Casey Abrams is saved by the judges; a top 11 tour

Last week, 20-year-old unlikely sex symbol Casey Abrams, who auditioned in Austin, Texas, was saved by the judges. On that week, he kicked off the night performing "I Heard It Through the Grapevine", which was originally recorded by Gladys Knight and the Pips and made popular by Marvin Gaye. He was in the bottom three with Stefano Langone and Thia Megia. He chose to use his audition song, the Ray Charles song "I Don't Need No Doctor", and midtune, Randy Jackson stopped the performance and come to a quick unanimous decision. Jennifer Lopez told Abrams and the crowd, "We were wondering when we heard the results, 'Why is Casey at the bottom?' We don't know. You deserve to be here." The judges promptly invoked the save on Abrams, and Abrams sincerely thanked Steven Tyler.

The results show featured guest performances by Stevie Wonder and Jennifer Hudson.  Jennifer Hudson performed her latest single, "Where You At", from her sophomore album "I Remember Me."  Jacob Lusk's performance of "You All I Need to Get By" was the best performance of last week.

Abrams' near-elimination was not the only surprise of the show. The bad news is that this week, on Elton John week, two contestants will be eliminated. The good news is that all 11 remaining contestants will be participating in this year's American Idol summer tour. During this week's results show, the musical guests will be Jamie Foxx and American Idol winner Fantasia from season 3.

Pia Toscano broke her promise by relying on ballads alone. Jacob Lusk has done a standout performance of the Elton John song "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word", which was covered by Mary J. Blige, one of my favorite R&B artists, last decade. He met and posed with Mary J. Blige during the rehearsal. My prediction is that Stefano Langone and Thia Megia will go home this week.

Don't you forget about Karen Rodriguez; Stefano Langone has a rap sheet

Last week, an even dozen became an odd dozen as Karen Rodriguez bids adieu to American Idol. She is the second coming of the late Tejano singer Selena. After being voted into the bottom three a second time, alongside two other female finalists, Haley Reinhart and Naima Adedapo, she got eliminated into twelfth place, leaving those two cleared for the top 11. When Rodriguez attempted Taylor Dayne's "Love Will Lead You Back" which impressed Steven Tyler, she found out that she had the lowest number of votes and would have to sing for the judges' save. In an attempt to claim the judges' save, she belted out a bilingual performance of Mariah Carey's "Hero" that earned her a standing ovation on top 24 week. As she teared up following the performance, she said "It just felt great to have at least one more chance. I can do so much better, and I know you guys believe in me." I also think Jasmine Murray can perform so much better than she did on American Idol season 8.

Unfortunately, Randy Jackson told Rodriguez that the judges chose not to exercise the judges' save on her, but unlike the previous week's decision on Ashthon Jones, the judges' vote was not unanimous. With the departures of Jones and Rodriguez, who will be missing out on American Idols LIVE! Tour 2011 along with the next cast-off, American Idol season 10 is left with 6 male contestants, none of which have yet to be voted into the bottom 3, and 5 female contestants. My prediction is that all the male contestants of the top 13 will be included on American Idols LIVE! Tour 2011 along with four female contestants.

Also, Stefano Langone has a rap sheet. Before he was on American Idol, he was first arrested for possession of marijuana. Second, in 2009, he was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, with the blood alcohol being way above the legal limit.

Tomorrow night, the top 11 will take on classic Motown songs.

Ashthon Jones goes the way of Leah LaBelle

On the night before yesterday, a baker's dozen became an even dozen as Ashthon Jones, my second favorite and early favorite of season 10, has become the third Wild Card finalist to get the first boot in the finals and goes back to Goodlettsville, Tennessee. When she learned that she is the first finalist to be voted off, she broke down in tears.  She was in the bottom three with Karen Rodriguez, who is the second coming of Selena, and my least favorite season 10 finalist Haley Reinahrt. I hope Haley Reinhart is the next to go.  I hope Ashthon Jones makes her mark in the music industry and that America will forgive her in the long run. Ashthon Jones is a fantastic singer. She is just as great as the rest of the top 13. Last week, she made the top 13 as a wild card pick by Randy Jackson. However, this is not the end for her, as she will go high speed ahead for her music career.

Ashthon Jones was born to Michelle Anderson on February 27, 1986, in Valdosta, Georgia. She moved to Goodlettsville, Tennessee at the age of 12. As a child, she attended W.G. Nunn Elementary School. Her father died when she was 14. Before she was on American Idol, she worked as a retail manager in Nashville, Tennessee. She auditioned there with the Faith Hill song "Like We Never Loved at All." Her musical influences are Diana Ross, Mary Mary, Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Monica, and The Clark Sisters.

My all-time favorite Jasmine Murray from season 8 received the same two years ago and also broke down in tears. Jasmine cried much heavier tears than Ashthon. They are both highly underrated. Ashthon Jones is in my top 36.

Jacob Lusk makes the top 13

On the first results show of American Idol season 10, on the night of March 4, 2011, the top 13 has been revealed, with 11 contestants being voted off. Season 10 is the second season to feature a top 13. 10 finalists were chosen by the public and 3 finalists were chosen by the judges

Top 13 of season 10 is as follows (alphabetically by last name):

Casey Abrams
Naima Adedapo (wild card, Steven Tyler's choice)
Lauren Alaina
James Durbin
Ashthon Jones (wild card, Randy Jackson's choice)
Stefano Langone (wild card, Jennifer Lopez's choice)
Jacob Lusk
Scotty McCreery
Paul McDonald
Thia Megia
Haley Reinhart
Karen Rodriguez
Pia Toscano

I am pulling for Jacob Lusk. I hope he at least makes the top 10, and Jasmine Murray is a once-in-a-lifetime incident. I predict that either Casey Abrams or Lauren Alaina will win. I predict that Haley Reinhart will land in 13th place.

Here is how I rank the top 13:

1. Jacob Lusk
2. Ashthon Jones
3. Naima Adedapo
4. Karen Rodriguez
5. Casey Abrams
6. Stefano Langone
7. James Durban
8. Pia Toscano
9. Lauren Alaina
10. Thia Megia
11. Scotty McCreery
12. Paul McDonald
13. Haley Reinhart

American Idol Season 10: Here Is Your Top 24

Here is the top 24 of American Idol season 10:

Male Contestants (alphabetically by last name)
Casey Abrams
Jovany Barreto
Jordan Dorsey
James Durban
Clint Jun Gamboa
Tim Halprin
Stefano Langone
Brett Loewenstern
Jacob Lusk
Scotty McCreery
Paul McDonald
Robbie Rosen

Female Contestants
Naima Adedapo
Kendra Chantelle Campbell
Ashthon Jones
Thia Megia
Haley Reinhart
Karen Rodriguez
Lauren Alaina Suddeth
Pia Toscano
Lauren Turner
Ta-Tynisa Wilson
Rachel Zevita
Julie Zorilla

Top 13
I think the following will make the top 13:

Casey Abrams
Naima Adedapo
Jovany Barreto
Ashthon Jones
Brett Loewenstern
Jacob Lusk
Paul McDonald
Thia Megia
Scotty McCreery (wild card)
Karen Rodriguez
Lauren Alaina Suddeth
Ta-Tynisa Wilson (wild card)
Julie Zorilla (wild card)

American Idol Season 10: Hollywood Rounds 2 and 3 Recap

In American Idol season 10, 327 contestants made it to Hollywood. In the first Hollywood round, the judges narrowed it down to 168. In the dramatic second Hollywood round, which is the group round, the judges narrowed it down to 101. The group round is the most dramatic Hollywood round. One controversial move is that Jordan Dorsey changed groups, sparking controversy among American Idol viewers. He turned down Scott McCreery and several others. He defected from the group 440 and formed the group Four Plus One. In the third Hollywood, the judges narrowed it down to 60. Jacqueline Dunford withdrew from the competition in this round.  I have been so impressed with Jacob Lusk's performance in that round. Another stand performance was from Ashthon Jones. After that comes the Vegas round, which is an addition for American Idol season 10.

American Idol season 10 Hollywood round 1 recap

327 contestants made it to Hollywood on American Idol season 10, compared to less than 200 in the previous seasons. The first Hollywood round of season 10 is different from that of the previous seasons. Unlike the previous seasons, there is no judges feedback in the first Hollywood round, and it is either go big or go home, thus sudden death. In the first Hollywood round, the judges narrowed the contestants down from 327 to 168.

The first Hollywood began with Brett Loewenstern, the 15-year-old social outcast who auditioned in New Orleans. He nailed "Let It Be", and the judges smiled for the performance. After he made it through, he vowed that he was moving on from being a social outcast.

22-year-old New Yorker Rachel Zevita, who originally auditioned for season 6, went from zero to hero. She was confident and feisty and performed "Warwick Avenue", and the judges were surprised and impressed.