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The Top 10 performance show started with the cameras showing the contestants shaking in their boots, or stilettos if you're Crystal Bowersox (this is not an April Fool's joke!). The four judges were having a love fest backstage. This glimpse backstage ended up becoming the trend of the night, and we got to see the Idols in the green room after their performances. Did you like that addition? "Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!" it's Usher's first time as an American Idol mentor. He met with the Top 10 to mentor them during their R&B rehearsal and to teach them how to be a star. Apparently, big stars wear their sunglasses indoors and at night. I guess Corey Hart's trend caught on. A "wicked nervous" Siobhan Magnus kicked off the night. Usher loved her voice and encouraged her to not wear a distracting outfit that will take away from her voice. Siobhan not wearing a distracting outfit is like telling Andrew Garcia to not wear glasses. For the first time in the competition, Siobhan struggled with Chaka Khan's tough song, "Through The Fire," and Simon said he's sick of her scream. After all the judges critiqued her twice, Siobhan cried a little. C'mon Simon, Siobhanbies have feelings too! This week, Simon said he was able to see Casey as a real artist for the first time. Michael Lynche sang one of his favorite songs, India.Arie's "Ready For Love," with his "bread and butter" (guitar). Usher encouraged Big Mike to really connect with the audience, and for the first time of the evening Usher took his sunglasses off and stared right through the camera. Michael took the stage and gave an honest performance, and it was nice to see him with his guitar again. He sat behind the judges so they had to look at their monitors, but Simon said this is the first time he could see Michael as a serious artist.
When Didi Benami sang "What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted" to Usher, she broke down crying because this song touched her. The mentor liked seeing Didi's honest connection with the song. Didi took the stage and was dressed for the Oscars, and she managed to fight back the tears during her song and the tough feedback from the judges. Kara misses the singer/songwriter Didi who sang "Terrified." Hopefully the next week will be "Songs by Kara DioGuardi" so Didi can be back in her zone. Tim sang "Sweet Love" by Anita Baker to Usher, who encouraged him to sing to an invisible woman in the room. When Tim Urban took the stage, he had several ladies in the audience to sing to. Although he sang in tune, the judges did not dig the R&B performance because it lacked the necessary swag. True to his moniker, Teflon Tim was unfazed by the judges' remarks and couldn't help but laugh nervously and flash his big smile. Andrew Garcia has struggled with song choice recently, but this week he took on Chris Brown's "Forever" and made the electronic song acoustic. The judges were glad to have the old "Straight Up" Andrew back, but Simon still wants more personality from him. Feisty Mama Garcia stood up and gave Simon a piece of her personality. I guess Andrew's apple fell closer to his father's tree. Katie Stevens tried to get a picture of Usher when she was at EPCOT, but she was stopped by bodyguards. The only thing between Katie and Usher during the rehearsal was a pair of sunglasses. The teen took on a big song: Aretha Franklin's "Chain Of Fools." Channeling Paige Miles in her jumpsuit and leggings and Kara DioGuardi with her hair and makeup, Katie performed the song well, and confirmed Kara's thoughts that she's a pop singer with R&B leanings. However, Simon still disagrees. Apparently, Lee DeWyze has walking pneumonia. That sounds scary and serious. Maybe his fans will rally together and send him soup. He seemed unaffected though as he took the stage and sang "Treat Her Like A Lady." His meeting with Usher inspired him to bring more confidence to his performance, and Lee gave his strongest performance yet. Simon summed it up by saying, "Watch the show back and understand this is the night that your life may have changed forever."
Last week, Crystal Bowersox promised she'd change it up this week, and boy did she! In a tight red dress, high heels, and sitting at the piano, Crystal sang "Midnight Train To Georgia." She seemed a little nervous at the piano, but she stood up and was in the zone. The song suited her vocals and the judges thought it was a brilliant performance and song choice. Aaron Kelly wrapped up the night with Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine." That's a bold song choice since that song gave Kris Allen his moment last season. Usher helped Aaron to really feel the "I know" lyrics. After he performed, the judges said there were some pitch problems but they liked it, although they weren't jumping out of their seats. On Wednesday night, one person may be leaving the competition, and a heaping of R&B singers will perform on the Idol stage.