AI5 Semifinals Round 2:
The Girls Lose Their Spark

American Idol 5 kicked into gear last week with several exciting showings by the female semi-finalists. Unfortunately, they hit a speed bump this week. The night was filled with poor song choices, mediocre performances, and an overall lack of energy and passion. Where have all the flowers gone?

Following is the It's Destiny! panel's take on the AI5 Semi-Finals Round 2: Girls.

Katharine McPhee "All In Love Is Fair"
Liza: Usually this song is the kiss of death on Idol, but Katharine has such a gorgeous voice and made the song interesting in the beginning. But then the chorus hit, and she started to melisma all over the place. Her upper register sounded a bit shrill at times and not so pretty. She looks a bit like Sasha Cohen tonight, and kind of performed like her in the long program after such a strong short program last week.
Score: 6.75
Destiny: I, too, thought that Katharine may be the first in Idol history to do this song justice. But, alas, she couldn't do it. She showed that her voice isn't as flawless as I had thought. I appreciated the thoughtful delivery of the song, but it was underwhelming. Simon was right in telling her that she needs to always show what she's got. She needs to remember that she's doing a major performance, not a private vocal lesson.
Score: 6.0
Tammy: For the most part, this performance was head and shoulders above the rest of the ladies tonight. Then, as the song progressed and Katharine was forced to go into her upper register, some chinks in her armor were uncovered. Despite a few of the missed notes, she still is one of the most charismatic performers onstage. But definitely an off night.
Score: 7.0

Kinnik Sky "Here For The Party"
Liza: It's nice to see variety and nice to see her step out of her box, but stepping out of your box isn't always a good thing. Just ask Patrick Hall. But in hindsight, after seeing everyone else's drab performances, I really appreciated the enthusiasm and energy she brought to the stage.
Score: 7.0
Destiny: I appreciate her energy and attempt to have fun onstage, but it was kind of off and/or unnatural. I like this girl, but she hasn't proven herself a star as of yet. The cowgirl get-up had a weird copycat vibe, too, as it was very reminiscent of Vonzell Solomon at this stage in the game last season.
Score: 7.0
Tammy: First impressions - WHAT IS SHE WEARING? Wow, that has to be one of the worst Idol outfits, ever. It was some bizarre G.I. Jane Annie Oakley combo. Cargo pants, a bustier, and a cowboy hat. I'm not sure it's possible to actually put together a worse outfit. As for the song, it seemed like this song choice, and the outfit, for that matter, was a calculated attempt to appear more 'young' and 'fun'. It just didn't come together onstage, though. The song was just too smiley and 'JAZZ HANDS!' for my liking.
Score: 5.0

Lisa Tucker "Who's Lovin' You"
Liza: I'm not a big fan of the arrangement, but I am a fan of Lisa's voice. She has such a polished and easy stage presence; it is really hard to believe she is only 16.
Score: 7.5
Destiny: I like Lisa's stage presence, too. However, her voice showed some weakness throughout this song, surely accentuated by the lousy arrangement. Hopefully she will pick up the pace next week.
Score: 7.0
Tammy: While a more enjoyable performance than last week, I still find it difficult to get enthused by this girl. None of it seems very authentic or heartfelt. Her sound bites make me think that the Idol stage isn't big enough to hold her ego. It all comes across as 'look how great I am!', when really, it's not as impressive as she thinks it is.
Score: 6.0

Melissa McGhee "Why Haven't I Heard From You"
Liza: I do like Melissa's smoky voice, but she has no spark onstage. It's as if there is a big wall between her and the audience. Notice that after she finished, the only ones standing were her family and some of the Dawg Pound.
Score: 5.5
Destiny: No spark for me, either. This week Melissa came off as a poor imitation of Jessica Sierra. Next.
Score: 5.0
Tammy: I almost didn't recognize Melissa this time around. She looks a lot better than last week. Her performance for me was 'just okay'. Nothing exceptional or memorable. She's going to have problems sticking out from the pack, I think. Definitely see the Jessica Sierra comparison, and no, she isn't as good as Jessica.
Score: 5.0

Heather Cox "Hero"
Liza: Big improvement from last week, but that wouldn't have been too hard. She sang in tune and everything, but there is not much color in her voice. It's strictly average, and her glory note was just ... long. There is nothing special about her as a performer.
Score: 5.0
Destiny: The girl needs major help with her song selections. How could a "stalker" of the show ever think she should do a Mariah Carey song? She was lucky to get through last week, and she'll be lucky if she gets through this week.
Score: 6.0
Tammy: Heather was waaay too earnest singing this song. It came across as something you'd see at a high school concert. Definite improvement from last week, but I just don't think she has the chops to make it much further in the competition.
Score: 5.0

Brenna Gethers "Last Dance"
Liza: For all of her antics and bravado, Brenna's performance skills showed otherwise. When she's not preening, you can see her looking a bit stiff and perhaps even a bit petrified. She sounded nice on the opening, but when the song hit the disco stride, everything was just way too drab for the song choice. Let's hope the song choice is prophetic.
Score: 4.5
Destiny: I agree- her bravado definitely outshines her talent. Mediocre at best.
Score: 4.5
Tammy: Eep. Not. Good. That last note was nowhere near the right key. It's also difficult to get enthused over hearing a song that has been sung to death in karaoke bars nationwide. Really, who would think that 'Last Dance' would the song that would be the one to put them over the top? Baffling. Also, could her attitude be less likeable?
Score: 4.0

Paris Bennett "Wind Beneath My Wings"
Liza: What is with all the uninspired song choices tonight? The performance was a bit bland and the arm movements quite studied. No doubt she is talented vocally, but I expected so much more than this.
Score: 7.0
Destiny: I must admit that I, too, was a bit underwhelmed by Paris this week. She turned in a solid performance, but it was nowhere near as inspiring as she is capable of. Hope the girl comes back utilizing her full potential next week.
Score: 7.5
Tammy: I liked this performance for the most part. Her vocals were good, but she did come across as trying to be too 'old', and it all just seemed a bit odd, especially when compared to her performance from last week. She's almost unrecognizable.
Score: 7.7

Ayla Brown "I Want You To Need Me"
Liza: Best performance of the night. She continues to surprise me with her interpretations and vocals. When I heard she was singing Celine, I was expecting another drab, old-fashioned ballad, but it was anything but. The only criticism I really have is on her posture. She stands like a basketball player. If she fixes her stance, she could turn into a total glamazon. I think she's about to kiss that basketball scholarship goodbye, anyway. She seems to be a lock for the Top 12.
Score: 8.25
Destiny: I totally disagree with you, Liza. I thought it was exactly a drab, old-fashioned ballad on amateur hour. There was no depth or soul to her performance. She's a nice girl, but she is very average as a performer. And, yes, her stance makes her look even more out of place on the American Idol stage, especially since she chooses to wear formal clothes. She should consider more casual, hip clothes, hair, and make-up, because right now she's coming off as Sporty Spice in Posh Spice's wardrobe.
Score: 6.5
Tammy: This performance, while vocally sound, also seemed fairly lifeless. The tempo seemed a bit sluggish, which perhaps was responsible for the song never really getting off the ground. In short, I was bored. And that intro piece where she discussed her various tank tops really didn't help the boredom. Was that really the best sound bite they could get out of her? Yikes.
Score: 6.5

Kellie Pickler "Something To Talk About"
Liza: I think Simon said it best - without the backstory, the performance is nothing special. To me, Kellie looks very stiff and scared when she's on stage, not to mention awkward; the shaking of the hair and growling part of the song was a caricature and not at all sexy. Her vocals are just average. But everyone is buying into her sweet little country bumpkin story, hook, line and sinker. It's really becoming ridiculous. This is a singing competition, not a contest for who has the best backstory. And I don't believe for one minute she's never had a spinach salad or that she's never known that squid and calamari are the same thing.
Score: 5.0
Destiny: I think Kellie is very cute, but as you said, her voice is limited. The jury is still out for me as to whether her country bumpkin story is mostly act or authentic. For now, I'm enjoying her personality. However, there is something to be said about the fact that I remember her banter with Ryan Seacrest more than I do her singing.
Score: 5.5
Tammy: That performance was...really loud. I think a lot of these Idols confuse volume with passion when singing a song. There are other ways to make an audience believe what you're singing. Unfortunately, Kellie hasn't yet discovered these ways. A humdrum performance from beginning to end. And I agree, enough with the country bumpkin packaging of this girl!
Score: 5.4

Mandisa "Cry"
Liza: I like her versatility - she went from rock last week to country this week. That will be an asset for her when the theme nights hit. As for tonight, I think she powered it a bit too much, and the first verse was rough. Her timing and pitch seemed off. She has a great voice and great personality; but, like Katharine, she just needs to reign it in a bit and not oversing.
Score: 6.75
Destiny: Versatility is so important on this show, but I think Mandisa (and all other contestants) would be better served using these semifinal rounds to show her true self as an artist, rather than trying something new. There will be plenty of time to show versatility once the themes start coming.
Score: 7.0
Tammy: She made the song her own. After hearing this version, you'd never guess that "Cry" was originally a country tune. Still don't think she's a contender, though. Prove me wrong, voting public. Prove me wrong.
Score: 7.5

Who Should Be Eliminated
Liza: Brenna, Heather
Destiny: Brenna, Melissa
Tammy: Kinnik, Brenna

Who Will Be Eliminated
Liza: Brenna, Heather
Destiny: Kinnik, Heather
Tammy: Kinnik, Brenna

Come back tomorrow for the It's Destiny! panel's take on the guys of AI5.

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