American Idol 15: Top 5 Performance Power Rankings

Tonight we saw the end of the Judges Save meaning we will officially decide who makes the Top 4. There is a clear front-runner who should be eliminated. And that's Sonika. She's been in the bottom so much it makes sense. But hey, it's American Idol, anything could happen! Here's a look at last week's performances and let's just say it was unpredictable! 

Round 1

#1) Mackenzie Bourg

“Wild World” by Cat Stevens 

A very very strange song choice for Mackenzie. Because it’s a bit of an older song, Mackenzie was able to put a modern spin on it. Again, not a moment making song but it was a strong performance for him. In fact, it reinvented the song. 

Score: 9.5

#2) Dalton Rapattoni

“Numb” by Linkin Park

Well I haven’t heard this song on this show before! Off the bat, the production value was on point. Can we talk about the green live projection? It was amazing! I think this was a great song choice for him as it is in his wheelhouse and Dalton was still able to change it up by putting himself in it. The only downfall the song provided is it didn’t give him a moment. It was like a mid concert song. It got lost.

Score: 9

#3) La’Porsha Renae

“Ready for Love” by India.Arie

La’Porsha kept it simple by staying seated and allowing her vocals do the work. It’s not a super well-known song so she didn’t have to fight against India.Arie for mimicking. That being said, it was a tad pitchy in her screechy section. It was a very understated performance.

Score: 9

#4) Tristan McIntosh

“Independence Day” by Martina McBride

A safe song choice but by playing it on piano continues to confuse me in defining who Tristan is. Again, I’m getting Alicia Keys vibes. Yes, you can be a crossover artist but Tristan is way too young to decide that. America is expecting her to sing these booming songs but playing it on piano killed her performance. We didn’t get to see her move. Vocally, this was by far Tristan’s strongest performance.

Score: 8.5

#5) Sonika Vaid

“Let It Go” by Demi Lovato

Well, maybe we should credit Idina Menzel on this but that’s not very poppy. This song was a daring choice because of how notorious it is. This will either be Sonika’s make or break moment of the competition. It started off incredibly low which was scary. When she moved into the bridge it put her into a great vocal spot. And then she did a bizarre cut of the song that is bound to make little girls across America incredibly confused. Will this help Sonika get into the Top 4? Likely not. 

Score: 8.5

#6) Trent Harmon

“Counting Stars” by One Replic

Right off the bat, Trent delivers an odd tone to the song. Why? Because this is not the right song for him at all. It’s a lyrically complicated song so it doesn’t really give him an opportunity to do much with it. As far as a performance, he stayed behind the mic but kept it active. Pretending that America chose the song for him, they failed him.

Score: 8

Round 2

#1) Dalton Rapattoni

“The Sound of Silence” by Simon and Garfunkle 

What a bold song choice! There is an instant darkness in Dalton’s performance. For those who are purists, you will hate this performance. But for those of us who appreciate a good reimagining, Dalton succeeded. This performance has the potential to go down in American Idol history. In fifteen seasons, I’d put it in my top 50 best performances.

Score: 10

#2) Trent Harmon

“Simple Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd 

If you’re looking for a song that fits Trent perfectly, this is it. Gritty Sourthern-fried rock! It not only fits his voice, but it draws back to the artist that he truly is. And it brings the hat back! There is a lot of heart in this performance and while it may not have been soaring, this was Trent’s moment. This should catapult him into the finale. 

Score: 10

#3) La’Porsha Renae

“No More Drama” by Mary J. Blige

Song choice on point. La’Porsha brought soul to this performance. There was emotion in her song, but how genuine was it? From a performance perspective, the bopping was a bit tedious. I can’t say it was her best performance. I think the judges were into it more than I was. It was fine. And predictable.

Score: 9

#4) Mackenzie Bourg

“Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson

A song that’s been done to death, Mackenzie managed to make this song his own. Again, it’s a very subtle performance. It didn’t have power behind it. What he did do with it was he brought a strong interpretation of the lyric. 

Score: 8.5

#5) Sonika Vaid

“Clarity” by Zedd ft. Foxes

Well, this was not a great song choice. And it’s a shame because this needed to be Sonika’s moment to put herself in the Top 4. With this performance, I don’t see that happening. She’s not nearly as strong as the boys or La’Porsha. In any other season or perhaps in a future season, Sonika could make it far. This is such a strong season of individuals that Sonika is done. And it’s a shame because she finally went uptempo.

Score: 8.5

Overall Power Rankings

#1) Trent Harmon- 64.5 points

#2) La'Porsha Renae- 64 points

#3) Dalton Rapattoni- 63.5 points

#4) Mackenzie Bourg- 61.5 points

#5) Sonika Vaid- 57.5 points