American Idol: Top Three Performances

May 18, 2011 06:59 PM by Lisa Princ

Tonight on FOX‘s American Idol, the top three got to take a trip home and then they headed back to give us three song performances! Keep reading for all the details on how the top three did with their song choices, the judges’ song choices and Jimmy Iovine’s song choices!


American Idol kicks off tonight with Ryan Seacrest talking about the shocking elimination last week, and then he shared what we already knew – that James did go home last weekend to Santa Cruz. Tonight, the top three performed 3 songs each – one of their choice, one chosen by Jimmy Iovine and one chosen by the judges. To help mentor the contestants this week in their song choice was Beyonce. Here is the how the final three did on their choice:

Scotty McCreery

Country crooner Scotty was up first and he chose “Amazed” by Lonestar and Beyonce just thought Scotty was the cutest thing – I am sure all the young ladies out there agree! Scotty performed it amazing and to me it was better than the original. The crowd loved him as did the judges – Steven started off by saying he thinks Scotty gets better and better and that he took the song up a notch. Jennifer said it was a great show starter while Randy said it was an amazing choice for him and he loves that he is picky smart song choices.

Lauren Alaina

Lauren chose “Wild One”by Faith Hill for her song choice tonight and Beyonce loved it saying she loved when Lauren showed her fun side. Lauren came out looking absolutely adorable and gave a stellar and fun performance. The crowd and the judges loved her. Jennifer told her she attacked it while Randy said he loves to see her have fun, and he could see that she was loving it. Steven said he loved the way she sang like she owned the song and ended saying she was ready for America to be all over her.

Haley Reinhart

Haley chose “What Is And What Should Never Be” by Led Zeppelin. Beyonce thought it showed that she was a risk taker. Haley chose a great song for her and she performed it perfectly, despite a small fall during her performance. The crowd loved her and the judges gave her a standing ovation. Randy started by saying that she slayed it and it was one of her best performances ever. Steven called it superb and Jennifer said it was a really tough song and she sang it really great.

After the performances were over, Ryan asked who the judges thought round one, and they all agreed that Haley won round one hands down. Next up for the top three were Jimmy Iovine’s song choices for them, and this is how the top three fared courtesy of Jimmy:

Scotty McCreery

Scotty was back and after we watched his audition from Nashville, we learned that Jimmy had chose Thompson Square’s “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”. This was another great, solid performance and we heard some different notes out of Scotty. The crowd loved him as did the judges – Steven started by saying it was great. Jennifer said there were so many moments in the performance that she loved and then she asked him if he would shave his head for the finale. Randy said Jimmy picked the perfect song and he compared him to Garth Brooks ending with Scotty’s “in it to win it”.

Lauren Alaina

After a review of Lauren’s audition revealed that Lauren would be performing “If I Die Young” by The Band Perry. Lauren did a good job with it but she did have a few pitch issues during the performance, but no one seemed to mind as the crowd went wild. Jennifer said it was beautiful and she gushed that Lauren has the most beautiful tone out of the contestants. Randy said she has such a beautiful tone and it was a great song choice for Jimmy. Steven said she nailed it.

Haley Reinhart

Haley was up next and after seeing her audition again, we were informed that Jimmy wanted her to perform “Rihannon” by Fleetwood Mac. Not as good as her last performance, and definitely not Stevie Nicks. It was comical to watch though with the “wind” blowing on her. Randy said she cracked him up because she was looking up and she did a good job. Steven said her performance made him remember why he fell in love with Stevie Nicks while Jennifer said it was a beautiful moment, but she hoped Haley would take it a little further at the end.

When Ryan asked who won round 2, Steven said Lauren did, but Randy, Jennifer and Jimmy said that Scotty won the round. Next on American Idol we got to see the premiere of her new video “Run The World (Girls)” by Beyonce. Then it was time for the judges choice and this is how it went down:

Scotty McCreery

Scotty was given “She Believes In Me” by Kenny Rogers as his judges choice. This was a different type of tune for Scotty but he pulled it off perfectly and made it look effortless. The crowd roared and the judges were glad they chose that song for him as Steven said he put it over the top and it was the first big chorus he has sang. Jennifer said that is exactly why they chose that song for him and he showed them. Randy said seeing him do the big chorus was very nicely done.

Lauren Alaina

Lauren was up for her final performance and the judges chose “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack for her song. Lauren looked stunning as she donned a gorgeous gown and her performance was just as beautiful and perfect as she looked. The judges loved her as Jennifer said the performance was beautiful and she won the round already while Randy said she slayed it. Steven said Lauren walked in like owned the Grand Ole Opry and went on to say she sang it perfectly.

Haley Reinhart

Haley closed the show with her judges’ choice of “You Oughtta Know” by Alanis Morrisette. It was a good performance but she sounded like she was screaming to me, but I am not a fan of the growling personally. The crowd enjoyed it and so did the judges as Randy said the choruses were amazing, but there were some other problems while Steven said she nailed it. Jennifer said it was a really good job in the chorus.
Be sure to go vote for your favorite because at this point in the game, every vote counts! Then tune in tomorrow for the live results show to find out who gets sent home!