After the Top 24 performed over the last two nights, over 24 million votes were cast for the contestants, but two guys and two girls would be going home. In addition, Allison Iraheta and Kris Allen were at the show to perform. Bring it on!
Simon didn't think he was harsh last night, despite saying "If you lose it tonight or you forget your words, your career is over." Kara's handsome husband is at the show and sitting the front row, so Kara will be on her best behavior tonight.
The Top 24 performed together for the first and last time with Estelle's "American Boy." I thought it sounded good and I thought the contestants were paired into clever groups based on tone of voice. It's fun to see who can dance and who can't. Andrew Garcia and Janell Wheeler are admitted hip hop dancers, and Todrick Hall is a dancer. I noticed that Michael Lynche provides a nice screen, so the bad dancers can be placed behind him. Did anyone notice the uncoordinated fist pumps at the end? And does Estelle and Kanye's "American Boy" really warrant a fist pump?
Then it was already time for the girls' results. Ryan said, "Dim the lights, here we go," which always makes me nervous. First up was Siobhan Magnus. She was safe, and her family looks completely unfazed by the good news. Next, Haeley was told she's safe, and her Idol-loving family was thrilled. Michelle Delamor looked so nervous that she was near tears, but Ryan told her she's safe and can exhale. Katelyn Epperly was also safe, so the first girl going home would either be Katie Stevens or Janell Wheeler. This surprised me since both had strong performances throughout the audition process. The girl with the fewest votes was Janell. She was a good sport and hugged Katie and took her place on the stage and sang for one last time on the Idol stage.
Next, Season 8's top girl, Allison Iraheta, took the stage to perform her single "Scars." She looked polished and like a star, and it was good to see her back on the Idol stage. After her performance, she joked, "Should I give an awkward interview again?" Allison said it was scary to be back and she felt like she was going to get eliminated. This probably didn't ease the nervous contestants' fears.
Back to the results -- Paige Miles was the first person in the bottom row to find out she was safe. Lacey Brown was relieved to learn that she's safe. Also safe was Lilly Scott and Crystal Bowersox. The second girl going home was either going to be Ashley Rodriguez or Didi Benami, and Ashley was the one with the least amount of votes. She fought back her tears and sang Leona Lewis' "Happy."
We saw some goofy behind the scenes video of Tyler Grady rehearsing in a bathrobe. He showed up at rehearsals thinking it was a dress rehearsal, but then realized there was no outfit waiting for him, so he sang in a long white bathrobe paired with socks and cowboy booties. Only Tyler would be able to rock that outfit!
When it was time to find out which guys were leaving, we learned that Michael Lynche, John Park, Aaron Kelly, and Todrick Hall were safe. The first guy going home would either be Tim Urban or Joe Munoz, and it was Joe who was out. A shocked Tim plopped on the couch with his mouth agape. Joe sang "You And I Both" before exiting the show.
Idol Gives Back is on April 21, but the show kicked off Idol Gives Back for Haiti this week with American Idol Kris Allen. The winner just returned from his trip to Haiti. He talked about the conditions and then sang a moving rendition of "Let It Be" as footage from his Haiti trip played in the background. I don't know how he did it; if I tried to sing something emotional I would get a lump in my throat. I did and I was only watching him sing! All the proceeds from this performance go to Haiti, and viewers were also encouraged to donate via text message and online.
It was time to find out who the last guy going home would be. Ryan relieved Casey James, Jermaine Sellers, Lee Dewyze, and Andrew Garcia, which meant that either Alex Lambert or Tyler Grady would be leaving the show. Alex is staying, and Tyler is heading home, but not without a final rendition of "American Woman."
Were you surprised by the results? Chat with other fans about them in the forums.
