'American Idol': Tulsa's Zoanette Johnson moves to top 20
BY JASON ASHLEY WRIGHT World Scene Writer
Friday, March 01, 2013
3/01/13 at 4:37 AM
Liberian-born but Tulsa-livin' Zoanette Johnson has made it into the Top 20 on "American Idol."
As a slew of websites 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 though 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. 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."
But no one on that stage had Miss Z's presence. You can like her or not, but she's probably gonna be a finalist this season.
Quite frankly, whether 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.
Original Print Headline: Tulsan with 'emotion' gets to 'Idol' top 20
Next on 'Idol'
The Top 10 girls perform 7-9 p.m. Tuesday; Top 10 guys, 7-9 p.m. Wednesday; and the Top 10 finalists are revealed 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday.
Go to tulsaworld.com/livingwright for more of columnist Jason Ashley Wright's "American Idol" blogs.
Associated Images:
Zoanette Johnson blows away the judges with a Sudden Death performance of "Circle of Life" on "American Idol" on Wednesday. She was moved into the top 20. MICHAEL BECKER/FOX
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