The Top 10 Contestants

The top 10 American Idol contestants performed R&B songs on Tuesday night after being guided by guest vocal coach, Usher. On Wednesday night’s results show Usher performed his song “OMG” and the audience said goodbye to another contestant. Season 2 winner Ruben Studdard opened the results show with “Don’t Make ‘Em Like You No More” and P Diddy later performed the world premiere of “Hello Good Morning.”

Siobhan Magnus opened Tuesday’s performance show with “Through the Fire” by Chaka Khan. Some of the high notes sounded off-key. Judge Randy Jackson said the pitch was off and it wasn’t her best performance. Judge Kara DioGuardi called it an off day for her. Simon Cowell thought it was her weakest performance and I completely agree. “I’m getting bored at the screaming at the end,” he said.

Next, Casey James performed “Hold on, I’m Coming” by Sam & Dave. I really liked it and I thought it was a really good song choice for him. Randy Jackson thought it was the perfect song choice and he performed it well, along with showing off his vocal range. “The thing about you is you’re consistent. You’re always good,” judge Ellen DeGeneres said. Judge Cowell called it his strongest performance yet.

Michael Lynche performed “I’m Ready for Love” by India Arie. He picked up a guitar for this performance, which the audience is not used to seeing from him. Usher gave him some good advice during the week when he told him to open up to everyone because he’s creating a one-on-one intimate connection. Most of Lynche’s songs have been intimate, and not creating a bond with the whole audience will hurt him in the vote. DeGeneres and DioGuardi called his performance beautiful. Cowell claims he can now finally take him seriously as an artist.

Didi Benami performed “What Becomes of the Broken Hearted.” She said she picked a song that moved her and she got emotional when she sang it for Usher. She kept her emotions in check for the performance, but it wasn’t her strongest. Jackson claimed the performance flat-lined and the big note she hit was sharp. DioGuardi said she has changed and has lost her way. Cowell agreed with DioGuardi and called her performance over-the-top and old-fashioned.

Tim Urban performed “Sweet Love” by Anita Baker. Usher didn’t think his practice session was believable and his advice was to literally sing to someone like they were right there and to be in the moment. I thought his bottom notes were flat in the performance and it wasn’t believable to me either. Jackson thought it was in tune but lacked a vibe. DioGuardi said he took the soul out of it and Urban started laughing. “I’ll tell you why he’s laughing,” said Cowell. “Because I don’t think it makes any difference whatsoever what we say.” I agree. For some reason the audience keeps voting for him and I feel he should have been voted off about five times by now.

Andrew Garcia performed an acoustic version of Chris Brown’s “Forever.” Usher said he could see the nervousness and see how much he was over-thinking it so he made him practice it with him more than once. I think that Usher really helped him because he finally hit his stride with this performance. Jackson called the outfit and the performance dope. “…That is one giant leap in the right direction,” DioGuardi said. Even Cowell liked it and called it miles better.

Katie Stevens performed “Chain of Fools” by Aretha Franklin. It was a big song that she performed quite well. DeGeneres thought the vocals were great but, like always, wanted her to perform a younger, more current song. I don’t agree in this case because taking on Aretha is a big risk that she was able to pull off, vocally and energy/attitude wise. Cowell thought it was a bit robotic and didn’t like the overall performance as much as the other judges did.

Lee Dewyze performed “Treat Her Like a Lady” by the Cornelius Brothers, despite having walking pneumonia this week. I thought it was an awesome performance, especially for being ill. Jackson called it unbelievable and said it was the best he’d heard from him in awhile. DeGeneres called it the best performance of the night. DioGuardi called it amazing and it truly was.

Crystal Bowersox finally put down her guitar and sat down to the piano to perform “Midnight Train to Georgia” by Gladys Knight. It was a beautiful performance. She hit a short series of high notes that I didn’t know she could hit. Ellen DeGeneres said “…You are in it to win it and that was a wonderful, wonderful idea.” Cowell called her choice of song sensational but advised her to not stray from who she is.

Aaron Kelly performed “Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill Withers. Jackson called it alright, but DeGeneres and DioGuardi liked it. Cowell said it wasn’t as good as the previous week. I think he could have performed better and actually has. It wasn’t the best song choice for him, which was mainly why he gave a lackluster performance.

During the results show Didi Benami, Tim Urban, and Katie Stevens were announced as having the lowest votes. Unfortunately, the audience had to say goodbye to one of my favorites, Didi Benami, as she had the lowest amount of votes and the judges voted not to save her.