Ryan Seacrest started off the show
by making a veiled insulted reference to the news that Randy Jackson announced
today that he’s leaving the show. We can only hope that is the truth — he has
teased that many times before, and reportedly was only asked back for this
season at the absolute last minute. But I’ll believe it when I don’t see it.

The group sing was a mess. First, Ryan said it was to the
“current” hit “Who Says,” which is at least a year old at this point. It’s a
good song. But it sounds much better when you can actually hear the song. There
were massive, horrendous audio problems marring this performance, unlike any I
have heard on this show before. The Final 3 sounded like they were performing
underwater, or from the “Tron” universe or something.
Kree obviously didn’t know what to do with the audio
issues, but they were corrected eventually. The rest was fine. But this show,
this far along, should really not be dealing with these issues at this stage.

Jimmy Iovine gave his recap of
Wednesday night’s First Round, which featured his song choices. Last night he
gave the round to Angie, but he expressed serious disappointment that Angie did
not play the piano on the song. I truly believe that Angie deliberately did not
play the piano on the first two songs of the night so that it would be her “big
close” at the end. He still gave the round to Angie despite this. Hm.

After the break S10 runner-up Lauren Alaina
came back to sing her new song, “Barefoot and Buckwild.”
Play to those stereotypes, Lauren. I liked Lauren during her tenure on the
show, although her continued nerve issues became pretty exasperating as she
made it literally all the way to the finale. I was really torn on Lauren’s
outfit here. She looked good, but it was very mature for a girl her age (she’s
18 now) — it was some MILF realness, for sure. As for the song, it was pretty
standard upbeat country. The chorus was catchy and had lots of fiddle. But none
of the lyrics registered at all, especially on the verse. She also didn’t seem
particularly assured on the song, which is weird since it’s her own song. Those
nerves still a problem, girl?

Round 2 recap from Wednesday night — the Judges Picks. In
hindsight I didn’t like any of those picks. Candice’s was way too simple for
someone with her voice. I thought Angie was totally unconvincing with that Pink
anthem. But everyone just loved Kree and her song,
and so Jimmy gave her the nod for that round. Still didn’t love it.

Then we got Mariah Carey’s new video for “Beautiful,” also
featuring Miguel. First, I have been flat-out amazed by how little Mariah and Nicki Minaj have pimped out their
material/projects over the course of this season. Both Jennifer Lopez and
Steven Tyler were constantly taking
the stage (especially JLo) to perform or show a new video. Second, I heard this song on the
radio this morning, and thought, “Boy, that sounds like old-school Mariah, but
it can’t be her — her voice is shot at this point.” It also sounded way too
youthful for her. So kudos to Mariah for finding a way to make her voice sound
as good as it used to, and for putting out a song that I think will hit the
younger audience squarely. I think she was very smart to duet with a young, hot
male singer on this and have him do the heavy lifting vocally. The video itself
was kind of forgettable. But I do like the song.

Then we got an (obviously
pre-taped) performance by Alicia Keys performing her new song, “These Tears
Always Win.” It’s a good, upbeat r’n’b song, and I
just love the hairstyle Alicia is currently wearing. I sometimes find Alicia
boring. Part of that is the fact that she’s just so damned good — she’s like a
musical robot. But she was excellent here, and I like the song, too.

Round 3 recap, the Producers Pick. Jimmy thought Angie was
competent but not extraordinary in the second Emili Sande song of the night. Seriously, whoever is pushing
Emili on this show is doing her a huge favor. Jimmy really liked The Band
Perry for Kree, and I normally really like/respect
Jimmy, but I disagree with that. He said that Candice absolutely killed it in
her final number, and that if she goes home tonight he’s going with her. Boy, I
hear that…

Results: the first person in the finale is Candice! Oh,
thank god! I was so worried. I even voted for her last night; first time I’ve
voted all season. And joining her in the finale will be…Kree
Harrison! Holy shit, that is a SHOCKER. Massive, massive
shocker. Angie has been groomed since Hollywood Week as a presumptive
winner, and I felt like the show has been building to an Angie vs. Candice F2
for weeks now. Was she ever even in the bottom prior to this? I don’t know. She
seemed absolutely destroyed by being eliminated, and it was difficult for the
second week in a row to watch the eliminated contesant
struggle through the goodbye song. I believe it was the original song she
performed months ago on the show.

Kree seemed absolutely stunned. I
believe that to be genuine. A few thoughts on this: I think that the home
visits showed last night had a profound impact on these results. The general
consensus seemed to be that Candice and Kree’s were
very real, very truthful, while Angie’s seemed to hint at some of
the…less-than-authentic aspects that have been on the fringes of Angie for a
while now.

I absolutely think that Kree’s
very moving home visit helped to push her into the finale. That’s not to say
that she’s not talented. She is a great singer, and she taps into the country
vote, which cannot be undervalued. And last night we saw a bit of the old Kree back, after weeks of seeming to slowly unravel.

It’s definitely not the Final 2 match-up I was expecting,
nor was it the one I think the show was expecting. I believe that the show
wanted for Angie to win this thing, with Candice as runner-up (or surprise
winner). I think Kree would be a very good winner too
— certainly the last female country winner has done quite well for the show — but
it does feel somehow less exciting with Angie out of the race. When she got
behind that piano there was no denying that she became something truly
spectacular.

So, what do we think? Happy with the Final 2?

This article appears in May 8-14, 2013.

17 replies on ““American Idol” 2013: Results (Final 2 Revealed!)”

  1. I disagree. I never liked Angie, because she doesn’t seem genuine. This was touched on in the article, so interesting to also say Angie was the one the show wanted to win. That is ridiculous. Kree is the person I want to win and I suspect millions of others do to. She is genuine and a great singer. I’m not even a country fan and I love the girl! I hope Kree wins this thing, but even if she doesn’t she will be a huge star. I am sure Candice will do well, but even with a win I think Kree will outshine her long term.

  2. Absolutely! Angie is amazing and will soar even without this win. The final two i’m happy with and i hope they either which one has the spunk to continue in their career if they are not chosen.

  3. I’m thrilled. I think Candice & Kree were the strongest. (Other than my beloved Amber …..but that wasn’t to be). I would be happy if either won.

    Judges: I was surprised by them this year and liked them much more than I was expecting to. I think generally they were honest and offered good coaching advice.

  7. Like all of them, but Angie’s third line disconnected. Tried several times. Did idol not pay the phone bill?

  8. Think it is important to not be over critical, about people. All 3 of the singers are great. God has certainly blessed them all. Don’t be too hard on Angie. She may not have had the hardship and pain life sometimes brings but should we really think less of a person’s talent and ability because she has a fairly blessed life. When I think of what she had to come to the stage with, voice and piano , her talent is enormous. Don’t forget the song she picked the night they performed any song you wish you had written was a Kari Jobe song, awesome Christian musician. Angie shows us she is brave and talented in so many ways. Look past her face and see her inner heart.

  9. I picked Kree from the very beginning. She is a very talented girl and the best they have had in a long time. There is nothing phony about Kree, what you see is what you get. Even though I think Candace has talent , I am rooting for Kree all the way.

  10. I don’t think you can go wrong with any of the top 3. I loved Angie and Kree best only because I hear more originality in there voices, but Amber is Fabulous as well. I think any of the 3 would have been a disappointing loss, but Angie will most certainly be heard from again!!! Her goodbye song was NOT her original, it was a Colton Dixon song. However, the background song from her hometown visit was get original and I hope that we will hear that as her first released single VERY soon!
    Judges…. Well BLAH! Talk about in genuine! I think Keith was the only one not playing an angle!

  11. Kree’s homecoming video certainly helped her. So it’s not level playing ground unfortunately. Angie is enormously talented. She should be in the final two.

  12. I like that the final two are Kree and Candice!!! I would like to see Kree win it, and I will be voting!!! but they are both very powerful singers!!! so who knows!!!!

  13. Kree Harrison doesn’t need sympathy votes! Geez people, she is truly talented and like Angie, she writes her own songs as well. Also, you don’t have to run around the stage and get dressed up to entertain when you have a great voice. George Strait has sold millions and he is a simple country guy in a pair of jeans, a shirt and a hat!

  14. Candice is the best vocalist by far; and afterall, this is a vocal competition! Candice you are so beautiful and such a powerful singer from your soul! I miss Amber too!

  15. I simply cannot believe what I am reading, except for the above comment (saying that she never liked Angie because she didn’t seem genuine). In fact, even that is putting it kindly! I did like a few of her performances behind the piano, but I just . . . couldn’t believe her. And it seemed to me that she spent more time playing the politics game than anything else. Oh — and most important — while her singing was not completely without merit, she didn’t have the talent level of the other two.

    So — on to more positive things — I, too, was stunned at the choice for the finale — but only because I have been deeply dissappointed by voting in the past! For me, Kree is great, I’ve always loved her, but . . .

    Candice Glover is a singer for the ages! Not original? Ridiculous! And who cares? Even on the worst song choices, she never let me down a single time. From nearly the very beginning, I thought that Candice’s talent pretty much towered over the rest — even some of the better female singers.

    Though I still like Kree despite some shaky stuff over the last month, I feel like if Candice Glover isn’t the “next American Idol”, there’s no justice in the world! I would have felt that way based on her performance of the Cure’s “Lovesong” alone most likely, but she’s just — she just knocks it out of the park again and again!!!

  16. Kree has been my choice since the performance of Stars, That day she touched so many hearts with her Pure heart felt performance, even then, Nikki said “That’s the Voice” and Kree has been true during the whole competition..!! And yes I believe the producers Try to throw her under the bus…”Really?” America just showed you, you can’t deny “Real Talent” ..Kree all the way… shame on the producers..!

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