American Idol 15: Top 24 Group 1- Power Rankings

It's the farewell season of American Idol and I gotta admit, I'm a little sad! As if anyone is surprised, American Idol is changing up the formula to say good bye. This year, we get two rounds of 12 performers for the Top 24 where the JUDGES will determine who gets cut. It took them 15 seasons to finally institute this. Just imagine the people who never would have made the finals had this been in place years ago (I have a LONG list!). There are basically two performances each before the judges cut. First is the solo and then a duet with a former Idol. Unlike other shows, for American Idol, I give each contestant a score each week and will add them up as the season goes on. The criteria I look for is performance, song choice, and marketability. We're searching for America's next superstar so I need to know who they will be. These are the Power Rankings of Group 1 after the first night of competition.

#1) La’Porsha Renae

“Proud Mary” by Tina Turner

She’s got pipes! La’Porsha fits a type that has constantly been seen on this show (from Jennifer Hudson to LaKisha Jones to Candice Glover). But for whatever reason, we’re only seeing La'Porsha now. Put her in an earlier season and she would have had a great chance of winning. As she does now. Her personality is infectious. Her stage presence is fun.  And she has a daughter with giant headphones in the audience! This was a strong song choice for this round. We heard her potential in a song that was not a ballad. Smart move girly. 

Score: 9

#2) Jenna Renae

“My Church” by Maren Morris

PERFECT SONG SELECTION! Jenna rocked it OUT! If you know me you know how much I'm obsessed with this song and how great it is. She will be a star regardless of this show. This was a perfect showcase of talent and personality. There wasn’t much of a connection to the song but you can forgive it because you can see the potential in her. 

Score: 9

#3) Thomas Stringfellow

“Creep” by Radiohead

This kid IS special. Is he the winner? It’s too soon to say but he gave a performance that will be talked about. He will certainly win over the teen girls with his pure tenor and natural charm. Thomas is talented and picked a really great song for him. There was a connection that offered some flavor in his vocals. 

Score: 8.5

#4) Mackenzie Bourg

“Say Something” by Great Big World 

Mackenzie works the guitar and quirky factor. He's clearly grown since his time on that other singing show. He’s on a track to go pretty far. Mackenzie has the charm that will win the audience over, both male and female. Though he changed up the song, occasionally singing the harmony lines, I’m not sure this song was the best choice for this point in the competition. It shows off his songwriter vibes and his contemporary spin, but it just lacked the oomph. 

Score: 8

#5) Jordan Sasser

“All By Myself” by Celine Dion

Jordan Sasser isn’t afraid to take a risk in song choice. This is a diva song. He made it fit him. Was it the best performance we’ve seen so far? Certainly not. But when he hit that glory note, he proves he has potential. Oh and his daughter and the giant headphones? Can we talk about that? Because it lost me for a solid ten seconds. Not his fault but still. 

Score: 8

#6) Sonika Vaid

“Safe & Sound” by Taylor Swift featuring the Civil Wars

She has a pretty voice, no doubt about it, but is she too young? Perhaps. There’s a purity to Sonika's stage presence and would be an important person in the world of pop music. But I don’t think I know who she really is as an artist just yet. There's room to grow and she'll likely move to the next round but if she is one of those who picks ballad after ballad, she will get old fast.

Score: 7.5

#7) Gianna Isabella

“I Put a Spell on You” by Annie Lenox 

Well that’s an interesting song choice to start for the daughter of Brenda K. Starr (they've gotta stop reminding of that and let her be on her own). While it does showcase some personality, it doesn’t quite constitute a stand and sing performance. When she finally does move away from the mic stand, it feels forced. Gianna needs to work on her stage presence, first and foremost. 

Score: 7

#8) James VIII

“Love Lockdown” by Kanye West

Really? That’s your stage name? Regardless, it’s a very bold song choice that actually paid off. How does it rank in a landscape of other Idol reimaginings? Forgettable. Compared to similar artists like him still in the competition, James lacks that spark. But that's what I thought of Nick Fradiani and we all know what happened to him.

Score: 7

#9) Avalon Young

“Love Yourself” by Justin Bieber

Avalon Young is not your typical female pop song. She’s a tomboy. And that’s unique. She has a distinctive voice. But what’s the market she is selling herself to? Who will be on the Avalon train? She’s a middle of the pack contestant that will likely get lost if she moves on. And picking Bieber? Not entirely sold on it. 

Score: 6.5

#10) Stephany Negrete

“Mamma Knows Best” by Jessie J

Being the first performer of the night is never a good sign. Stephany has a marketable voice but this was a pitiful song choice. It shows off her personality but doesn’t showcase her range properly. There was just some sort of disconnect in the performance. And it's a shame because it will likely knock her out of the competition.

Score: 6.5

#11) Emily Brooke

“I Am Invincible” by Cassadee Pope

Ok, Emily probably gave the worst performance of the night but I just see her having more potential than my #12. She started off way too low and in the wrong key. And that is detrimental. Her voice is way too thin for this song. It's clear Emily wants to do country rock but I don’t think that’s who she really is. This was a pitchy performance and stood out in all the wrong ways. 

Score: 5.5

#12) Jeneve Rose Mitchell

“Angel” by Sarah McLachlan

I’m just not a fan. And I have a sad feeling that is going to be a theme for a very long time this season for her. On a show where you’re searching for the next American Idol, she’s just not selling it. Jeneve is unique, sure, but where does she go from here? Especially after this song selection. If she wants to be a country star, doing Sarah McLachlan on the harp is just confusing. It's sad that she is the gimmick contestant that will likely force the better competitors off the show.

Score: 5