Night two of ‘American Idol’ had more amazing voices, comically bad contestants, and of course, more Nicki Minaj & Mariah Carey drama.
The second night of the season 12 American Idol premiere took us to Chicago, and there were some absolutely memorable contestants — both good and bad.
And then there were Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey . From Nicki’s highlighter hair and leopard-print suit to Mariah’s wonderfully blown-out hair — that is obviously full of secrets — theses two judges kept the night interesting. Will the battle of the divas ever end, or has it just gotten started?
Who Was Not-So-Hot
Just because you wear stars on your clothes, that doesn’t mean you’re a star — and Melissa Bushlearned that the hard way. As she sang “Downtown” while wearing a pink, sparkly disco jumpsuit, I was reminded of Saturday Night Fever and Sailor Moon. Although that sounds like an amazing combo, I can assure you it was not.
I will preface my intro of Gabe Brown by saying this 21 year old from Iowa City actually DID make it through to Hollywood. He sang/yelled the classic rock song “Give Me Shelter,” and normally I’d be all about it. But I just wasn’t that impressed. Even when Gabe sang his “soft” song, “We All Die Young,” I still didn’t see what the judges saw. But we’ll have to wait until Hollywood to see who was right.
Kevin Nabity loves Ninja Turtles, twirling sticks and break dancing. This already sounds like a recipe for disaster. Although Kevin was confident he was the next American Idol, his rendition of the Barenaked Ladies‘ “One Week” may or may not have been in coherent English. Guess he should just keep to stick twirling — then again, maybe not.
Ieisha Cotton is a professional dancer, but has dreams of becoming a singer. I’m not sure if the judges were being completely honest when they said her dancing was good, but I know they were honest when they said she should NEVER sing again. “Baby, you’re tone deaf,” Randy Jackson bluntly put it, and you know it’s bad when Randy can’t even fake being nice.
I have very little to say about musical theater student Ashley Curry except for this: my ears are still bleeding. She said people claim her voice is like nothing they’ve ever heard before — and she’s right. I never have heard a pack of wild hyenas before.
Who Impressed Me
Mackenzie Wasner from Tennessee was the first contestant on the show and started the night off on a high note. Her smooth country voice got a yes from each judge and got her a golden ticket to Hollywood. I think Keith Urban may have even shed a tear or two for the fellow country singer.
Singing for President Obama seems like proof enough of one’s talent to me, but for Kiara Lanier that wasn’t where she wanted her career to stop. Kiara wowed the judges with her gorgeous voice and winning personality. Keith even said she “came ready to be a star.” And boy did she!
Fifteen-year-old Isabelle Parell was the only contestant to request a duet from one of the judges. Keith joined Isabelle in the classic holiday duet “Baby It’s Cold Outside.” During the duet, I think Isabelle blew Keith out of the water. The high school student was smooth, youthful, cute, poised and absolutely flawless.
Let’s be honest: We’ve all been waiting for the hottie of season 12, and we may have found him in Griffin Peterson. The 22-year-old Wisconsin native fulfilled my teenage dreams of finding an acoustic, cafe singer with and amazing voice. Needless to say, he got yes’s from all the women, as well as a heck yes from me. I’ll be seeing you in Hollywood, Griffin.
If you didn’t shed a tear when adorable Lazaro Arbos auditioned, then you don’t have a soul. The Cuba native suffers from a severe stutter, and in school he had few friends and often had to rely on his mother speak for him because he simply couldn’t get the words to come out. He doesn’t know where his speech impediment came from, and he doesn’t know why he has it, but he’s determined not to let it get him down. “You can’t let things get you down because you have to keep going,” Lazaro said emotionally. As he sang “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” I literally felt my heart melt — and let me tell you, it takes a lot to break this girl’s icy exterior. I venture to say that Lazaro is the one to beat this season.
I have to admit I thought fire performer Kez Ban was sure to be the joke of tonight’s episode, but boy was I wrong. The up-and-comer but beginner fire performer, balloon animal maker and street performer was my favorite of the night. She was weird and awkward but totally authentic. Her original song she sang was beautiful and cool, and I actually started to sing along to it. I have my eyes on you, Kez Ban.
Did Nicki Minaj & Mariah Carey Get Along Yet?
The easy answer to everyone’s burning question is: No, Nicki and Mariah did not getting along.
After almost EVERY contestant sang, Nicki and Mariah started to bicker. Yes, we know you’re loud and outspoken, Nicki. Yes, we know you have one of the best voices ever, Mariah. But do you two have to fight about it all night?
As Nicki was rolling her eyes to the camera, Mariah was whipping her voluminous her hair back and and forth, while casually blowing off Nicki. Honestly, Keith had the proper response — bang head against desk.
Mariah once tried to keep her composure as Nicki went off on a bizarre, British accent rant. However she eventually lost it and “beeped out” Nicki. No, literally, she said “beep” while Nicki was speaking.
Nicki responded appropriately by saying, “You’re dismissed.” It was priceless.
But by far the best part of the night was when Mariah dubbed herself and a contestant “Cinderella” and Nicki “the evil sister.” This did not go over well with Nicki and thus the diva battle of the season began .
