AI9: Top 12 Girls
The Top 12 girls hit the stage tonight on American Idol, and for all the hype Simon's been giving them, they sure didn't deliver. There were some cute faces and good voices in the bunch, but no one delivered a signature performance. One would be hard-pressed to even recall what everyone sang even mere moments after the episode aired. Here's hoping the guys pick up the pace!

Following is the It's Destiny! panel's take on the AI9 Top 12 Girls.

Paige Miles "All Right Now"
Liza: I thought this was a bad song choice for her. She doesn't have the voice for a rocker song. It's all quite lackluster, and I really didn't need to see her swallow the microphone at the end. At the end of the day, though, was she the worst? No, but with no airtime leading into this, she didn't do what she needed to do to get out of the hole. The judges were far too kind to her.
Score: 4.5
Destiny: I agree- this was a nothing of a song choice and arrangement for her (or for anyone on this show, for that matter). To top it off, though she does have a nice voice, she sounded nervous throughout the performance. And can I say "Wow!" to Simon's huge vote of confidence for Paige? He and the rest of the judges are all more enthusiastic about her than I am.
Score: 6.2

Ashley Rodriguez "Happy"
Liza: Another bad song choice. Not only because I really can't stand the song, but mostly because it's so dreary. Her singing was all over the place. Did not like that, although it was better than the first girl. Simon called it clumsy and said she's going backwards and that she's just a singer singing someone else's songs.
Score: 5.0
Destiny: Ashley's performance didn't make me forget Leona's voice on this song. Her vocals were weak and shaky and lack any special tone or quality. And was this one of the shortest AI performances ever, or what?
Score: 5.5

Janell Wheeler "What About Love"
Liza: She's just singing the song, not bringing anything different to the table. She hit a few iffy notes as well.
Score: 6.25
Destiny: Why this song, Janell?! Ugh. She is an adorable girl, but her vocals were weak, and this was just not what she should be doing on this show. Wrong song. Wrong song. Wrong song.
Score: 6.3

Lilly Scott "Fixing A Hole"
Liza: Finally someone who does something non-karaoke! She's not commercial enough for this show, though. Like Randy said - she's indie. Not sure how far she can actually go on this show with the song choices she is prone to go with.
Score: 7.0
Destiny: Yes, Liza, finally! This was the first contestant of the night to command her performance. It wasn't an outrageous vocal, but she certainly benefited from the uninspired mediocrity that preceded her this evening. Also of note was that Randy's requisite post-judging drink highlighted tonight's return to the traditional Coke cups on the judges' table.
Score: 8.0

Katelyn Epperly "Oh Darlin'"
Liza: I hated her look, but I really liked how she sounded on this song. It sounded natural. One of the Top 3 or 4 performances of the night. But that outfit and the hair and the makeup? Oh darlin ...
Score: 7.5
Destiny: It sounded natural, Liza? You mean she sounded like Kara wanted her to look? Oh, Kara- you are really off-base sometimes, and your putting an obscenity in Katelyn's mouth tonight was so out of line. I, too, liked how Katelyn sounded on this song. She was totally channeling Joss Stone, something I haven't heard in her previous AI appearances. For the record, I liked her look tonight.
Score: 8.2

Haeley Vaughn "I Wanna Hold Your Hand"
Liza: I do not understand this song choice, or this arrangement, or her vocals. Her tone is assaulting my ears. Ellen was right - it was a hot mess (lol at her for not understanding that hot mess is worse than regular mess).
Score: 3.5
Destiny: Cutesieness is not in short supply with Haeley, eh? Simon has said he's looking for a Taylor Swift this season, and he obviously has one in Haeley, complete with Swift's questionable live singing pitch issues and guitar-slinging youthful charm. I am genuinely surprised at his negative remarks. I fully expected him to fawn over her, claiming star potential. I'm not in love with her voice, but I liked this performance upon first viewing.
Score: 7.0

Lacey Brown "Landslide"
Liza: Great song choice, but her performance is a huge disappointment. I hate her arrangement, and she's not in sync with the band or her backup singer. Hot mess.
Score: 4.0
Destiny: Great song choice? I totally disagree. But I do like her voice- I find it to be the most interesting we've heard thus far in the program. And it's the band's job to keep up with her, not her to sync with them.
Score: 6.4

Michelle Delamor "Fallin'"
Liza: Are we in Season 1 again with this song choice? Ugh! She can sing, but whatever was said about Ashley goes the same for her - it's all just karaoke.
Score: 6.5
Destiny: Totally Season 1! Who told Michelle it was time to bring this song back to the AI stage? There wasn't anything BAD about this performance, but it was weak and nothing exciting. I did like her American Idol Blue nail polish, though. And it must be noted that this girl is a total physical morph of Jordin Sparks, Lisa Tucker and Alicia Keys.
Score: 6.0

Didi Benami "The Way I Am"
Liza: The song is perfect for her voice, but the problem is that her voice is too close to Ingrid's, so it seems a little bit copy-cat. The song isn't a vote-getter, but she'll be ok because of her auditions.
Score: 7.25
Destiny: Didi's physical resemblance to Brooke White strikes me every time I see her. She's cute! And she has the best voice thus far. However, I would like a little more personality to shine through, Didi (see any and every Kelly Clarkson AI performance for inspiration).
Score: 8.3

Siobhan Magnus "Wicked Game"
Liza: My thought process during this: Oh my gosh, NO! Do not want her to butcher this! Oh wait. This isn't bad at all. In fact, she kind of killed it. She hit every note dead on. Way to go! Best of the night!
Score: 8.0
Destiny: I don't feel as highly about this as you do, Liza. I thought she started the song way too low for her voice, leading the whole performance to be off. Vocals aside, she is a cute girl, but methinks things are going to get freaky with her in the near future.
Score: 6.5

Crystal Bowersox "Hand In Pocket"
Liza: She played two instruments at the same time! That takes skills. It wasn't totally original, but I give her kudos for her performance and for bringing the only semblance of upbeat music since the first song! Simon injects his usual subway station comparisons that he likes to throw around with singer/songwriter types. Get some new material, lame duck.
Score: 7.75
Destiny: She is the most exciting contestant we've seen this season. Love her voice, look and vibe. This wasn't an outrageous performance, but it was certainly very good. I look forward to what she brings next.
Score: 8.3

Katie Stevens "Feelin' Good"
Liza: I was expecting a tongue bath, but the judges shockingly got this right - it was all too pageanty. Everything about it was pageanty - her hair, her dress, her stage movements. She hasn't shown any contemporary tendencies yet to warrant all the early pimping she has been given.
Score: 7.0
Destiny: I, too, was expecting an overrating of her by the judges, considering the obvious boost the show has attempted to give her all season (including tonight's bonus interview airtime and prized last performance slot). Katie's pitch and timing totally fell apart throughout this performance. And Michael Buble must be honored that Ryan Seacrest thinks that he originated this song. Umm, Ryan?
Score: 6.0

Who Should Be Eliminated
Liza: Paige, Haeley
Destiny: Ashley, Michelle

Who Will Be Eliminated
Liza: Paige, Ashley
Destiny: Ashley, Michelle

Flavor of The Episode
Liza: OVERRATED (meaning the girls in general)
Destiny: Meh (just like the entire season thus far)

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