Season 12’s top three were revealed tonight, as we learned who would not be returning after this coming week’s hometown visits. We also had three very different performances from David Cook, Will.i.am., and mentor Harry Connick Jr.
After escaping elimination last week, the top four had another week to pull out some incredible performances to try to win America’s votes. Unfortunately for some, and fortunately for others, last week’s votes were combined with this week’s, and that did not work out in favor of last week’s bottom two contestants, and this week’s eliminated contestant: Amber Holcomb.
Amber seemed resigned to her fate this week, crying during last night’s performance of “My Funny Valentine,” because she was so stressed out. Unsurprisingly, she was very emotional during her farewell video, and though she tried to hold it together for a performance of Whitney Houston’s “I Believe in You and Me,” she broke down at the end and couldn’t finish. Ryan pulled her tearful father onstage and comfort his daughter. Their tears were joined by those of the remaining three contestants, as well as judges Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey.
The entire results show served as a not-so-subtle promotion for the upcoming film The Great Gatsby. The top four kicked off the episode with a group performance of Beyonce’s “Crazy In Love,” which would normally be great, except that it was a terrible arrangement that is apparently on Gatsby‘s soundtrack. Once again, the contestants performed amid an overwhelming and unnecessary crowd of backup dancers.
We were also treated to a performance of Will.i.am’s song “Bang Bang,” also appearing on the Gatsby soundtrack. The performance was straight out of the roaring twenties, with Will.i.am. tap dancing in a top hat and tails, backed by a great horn section. The performance even started out in black and white. This performance was a much better promo for the film than the awkward group performance.
Season 7 champ David Cook returned to the Idol stage to perform his catchy new single “Laying Me Low,” and we saw what he’s been up to since his Idol victory. He’s released two albums, including his platinum-selling post-Idol debut, and is very much involved in supporting the Race for Hope, which raises money for brain cancer research, in memory of his brother Adam.
(On that note, to get an idea of what an awesome person Cook is, watch this video of him speaking at the 2009 Race for Hope, the day after losing his brother.)
We also caught up with season 4’s Constantine Maroulis, one of Idol‘s original rockers, as part of what Idol is now calling Throwback Thursday. Though he finished sixth on Idol, he has gone on to be the first Idol finalist nominated for a Tony, for his lead role in Rock of Ages. He’s currently starring on Broadway in Jekyll and Hyde.
Wednesday night’s mentor Harry Connick Jr. returned to the stage tonight, but not just to argue with the judges. This time he was performing his new single, “Every Man Should Know.” After last night’s squabble with judge Randy Jackson, Ryan asked how they were doing today. According to Harry, they went out to dinner, and fell asleep watching a movie together.
Tune in next week when the top three contestants will take on three songs each: Jimmy Iovine’s choice, the judges’ choice, and the producers’ choice.