Image credit: Fox
GLOVER OF MINE After the way Candice's Rose Royce cover went down, the soul-singing sorceress can only go up.
More American Idol recaps
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- EPISODE 16 | Poor, Unfortunate Souls
The best vocals of the night came from Kree Harrison and Candice Glover -- Candice's cover of "I'm Going Down" was out of this world amazing, her star power increasing with every deep breath and deep squat in anticipation of more unique tweaks to the song and powerhouse moments. I almost wish she'd saved this one for a full-length performance when people are actually voting, because I don't see how her next attempt can possibly top what she did here. She worries me a little, but I love her so much I'm just going with it. TO MOMENTS, Candice. Get 'em.
Meanwhile, Angela Miller (officially "Angie" in the chyrons now) sounded surprisingly off-key and out of her element away from the piano on a misguided Beyoncé cover, and "pop country" wannabe Paul Jolley -- the first guy announced -- chose an '80s power ballad and earned a bizarre rave from Keith Urban -- "you channeled what would have been theatrics into passion." Did he?!?! I love me some "Alone" time with all my Heart, but if anything, that was an even more over-the-top theatrical performance than ever from Paul.
"My ears were kind of numb," Paul sheepishly admitted to Ryan after learning he'd been chosen. "Were you playing a joke on me?" GOOD QUESTION.
We also saw star turns from Devin Velez's mom Sandra (who has now graduated to on-stage personality), Kree's Boyfriend (!), two huge plush benches, and the near-obscene outlines of Mariah Carey's breasts. The sheer black overlay of her dress kept 'em classy!
Here they are, America: Your Top 10
Paul Jolley
Burnell Taylor
Curtis Finch, Jr.
Devin Velez
Lazaro Arbos
Janelle Arthur
Candice Glover
Angela Miller
Amber Holcomb
Kree Harrison
Are you happy with the finalists? Bummed about no Wild Cards? And how freaking awkward was Despairea?
Discuss, and I'll see you next Wednesday…..LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE!
Read more:
All 'American Idol' recaps on EW.com
Zoanette Johnson: Really, 'American Idol'?! -- VIDEO
Mariah Carey gets the Nicki Minaj phone call: A dramatization
'American Idol': 12 Wishes for Season 12
Video reply time! Ask Annie anything about 'Idol' -- or whatever -- below.

