Yes, The Missing Judge is Back (MMJ)! [cue Rihanna Dem Haters]
I needed to shake things up for myself for this season of Idol. I needed a change of perspective. Rather than slog through auditions and backstories, I thought it would be fun to come in after the judges had decided their Top 24. So here I am.
First, I need to say that it’s hilarious to hear Ryan claiming Guest Mentor Tori Kelly as “Idol’s own.” Simon hated her, and she didn’t make it out of Hollywood. She managed to make it big on her own without Idol.
OK, boys and girls, let’s give out some grades!
Hailey Mai Tate McRae she’s all i wanna be. Nice tone to her voice, but she hasn’t figured out what to do with it. C
Jordan Anthony Sia Titanium. Nice runs. But the rest of the song was meh. C
Jayna Elise (DC!) Demi Lovato Confident. Nice runs. Nice energy. But her pitch was all over the place and distracting. I don’t think it was a good song choice for her. B-
Julia Gagnon (Platinum ticket winner) Adele Rumor Has It. Very original voice. A style of her own that she hasn’t quite mastered yet. But she gets my attention – I got goosebumps at times. I didn’t need the Big Idol Note at the end. And I am still calling for a nationwide ban against Idolists singing Adele. B
Two-time Grammy Winner Tori Kelly. SLAY QUEEN!!!!
Kayko self-composition. Wonderful, emotionally powerful performance without being treacly. I’m intrigued. B
Nya Tina Turner The Best. I loved that she did her own arrangement of an overly familiar song. That made her sound unique. I wish she had sung more directly to her fiancé in the audience, but perhaps editing made it seem like she wasn’t. I’m on the fence about the vocal. B
Blake Proehl Justin Bieber Anyone. He’s a reminder that this is a TV show, i.e., we need a cute guy with a back story. The fact that he can’t sing is irrelevant. D
Last Season’s Idol Iam Tongi. Nice performance. Cute, catchy original song. I am still bitter that We´ Ani didn’t win last year.
Abi Carter (Platinum ticket winner) Hillsong United Oceans (Where Feet May Fail). LOVED her quiet voice. DID NOT like her loud voice – shouty and pitchy. But the quiet voice. Wow. Give me more of that. I’ll have to find her Billie Eilish audition on the YouTubes. incomplete pending seeing more of her work
Quintavious Carrie Underwood Something In the Water. That was a wow. I loved the country/soul/gospel vibe, but I do worry about over-singing. And he can’t win. A-
Kaibrienne “KB” Richins Bryan Adams Heaven Ooof. I’ll just leave it at that. F
Will Moseley Otis Redding (Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay. This season’s Chris Stapleton sound-a-like. He’s better than most and maybe the best. That was a solid, professional, stylish performance. However, there is only one Chris Stapleton, which is why I am still calling for a nationwide ban against Idolists who sound like Chris Stapleton. A
McKenna Faith Breinholt Brandi Carlise The Story. Ooooooooh. She gave me serious Lilith Fair vibes[1]. A very worthy placement in The Glory Spot.[2] A
In general, I’m not feeling the proclamations of “best talent ever.” Such pronouncements should come after the fact with evidence rather than early in the season. And I never want those premature opinions ever to be true. Idol is at its best when it develops raw material into talent rather than polishing already shiny objects.
And that’s a wrap. That was fun, and it feels good to be back. I am endeavoring to get back to the weekly routine. That said, my reviews of the remainder of the Top 24 will have to come later in the week due to previous obligations in the form of the NCAA Men’s Championship and paying work.
[1] Female-only concerts and festivals founded by Sarah McLachlan, featuring artists such as Fiona Apple, Jewel, Tracy Chapman, Indigo Girls, and Sheryl Crow.
[2] The final performer of the show.
Ray's Musings 
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