That can, of course work against them too as some personalities will be shown to be not so good and, whatever their talent, they'll get voted off but at least it'll be after a decent period of consideration. They'll have had a good chance is what I'm saying.

OK, Can't wait for the next instalment.

American idol: Hollywood Round Pt 4 Solo Performances

Now we have the solo rounds, when the contestants just get to perform. This is the big chance for everyone, make or break for everyone!

Lauren Lott sounds very professional and actually good with Adele's Skyfall. A powerful song and current which helps her to appeal but she really did know what she was doing anyway. That was as a stunning version that ought to see her very safely home. Jennifer rightly calls that a superstar performance. Well done, Lauren.

Daniel Seavey is very young and even sounds very young. Ed Sheeran's  I See Fire he can sing well and he has a nice personality but I would give him another few years to learn about love and girls and the world. He is very good but it would be as some sort of cartoon teen idol if he were to go further in this competition.

Veyron gets a lot of good advice from the mentor guy. Over-singing is a common complaint and that's almost a certainty with the 70s Let's Get It On. He is pretty critical of the mentor and I would imagine he gets whacked behind the scenes. Not a clever move. We smile at him but also grimace a bit. He can sing but is he really an American idol?

Shi is nervous and bubbly but is a fabulous performer and seems to relax once she gets going. She sings an Etta James number I am not familiar with but wish I had been as it sounded superb. Too short; maybe it was edited down although that wasn't obvious. I like her but the panel didn't feel that was a particularly good job. She may survive as there is no-one quite like her.

Adam Lasher is at home on his own on the stage with an earthy Free Falling. Is it a bit bland maybe? Decent bloke but maybe that's the last we see of him. There are some competitors in that area.

Big Ron and Adam get axed at that point so some good people are still in there, including several that, frustratingly, we didn't see perform. Oh well. Maybe next time.

Quinton Alexander is one of the very visible candidates. He is just 20 but really does own the stage and put across tracks well. I don't know the song he does but it was good and the panel love him. Looks like he'll be around for a while.

Maddie Walker is the Country girl we need in the show. She also does pretty blonde in spades. Well done indeed.

Trevor gets a brief burst on our screen. He's a cool guy and seems to have found a place in all the panel members' hearts as well as many of my readers'. If he's through then he's got bags of support out there.

Alexis seems to have recovered a bit more and puts on a reasonable performance but to my mind she's out of key. Harry stops her anmd suggests she tries again which is a nice gesture. She has had to deal with a lot of nerves but still can't find the right note to start with. That's tough but she's out.

Jax follows and sings Let It Be. She manages to bring a massive amount of emotion and star quality to her performances. I don't know how or where it comes from as she is an odd little thing to watch but it works whatever it is. Easily and straight through.

Michael Simeon is the guy that has the cheeky look Jennifer finds very attractive. I don't really get it but I think we can assume he'll be through.

Nick is the 'old guy' at 28 and that is the cut-off age for the competition. He sings a great version of a David Gray number, Babylon. I'd put him through to the next round as he just seems to be totally reliable and the panel pick up on this and his likeability. A winner? No, but a good TV contestant.

Competing with him is Katharine Skinner at just 15. She looks a lot older. Not a good performance, though, of Alone. In fact it was quite painful and I am sure she's out for another year or two.

We see Michael, Nick and someone called Emily get through. Emily we will, presumably see another day.

Clark Beckham is a busker who is looking much healthier now. He plays a piano on stage this time and puts on a great version of Try A Little Tenderness. Nice.

Mark Andrews is 29 which I thought was past the age limit but maybe he was allowed to join at 28 earlier in the competition. He trundles along with a track that I didn't know and he forgot the words too but it was well covered. He says he was really tired and the panel remark that many people are just looking tired and failing because of that as much as anything else.

We get a glimpse of Alexis Gomez and Naomi too. Alexis and Mark and Clark get through with Katharine Winston who we'll see another day. I would definitely like to see more of Alexis Gomez.

Joey Cook is very individual and chooses Nothing's Going To Change My World. There are some cool Beatles tracks this year. Unless we miss a lot of her performance here, she wouldn't have had any trouble remembering those words this time! She gets all nervous but afterwards which is just as well.

Lovey James is one of the best really young ones. Just 16 but good. Rayvon is a clear favourite too. He is one of the stand out guys. Riley Bria started the whole Season off and does Keith Urban numbers that just work for him and, especially, America. Nice guy with cool tracks and a guitar.

Rayvon, Riley, Tiana, Lovey and Joey get through and we get a glimpse of several others, including Hollywood!

One more cut and then American gets to vote. The next cut is the really tough one.

There are some very good people this year. Some seem to have made it through so far on just fairly average but solid performances and may start to excel in Live Shows whereas others are quirky and make mistakes but have an adorable quality about them.

American Idol XIV: Hollywood Round Pt 3

Alexis gets an all clear and Sal's gals are on again. Surprisingly, Alexis, who wailed a lot, gets through with one of the favourites in my book, Jax. Pity about Sal who put on a good show and was a decent fellow throughout but, I suppose, was never going to win the thing. He's had been entertaining on the Live shows though.

If the video is still available here then it is well worth watching in full as there are some great moments but each individual is come and gone so soon I can't really manage a commentary.

Hopefully, I can do better when we hit the solo rounds in the next instalment. That's really when people get to show what they can do and we'll start to get a glimpse of who could be that next American Idol.

American Idol XIV: Hollywood Round Pt 2

The Katherine Winston makes a good impression while Gabby Z recovers from freezing at the end of the previous episode.Both make it through for another day.

Andrew Annello is full of confidence but this could be the end of his road. Kylie look-a-like Maddy Walker may have reached the end of the line this year too. Alexis Gomez is the barefoot Country girl. Maddy and Alexis continue but it is, indeed, the end Andrew's road.

Cody Fry is the very old-style guy and he does Lilac Wine very well indeed. Glides through, as Ryan says.

Loren Lott says she thinks she can make American Idol a lot of money. She's not very good. But she's through too. OK, maybe the panel see more than we do.

Rayvon Owen has the name to survive and I am sure he'll do well. Shi Scott is nice and original but not so sure she'll go that much further although she joins Rayvon this time.

A really young lad, Daniel Seavey, is really too young to sign about being taken into lovin' arms. Clark is older and more likely to carry on further after an excellent sounding audition.

Dakota Suarez squawks and that may be the end for her.

Qaasim gets chatted up by a pretty blonde competitor and seems to get pretty well inspired for his performance. That was nice. He must be there for a while.

Next comes Group Round. I always find this odd and a bit frustrating when some bad luck can influence good people who just land up with annoying people or just those who don't want to be with them.

I have to say that they seemed far better organised this year. Maybe the producers had a bigger hand in helping them get started and there didn't seem to be the loud annoying ones or loads of mothers either, many acts making bed in good time and even those who stayed up did a reasonably good job. I cannot really pick out any individuals - there were many who excelled but we don't see much.

There's a nice touch from Sal, the Sicilian, who invites a lost girl to join his group. Unfortunately she faints during their practice and then again when they're about to perform. In that group are some of the best contenders so hopefully they'll not be affected. we'll find out next time.

American Idol XIV Hollywood Auditions Pt 1

Jax is just 18 and is something special. She gets pulled out of the audience in a surprise move to perform in front of everyone. We'll see a lot more of Jax.

Mark Andrew follows. A bit forgettable.

Emily Brook at 15 sounds like a leading contender for the Country spot. Great.

Sal Valentinetti brings all his Scillian charm but seems a little old style to me.

Adam Ezegilian good solid voice.

These are possibly the best - the judges calling up the most memorable, for them, which is a good way of setting the bar high for the others as well as double checking that these guys were worth the extra vote.

Tyanna Jones wants to dance with us and is really trying not to dance on the stage. She's good and quite interesting. Natural rhythm.

Savion Wright does Get Lucky and that commercisal number goes down well with the audience.

Hollywood Anderson. Well named! I remember him as one of the best. Not sure about his interpretation of Adele's number and that may have been a mistake.

Shannon Berthiaume is new to all this and looks cute in shorts and pale skin but does good justice to Steve Wonder's Sir Duke even though she lost some words.

Adam Lasher is a stronger performer and just the opposite in many ways, clearly comfortable on stage and relaxed.

Garrett Miles is the Country guy that they said was putting on the accent but nevertheless did a good job. He seemed a bit wobbly.

Trevor Douglas is a geeky guy who is delightful to watch. He has a sense of humour but also a fabulous voice and timing. One of the best auditions.

Joey Cook works without the squeezebox and hides behind a ukelele instead. Not bad. Different voice.

Amber Celechi puts too much at stake on this performance. She is OK but she needs to understand that there are several hundred that she's up against. Really worked up and not wanting to go back to the 'hood but, you know, over half of the people there will be going home and she'll be lucky to stand out against them, never mind the top half, for very long in the competition.

The first crowd now all get put on the stage and, despite some having some misses here and there, all get told that they were chosen because they'd been 'memorable' and all get through. That's nice. I like seeing people get a second chance at the early stages and this is a pretty crazy week at the best of times.

The others have to perform together and sing bits and pieces of the same song, about ten at a time.

Priscilla Barker has the voice and the look for this competition. Jaq Mackenzie does Cool Kids really well. She knows what she is doing. Nice. Priscilla doesn't make it though. Jaq does.

And that's pretty much how it goes for the rest. Some do, some don't. We get to see a few more but it's impossible to review based on the snippets we see.

This episode ends as we watch Gabby Z make a pretty good start but then freeze. To be continued, I guess!