Judges stand five times as Heejun Han, Jessica Sanchez and Joshua Ledet top 'American Idol'
"American Idol" - The Final 9: Clockwise From Top L: Colton Dixon, Elise Testone, Phillip Phillips, Heejun Han, DeAndre Brackensick, Joshua Ledet, Hollie Cavanagh, Skylar Laine and Jessica Sanchez. Credit: Fox
"American Idol" rediscovered its magic and put on one of the best shows in recent memory as the contestants sang songs from their idols, with five of them getting standing ovations from the judges.
Heejun Han put his heart out there with his best performance in months, Jessica Sanchez was as brilliant as ever doing Beyonce while Joshua Ledet effortlessly pulled off Mariah Carey and Elise Testone just shredded Led Zeppelin.
Only 25¢ for 5 months
"American Idol" rediscovered its magic and put on one of the best shows in recent memory as the contestants sang songs from their idols, with five of them getting standing ovations from the judges.
Heejun Han put his heart out there with his best performance in months, Jessica Sanchez was as brilliant as ever doing Beyonce while Joshua Ledet effortlessly pulled off Mariah Carey and Elise Testone just shredded Led Zeppelin.
Han, Ledet and Testone deservedly got the judges to stand, along with Deandre Brackensick and his sick falsetto and Phillip Phillips -- who put on what seemed like a rock star performance at the time until Testone blew him away to close.
Jennifer Lopez actually excitedly said at one point, "we're standing up too much tonight," but as Steven Tyler said, it's such a young group and everyone was "pushing themselves past their limits."
Below is how I ranked everyone; put in your own rankings in the comments, below, or on Twitter using #ndidol.
1) Heejun Han showed off his beautiful tone and ability to emotionally connect with "A Song for You." He showed that rarest and most precious quality, actually listening to the judges' criticism last week that he wasn't taking it seriously enough, changing his approach and putting his heart out there.
2) Jessica Sanchez's "Sweet Dreams" just confirms she's operating on her own level; Jackson said it best -- "you just inately have this unbelievable talent, I look forward to hearing you every night; I think you're one of the best singers I've heard in many years."
3) Joshua Ledet's "Without You" showed off so many great parts of his voice it was almost unbelievable. As Lopez said, "you're a phenom; you're an angel from heaven, that voice is just God-sent."
4) Elise Testone closed the show just ripping through "Whole Lotta Love" like she owned it, roaring back from some performances where the judges propped her up.
5) Deandre Brackensick showcased his falsetto on "Sometimes I Cry," prompting Lopez to exult "it is hands down something you do not hear every day, people pick up your phones and vote for Deandre!"
6) Phillip Phillips was as self-indulgent as any rocker on "Still Rainin'" -- it must work for some, since guest mentor Stevie Nicks loved him... and called him "gorgeous."
7) Hollie Cavanagh's "Jesus Take the Wheel" was "just okay" for Jackson and Tyler, but I thought it fit her voice pretty well and she was believable singing it.
8) Skylar Laine did her country girl thing on "Gunpowder and Lead" -- she's pretty much the same high-energy act every week, but does it well.
9) Colton Dixon chose to sing his favorite worship song, "Everything" -- just not enough song there for me, especially since he went first nobody's going to remember this.
Agree? Disagree? Tell us in the comments below, or on Twitter using #ndidol.