The first week of American Idol‘s season nine finals is in the books, and conventional wisdom would have us believe it’s already down to a battle between dark and unpredictable Siobhan Magnus and serious, steady Crystal Bowersox. But in the world of Idol, sometimes a fabulous early front-runner is a shock elimination waiting to happen. (Just ask Chris Daughtry!)
On this week’s Idolatry, Life.com‘s Dawnie Walton and I sit down to discuss which of this season’s midpack players has a chance to shake up the Crystal-Siobhan party, and I get an early top-three vision. Plus, we discuss the hot, buttered wrecks of Rolling Stones week. Fun! Press play below, and then share your thoughts in the comments. If you’re having trouble with the video, you can watch this week’s episode (and past seasons) at our Idolatry hub. And don’t forget to follow me on Twitter @EWMichaelSlezak.
I love both Siobhan and Crystal. I can’t choose which one I like more. XD
Crystal has a more distinctive voice. Sioban will never make it o radio with her boring monotone vocals. There, that wasn’t hard.
Oh my gosh – are you sure we’re watching the same show? You can totally despise Siobhan’s vocals for a variety of reasons, but they are anything but monotone or boring! She’s one of the few contestants this season who has a pulse.
HA! boring monotone vocals. she’s got the bigger range. I don’t know what you’re listening to when she sings, but it’s not her. Siobhan for the win!
Think about it…….our American Idol goes international. Which one of those two girls looks like an Idol? Certainly not the look of dreadlocks.
Fix your TV, just saying. But man it’s your opinion.
Siobhan is the best Idol ever IMO! Siobhan is the clear winner! Everyone is just along for the ride! No one and I mean no one comes close if you ask me!
@jessanjill
guess what: people overseas are not that shallow! personally, I do not listen to and buy music because the artist has beautifull hair – sorry if you do.
I love how passionate Crystal is when she sings, I feel like she connects with everything she sings, so when I watch her I feel a connection. Her original Farmer’s Daughter in utube is exceptional, everything I love about music I see in Crystal. BUT I think it’s unfair for you to say that Siobhan is monotone? Are you kidding me? Siobhan is a talented and captivating performer, I can definitely see Siobhan as a recording artist! It’s a matter of musical taste for me since both of them are so talented! It’s just that I am more drawn to the kind of music that Crystal makes, just like there are people drawn to the kind of music Siobhan makes.
??? How is Siobhan monotone??? Did you ever hear Crystal hit any high notes that Siobhan hits? Not that hitting high notes is the competition here, but definitely Siobhan can go high. Monotone = Tim Urban.
I get what Jon is talking about – Siobhan’s speaking voice is so mono-tone and sometimes I hear it sneaking into her vocals. In fact, I just bought her i-Tunes studio recording and it’s even more apparent there. Also, sorry, but I have NO IDEA why people are loving her high notes – yes, she can scream and hold that note, but that doesn’t mean that it sounds good.
Monotone voice? LOL. You clearly need a hearing aid, my friend.
Siobhan is a one trick pony. Except for that one note, she is very ordinary, and I don’t think she can insert that note in her every performance.
I didn’t mean to start a fight. Sioban is just not as great as people make her out to be. In any other sean she would finish 5th. In my opinion, she comes off as a less interesting Paula Cole (vocally speaking, of course).
Siobhan has range, sure, but she doesn’t sound that great while using all parts of it. Her lower range is throaty and actually quite thin. Her upper range is light soprano and pretty–suited for Dinner Theatre ingenues. She’s charismatic and edgy appearing onstage, but her actual voice is strictly middle of the pack. Katelyn had a much, much better, and more commercially viable voice. Right now, Siobhan has people passionately proselytizing about her ‘new clothes,’ but more and more people every week are noticing that the Emperor is naked.
Everyone here who says Siobhan is monotone are just jealous because she rocks! If she were on other seasons she would have still won. Crystal is just hype and mediocre, Didi is just pretty (now that girl is monotone), the rest are considered fodders in other seasons, you can say what you want but Siobhan has the most fans and will eventually win
@Olive: that’s a weird statement. How can anybody posting about Sioban be jealous? We’re not competing against her. And she didn’t win AI, so how could you say that she would have won on other seasons also. Think before you post.
Please vote for Katie Stevens. Remember her auditon, she sang the song At Last by Etta James. Katie Stevens has such a bold, strong, dark and beautiful voice! Shes been through a lot, because the judges have given her such weird and unfair advice. She did such a wonderful job singing the song Wild Horses. Her voice is so lovely. She deserves a good career. Im voting for Katie and Siobhan. I want Siobhan to win, but I want Katie to be in the top five. Please help. Much, much love everyone!
Brianna: I respectfully disagree with just about everything here, but as judging AI talent is VERY subjective, no hard feelings (I hope). For me, I wouldn’t use any of those adjectives to describe Katie’s voice, and while I agree the judges’ comments have been very inconsistent and contradictory, that doesn’t change the fact that I just don’t think Katie is ready for AI. I haven’t been impressed since her audition and, really, at at his stage of the competiton that’s a problem. There are a lot of people whose auditions I like more who have already left. As for Katie’s version of Wild Horses, well … I’m not a Stones fan and (to my knowledge) I’ve never heard any cover of the song. However, I thought she sounded horrible this week and her performance was my least favorite this week. But hey, different strokes/different folks.
No monotone there, bro. She has the widest vocal range on the show. And the most interesting.
siobahn is horrible.
Ok here we go again…….like last season it was Kris vs. Adam. Now it is Crystal vs. Siobhan. But this time I think the Adam more sounding Siobhan has a chance of beating the Crystal like Kris sounding artist. I love both. But Siobhan is NOT boring and that is what I am looking for, TO BE ENTERTAINED. Still want Lee to win though.
Yes, “boring, monotone vocals”? Did you see her performance of “Paint it Black”? It was awesome..what a little actress she is. My favorite male is Lee, with Casey a close second. I like rock, and, I admit it…these boys are little dolls!
Sister! Good to see you here! I agree, I like them both, but for my personal taste, I have to go with BOW-ER-SOX. I love her naturalness, her talent, and the fact that she’s from my state! Woot Woot!
Buckeyes For Bowersox!
I’m totally with you on this. I love how natural and real Crystal is. When I watch AI I pick who I like based on whether or not I would buy their music, and Crystal’s style is exactly what I love. As far as Siobhan goes, I think she’s cool and I like her style and her voice.
yeah. I come here once in a while and leave a comment. Mama Sox rocks my socks. lol but I like Siobhan a lot too. Since she sang Wicked Games I was hooked and after House of The Rising Sun I’m a fan. and her being a Rob Zombie fan doesn’t hurt either. Why not being a fan of both.
ugh Ohio… penn state is better but im not in support of the dude from my state. Siobhan and Crystal all the way
Please vote for Katie Stevens. Remember her auditon, she sang the song At Last by Etta James. Katie Stevens has such a bold, strong, dark and beautiful voice! Shes been through a lot, because the judges have given her such weird and unfair advice. She did such a wonderful job singing the song Wild Horses. Her voice is so lovely. She deserves a good career. Im voting for Katie and Siobhan. I want Siobhan to win, but I want Katie to be in the top five. Please help. Much, much love everyone. <3
Katie’s singing voice is so sweet
DiDi Benami is the producer’s secret candidate. She is bidding her time but once the pimping starts, Siobhan & Crystal should watch out!!!!
Didi is my other fave too.
i like didi too
I liked DiDi so much more this week. She powered out and lost that little girl speaking voice. Much better.
It’s all Crystal… I love that girl. She should and will win. Though Siobhan is lovely too. But why, WHY GOD WHY is Tim Urban still on this show?!?! HE IS SOOOOOOOO TERRIBLE!!!!!!!!!
At this rate he’ll probably win the whole damn thing.
I think he could make a pretty good album. He’s actually pretty good Michael – the best male contestant this year anyway.
Crystal’s a more viable artist (even though her style sailed in the 90s and she’s a bit surly). Siobhan belongs on Glee or on Broadway. Siobhan will be more interesting on the show, but after that? I wouldn’t sign either one of them. I’d sign Didi.
Are you kidding me? Siobhan is a lot more relevant for today’s music than Crystal or Didi (and I like Crystal). And if you don’t believe me, then check out Lady Gaga.
If it comes down to Crystal, Siobhan and Lee, I predict Crystal and Siobhan will split votes and Lee will be the next American Idol. As Crystal said, I don’t think she or Siobhan has it in the bag yet.
Ian: while I agree there is a risk that Crystal and Sioban may split votes in a 3 way competition with Lee, that wouldn’t give him the title (unless those fans become so disenchanted that they vote for Lee out of disgust) as whomever is left would compete head to head with Lee. I would point to last year as a good example: after Gokey left, it appeared that many of his voters shifted to Kris in the head-to-head voting against Adam. And please: I don’t mean this as derogatory to either Kris or Adam – I have both of their albums and them both. I merely reference it to show how votes can shift from one contestant to another.
I agree Ian. I have picked Lee to win it all in MJ’s AI pool. Just wait and see.
I like both of them too BUT the real challenge is about to begin. These contestants have to sing all genres of music and sound good in order to keep getting votes that put them at the top. This is where some of them fail because they are not versatile enough and don’t know their own voice as well as they think they do. There’s been quite a few years where we have been stunned at who actually won in the end. I have watched since the very beginning and the early favorite doesn’t always take home the prize.
God bless Idolatry and Siobhan, the two things that are making this season’s A.I. fun to watch.
I like Siobhan more.
They’re right about Alex’s probability in surging through the competition though.
Here’s Alex singing ‘Use Somebody’ posted by his cousing at a family gathering.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PAio-nZnH4
I agree – and I like them both for different reasons. But, the first thought that went through my head with Siobhan’s performance was “does she think she’s Adam Lambert?”… tho I did enjoy it. Crystal and her “aura” really hit home with me. But that’s me. One of the great things about this show is that everyone has an opinion!
Please vote for Katie Stevens. Remember her auditon, she sang the song At Last by Etta James. Katie Stevens has such a bold, strong, dark and beautiful voice! Shes been through a lot, because the judges have given her such weird and unfair advice. She did such a wonderful job singing the song Wild Horses. Her voice is so lovely. She deserves a good career. Im voting for Katie and Siobhan. I want Siobhan to win, but I want Katie to be in the top five. Please help. Much, much love everyone!
))
Enough, Katie’s mom! Come on, she sucks.
I will NEVER vote for Katie. I hope she’s gone witin the next few weeks.
Are you gonna write this on any EW review?
As a proud resident of Connecticut, I am embarrassed to have Katie Stevens represent us on AI. She embodies everything I hate about pop music and AI. Soulless, pageanty, musically inexperienced and indifferent. A total fame whore.
I would like to see a Crystal & Siobhan final, but my “Idol” instinct tells me that probably won’t happen. Crystal will go out 3rd (the “Doolittle” spot), and Siobhan will face Michael or Aaron in the finals. Siobhan would then become this year’s Adam, as she would lose to someone who is mainstream and safe. (Don’t yell at me: Kris Allen is light years better than Michael or Aaron, but compared to Adam, he was the mainstream singer.)
YOU ARE WRONG. I think Lee will win it all. There is no way in hell Aaron has a snowball chance to win this……he will make it to the top 5 and be gone after that.
I like Crystal also and think she really is the love child of Joe Cocker and Bonnie Raitt. But, I think she might be the Daughtry for this season unless she starts to diversify. Again, I really like her but so far her songs tend to sound somewhat the same.
Bowersox better pep it up or she’s not gonna win this thing. Folks want their idols to be oozing sunshine, any other way might come across as arrogance.
I like Crystal but she’s trying my patience. She’s like Bonnie Raitt 2, but without the fire that Raitt has. Throw away the guitar for a moment.
Nobody held my attention this week except Siobhan & Crystal, who is so real and don’t give a sh***T.
the rest were like a karaoke show. Lee is a bar singer (fr Chicago), so he’s not used to the big stage. I feel that way about Crystal. The only one that seems to embrace the big stage is Siobhan.
Paige = Kim Locke.
Mike isn’t getting any mention on the message boards. That’s dangerous.
Siobhan has such a range.
Lay off of Crystal! She can be however she wants to be and she has already said that she will not play without her guitar so get over it!
Paige is Nikki McKibbin + Syesha
Bottom three always but will win!!!
Please vote for Lee, Lacey loves him so in honor of her I’m now a fan of Lee!!!
please don’t insult Kimberly Locke
I agree. She hasn’t been very likable. I bet people lose interest in her one note shtick and attitude pretty quickly.
ITA. How will you even sell someone like Crystal? Who listens to folkrock nowadays? She’s good but there are so many singers better than her who are more marketable! Siobhan is the total package, with her range and stage presence, Crystal will bomb like Taylor Hicks if she won(wc I don’t think will happen because Siobhan is more likeable and more popular based on what I see) tptb knows Siobhan is IT she’s got IT. Crystal is just a coffee house/open mic kind of performer, by 2 weeks people will tire of her, I’m pretty certain. People will tine in to see Siobhan just like they tuned in to see Adam Lambert last year, only difference this year is that Siobhan will win the crown.
siobhanisthebest, I would suggest you learn about the different types of music before commenting on Crystal. She is a blue’s performer not a folkrock singer. Both singers a good in a different way. And I personally watch to the show to see what Crystal brings to the stage.
I rather have Crystal’s attitude than other contestants have. They don’t talk a lot because they don’t know what to say. Listen when Ryan talks to them, only Crystal has a decent answer. Most of the answers are stupid.
I rather be compared to bonnie rait than adam lambert.
@Ellen, thank God you don’t want to be compared to Adam Lambert, hell you couldn’t even be in the same league as him. He outshines everyone and you couldn’t even eat his crap if you know what I mean. You are disgusting ignorant moron.
I like Lee and Aaron and sioban.
sioban is becoming just as overrated as that big phony Adam Lambert. And if you think about it, there really is nothing distinctive about her voice. I can’t imagine recognizing her voice on the radio.
Like I wrote, she’s Bonnie Raitt 2, but w/o the fire & passion, although that will come in time. I disagree she’s not overrated, she stands out, but if she doesn’t get some “entertainment” in her performance the public will throw her overboard.
OOPS! I meant Crystal not Siobhan. I think Siobhan is the only one who understands the competition (maybe Big Mike) and wants to win.
“entertainment” in her performance? Seriously? She entertained me just fine. The difference between Crystal and Siobhan is monumental. Crystal is pure, steady, immaculate vocals, and is ready to go right now. The other one is just a talent show curiosity. If she was to win this thing, she’d be forgotten in a year.
I have a feeling Crystal is getting ready to put the meter in the red.
LOL at “Big phony Adam Lambert.” Yeah, poor Adam, being one of the best vocalists ever to grace the Idol stage.
@Travis: You obviously don’t understand the meaning of the word vocalist. A vocalist interprets different songs, not scream (in pitch) over them. Adam’s vocal was nothing more than a gimmick.
@Jon It seems you are basing your entire opinion of Adam on a couple of Idol performances you didn’t like. Yeah, he showed off in a couple of performances with his big voice – because he could and because it was a competition. But his career, songs and performances before and since Idol have been pretty awesome. What you see on Idol isn’t the be all, end all, and it doesn’t define any of these artists. They grow, change and have a lot more to offer than 90 seconds on Country night or Big Band night. In other words, don’t judge an artist or career through the very narrow Idol lens.
Jon you obviously don’t know what the hell you are talking about. You don’t know the meaning of a vocalist if you think Adam is not one. He has an octave 5 voice range, that is every single guitar string. Can you do that? Hell NO! SO STFU!
I really hate, HATE DiDi.
She seems the high school blonde who bullys nice freaks such as Lacey and Lilly. I don;t like her.
Lee and Siobhan are my favorites, they seem like genuine people!
you know, that statement is one big contradiction. You seem like a bully yourself to call Lacey and Lilly “freaks” … and also why would you single out those two? Just because they dyed their hair differently? And also, I never ever got a “bully” vibe from Didi… I have no idea where you got that from.
wow, so pathetic.
I like Siobahn, too, I wish she would sing a song “softer”, Like Adam Lambert did with “tears of a clown” on Idol last year. She’s a good singer, but can tone down the screaming a bit when finishing a song.
The front runner at this stage rarely wins — just ask david archuleta, melinda doolittle, danny gokey, but then again, this is an awful season.
Love Lee and Aaron’s got a great voice. Wish michael lynche would go away.
Aside from all the excessive moves, Big Mike has a pretty good r&b voice. There are several others who are worse, so tone down the hatred and focus on the vocals.
If you visit the message boards, nobody writes about Big Mike….that’s not good.
Even if Siobhan doesn’t win, she’s got a record contract future.
And yes, the front runner slips back…but like you stated so true this is an awful season.
Too bad the judges don’t have a vote along with the audience like DWTS.
What exactly is “so awful” about THIS season? I’ve heard this every season for the past 5 I’ve been watching. If someone’s going to make a statement about how bad this season is, please give some reasons. Don’t assume everyone agrees or that others don’t want to know WHY this is a bad season.
It’s not obvious to me…I’m enjoying the dynamics and especially the girls this year.
@Cookie I think the fact this is the most interesting question Slezak was willing to post today says it all. We’re thinking the same thing about you guys, what exactly does “I’m enjoying the “dynamics” and especially the girls this year?” mean? If your gonna make statements like that you should also provide a list of these Dynamics. Cuz far too many of us don’t see them. Close your eyes and listen, If you heard any of these people on the radio, would you be able to tell them apart from anyone else on the radio? The only exception to that is maybe Didi, and well what’s so interesting about her? The side stories about the Producer swaying Alex Lambert not to do the song he was most comfortable with, which cheated him out of giving the performance that the Judges criticized him for not giving, and would have been more along the lines of the “Everybody Knows” performance only with sexier lyrics, and helped him make Tim look stale, is even more interesting than show. Tell ya anything? HEY SLEZAK, here’s a more interesting discussion than these bubble gum questions, [With all the preaching about how song choice is key, Is it fair for the Judges to criticize and humiliate, these inexperienced kids and young adults, for their song choices, before a nation of 22 million people, if producers are swaying them with heavy handed statements like "If you do this song, you'll get more votes"?]
Nah, I agree with Cookie. Every year people naysay with abandon. Y’all were jumping out of windows last season until Kradison finally began to merge. Give. It. Time. And, what is it with so many posters trying to be super-logical, pointing out this fallacy and that false premise, as though it’s even really that deep? Cookie could have written an 8-inch explanation of ‘dyamics’ but the burden of proof is still on all those who talk bad about AI9 but STILL WATCH AND POST.
Crystal is really classy in her reactions. Very well worded answers to difficult questions.
The third person after Crystal and Siobhan could be Didi. Lee and Casey are so stiff. They should work that out!
slezak – ur the best. always love your infectious and genuine passion for the show. ps. dawnie comes off as snooty.
Whaaaa? Dawnie is my favorite co-host of all time.
Jan, you are only half right. Dawnie is great too! Stop hatin’ on confident, opinionated women.
i’m not “hatin” – take it easy. she doesn’t come off as confident to me. she comes off as trying to seem confident by making remarks that are harsher than they need to be.
I would pay to see footage of Michael and Dawnie singing Gimme Shelter at karaoke. They could donate the money they raise to Idol Gives Back.
That would be awesome!
DAWNIE! I missed you, darling.
Yeah, I pretty much agreed with everything you guys said. Also, I really want to punch Simon in the face…hard. That is all.
i agree didi is awesome and should make the final 3
I hate DiDi.
I hope she gets eliminated soon, really soon!!!
Right now I believe Didi has the chance to win the whole thing!
Didi will win this IM 1000000% sure. She’s the chosen one! Their just throwing Crystal and Siobhan for the inevitable backlash (most haters are directed at them both) then seemingly out of nowhere Didi the producer’s gem will be pimped like she’s the next Madonna and voilà they’ve got their very own Taylor Swift. I think Crystal and Siobhan are very talented and likeable so they have to throw them right out of the bus as soon as possible so they set them up as early ‘front runners’ bug Didi is and always has been the end game! Trust me on this!
Ugh, why would anyone want to break up a Crystal-Siobhan final 2? lol
I’m totally on board with a Crystal, Siobhan, Didi final 3. That would be AWESOME.
People who like DiDi probably forgot the second week when she was a trainwreck. This season sucks, the producers should just hand Siobhan, Crystal, and DiDi first, second, and third place and end the nightmare already!!!
Not forgotten. Just forgiven.
TEAM DIDI!
As always, love me my Idolotry. But what happened to all the fun video intercuts, like with the Japanese robots and wonder woman? Is it just too early in the season for that or are we not getting it at all? Keep up the good work guys!
I agree. I’m only watching AI now because of Idolatry!
And bring back the discreetly-placed dolls and props on the background! I like that when you start looking around at michael’s cubicle, you find all these interesting things. I remember a stuffed bunny once being devoured by this pink garland of some sort. Hilarious!
I second that. I only watch Idolarty so I DON’T have to watch AI!!!
I loved last week’s Idolatry when it cut to that “May God help us all” scene. That made me laugh wayyy too hard. LOL
I always love to see Dawnie show up on Idolatry. I see the front runners as: Crystal, Siobhan, Lee and Didi. Michael will be a surprise exit because at this point, he’s very overhyped. I see Lee as being similar to Alex in that he’s likable b/c there’s no ego there.
Love ‘Idolatry’…I look forward to it every week. Thanks for the humor and insight!
Hoping for a finale four of Crystal, Siobhan, Didi and Lee. Those are the only four I have any interest in at all.
That four works for me too but I’m still hoping that Andrew will rally.
ME TOO! Didi,Crystal, Siobhan, Lee and Andrew for Top 5!
here’s how I feel…during auditions and Hollywood Andrew Garcia was in my top 3, he has a great voice and I want him to still be up there but he has picked some bad songs that don’t really show his strengths…here’s to hoping.
Didi + Siobhan + Crystal = Season 9 awesomeness!! Add a dash of Lee for a little eye candy
That is my ideal top 4. Well…IDEALLY Katelyn would be in there 
Lee? Eye candy? He’s a good vocalist. Why not focus on that? This superficial stuff is one of the reasons why the good one’s get voted off early.
The superficial stuff is what makes a person a star. You can be the greatest singer in the world, but without the “it” factor you will never get out of your shower! And the mystical thing is, a person who has that special something for me, might not for you.
I 100% agree with that, revcat!
I vote for Tim Urban all the way! I love the guy… he’s the best in the competition so far. URBAN FOR THE WIN!
Tim is very good. He’ll last awhile.
lolllll
Didi is a-pimped… by the judges!!!