On March 1, 2012, American Idol will reveal its new Top 12. Like last year, this year’s crop of 12 finalists (there could be 13 or even more as a surprise twist), will consist of the 5 boys and girls that got the most votes on their respective nights plus wildcard picks.
At this point, those considered virtually a lock for the Top 12 would be Phillip Phillips on the boys’ side and Jessica Sanchez and Elise Testone on the girls’ side. Others highly likely to make it include Joshua Ledet and Shannon Magrane.
It becomes much more difficult to pick after that because of many factors. For example, HeeJun Han and Reed Grimm were shown over and over again during the audition episodes. However, Reed had to perform first, which is a really bad spot to go in the singing order. And HeeJun was underwhelming. Look for HeeJun to probably make it off of his audition exposure, particularly during Hollywood Week. Look for Reed to either make it through on votes or at least make the Top 12 as a wildcard. There is almost no way they are going to pass up on Reed as a wildcard. Although prone to cheesiness and divisiveness, there is just no way the producers don’t want Reed in the Top 12 for American Idol 11. He was arguably in both of the Top 2 group performances and has shown good musician skills throughout his Idol journey so far.
Others that seem to have a good chance at making it through on votes include Skylar Laine and Jen Hirsh. However, Jen may have to rely on a wildcard and almost certainly will get one of the wildcard spots.
Baylie Brown has always been overrated, but she has always had fans at the same time. Baylie had a so-so performance, but her past on this show gives her a decent shot at getting through on votes. Hollie Cavanagh got pretty good reviews and will likely make it as at least a wildcard pick.
Jermaine Jones went last as the 13th boys’ pick at the last minute. Due to his favorable singing order, Jermaine has a good chance of getting through on votes. He will not get a wildcard spot if he did not get the votes to make Top 5 on Boys Night.
Colton Dixon is also probably going to make it through on votes. If he doesn’t, you can fully expect Colton to get a wildcard spot. The same goes for DeAndre Brackensick. He is either getting the votes (he probably will) or will get a wildcard spot.
Eben Franckewitz was really bad in his Top 24 performance, but demographics are on his side to get through on voting. I do not expect him to get a wildcard if he does not make it through unless it is as a surprise 13th pick.
Creighton Fraker has been featured quite a bit and sang well in the Top 24. Thus, I give Creighton about a 40% chance of making it. I don’t really expect him to get a wildcard spot if he does not get in on the public vote.
The biggest surprise of all could be Chase Likens, who has a chance as the lone male country singer just from a demographics perspective.
Those with very little chance of making it either on votes or as a wildcard pick include Aaron Marcellus and Jeremy Rosado. Adam Brock had a so-so performance and was featured quite a bit. I think this guy is way overrated, but he has a slim chance of making the Top 12.
The girls with little to no chance of making it include Chelsea Sorrell, Erika Van Pelt, Brielle von Hugel, Hallie Day and Haley Johnson. Strangely enough, Haley probably has the best chance of making it due to Idol voters’ odd propensity to give out sympathy votes. Haley was so bad in the first part of “Sweet Dreams” that Randy said it was more like a nightmare. It was bad enough to get sympathy votes. Brielle started out equally bad, but she is not a sympathetic figure. Erika is a good singer, but just singing okay and going second in the order has her in a tough spot.
Check back here as the show progresses to find out who has made the American Idol 11 (2012) Top 12 and wildcards.
Results:
Chase, Phillip and Jeremy are called out together. Phillip is in the Top 10 on votes. Chase and Jeremy did not make it on votes.
Jessica, Hollie, Brielle, and Hallie are up next. Brielle did not make it on the public vote. Hallie did not make it, either. Jessica and Hollie made it to the next round on votes.
Joshua, HeeJun and Adam are called up. Joshua made it on votes. HeeJun also made it. Adam has to hope for a wildcard spot.
Baylie, Skylar, Chelsea Sorrell and Shannon are all up next to get their results. Shannon made it on votes. Skylar also made it. Baylie and Chelsea have to hope for a wildcard spot.
Aaron, Reed and Creighton are up now. Aaron did not make it. Creighton did not make it, either. Reed is also out on votes. They all have to hope for a wildcard.
Elise, Jen, Erika and Haley are called up to the front. Elise is almost certainly going to be the one to make it here. And of course she makes it.
Deandre, Eben, Colton and Jermaine are called up as the last group. Deandre was not in the Top 10 in votes. Colton made it. Jermaine Jones also made it.
Top 13 Boys:
Phillip Phillips
Joshua Ledet
HeeJun Han
Colton Dixon
Jermaine Jones
Jeremy Rosado (wildcard pick)
DeAndre Brackensick (wildcard pick)
Top 13 Girls:
Jessica Sanchez
Hollie Cavanagh
Shannon Magrane
Skylar Laine
Elise Testone
Erika Van Pelt (wildcard pick)
The wildcards can be either boys or girls. They have announced that six will get a chance to sing.
The first wildcard contender is Jen Hirsh. I believe she had a great performance, but the judges didn’t seem very enthused about it. Five more will sing first before the judges make their decisions.
Jeremy Rosado is the next contender. He is surprisingly singing some Carrie Underwood. This is another good performance, but it lacks uniqueness. But based strictly on talent, he arguably deserves a spot. This guy can hold some long notes and hits some great high notes.
Brielle is the next contender. What the heck is she doing here? Her “Someone Like You” was good in spots, but it was rather inconsistent. Her vocal control is a mess. The judges gave her bad reviews overall.
DeAndre Brackensick comes up and sings “Georgia on My Mind.” His control could use some work, and many of his notes are not well supported. It’s like he’s two different singers — one with a richer tone and one with a thin tone that can’t support all the notes. Overall, though, he will almost certainly get one of the wildcard spots.
Erika Van Pelt is singing “Edge of Glory.” The low notes are interesting, but like most singers with a lower voice, it’s hard to fully project power. Nonetheless, she got in some good power notes. Erika will get a spot over Jen if it comes down to those two.
Reed Grimm is the last wildcard contender. He does another crazy performance. While his tone is certainly not special, his musicality is. If Reed makes it, it will be for that and uniqueness even though he may not have a stellar voice.
Randy announces the first wildcard pick as Erika Van Pelt. Jennifer picks Jeremy Rosado, and Steven picks DeAndre Brackensick.
Thoughts:
What is the point of talking about uniqueness and you still don’t put through Reed? And Jeremy Rosado over Jen Hirsh? Really? Jeremy is a non-descript R&B singer. Jen has loads of tools in her singing chest. The wildcards have always been a joke. It’s more about casting or creating moments than anything else.