Just for fun, here's my run down of the Top 12 and what I think is gonna happen.
Colton:
- Greatest Strength: Looks and style appeal to a big chunk of the Idol voting block.
- Greatest Weakness: The thinest and least distinctive singing voice of all the guys.
- Prediction: Will be around for awhile. He'll have to overcome Phillip to make the Top 4, but it'll be smooth sailing till then.
Deandre:
- Greatest Strength: Vocal range lends itself well to different theme weeks.
- Greatest Weakness: Sometimes erratic and his generous use of falsetto isn't for everybody.
- Prediction: If he keeps doing what he did this week, he'll have no problem cracking the Top 10. He's already been rejected by America once so he can't afford to have a single weak performance from here on out.
Elise:
- Greatest Strengh: Very distinctive voice.
- Biggest Weakness: Very distinctive voice (not such a good thing when you're a female on American Idol).
- Prediction: I see her bouncing back this next week and breezing into the Top 10, but the rest is going to be a real challenge for her.
Erika:
- Greatest Strength: Uncommon deep, full tone for a female singer with the ability to belt.
- Greatest Weakness: Having a small fanbase at the start is tough to overcome. People seem to be taking to her, but are they taking to her quickly enough?
- Prediction: Will probably leave earlier than she should, but I'm hoping she can at least squeeze into the Top 10. One bad or even mediocre performance and she's out.
Heejun:
- Greatest Strength: Pleasant voice and personable, funny.
- Greatest Weakness: His personality has yet to manifest itself on the stage during performance night. In fact, the only time he seems dull is when he's singing!
- Prediction: Don't expect the judges to say anything negative about this guy until he's safely in the tour group. He'll be out soon after cracking the Top 10.
Hollie:
- Greatest Strength: Cute, seems sweet and is able to hit all of her notes.
- Greatest Weakness: The poster child for a technically proficient singer who seems unable to emotionally connect with their songs.
- Final Verdict: Middle of the pack. If I wanted to be snarky, I'd say she and Shannon are there simply to help prop up Jessica for the win.
Jermaine:
- Greatest Strength: Distinctive baritone voice, much airtime with a "heartwarming" story.
- Greatest Weakness: Love it or hate it voice (much like Elise's).
- Prediction: Showing some signs of arrogance during elimination week isn't going to sit well with those who fancied him a "gentle giant" / mama's boy. I suspect he'll be gone within the next two weeks.
Jessica:
- Greatest Strength: Very polished performer considering her age with an Impressive vocal range and good stage presence.
- Greatest Weakness: Being elevated to front runner status early on by the judges and producers often backfires (and causes voter backlash or complacency).
- Final Verdict: Definitely a front-runner at this point. Won't be going anywhere for awhile (if ever).
Joshua:
- Greatest Strength: Excellent vocalist who has already proven he can do upbeat or slow it down and do both equally well.
- Greatest Weakness: The fact he was in the Bottom 3 males after giving a great performance shows the fan base just isn't there for whatever reason (I have my suspicions bout that, but I'll plead the fifth).
- Final Verdict: I seriously have no clue how to call this one. I could see him leaving (unfairly) early or sticking around awhile. I guess we will see.
Phillip:
- Greatest Strength: He - and everyone else - knows just what kind of artist he is and that's that. (Being a good-looking guy on this show never hurts, either).
- Greatest Weakness: Almost always aggressive and lacks subtlety and nuance.
- Final Verdict: Not going anywhere for awhile. I think either he or Colton will be Top 4, but not both. I also think that if the producers truly do want a female winner, Phillip and Colton are going to start getting brutal (or unethusiastic) feedback soon after cracking the Top 10.
Shannon:
- Greatest Strength: A nice Southern teenage girl with a decent voice that people who watch this like to support.
- Greatest Weakness: A mix between nerves and a voice that completely lacks any kind of distinctive quality.
- Final Verdict: Since the uber-praised Jessica and Hollie are about her same exact style, she's going to have to hit a homerun or she's not going to last too long.
Skylar:
- Greatest Strength: Spirited, enthusiastic and genuinely fun to watch perform. (Being the only country singer helps a lot)
- Greatest Weakness: Voice tends to be thin, nasaly and sometimes whiny, which isn't for everyone.
- Final Verdict: Will easily make the Top 8 or so. The rest will depend on her performances. I doubt Idol wants two country winners in a row, so they'll probably start downplaying the praise here soon.
In Immediate Trouble:
Jermaine, Erika, Joshua, Elise, Shannon, Deandre <-- who sticks around between these guys will depend on both their performances, or better yet, what the judges have to say about their performances.
Top 10 locks:
Jessica, Hollie, Phillip, Colton, Heejun, Skylar
Not a fan of the song or her older than she is makeover, though I do think she did a great job slimming down. She is a very cute girl and I hate to see her looking like an old country lady rather than the young lady she is.
