The judges use the save to keep Qaasim Middleton on the show as he's at risk of getting eliminated.
- Mar 20, 2015
AceShowbiz - "American Idol" was supposed to narrow down the contestants to 10 this week, but in a surprising twist no one was was sent home on Thursday night, March 19. The 11 finalists who were vying for the spots in the Top 10 sang songs from the movies after host Ryan Seacrest announced who's safe.
Adanna Duru was the first to perform, singing Jennifer Hudson's "I Love You, I Do" from "Dreamgirls". Keith Urban criticized the beginning of performance, but praised the song choice and said Adanna was amazing. Jennifer Lopez didn't feel the emotion, while Harry Connick Jr. suggested her to sing to the audience so that she could connect more with the viewers at home, too.
Daniel Seavey took on Adam Levine's "Lost Stars" from "Begin Again". J.Lo said it was okay but not Daniel's best performance. Harry felt like it was a practice-room performance. Keith gave him 10 out of 10 for rearranging the melody, but told him to dig in a little more.
Rayvon Owen was also safe, delivering a slowed-down and more soulful version of "Staying Alive" from "Saturday Night Fever". Harry "admired the arrangement," but wondered if Rayvon could "remain interesting is this competition." Keith and J.Lo agreed with Harry.
Nick Fradiani was called next. He sang Kenny Loggins' "Danger Zone" from "Top Gun" and decided to ditch his guitar, but he appeared to be lost out without his guitar. However, Keith thought Nick's getting more comfortable and urged him to "keep loosening up." J.Lo wanted Nick to show his hotness more, while Harry thought the song didn't suit him.
Joey Cook later took the stage with "Mad World" from "Donnie Darko". J.Lo saw a different side of Joey, while Harry said Joey's staying in her lane and expanding it. Keith praised her artistry, adding, "I love the way you bring attention to the song and I hear it in a way I never heard it before."
Tyanna Jones went with Elton John's "Circle of Life" from "The Lion King" which should've showcased her voice, but she didn't nail it. Harry commented, "You always have this ability to achieve the greatest results with seemingly the least amount of effort, until tonight. Tonight it looked like you were trying really really hard, there was some intonation issues and it sounded like t was yelled the whole way through." Keith noted the pitch issues but still called Tyanna "the best singer we have," while J.Lo told her not to worry too much because she'll do well next week.
After a performance of "Feel the Light" from "Home (2015)" by J.Lo, Quentin Alexander was announced to be safe. He sang "You're the One that I Want" from "Grease" in a slowed-down version. Keith called the performance "interesting," but it would've been better if he loosened up. J.Lo agreed, saying, "It was very haunting and very beautiful, I don't know if it translated as much as you felt it." Harry, meanwhile, warned him about losing the pitch as he said it was "horribly out of tune."
Maddie Walker sang "Let's Hear It for the Boy" from "Footloose". J.Lo liked the song because it was her mother's favorite song, but Harry "didn't think it was good." He added, "I don't know who you are. It felt very pageanty to me." Keith didn't like the song choice either.
Clark Beckham came out next to sing Maroon 5's "Sunday Morning" from "Cheaper by the Dozen 2". His jazzy version of the song earned rave reviews from the judges, as Harry said that Clark "knocked it out of the park."
Jax earned the last spot in the Top 10, meaning Qaasim Middleton was in jeopardy. Jax performed "I Wanna Grow Old with You" from "The Wedding Singer". Keith loved it and J.Lo liked "the quirkiness" in his voice. Harry said Jax often took a risk and it paid off that night.
Qaasim then sang "Come Together" by The Beatles for the save and it was better from his performance last week. Harry announced that they decided to save Qaasim, calling his performance the best of the night.
Next week, these 11 singers will all return and there will be a double elimination. Boy George will be mentoring the finalists for the '80s-themed week.
