It was a big night on Idol, as we learned which two contestants will be competing in next week’s finale. The night also featured performances from superstar Alicia Keys and season 10 runner-up Lauren Alaina.
Before Ryan read the results, the girls gathered onstage, holding hands, and said they loved each other. Candice looked about ready to throw up for the entire show, so thank goodness hers was the first name Ryan read as one of the contestants returning for the finale next week. Candice let it all out as soon as her name was read, wandering around the stage in disbelief and hugging everyone within reach. When they came back from break, Candice was smiling ear to ear, telling Ryan, “I’m not even here right now.”
Then it was down to Angie and Kree. The girls embraced each other as Ryan announced the results: The person joining Candice in the finale is Kree Harrison. The judges were on their feet with shock, but not the angry kind of shock they’ve shown previously this season every time someone else went home instead of Lazaro. They all seemed genuinely happy for Kree. Kree seemed to be in a state of disbelief herself, shaking her head and looking just as upset as Angie.
Angie sang Colton Dixon’s “Never Gone” for her farewell swan song, and had a very hard time getting through it. She started crying as soon as her elimination was announced, continued through her farewell video, and by the time she had to sing, she could barely compose herself. She made a valiant effort, but in the end, she wasn’t able to finish the song. Her family came up onstage to comfort her as the music continued. Looks like her brother can shave his playoff beard now.
Earlier, Ryan kicked off the night with a subtle jab at judge Randy Jackson’s announcement that after 12 years, he will not be returning to Idol as judge next season. Looks like Ryan’s a little miffed that Randy didn’t come to him with the exclusive because after he made a reference to “who is leaving our show,” he looked pointedly at Randy, saying, “Maybe a heads up?”
The top three started the night’s performances with what Ryan called a “current hit”…but is actually a several-year-old Selena Gomez & the Scene song, “Who Says.” There were some technical difficulties in the beginning, and while it seemed like they might finally have their very own Milli Vanilli (or Ashlee Simpson, if we’re being “current”) lip-syncing scandal, it seemed like they may actually have been singing this time.
The most important question that should have been on everyone’s mind during this episode is WHAT IN THE WORLD IS KREE WEARING?! They are baggy. They are pleated. They look like sad elimination pants. Like fancy pajamas. It’s like Kree had already decided she was going home, and didn’t want to worry about changing before she crawled into bed to cry and eat her feelings. Bet she feels silly about her wardrobe choice now!
Apparently, according to a tweet from Ryan Seacrest, Kree did think she was going home:
During the last break, @kreeai12 asked for water for dry mouth…she thought she would have to sing. Dead wrong. #idol
— Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) May 10, 2013
Season 10 runner-up Lauren Alaina returned to the Idol stage to perform her new single “Barefoot and Buckwild.” She has certainly grown up since her time on Idol (she auditioned when she was only 15!), and is going for a more grown-up, sexier persona. Plus, her blonde, pink-streaked bob looks much better than the skunk hair she sported on Idol.
Judge Mariah Carey brought the top three into the studio as she finished up editing her new music video, so she could give them a little Music Video 101. Her main advice was to stick to who you are and what you believe in, and to make sure you take control of how your image is presented to the public. Music videos are a big part of this.
Mariah premiered her new music video for “#Beautiful,” featuring Miguel. Yes, you read that right, it is actually called “Hashtag Beautiful,” which I guess explains why Mariah has been trying to make “hashtag pow” happen all season. It seems Mariah thinks she’s living inside Twitter. Someone needs to help her.
The song is super-catchy and sure to be a summer hit, though it seems pretty heavy on Miguel, considering it’s supposed to be a Mariah song on which he is just “featured.” The video was standard Mariah video fare, all scantily-clad posing and wind machines, but it just proves that Mariah is looking DAMN GOOD for a 43-year-old mother of twins.
For this week’s Throwback Thursday, we caught up with season 8 runner-up Adam Lambert. He reflected that he approached the competition as a game, and tried to select songs that would make for memorable performances. Since his second-place finish on Idol, Adam has gone on to have a successful career, including his sophomore album Trespassing hitting number one on the Billboard charts. He’s currently in the middle of a world tour, but will be back on the Idol stage next week for a surprise duet.
Alicia Keys took a break from her sold-out tour to join in on this ladies night to perform her newest single “Tears Always Win,” off of her hit album Girl On Fire. Ms. Keys was at home behind the piano, as she always is, and I’m sure the judges were hoping Angie was watching to prove that she can be successful if she just stays behind the piano, as they’ve been begging her to do.
Finally, there was a great montage video showing all the past Idol victors at their first audition, and their moment of victory. This was Idol‘s way of saying the next American Idol could be you! Auditions will be held in San Francisco, Detroit, Atlanta, Boston, Austin, and Omaha this summer, and the online auditions will begin next Thursday, immediately following the finale. So go for it, Hypable readers! And don’t forget us in your rise to fame.
Tune in next week for the two-night Idol finale, and find out who will be season 12’s American Idol winner!