Credit Akon and Jimmy Iovine with the save if Kinnelon native Elise Testone survives Thursday night’s results show on “American Idol.”"She was on a road to destruction,” this week’s mentor Akon said after Testone tried to start her solo by singing and playing the drums in the mentoring session.
Thankfully, Akon and Jimmy Iovine convinced Testone to drop the idea. On a night when the Final 7 chose songs released in 2010 or later, Testone took on Lady Gaga’s “You and I.” And the pressure was on.
“I think everything is banking on this performance,” Akon said before Testone sang.Unlike last week, when Iovine said Testone choked in her big moment, the 28-year-old came through this time around.
“America, Elise is back, she’s back,” Randy Jackson said after the performance. “That was the perfect song for you. it was the perfect time for that vocal. You needed a moment and I think you got one tonight. America, please know, this girl is talented, very dope vocals right there.”Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler were equally impressed.”You did exactly what you wanted to do,” Lopez said. “You let go but you kept control at the same time.” Said Tyler, “You took a song that’s so simple and effortless and made it genius.”
"Idol" contestant and Kinnelon native Elise Testone. (AP Images)
But the question is, will the performance be enough or does Hollie Cavanagh have a big enough voting block to leave Testone at the bottom of the pack. If she does get the fewest votes, it’ll be interesting to see if the judges vote to save her. There’s no question they think she should continue in the competition more than Cavanagh, but can Testone crack the Top 5 or push for a spot in the final? It doesn’t seem likely, so they would only be saving her for one more week. If I had to guess, I’d say they use their save for Testone but say a relieved goodbye to Cavanagh who has fallen short week after week lately.
Once again, Joshua Ledet brought the house down. Just a couple of days after his 20th birthday, Ledet sang Bruno Mars’ “Runaway Baby” and the judges gave it a standing ovation. Earlier in the night, Jennifer Lopez told Jessica Sanchez that she obviously has an amazing voice, but what shes needs is a dynamic performance like Joshua has had time and time again.There’s no way to know which way the voters will go but Ledet should be the guy to beat at this point.
Thursday night will be another dramatic live results show. It is manufactured drama for the most part, of course, except for one question: Will the judges use their save?
More about nothing: By the way, I don’t care if Colton Dixon and Skylar Laine are dating or not. I really don’t. Am I so far out of the Idol demographic that I don’t even understand why there is anyone out there who does care? (Note to Laine- If you want to stop the rumors, stop the giggling about it.)