Tonight’s show opens with Jennifer Nettles and John Legend singing “I Got the Music in Me,” and even though they seem like an unlikely duo, I’m actually a big fan of this performance. Jennifer leaves it all on the stage, man. She’s just awesome.
Quddus joins us now to set up the evening. The Superstars and their amateurs will perform songs that inspire them, and the bottom 2 will sing for their lives (solo and a cappella) at the end of the show and hope to live to see another day. Here we go!
Robin Thicke and Alexis Foster
Song: “Killing Me Softly,” by Roberta Flack
Robin and Alexis open the song as silhouettes with a neat little effect, and as the beat kicks in, the stage lights up and they…don’t quite start grooving. She’s still holding the mic away from her face, and the choruses are pretty, but I find the rest of it kind of uncomfortable.
Other Superstars Say: John says Alexis sounded clear as a bell and looks great. Come on, John! Give her a real critique! I need everyone to stop being so nice - eliminations are beginning tonight for crying out loud. Kelly thinks the performance was awkward, and there is little connection between her and Robin. Jennifer thinks their connection was better than last week. We go to the chart, and Alexis is first. Duh.
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Jennifer Nettles and John Glosson
Song: “How Great Thou Art”
This song means a lot to John, and during rehearsals Jennifer is very emotional. We’ll see if they hold it together during the performance. He starts off a cappella, and it is lovely. Jennifer joins him, and though I am initially distracted by whatever she is wearing on her arms, that only lasts for a few seconds because they are giving one hell of a performance. I’ve never heard this song sound better (and I have heard this song a lot).
Other Superstars Say: Kelly and John (Legend) give a standing ovation. Kelly says she is secretly trying to figure out how to get John kicked off the show because he is that good. Robin says John gave him every feeling he needed to feel during the performance. John (Legend) says the arrangement was perfect and they should be proud. We go to the chart, and John is first!
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Kelly Clarkson and Jordan Meredith
Song: “Mama’s Broken Heart,” by Miranda Lambert
Jordan is still fighting the nerves and continues to be frustrated with her stage presence. If any song is going to cause her to bust out of her shell, it’s this one. Jordan is in bare feet, and she’s a little shaky to start but after Kelly jumps in, she does much better. They are on separate parts of the stage for most of the song which forces Jordan to stand on her own. She struts past the other Superstars with confidence, and this is definitely my favorite Jordan performance so far.
Other Superstars Say: John loves all of the energy and says Jordan carried herself like a star. Robin says Jordan looks tasty as pie. I need just a second… Okay. Jennifer loves the song because she could hear Jordan distinctly. We go to the chart, and Jordan is second. I’m good with that – I can’t say she was better than John Glosson, but I hope she is safe at the end.
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John Legend and Meleana Brown
Song: “If I Aint Got You,” by Alicia Keyes
John gives up the piano this week, and he and Meleana compete to see who can wear the tightest pants. Oh, and they are also singing….and singing incredibly well. They have great chemistry, the choruses are amazing, and John may have found a perfect competitor in Meleana.
Other Superstars Say: Kelly’s favorite part of Meleana’s voice is the softness, and she says both Meleana and John sing with such grace. Jennifer loves the presentation and says that Meleana is a seasoned performer. Robin compared Meleana to a good sandwich last week, and tonight he is “ready for dessert.” We go to the chart and Meleana is third….which means Jordan is safe!
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Robin Thicke and Olivia Chisholm
Song: “Crazy in Love,” by Beyonce and Jay-Z
This could either be awesome or disastrous. Whoa! This is not at all what I expected. Everyone in the Superstar lounge is up and dancing, and Robin and Olivia are WORKING this song. She’s done a complete 180 from last week, and I think this risk of taking on Beyonce and Jay-Z (well, mostly Beyonce) will pay off for her.
Other Superstars Say: Jennifer wanted to get up on stage and dance with them. She’s blown away. Kelly thinks Olivia’s voice is special and her voice became bigger and bolder with this song. John compliments Olivia’s legs, and then says Olivia opened up. Tee-hee. He wasn’t as vocally impressed as Kelly and Jennifer were though. We go to the chart, and Olivia is fourth…meaning Meleana is safe.
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Jennifer Nettles and J Rome
Song: “How Am I Supposed To Live Without You?” by Michael Bolton
J Rome is dedicating this song to his grandfather, and he is very connected to the lyrics. Jennifer has thankfully taken off the weird arm things she wore during her earlier duet with John Glosson, so I am able to focus quickly. This is tough for me, because John is really my favorite of her two contestants, but damn, J Rome has a good voice. They absolutely slay this song, and they have a very touching moment at the end.
Other Superstars Say: John says J Rome is a phenomenal vocalist. Robin just claps, and Kelly is crying. She tells J Rome that Team KC loves him, but then she giggles and says “I hate you.” Well, I’m glad someone is competitive in this show. It is a competition, right? We go to the chart, and J Rome is first.
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Kelly Clarkson and Jason Farol
Song: “Hallelujah,” by Leonard Cohen
Jason’s family would rather have him focus on school than a singing career, and apparently this is the source of his confidence issues. Kelly brings Jason’s dad to rehearsals to support him. Right now he's the one who doesn't quite fit in, and I hope dad's encouraging words make all the difference for Jason. They do. He’s never sounded better. Kelly has done a wonderful job letting her contestants shine this week, which is a challenge because a voice like hers can be overpowering by nature. I. Love. This.
Other Superstars Say: Robin thinks it was a lovely performance and tells Jason he belongs on stage. John thinks it was pitchy and that Jason needs to pronounce words more clearly. Boo. Jennifer is playfully angry because she set a reminder in her phone last night to submit this song to sing later in the season. You snooze, you lose. She also says the song perfectly suited Jason's voice and gave him confidence. We go to the chart, and Jason is sixth and still in danger of being in the bottom 2.
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John Legend and Bridget Carrington
Song: “Heard It Through the Grapevine,” by Gladys Knight and Marvin Gaye
Bridget is full on attitude tonight, including foot stomps and growls in her voice. She has great chemistry with John as well, but I think Meleana has the upper hand on this team. This is a good performance, but I definitely prefer many of the others tonight over this one.
Other Superstars Say: Robin thinks Bridget did a great job. Jennifer says Bridget was “giving it to him” on this song. She doesn’t love Bridget’s lower register though. Kelly agrees, but says Bridget is fun to watch (is that the equivalent of "you look great?). We go to the chart and…Bridget is fourth, meaning Alexis and Jason are the bottom 2. Bummer.
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Here are the final chart results:
1. J Rome (Jennifer)
3. Jordan Meredith (Kelly)
5. Meleana Brown (John)
6. Olivia Chisholm (Robin)
7. Jason Farol (Kelly)
8. Alexis Foster (Robin)
Now we have the Solo Showdown, not to be confused with the Showcase Showdown. I miss Bob Barker. Anyway, Jason goes first, singing “Me and Mrs. Jones.” Really, how can the Superstars resist him? He's just fabulous. Alexis takes on “Natural Woman.” Okay – you all know this is coming. If you are interested in seeing an awesome rendition of “Natural Woman,” here is a link to Kelly Clarkson’s rendition from Season 1of American Idol. Just sayin. I'll even be fair here and give you Adele's version too. Either way, Alexis doesn’t seem to find the pitch here, and I hope Jason makes it through.
Superstars Say: Kelly thinks both of them were a little pitchy, but she does not believe Jason should have been in the bottom to begin with. I agree. Robin thinks Alexis is amazing and Jason is lovely, and he tells both of them to never give up on their dreams. John says the business is all about drive and tenacity and tells them they have to keep going. Jennifer wishes the two of them performed as well earlier as they did with their a capella songs just now.
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After the Superstars enter their final score, we find out that Alexis is going home. Good thing too – I was just about to go on quite a rant. Perhaps next week I will when we watch another episode where America will still not be voting. Til then!
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