8 Finalists Compete - Recap

With the shocking elimination of Pia Toscano last week, Casey Abrams, Lauren Alaina, James Durbin, Haley Reinhart, Jacob Lusk, Scotty McCreery, Paul McDonald, and Stefano Langone remain in the competition where it is clear that no one is safe. The show kicks off with the judges taking their seats and Ryan coming out and she tells that Jennifer Lopez has been voted the world’s most beautiful woman. The Top 8 come out and are all smiles for the audience. It is Soundtrack Week.

Paul McDonald is up first and he tells that he treats every performance as his encore performance and he is going to sing “Old Time Rock and Roll” from Risky Business. He comes out he shows his dance moves and gets into the song and has a tambourine. Steven says that he wants to borrow his suit and says that he liked the performance. Jennifer says that every week it is a little bit more polished. Randy says that it was like a concert and he loves the style and says that he is an artist.

Next up is Lauren Alaina and she says that she tells that she is going to sing “The Climb” from the Hanna Montana Movie. She says that she has a meaning with this song and Jimmy says that she has to steal Pia fans and invite them to like her now. She comes out and it is a safe performance that gives her a standing ovation. Jennifer says that she loved hearing the tear in her voice. Randy says that the Lauren that they first met is coming back. Steven says that he loves what she brings to a song. Ryan asks if she was comfortable with the song and she tells that the song screams Idol.

Stefano Langone is next and tonight he is focused on the performance. He is going to sing “End of the Road” from Boomerang. He says that he wants to connect with the audience. He comes out and sings his best to avoid elimination and Randy says that he slayed the song and that he now believes that it was the best vocal to date. Steven says that it is not the end of the road for him, it is the beginning. Jennifer says that he knows the key and that was great. Ryan asks if he sees himself at the finale and he says that they all are in it to win it.

Scotty McCreery is up and he originally was singing “Everyone’s Talking About it”, but after seeing the choices, he chooses “I Cross My Heart” from Pure Country. He comes out and sticks to his roots. He sings his best and gets a standing ovation. Steven says that he loves his voice and he did it again. Jennifer says that all of them are too good. She says that it wasn’t her favorite song choice, but he performed it. Randy says that if it aint broke, don’t change it. He says that he is a Star and he has grown. Ryan plays on the award of Jennifer and asks Scotty how if feels to sing for the Most Beautiful Woman in the World.

Casey Abrams is next and tonight he is singing Nat King Cole’s “Nature Boy” and Jimmy doesn’t like it. Jimmy suggests “In the Air Tonight” and he wanted to sing “Nature Boy” because he wouldn’t feel right. He comes out and takes the blues side of the song and it is good. Steven, Jennifer and Randy give him a standing ovation even! Jennifer says that at the beginning of the song she was unsure and says that what made it great is because it touched people and that is what he does. Randy says that they have real true artist and he hopes that America gets it for him and says that it was brilliant. Steven says that he is an artist and he does what he wants to do what is in his heart.

Haley Reinhart comes up next and this week she is going to sing “Call Me” from Blondie from the movie American Gigolo. They try to get her to the level that she needs to be. She comes out and she explodes the song and it is good. Randy says that he didn’t like the beginning of it and it sounded karaoke type of song. Steven says that he agrees, but it was beautiful. Jennifer says that she is going to have to agree with Randy a bit. She says that she is earning her place and needs to keep it at her level. Randy asks about the song selection and she says that it is all about it.

Next up is Jacob Lusk and “Impossible Dream” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone”. However, “Bridge Over Troubled Waters” from the Pursuit of Happiness. He comes out and he shows off his vocals that he can handle the high notes. Steven says that it is astonishing on how angelic he is and the last three notes were incredible. Jennifer says that it was great and it comes from another place. Randy says that he believes him when he sings and it was special and how he took his time and very controlled. Ryan asks how important it is for him to connect with the song and Jacob says that he always takes it to him and makes it personal.

Last of the evening is James Durbin and “Heavy Metal” is his song choice, but Jimmy didn’t like it. He says that he is not changing it and says and Jimmy tries to tell James that he knows what he is doing and Will I.Am says that James is good for sticking to his guns. James comes out and he explodes the stage and gets everyone on their feet. Jennifer says that it felt really real and she loved it. Randy says that it was like at a concert and this is unbelievable and he did him and it was great. Steven says that he is glad that he went with his feelings.

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