American Idol 15: Top 6 Performance Power Rankings

In this final and abbreviated season, we lost another two to leave us with six. The theme of the night was questionable. Most performed songs? Did we really want that? No. Sure, it's nice to mention some of these songs in passing but the thing about the show is finding new moments with new songs. Alas. We were also given a duet round which, to say the least, was not a strong point for some. And that may be due to the producers picking some awful songs. In the end we said goodbye to Lee Jean and Avalon Young, both of whom deserved to go at this time. While they may not be the best ever, this is truly one of the first times in 15 seasons where almost any of the remaining singers could conceivably win. So who will we say goodby to next week!

Duets

#1) La’Porsha Renae and Trent Harmon 

“See Again” by Wiz Kalifa ft. Charlie Puth

Is this a precursor to the finals? It’s possible! La’Porsha and Trent doing a duet on an R&B hit? On paper it sound kinda scary but these two prove their worth as individuals and artists who could have long careers. Sure, it turned into a riff-off and it was a bit too slow for my taste but overall, these two sounded great together.

Score: 9

#2) Mackenzie Bourg and Dalton Rapatoni

“I Want It That Way” by Backstreet Boys

I wish Mackenzie didn’t play guitar on this because it hurt the vibe of the duet. But when they came together and sang in harmony, it was stunning. Yes, the song was a bit weird but they are both incredible vocalists. I wish this song did more for them because they are better artists than this performance. 

Score: 8

#3) Lee Jean and Tristan McIntosh

“I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith

My eyes got big when I heard this was the song. Giving the teens one of the greatest love songs ever is just a dumb idea. But they actually did a fine job with it. Lee is not the best when it comes to harmonizing. It’s clear Tristan was on the harmony with Lee on the melody and Lee just messed it up. Tristan was the clear stand out on this but Lee really pulled her down.

Score: 8

#4) Avalon Young and Sonika Vaid

“Rise Up” by Andra Day

I don’t know this song well. Does it fit Sonika? Yes. Avalon? Absolutely not. They made it work with one big exception. They didn’t look like they were collaborating together. And that’s due to the drastically different looks. I just don’t buy what Avalon is selling. And it’s sad that it hurt Sonika. It’s sad to say but these two looked like a bad High School Talent Show.

Score: 7.5

Solo

#1) Trent Harmon

“Stand By Me” Ben E. King

Trent is moving away from the country crooner to become a full-fledged crooner. It was a pretty solid performance proving that he has versatility. The kid’s got range. From a performance aspect it was a bit odd but his vocal was astonishing. 

Score: 9.5

#2) La’Porsa Renae

“Come Together” by The Beatles

La’Porsha put the groove in The Beatles! There is so much soul in this song! I’m so glad she’s not doing another ballad. This really is a perfect song for her. The one thing that I don’t love about her performance is the outfit. It’s not flattering at all. Appearance is important. I’ve been on Avalon for it. Whether she’s comfortable in the outfit or not, it doesn’t show who she is.

Score: 9.5

#3) Dalton Rapattoni

“Eleanor Rigby” by The Beatles

This is brazen song choice. This song has been reimagined many times on this show and no one has done it quite like David Cook. Dalton’s rendition is good. It’s not David Cook’s. This performance proved his showmanship and artistry but it was not a vocal showcase until he went for it in the finale choruses. I wish he had a stronger song that really defined his voice. 

Score: 9

#4) Mackenzie Bourg

“You Are So Beautiful” by Joe Crocker

I don’t love this song choice. But Mackenzie managed to do something beautiful with it. It was a very melodic performance. Understated. It proved that he can go beyond the singer-songwriter realm. I think this may have been his make or break performance. If America likes it, he will move on other wise we may be saying goodbye to him prematurely. 

Score: 9

#5) Tristan McIntosh

“A Broken Wing” by Martina McBride

Tristan is back into the country thing but this time she is singing a song that is a little closer to her style. Song selection is key and finally Tristan found something in her wheelhouse. The arrangement needed to be brought up into a slightly higher key as it started a little low but when she hit the chorus, Tristan soared. This is her breakout moment.

Score: 9

#6) Sonika Vaid

“I Have Nothing” by Whitney Houston

This is a BIG song. A big song for a petite girl. She looked the part. Her vocals were right. But does she have the star power to make it past next week? I really don’t think so. She’s no Whitney. And there have been many who sang this song better. And in a higher key. Sonika did a fine job but she was rightly in the bottom 3.

Score: 8

#7) Avalon Young

“P.Y.T.” by Michael Jackson

I’m gonna hate you, pretty young thing. Avalon, I get you have a love for this R&B style. But this song made no sense for you. Going back to Harry’s lyric analysis, this song is insanely uncomfortable. Vocally, the song did nothing but become a hinderance. The arrangement didn’t suit her. This was a show killer.

Score: 6.5

#8) Lee Jean

“Let It Be” by The Beatles

I just had visions of the movie “Across the Universe”. And that rendition is perfect. Lee’s? Far from perfect. It was an incredibly shaky performance with very little connection to the song. The song is beautiful but it is not something that works for his voice. And it’s a shame that this will be his farewell song.

Score: 6

Overall Power Rankings

#1) Trent Harmon- 46.5 points

#2) La’Porsha Renae- 46 points

#3) Dalton Rapattoni- 44.5 points

#4) Mackenzie Bourg- 43.5 points

#5) Sonika Vaid- 40.5 points

#6) Tristan McIntosh- 39 points