J Rome has been the judges’ favorite contestant pretty much every week on the first season of Duets. He has either captured first or tied for first every round. At this point, I am elated that we will finally get public voting next week after the Top 6 this time around. It is apparent that the judges, producers, or both are pushing so hard for a J Rome win that they cannot be trusted to make the decision.
Although I was not impressed with J Rome in the beginning and still think he is overrated in the scoring. But he has shown a more soulful side the past couple of weeks. I give credit where it is due, and J Rome and John Glosson should easily be the final 2 at this point in what has turned out to be a very weak crop of contestants.
J Rome should have no problems getting through this Top 6 week and on to next week’s public voting rounds. I believe the seeds have definitely been sowed for him to excel in the voting for at least a week or two. After that, I believe the voters will look a little more at the actual performances and not just give J Rome the benefit of the doubt that the judges/producers have set up for him. Even with public voting, he is a strong favorite to at least make the top 3. But don’t be so sure he has the win in the bag. If John continues at the same level of performance, he has a chance to win. As far as the other 4, I don’t see any chance of them winning unless they put together a string of amazing performances at the end.
J Rome and Jennifer are singing Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You.” This song is chosen way too much on all these shows. As mentioned above, though, nothing is going to matter so long as the judges are scoring. J Rome would be first if he burped the Star Spangled Banner if it’s up to these judges. Next week, it’s time for the public to take over the voting.
J Rome starts out singing alone. They will probably make a big deal about how he hit high notes. It’s not that impressive when that’s already your normal range. He cuts off some of the notes too short, but it’s still a good performance. And he and Jennifer did not hit the highest note, but that’s not a big deal.
He did a nice run in the end to finally make it a little unique. Overall, this is the first week I am ranking him #1. He deserves it on a night when everyone else was either average or weak.