Michael Becker / FOXDid you really think American Idol's top seven contestants would play it safe after Jessica Sanchez's almost-elimination last week? Oh, you did? That's so sweet!
The seven remaining contestants each took on two songs during last night's "Now and Then"-themed live performance show and once again proved that they are without a doubt one of Idol's most talented seasons ever. Seriously, what's in the water this year?!
Still, one person will definitely be going home tonight (the save is gone, remember!), So who do we think is in danger of getting booted? And who really impressed us?
Our Top Five Performances
5. Hollie Cavanaugh
Taking on Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" is a tough track for anyone to take on, let alone someone who had a lot to prove going into last night's show, but Hollie made it look effortless...something most of her previous performances were lacking. Hollie finally seemed relaxed on stage and delivered one of her strongest vocals of the season on the night she needed to deliver the most. Well done, girl!
4. Colton Dixon
F-U-N. That's exactly what the resident rocker's rendition (alliteration FTW!) of Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance." While it wasn't his best vocal performance, Colton proved once again that he has versatility and can pretty much make any song he takes on his own. Not since Adam Lambert has an Idol contestant taken the stage with some confidence and a clear sense of who they are as an artist.
3. Joshua Ledet
America, look at your life, look at your choices! How could you put Joshua in the bottom three last week? Did you not feel ashamed after hearing his renditions of "I Believe" and "A Change Is Gonna Come"? If so, we're hoping you felt compelled to vote many, many times for Mr. Ledet.
2. Skylar Laine
We hate to borrow any phrase from Randy Jackson, but man, Skylar is in it to win it! The season's lone country girl completely rocked the Lady Gaga hit "Born This Way." "A more perfect song for you does not exist," Jennifer Lopez gushed after the performance and we completely agree!
1. Phillip Phillips
Finally! One of our early favorites came back with a vengeance tonight, seemingly listening to our advice (at least we like to think so!) to switch things up and take a risk. Phillip completely owned Usher's smash hit "U Got it Bad" and made it his own à la Kris Allen with Kanye West's "Heartless." And Lopez was right: the performance was really sexy. One word, y'all: Goosies!
Who's in Trouble
3. Colton Dixon
We think tonight will mark the first appearance of either Colton or Phillip in the bottom three and we're going to go with Colton, based purely on the judges' critiques of his second performance of "September." Still, there's no way he's going home.
2. Jessica Sanchez
Sure, we think Jessica's shocking elimination and save will definitely garner her some votes, but we couldn't help but feel a little underwhelmed after both of her performances last night. As always, Jessica's vocals were near-perfect on "Fallin'" and "Try a Little Tenderness," it just seems like she's lacking the killer instinct or drive to win.
1. Elise Testone
While Elise's cover of Alicia Keys' "No One" was a thing of beauty, she ended the night on a less-than-great note with a king of strange rendition of "Let's Get It On." While for some contestants this wouldn't be the kiss of death, Elise has been in the bottom three more times than any of her fellow contestants and needed two very solid performances to have a chance of escaping the stools of doom.
Bottom Three Prediction: Colton, Elise and Jessica
Exit Prediction: Elise. While she's one of our favorite contestants, Elise just isn't connecting with voters and though Jessica seems to be having the same problem, her near-elimination last week will score her some extra votes.
American Idol Top Seven Exit Poll Take Two
Agree or disagree? Sound off in the comments!