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

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

American Idol 15: Top 8 Performance Power Rankings

What a week! This season we don't get the old school judges' save but they get to pick who, from the bottom, will be spared from departing. It was a bit of a surprising Bottom 3 as we saw Olivia Rox, Avalon Young, and Gianna Isabella sing for their life. In the end, Avalon was saved and Gianna and Olivia, who did receive a fast pass to the Top 10, were eliminated. Here is how the 10 performances faired. 

#1) Trent Harmon

“When A Man Loves A Woman” by Michael Bolton

A bit of a shocking song choice for Trent but it works for him. It shows his range from Southern Hipster to charming crooner. This song sits well in his voice, despite those unique blips he brings. The kid’s got soul! 

Score: 9 

#2) Mackenzie Bourg

“I Wanna Dance With Somebody” by Whitney Houston

It’s a cool song to change up to an acoustic version but did it give Mackenzie his wow moment? Not quite. It was a cool moment. It was just too mellow to wow. That being said, it’s a version that would be put on the soundtrack of a Hollywood romcom. And that’s a sign that it’s a reinvention of a classic song.

Score: 8.5

#3) La’Porsha Renae

“Halo” by Beyonce

If ever there were a voice to sing this song, La’Porsha is it. But the outfit and the angel wings on the screen? TOO on point. Vocally, La’Porsha brings more of a gospel spin to the tune. It’s slowed down which kinda kills the momentum. It’s not her best performance by any stretch of the imagination. 

Score: 8.5

#4) Tristan McIntosh

“Go Rest High On That Mountain” by Vince Gill

Playing piano with the soulful rendition of a country song immediately likens her to Alicia Keys. It’s not shocking to say that this song has elevated her and brought back what we all fell in love with. This was her redeeming performance. Well done kid.

Score: 8.5

#5) Dalton Rapattoni

“Radioactive” by Imagine Dragons

This should have been a smart song choice for Dalton but the arrangement did not serve him well. It was creepy-spooky which fits his style but this was not a good display of what Dalton can bring. Sadly this performance didn’t quite go anywhere.

Score: 8

#6) Sonika Vaid

“Since U Been Gone” by Kelly Clarkson

What an interesting song choice. I’m happy she’s finally doing an uptempo song but this may not be the right one for her voice. It was a little thin. Sonika is not a belter like Kelly and therefore it never reached its full potential.

Score: 7.5

#7) Gianna Isabella

“If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys

She looks like she should be an American Idol. In four years. It’s a shame that the show is ending because this is just not her time. The song is too big for her voice at this moment in time. 

Score: 7.5

#8) Olivia Rox

“Trouble” by Pink

I like this song a lot and I think it’s a great choice for her. It allows Olivia have a bit of a punk side. That being said, her intro was very very weak. When she finally opens up, sure it was pitchy, but there was life and believability. I think this is a case of arrangement that hurt her performance. It was just too all over the place.

Score: 7.5

#9) Lee Jean

“Use Somebody” by Kings of Leon

We claims that it’s different for him but honestly, it’s really in his wheelhouse. He’s very youthful overall. It almost feels like a kid performing on a kids show. There’s something missing in his package. Vocally, it was a very sweet rendition but there was absolutely no connection to the lyrics.

Score: 7

#10) Avalon Young

“Earned It” by The Weekend

She looks like a butchier Ariana Grande…which is a choice. I think Avalon is an acquired taste. Her performance is fine. Her voice is fine. But you have to be into her style and her nasally pitch to want it. I don’t think she earned it. 

Score: 7

Overall Power Rankings

#1) Trent Harmon- 28 points

#2) Dalton Rapattoni- 27.5 points

#2) La’Porsha Renae- 27.5 points

#4) Mackenzie Bourg- 26.5 points

#5) Sonika Vaid- 25 points

#6) Lee Jean- 22 points

#6) Tristan McIntosh- 22 points

#6) Avalon Young- 22 points