Tonight the American Idol 2019 Top 14 take to the stage to sing for America’s vote for the first time. The seven with the most votes move onto the Top 10, while the other seven will have to perform for the judges again tomorrow night, hoping to earn the final three spots.
So tonight is very important. Let’s see how they all do. Like always, I’ll be reviewing each performance and assigning the letter grade I think each one deserves.
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American Idol 2019 Top 14 Performances
Laine Hardy, “That’s All Right (Mama).” This was kind of a safe and boring song choice for Laine with the theme being totally wide open. But Laine has such a unique and consistent sound, the song choice doesn’t matter much. Voters respond better to song they know and this ins’t a song young voters are going to know, but if you’re a Laine fan, you’ll vote anyway. This was just pretty safe and basic. Grade: B+
Evelyn Cormier, “The Middle.” What a weird song choice. But that is her thing. Weird, quirky and gimmicky. And wow. I’ve never been a fan of her fake voice, but this one was beyond bad. She was all breathy and had me looking for an oxygen mask. It really made me feel like I couldn’t breathe. Yikes. This was just all wrong for her. It’s performances like this when I miss Simon Cowell. The judges think they’re all perfect and that is irritating. Grade: D+
Alyssa Raghu, “She Used To Be Mine.” This was actually a smart song choice. This is a very important night and you have to play to your strengths. It was nice to just see her focus on her vocals. She really did learn how to connect to the song and her audience a lot since last season. This wasn’t a perfect performance, but it was pretty solid. Grade: A-
Eddie Island, “Bennie And The Jets.” OK, I don’t know what that was. He’s better than this performance, right? That was just not good. The song choice wasn’t bad, but the arrangement and the vocals were just all over the place. I don’t think things are going to turn out very well for him tomorrow night. Grade: C-
Riley Thompson, “Suds in the Bucket.” This was a perfect song choice for her. This wasn’t her best vocal, but it was really good. And like I said, a great song choice. This performance could actually make a big difference on how she does with America’s vote. I was concerned Laci would outshine her, but this might just change things. Grade: A-
Wade Cota, “Trouble.” Well I’m glad he explained why he has that fake-sounding voice now. But that doesn’t make me like it any more. Ugh, I’m sorry but i just hate hearing him perform. So I’m going to try to judge him on technical things and his presence. Technically it was fine. And he is comfortable on stage, even when he seems awkward. Regardless of what happens to him with the vote, the judges love him, so he’s fine. Grade: B-
Dimitrius Graham, “Perfect.” That was a rocky start. I think he couldn’t hear himself or something because it took him a really long time to find the right pitch. Which is weird for someone classically trained. I was hoping Dimitrius would have as good a performance as last week, but that didn’t happen and that worries me for him. He did have some pretty powerful moments near the end of the song, but overall it wasn’t great. But the crowd seemed to hear more in that than I did. Grade: B
Madison VanDenberg, “Fallin.” Anything Madison lacked last week, she regained this week. Her confidence was better, her connection was better and the vocals were perfect like they were when we first met her. This was definitely her best performance to date. That was solid in every way. Grade: A
Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon, “We All Fall In Love Sometimes.” So I didn’t get goosebumps until this performance, for the record. Jeremiah was absolutely perfect once again. This just so much emotion in his voice and he’s never off at all. I cold listen to him sing all day. I have not one thing negative to say and probably never will. That was perfect. And Katy Perry’s tears say it all. Grade: A+
Uche, “Finesse.” He is a true performer and this one showed that. Like he said, he’s not the best singer, but he really does leave it all on the stage. So he’s not the best vocalist, but he might be the best actual performer and that’s very important in the business. This was definitely like an Uche concert. What he lacked in vocals, he made up in everything else. And I’m not even saying the vocals were bad. Just after Jeremiah, you really pay attention to vocals. Regardless, it was great. Grade: A+
Alejandro Aranda, “One Dance.” I’m not sure what to think. I love Alejandro and when I heard he was going to show his musical genius on the keyboards and synth, I got really excited. But then this was just kind of OK. And that is really hard for me to even think. I didn’t love it and that hurts my soul. But like Luke Bryan said, he showed us another element, so I’m going to respect that. Grade: A-
Ashley Hess, “Fix You.” One of the most natural artists in the whole completion, Ashley nails it every time, this time included. That was so tender and emotional. What could have gone boring fast, actually kept me captivated. She’s so good. Grade: A
Laci Kaye Booth, “Miss You.” So I love this Blink 182 song, so when I heard she was singing it I got super excited. I decided it could really make me a Laci fan (not that I wasn’t a fan, I think she’s great, but she just hasn’t been my favorite so far). And it worked. I never thought I’d hear that song performed like this. That was brilliant. Grade: A+
Walker Burroughs, “Climb Ev’ry Mountain.” I think this was supposed to be better, as it’s in the pimp spot, but to me he has been better than this. It’s a cheesy and pretty boring song. But the vocals were pretty flawless, I guess. I love Walker, but I’m not sure that’s enough to save him tomorrow night. I think I’m just really confused by all of this. It was good, but there were definitely better performances. Grade: A
What did you think of the American Idol 2019 Top 14 performances? Who were your favorites?