Ashthon Jones – Wait…WHAT?

And so it has begun, Ashthon Jones was eliminated last night on American Idol after her rather boring rendition of Diana Ross’ “When You Tell Me That You Love Me” Wednesday night.

I believe that the show is looking for the next hugely successful pop star, which is why Ashthon was picked by the judges to advance to the Top 13. She has the look and the sass, but she couldn’t pick an appropriate song choice to save her from elimination. If someone told me that they saw me as more of a Diana Ross-type, I’d pick a song that was familiar and have at it. Ashthon needed to pick a song that highlighted her strengths, and ballads just don’t seem to do her any justice, even with her big voice.

Ashthon’s ouster proved even more to me that Robbie Rosen deserved her spot in the Top 13. Robbie totally out-sang her last week. Obviously, I’m a tad bitter about this. It stings just a bit more knowing that Ashthon couldn’t last an additional week in the competition. It also speaks volumes about what this season’s audience wanted versus what the judges wanted. Robbie tweeted Wednesday night that if he had made it through to the Top 13, he was going to be performing Justin Timberlake’s “Cry Me A River.” My instincts tell me that it would have been awesome, so thanks judges, thanks a lot.

With the playing field now leveled, it’s time to see if the females will continue to be picked off one by one. An all-female bottom three in what was boasted as “The season of the females” doesn’t seem like things are going to bode well for them. But you know, time will tell.
Continue reading Idol Wired >> Ashthon Ousted

This week’s episodes of American Idol were packed with talent, tears, and drama that make “Hollywood Week” the must-see episodes of the season. It also lets you see a very real side to the contestants. However, seeing some of the contestant’s candidness was not always very flattering. In other words, Clint Jun Gambia, dude you’re toast. But we’ll get to him in just a bit.

Idol chose to mix it up this year with the group rounds. Contestants had make up their group with participants from both group one and group two from the first round of “Hollywood Week” auditions.

Remember the days of Idol when contestants would just group up and make it work? Yeah, that wasn’t flying this week. Contestants were making other contestants audition to get into their groups. It’s a brilliant move, but at times just seemed kind of rude.

I have also never seen so much footage of parents in Hollywood with their underage child/Idol contestant. I think they should have let their kids work a little more independently on their group routine and wait to be asked for pointers, but a couple of these moms were a little too much to handle.

James Durbin (totally over him, by the way) weighed in on the stage moms, and told the cameras that there shouldn’t be young kids in the competition. Really showed a little bit of a cocky side to him. I think he was just jealous that the group of teens were about to wipe the floor with his group, as they were both performing Queen’s “Somebody To Love.”

A quick word of advice to Mr. Durbin: You really need to stop inserting the screechy note into every one of your performances. It’s not necessary. But if you’re going to repeat the path of Siobhan Magnus and toss that note in during each of your performances, you should aim to be on key.

I think the biggest foul of the group rounds was Clint Jum Gambia kicking young Jacee Badeaux out of his group in favor of Scotty McCreery. Gambia didn’t think that Badeaux’s voice fit with the rest of the group, so he sent him on his way. Badeaux ended up joining up with Brett Loewenstern’s group.

If Gambia makes it past the Las Vegas round next week into the Top 24 where the viewers vote, I don’t think he has a chance in hell making it to the main stage. He completely shot himself in the foot by kicking Badeaux out of his group. Plus, he’s managed to come off as completely obnoxious this week. Good work, Gambia.
Continue reading Idol Wired >> Hollywood Drama