Zoanette Johnson of Tulsa has made it to the Top 20 on "American Idol."
Liberian-born but Tulsa-livin' Zoanette Johnson has made it into the Top 20 on "American Idol."
As a slew of web sites had already posted spoilers about it, Miss Z was among the last group of 10 from the Top 20 girls to sing on the sudden-death Las Vegas rounds.
She sang "Circle of Life" from "Lion King," probably the most unexpected song anyone has sung so far in the sudden-death rounds. And although she might not have the pipes others possess, she definitely has the performance skills -- proof of which was found in the audience's standing ovation, along with three of the four judges standing to give her a hand.
"Kudos to the queen of the jungle," Keith Urban told her, with fellow judge Nicki Minaj adding, "You just served it ... I am so proud of you ... I don't care what people say about you ..." -- and then said, "You lost weight?" I'm surprised no one busted out singing "Can You Feel the Love Tonight."
Anyway, all judges were in agreement, with Randy acknowledging critics saying, "What is Zoanette doing on here?" -- but he liked it.
"That emotion," he continued, "is what it's all about."
She was the last to sing but the first to be voted through to join the Top 20 semi-finalists.
The best vocals of the night belonged to Candice, who moved on to the Top 20 thanks to her rendition of "Natural Woman." All the judges liked the song choice and the delivery, with Mariah Carey telling her she was a "bona fide singer."
I was disappointed to see Jett go, though, seeing as how she played piano while singing a slow version of Rihanna's "Only Girl (In the World)." Keith loved the "unique arrangement of the song" and its "sexiness," but Nicki never felt the song reached a "climax." Randy seemed to concur, with Mariah dropping the "unique" bomb again (hate that word -- too many other colorful words to convey something more specific, know what I mean? But that's another soap box ...)
For some of the same reasons, I hated to see Juliana not make it through, as she played guitar while singing Demi Lovato's "Skyscraper." But Keith picked up on her "struggling with pitch," with Nicki adding she was "very, very, very timid." Randy, however, said it was a "good performance," and Mariah added she was downright "celestial" -- alas, not enough to save her.
Wasn't surprised to see the darling Melinda get cut after performing "Nobody’s Perfect." But it's gotta be difficult to start the show as she did, then be in front of a live audience -- perhaps why she sounded a bit more nervous than her previous auditions, which rocked.
Not that they were bad at all, but I don't understand why the judges went gaga over Aubrey and Breanna, talking about how they're practically ready-made performers.
Aubrey's slow cover of Beyonce's "Sweet Dreams" seemed almost too slow (although that was THE best dress worn so far the entire season). Nicki wanted a climax earlier, and she still didn't get it from Aubrey -- but that was apparently OK.
"I am obsessed with you," Nicki said, adding something about "rich texture." Randy, an admitted "huge fan," said she's a "great commercial artist ... You look amazing ... complete package," blah, blah, blah. Mariah ended the critique by telling her she was "limitless."
Meanwhile, Breanna sang Jazmine Sullivan's "Bust Your Windows" -- again, not bad. But it was like really good karaoke. Still, Nicki compared her to Aubrey, even suggesting they get together and work on something.
"You giving me sexy on a stick," Nicki said, with Randy repeating his "whole package" thing (and something about what she was wearing, which is apparently critical to this competition where the girls are concerned).
Good thing, I reckon, 'cause both of them sailed on through to the Top 20.
Cristabel sounded good -- definitely not worse than Aubrey and Breanna. Yet she was sent home.
The last one to be cut was Rachel -- and, as much as I adore her, that wasn't a surprise. Her cover of "Nothing But the Water" was a bit off, with Keith commenting the song "got on top of you."
That means Janelle, who sang Lady Antebellum's "Just a Kiss" got to stay -- but I'm not sure it was Top 20-worthy. I mean, better than Jett? No. Better than Cristabel? Probably not.
And better than Zoanette? Vocally, no -- but NO ONE on that stage tonight had Miss Z's presence. You can like her or not, but she's probably gonna be a finalist this season.
Quite frankly, whether or not she sounds as good as Candice, I'll be pulling for her if she keeps throwing out something unexpected each week like she has so far.
But what did
you think of tonight's show?
Peace, love and Miss Z in the Top 20 ... XOXO
