A lot of people were worried about American Idol after the departure of Simon Cowell last season and the abysmal debacle that was season 9, featuring the worst winner in the history of the show, Lee Dewyze. After a long period where FOX conducted secret negotiations, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler were signed and joined with Randy Jackson to form the new trio. So far, as the finals have been going for a few weeks now, season 10 is a big winner with tremendous talent, a rejuvenated judging panel, and production enhancements to improve the overall experience. I now present to you my ranking of the remaining 11 contestants and who I expect to take home the prize.
11. Haley Reinhart
I get the appeal of a hot 20-year old chick who knows how to work a camera using crazy seductive techniques with her eyes. However, I have never once liked anything that came out of her mouth. Her voice is pitchy, she switches genres every week for no rhyme or reason, and bores the heck out me each time she is on stage. She will be gone by the time you are reading this column.
10. Naima Adedapo
Her story is inspirational as she is a young mother that did janitorial work at Milwaukee Summerfest waiting for her big moment. You also can not question the energy she displays, her snazzy wardrobe, and the tone of her voice. However, the minute she broke into a ridiculous dance in the middle of her arrangement of Rihanna’s “Umbrella,” I realized I could not take her seriously as she misses a lot of notes and seems to lack mass appeal. As Randy likes to say, this is a singing competition. If you want to dance, there are other shows that play to that niche.
9. Thia Megia
This 16-year old pageant sensation has an angelic quality to her voice that allows her to sing ballads to their highest level. However, her “Colors of the Wind” was dreadfully boring and showed how little experience she has in front of a big crowd. The best singer in the world would lose this competition if he or she could not connect and tell a story to the audience. Thia’s performances are too choreographed and lack that connection with the audience. With a few more years seasoning, I expect big things from this girl down the road and wish the judges would have told her to come back in a few years instead of putting her on this season.
8. Jacob Lusk
Jacob has one of the most powerful voices of any contestant ever on this show and is probably the greatest Gospel singer going today. However, he lacks the control needed to win this competition. His “I Believe you Can Fly” was a physical assault on a defenseless audience’s earlobes, and the most indulgent performance I have ever witnessed on this program. If he reigns his instrument in a bit, he may be able to finish in the Top 5.
7. Paul McDonald
His voice is eerily similar to Rod Stewart, which is awesome and he can jam on the guitar. If he gets over the cold that turned Elton John’s “I Guess that’s Why They Call It the Blues” into a nasally mess, he has unique charm that could turn him into a force to be reckoned with.
6. Stefano Langone
He tore the house down with his rendition of “If You Don’t Know Me By Now.” He is a consummate performer with fluid movements, great vocal control, and the ability to connect with the audience effortlessly. Jackson called him a potential winner and I would not be shocked if it happened.
5. Casey Abrams
This goofy 19-year old red head with so much natural musical talent has captured the hearts of many people in this country. His gravelly tone and risk-taking nature always make his performances can’t miss attractions. However, his rendition of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” was odd and featured Casey making more disturbing facial expressions than a killer in a horror film. If he can be himself and do his thing with the different instruments he plays and the strength of his voice rather than scaring people with unnecessary risks, he can win the competition.
4. Pia Toscano
She is a gorgeous and possesses impeccable versatility in her voice. So far, she has played it safe with song choices such as “Stand By Me” and “All by Myself.” However, she hits most of her notes and knows how to hit the big note at the end that leaves you always wanting more. I would like to see her take some risks and move around a bit more, but the potential for a new pop sensation exists.
3. Scotty McCreary
He has the best 17-year old country voice I have ever heard. His delivery is pitch-perfect and he has already shown he can play with the big boys doing Garth Brooks and Travis Tritt proud early in the competition. There is a distinct advantage for him being the only country guy this season and he seems like a great kid in all his interviews, which will help him with the young girls that are sure to make up most of his fan base.. With country music being so popular, a male country Idol winner could happen sooner than we think.
2. Lauren Alaina
This 15-year old country/pop sensation won the hearts of America over when she did a great duet with Steven Tyler in her audition. She did an outstanding version of Melissa Etheridge’s “I’m the Only One” that showed why she has been compared so favorably to previous winners Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson. Her interviews are always quirky and show how new fame is to her. Watching her talent grow over the course of this season will be fun to keep track of as I do not think she has tapped in to all the power her voice possesses. The only potential hiccup may be if her youth causes her to make a poor song choice, but if she avoids that, she will march to the end.
1. James Durbin
James’ voice is the vocal sibling of Adam Lambert’s, which is a high compliment. Season 10’s resident rocker can hit every note in the book. He tore the house down with a rousing rendition of Judas Priest’s “You’ve Got Another Thing Coming” one week and pulled it back a bit with a restrained but effective version of Paul McCartney’s “Maybe I’m Amazed” the next. He is a heck of a showman to the point where Steven Tyler agreed to perform with him at the finale should James make it that far. Yet another impressive thing about him is how he has dealt with asperger’s syndrome his entire life and can still perform like rock star. He has the crowd and judges in the palm of his hand week in and week out and will fit right in with the great rockers (David Cook and Chris Daughtry) that the show has produced when all is said and done this season.
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