While Haley makes the best performance of the night, Lauren Alaina delivers one the greatest she's ever done.
- Mar 31, 2011
AceShowbiz - "American Idol" paid tribute to Elton John on March 30 with eleven contestants. Scotty McCreery opened the night with one country song from the British musician, "Country Comforts". Judges said his performance was "very nicely done." Jennifer Lopez told him, "You have amazing instincts about performing and about what's right for you," and Randy Jackson said he felt like they were at Scotty's concert.
Tweaking the theme to fit her style, Naima Adedapo added a reggae twist to "I'm Still Standing". But J.Lo and Randy were not into it. J.Lo said, "Some songs aren't meant to be flipped," while Randy thought it came off "kind of corny." But Naima still got positive comment from Steven Tyler who liked her choice of tunes.
Paul McDonald chose "Rocket Man" which he performed with his band once and found "it was a disaster." He rocked the song this time, but it could not save him from Steven's unkind words of his floral jacket. "Lemme ask you have you been watering that suit?" the Aerosmith frontman stated.
Pia Toscano sang one of her favorite songs "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me". She impressed the three judges, with Steven saying, "Some people might have been wrong when we asked you not to sing ballads again....just about as good as it gets." J.Lo said, "The notes took us to another place," and Randy added, "You slayed them every time...I heard Whitney, Mariah tonight and I heard all of Pia."
"Tiny Dancer" was Stefano Langone's pick. The performance may save him from entering the bottom three this week as J.Lo thought he took to heart the advice to connect with the crowd. Randy and Steven agreed with her.
Lauren Alaina made one of her greatest performances with "Candle in the Wind", so Randy said. J.Lo thought it was amazing and Steven joked in his comment, "You know I've loved you since the first moment you laid eyes on me....You keep singing like that and you'll be able to afford the rest of that dress."
James Durbin sang "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" which he refused to change. He worked the audience, the stairs, and the top of the piano before it was set to flames, and Randy applauded James for enjoying himself. The other judges were also digging it big time.
Thia Megia tried to win audience's heart with "Daniel". Randy thought it was a little safe, but Steven and J.Lo thought her voice was strong.
Casey Abrams, who was saved from being eliminated last week, performed "Your Song" humbly, without screaming and stomping. The judges thought they made a right decision by using their "save". Aside from his performance, Casey made a highlight with his trimmed beard.
Jacob Lusk opted to sing "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word". He wowed the judges, but Randy still managed to give him an advice, "You got that race horse and that gas in the tank, so always pick that one spot to go up."
Haley Reinhart wrapped it up with "Bennie and the Jets" which made the judges bop in their seats. J.Lo claimed, "That was it Haley!" Randy called it the best performance of the night, and Steven said, "You sing sexy."
On Thursday, March 31, "American Idol" will send two of the contestants home after Casey was saved from the elimination last week.
