American Idol: First Round, Females

Can't help but notice how white everyone's teeth are this season. First half was kind of blah and the second half was pretty damn good.

Here's the order of how the 12 female finalists performed last night, with the odds of winning it all in May:

1. Syesha Mercado
Powerhouse performance from one of the early favorites. Great song choice ("Tobacco Road") and she nailed it. She'll have to be careful not to go too far over the top. Has perhaps the best set of pipes with a personality to match.
Odds of winning: 8-1

2. Kady Malloy
Judges were way off on this one. Thought she was one of the best. Loved her soft, sultry approach. Terrific talent who has both the looks and the voice. She needs to be careful of the camera when she's not singing. Clearly, she was scowling after harsh critique.
Odds of winning: 15-1

3. Alexandrea Lushington
The last time we heard "Spinning Wheel," the talented Bo Bice sang it. Excellent range, hit every note and showed unique, inventive stage presence. Simon was way off on this one as well. She'll be around in May.
Odds of winning: 15-1

4. Asia'h Epperson
Tackled Janis with spirit and flash. Passionate and powerful, has the chops to sing anything. Performance wasn't perfect, but good enough to start building a fan base. Get used to seeing her.
Odds of winning: 15-1

5. Carly Smithson
The tattoo artist and young Grace Slick look-a-like sounds a little like Barbra Streisand. Full, velvety voice. Professional who has the capability of getting better each week. Audition and Hollywood week exposure will help her win votes.
Odds of winning: 20-1

6. Ramiele Malubay
Boring. Song took forever to get going. Too bad, because expectations were high. Dusty Springfield wasn't a good fit for her. Clearly has the talent, but will need to showcase her voice more. Looking forward to next week as she can do much better.
Odds of winning: 20-1

7. Brooke White
Has a Carly Simon thing going for her, kind of a Martha's Vineyard windswept beach look. Liked this version of "Happy Together" better than David Cook, who sang it Tuesday night. Decent job, but will need to crank it up to make an impact.
Odds of winning: 35-1

8. Alaina Whitaker
The birthday girl Has the Madonna tooth gap going for her. Liked the mellow opening but had trouble when she opened it up. Needs better control over the big notes. Spiral Starecase's (yes, stare) "More Today Than Yesterday" was neat song choice.
Odds of winning: 40-1

9. Amanda Overmyer
In the end, Motorhead's Lemmy is not going to beat George Michael in this kind of venue. Slopped her way through Muddy Waters' "Baby Please Don't Go." Appreciate the originality but this was more about the music than her voice. Not sure she can sing.
Odds of winning: 75-1

10. Kristy Lee Cook
The horse whisperer is going to be put out to pasture if she doesn't step it up. Has more potential than this but played it safe with a terrible song choice ("Rescue Me"). Where's the snooze button? Suggestion: Get a flu shot.
Odds of winning: 75-1

11. Joanne Borgella
Ouch. Not good. Thankfully, Simon told her the truth. Another one competing with her backup singers. Had lots of pitch  problems and some timing issues. Kind of a mess.  No where near the top talent in this group.
Odds of winning: 100-1

12. Amy Davis
Tricky song choice with Connie Francis' "Where the Boys Are." Kind of painful. Sounded like she was an octave too low for the entire song. Certainly has the look, but performance was uncomfortable and barely listenable.
Odds of winning: 75-1

Comments

[Kevin]

I agree with you on Kady. She is a good singer. I think the judges will listen to the show again and apologize.

[Poppy]

I am under Ramiele's spell. You know what did it for me? When she gave the smoky sexy eye looks right before the song got going...

And her honest answers after the song concluded.

[Dan]

Kevin - yes, she's excellent.

Poppy - I also think Ramiele is fascinating. I just think she got off to a slow start. I'm in her corner.