When “American Idol” topics have generated vast online buzz following the weekly performance shows, they have almost always concerned the contestants and their song selections.
This time, however, the most-buzzed about subject is judge Randy Jackson, who caught heat for a variety of developments on Wednesday’s intriguing Final Four performance show. As of 10:30PM, Jackson leads the Google Trends chart as the most popular search term online.
Notably fueling online buzz for Jackson is the fact that contestant James Durbin performed Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin'”, making multiple mentions of the fact that Jackson used to play bass for the band. While discussing the performance, Jackson said that Journey, along with fellow judge Steven Tyler’s band Aerosmith, ranks as one of the greatest American rock bands of all time. He also said that lead singer Steve Perry, like Steven Tyler, is one of the all-time great rock vocalists. Journey had climbed to number two on the Trends chart.
(Update: In a very rapid change, Jackson and Journey appeared to be off the Trends chart by 11:10PM)
But the buzz was not all for Randy Jackson and James Durbin bonding over the influential Journey song. Another element of interest in Jackson comes from his heated exchanges with Haley Reinhart, who was the only contestant to receive negative feedback after the first round of songs Wednesday.
Reinhart’s take on “Earth Song” garnered criticism from both Jennifer Lopez and Jackson, with Lopez focusing on the ill-advised song selection and Jackson bringing attention to things like Reinhart’s “screaming” throughout the song. The interaction between Jackson and Reinhart escalated, with the two (along with J-Lo, at times) entering into something of a brief, heated, back-and-forth discussion about the performance and song selection.
Later, when asked by Ryan Seacrest who won the first round, Jackson said that it was a tie between Durbin, Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina, delivering a biting blow to Reinhart, the only other singer left in the competition.
Though Reinhart is perceived to have the smallest overall fanbase of the remaining contestants, she is very popular with critics and online commenters, and there was a big degree of outcry over what Haley fans felt was biased judging in that first round.
As with last week, however, the first round criticism built into something positive for round two–all three judges gave Haley a standing ovation for her “I Who Have Nothing.”
Headline Planet’s full review of Wednesday’s performances is due Thursday.
I am not Haley and I’m all hissy right now with the dawg and around the block chic’s comments. Randy is so wrong and horrendous with his comments. He is definitely overboard with his BIAS opinions! What’s wrong with them?! Good for Haley to stick up for herself and Steven to back her up. I would throw eggs at those two’s faces if I can …ugh, I can’t stand them. In my opinion, the two’s opinion and “criticism” are utterly, utterly, really, useless.
Jennifer Lopez is making herself look bad. I used to love her and now she looks like a jealous biotch!!!!
Haley is amazing. I hate the the judges are so hard on her. I know Jennifer said they were hard on her because she is so good, but I just don’t buy it. I feel that both Jennifer and Randy are out to slit Haley’s throat. While they are gunning for Haley, they seem to be doing everything in favor of James. He opened AND closed the show! What is that! I hope America was smart tonight and voted for Haley!
I agree with both Jennifer and Randy. Haley was rude and she should be thankful she even has a spot on that show. She won’t make it through again. She is not good enough to be there and she knows it.
Starting today, you can download a new duet featuring Haley and Casey on iTunes. Look for Haley’s new album sometime in the first quarter of the year. She’s been working on it for a couple of months, but they’re not rushing her to complete it because they know she’s a real talent.
I don’t know what Randy and J-Lo were watching, but it certainly was NOT the same show I was! Haley did an impecable job tonight with The Earth Song! I hope that America does Haley justice. She has been considered the underdog the entire time but she is fully capable of taking this home!
Jennifer Lopez is a DAWG
Sorry, I agree with Randy she has a amazing voice. With that song you couldn’t tell…. And her coping an attitude didn’t help either.
Randy was right. She WAS screeching that song. She did cop an attitude, too.
I also agree with Randy and Jennifer. There was nothing I enjoyed about her singing. Nothing.
Steven emphatically told Haley, “Don’t listen to them! They’re both wrong!” On Eonline, he later told Ryan, “Randy’s not a singer…She nailed it. She used her voice just the way she was supposed to…she delivered it like the blue plate special, it was just so good…it showed she had emotion, and it showed she could sing…(the bussing) pissed me off…The best singers are the ones us ordinary folks can find character in — not just the great singing. If you watch Reinhart up there, every bad comment she gets, it rolls right off. That’s how good she is. The one thing I’m a little afraid of, America’s been wrong before. The very one that came out on top, didn’t win first, right? They were on the back lines? Sometimes that character is a little bit to push people away.
Her copping an attitude? She gets shit on each week by J-Lo and Randy—they complain about the song choice but fail to point out that her SINGING was flawless. Haley has handled this crap with grace and humor—but you could tell that it’s getting rough for her to hear that crap—and Randy was an ASS to her!!! I have never seen him be so mean to a contestant as he is to Haley—he’s worse than Simon.
She only spoke up because he was speaking untruths about her abilities in order to sway voters against her. She wasn’t rude about it either. She only sounded rude after he began shouting over Steven to repeat his criticism. To which Steven shouted to her, “Don’t listen to them!”
I disagree, more then once they have mentioned that her voice was being amazing but her music choice don’t match her potential
I find the criticisms of JLo and Randy about song choice absurd. The category the singers were given is “songs that inspire them.” It wasn’t “songs in the top 10 this week that inspire you.” Also, the constant criticism of Haley for not fitting into a given category is also really annoying …. I love the fact that she can do so many types of songs well. VARIETY is nice!
Randy and J-looser are a joke….. Thanks Steven for having the guts to set them straight… Randy and J-lo have obviously been told to screw Haley. She is beautiful ! Talented ! and did an outstanding job tonight. Of coarse Randy and J-Looser couldnt hear it because they have there heads to far up Scotts A– !!!!! My votes will go to Haley if for no other reason to piss off Randy Jerkoff and J-Looser….
randy and jennifer both have something against haley.How can you continue to give praise to scotty week after week when his performances are pathetic,his version of swinging was like a seventh grader in a talent contest and his others are no better.Haley is byfart the most talented of all the contestants
I could not agree with you more. Scotty has been spared from any negative comments during the entire show as well as Lauren…both of whom have not shown us anything other than the “same ole same ole” and continue to receive praise for mediocre performances while Haley gets shit from Dawg & JLoser week after week. There is no truth to their statements that suggest they are only trying to help…that is pure bullshit. Haley is far and away the best and most interesting singer/performer on the show. JLo and Randy are both terrible judges. J-Loser is there only to make herself look beautiful week after week with her expensive outfits and hair styles as far as Randy, he cannot even speak in whole sentences. Yes, where is Simon when you need some honest criticism. At least he was fair. And good for Haley standing up for herself….the only rudeness displayed was on the part of Dawg & JLoser.
Why is Randy getting all the heat? J-LOW started it. She was a bitch! Why is she even there?
Randy is just full of nonsense! Am glad Haley stood up for herself,as for the attitude,i would have done worse! She had enough and am she sure couldn’t take it any more!I know so many people are pissed off by her attitude but come on,no1 is perfect and people have their limits! whoever is saying otherwise is a hypocrite! I mean they hardly did that crap to the other contestants! As for Jlo,i don’t blame her because she has accomplished some things in her life gives her the right to give stupid criticism! She can’t even sing! I don’t even know why she was chosen as a judge on AI! Please America,do the right thing and keep Haley in the competition,she deserves to be there!
Randy Jackson is a JOKE. Haley did a beautiful job with both songs last night. I was not a fan of hers in the beginning, but the last three weeks have completely turned me around. Randy & JLo are so biased toward Scotty, it is crazy. Randy was insulting and completely out of line. They need to get rid of him. His stupid “DAWG” and “in it, to win it” comments show what an inferior judge he is. I think JLo is just jealous of Haley. Haley looks and sings better!!!!!!!!!
I think Haley is very good. I don’t agree that she was yelling part of the Michael Jackson song at the end. She was giving emphasis with her type of inflection of voice which they had praised her for in the pastin interpretation of the beautiful and pointed message within the song at that point. What about James? He DOES actually yell through most of his songs, but they didn’t mention that! I was getting a headache listening to him……….
Haley should be in top 3, looking forward to her singing 3 songs. Randy did her wrong and jLO too.
The theme was for the singers to pick a song that inspired them–not the judges. If Randy and JLo wanted her to sing a song that inspired them, then they should have picked the dam..d song! I went back and watched it and realized that Randy was really way off base here. She did the song true to her style and she did it great. What, he wants her to sound like MJ? I’m just sick of them ragging on her week in and week out. And I don’t buy for a minute JLo’s b.s about why they are so hard on her–because she is so great. Well, I guess they must not think the other contestants are so great because they don’t ever give them the criticism they give Haley and she’s a better singer than any of them. If she’s out tonight, I’m done. I don’t care who wins it. Maybe I’ll hear about it in the news. Time to bust up this show–all new judges and a real voting system.
I am outraged and ashamed of Ms. Lopez and Mr. Jackson. Rupert Murdock was in the audience (the owner of Fox network) and apparently he is a Scotty fan. It is rumored that AI execs are pushing for Scotty and James because they can be quickly marketed to the country and rock groups and Lauren to the tween fans. But no one knows what group they can squeeze Haley into. She sings rock, pop, blues, country and all of it well. In other words they don’t know how to market her. In my opinion she is the most versatile singer they have. Her voice is beautiful and unique their treatment of her is deplorable. HANG IN HALEY! AMERICAS SEES WHAT IS REALLY HAPPENING!!
You hit the nail right on the head, Mary. I totally agree with everything you’ve pointed out. I feel Randy and Jennifer are trying to “sway” the public with their comments but America is seeing through their antics – thank God! Haley IS THEE best singer and the most diverse. No one else has the power in their voice like her. She would fit in well with singers like Christina Aguilera and Kelly Clarkson ANY day. She WILL have a successful singing career thanks to supporters like Jimmy Iovine – Gaga even said she sang her song “perfectly.”
I totally disagree with this group who support Haley. SHE should have been gone tonight. I hate her “attitude”. Lauren has more class in her little finger than this girl. Now not saying she can’t sing. She was not good enough to beat out the other three so personally I believe you all must be youngsters to be posting this or else you would agree, her lack of respect for constructive criticism is not going to be what this gal is going to take, thus she needs to go. So disappointed. Will make sure this doesn’t happen again. She must have people with auto-dial. Jennifer Lopez jealous of Haley??? hahahah That is the biggest one yet. Yeah right.
Aren’t you arrogant and presuming…just because people disagree with you we must be youngsters?? How childish of you!! I could make a few assumptions as to why you are anti Haley, pro judges etc but I’ll just agree to disagree rather than behave like a youngster.
I don’t blame Haley for standing up. The judges this year have been useless more often than not. They have favorites clearly and they gush over them. If the faves sing pitchy or off key…judges says it’s ok etc etc…they can do no wrong. But Haley has been critiqued harshly week after week with some scattered praises thrown in. For most others it was a lovefest with the odd criticism thrown in. Haley could sing perfectly well…they’d criticize song choice, next week she would move in their direction, they’d criticize her for moving in that direction never mentioning her vocals were great. Even my husband noticed it a few weeks back and he never comments on stuff like that…she generally has just stood there and smiled, looked confused or sad. Good for her for standing up for herself…she was not rude at all. Randy was going on and on and on and just wouldn’t shut up. He was down right annoying more than a few times last night ESP when he chose the 3 way tie…like that was necessary right before she was up to sing her 2nd song.
Good for her. In fact, AI has previously always encouraged and even (with Simon) goaded contestants into retorts as it made for better tv!
And lastly, there are criticisms that could be made of Scotty Lauren and James both (though I agree they are very talented) but Jlo and randy can’t stop gushing long enough to notice!! Its so ridiculous. They clearly play favorites … starting with Pia, james, Casey, scotty … The only good thing is that thankfully Americans pay no heed to their useless judging!!
All the best!
I am a 51 year old woman. Your comment about”you all must be youngsters to be posting this or else you would agree” was condescending. You have a perfect right to your opinion as I have to mine. I was posting in hopes that AI executives would hear my disappointment and Haley would hear and feel my support for her.
She has kept her dignity all these months. She has taken all criticisms (even when they weren’t constructive but biased and heavy handed) with grace and a smile. I truly don’t know how anyone could begrudge her a moment of frustration and disappointment at the confusing and maddening double standard she has endured from Ms. Lopez and Mr. Jackson as of late.
I had always had respect for Randy Jackson’s expertise and opinion and thought him fair but alas I feel network pressure (for which Rupert Murdock is famous) has finally affected the judges. It’s sad but I guess the term “Feet of clay” applies here and we all have our weaknesses.
I’m 49 years old. You hate her confidence in her abilities because she’s an attractive young woman. How mature and level-headed is that? She did beat out one of the other three. Furthermore, she beat every contestant that didn’t have the Christian/County Music voting bloc behind them. In other words, she won the vote of those who vote on talent.
First of all, I voted for Haley (about 25 times) last week–so I am a Haley fan when she deserves it. But this week, I totally agreed with Randy and Jennifer on her first song; and they got it right on her 2nd song. I didn’t care for her first song choice (definitely needed something else at this stage in the competition) and I didn’t think she sang it that well. And they better get used to criticism if they are going to be in the business. I didn’t think she handled it well at all and I thought for sure that she would be headed home tonight and deserved to be gone this week. I don’t see her as someone who would make it as an “American Idol”. She’d do better on her own, as many other past contestants have done. I was absolutely FLOORED tonight that she stayed and James left. He is so talented and deserving – all I can say is “WOW”. The good side is that Daughtry did well not being the Idol and producers are stupid if they don’t snatch up James as well.
Haley’s first song was definitely not a terrific vocal, IMO, but to criticize her – repeatedly – for screaming had to simply infuriate her. Randy constantly TOLD Jacob to do just that, and James does it in every single song he sings, often for no discernible artistic reason, just sort of randomly lets out a scream. Correct me if I’m wrong, but he NEVER got criticized for that. He didn’t even bother to soften the criticism of Haley with ANYTHING good, started right in with “What I didn’t like about that….”. Why wouldn’t Haley be frustrated when she was criticized for the very thing that the other contestants are praised for? The year David Cook won, Simon apologized to him for his over-the-top criticism of him the day before the final results were read. He said he “verged on being disrespectful”. Randy owes Haley an apology for repeatedly saying the same thing and for that ridiculous “it’s a three way tie with everybody but Halay” statement. That is not constructive criticism, that is just downright mean. Good for Haley for sticking up for herself and showing Randy Jackson up for the a** he really is.
Why is Haley such a bitch? We’ve hated her since she entered top 12. She’s been in the bottom 3 how many times?
HALEY REINHART IS A BITCH
You are a sad, sad little person, and you have my pity.
Haley was in the bottom 3 four times and climbed to the final 3 based on her talent — not due to a sob story or pandering to the religious right.
Too bad you were too caught up in your hate fest to enjoy that.
I don’t usually comment, but I can’keep quiet. Haley is an incredible artist. What she does with her voice is amazing. Listen to MJ sing the Earth Song and you will see that she performed it the way it was written. That is why she said to Randy, “I didn’t know I should change it.”. It appeared that Randy didn’t know the composition.
Jennifer really only critized the choice, saying that she felt how inspired Haley was by the song. I don’t understand why they feel better qualified to pick her inspirational song than Haley is herself.
The previous week they critized the choice that she made with Jimmy Iovine and Lady Gaga. She did a beautiful job with it and they didn’t know the song. That should not stop them from recognizing a truly quality performance. that raises more questions about their talents than it does Haley’s.
Steven Tyler has had no problem recognizing that Haley is truly gifted.
I don’t want to take anything away from the others, including James. they are all talented to varying degrees. James uses a scream for effect, but he overuses it. He is a very talented live performer, but when played back without the visuals it loses slot. What will his records sound like?
Lauren has a beautiful and powerful voice. Coupled with her sweet presentation I expect she may one day rival Carrie Underwood. Scotty has a powerful instrument, but his performing skills are hard to watch. He sounds better without the visual.
What Haley brings to the dance is on another level. Some people may think she has an edge. I like it. A bit of attitude? Good, she will need it, in the business she has chosen. She will have to deal with lots of people who have their own agenda. The nastiness and hate thrown at her lately is unpleasant but probably good training for the future. I just don’t understand why anyone feels the need to tear her down to promote their favorite.
These posts are very funny. First of all, these judges are entitled to their opinion. Second of all i totally agree with their criticism of that obnoxious, non appreciative Haley. She was screaming through the song, play it back people. As far as the top 3, i don’t agree with any of them being there. The top 2 people for singing talent, which this show is supposed to be are Pia and James. This show is no longer based on singing talent, it’s a high school popularity contest. though Pia has already made an amazing deal and 100,000 for one night of her singing talent, gets you thinking, that the ones left on top are for the most part cursed. Where are the 10 of the 12 winners who have one American idol, besides Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson? Will definitely not watch next season. X-Factor here I come.
I think Haley’s attitude has been poor since she made the top 13. I don’t care for her attitude of entitlement, and I am glad she did not make it into the final two.
Cannot wait for the X-Factor. AI has clearly jumped-th-shark.
LOL. Hope you’re enjoying the X-Factor. Though I don’t know why you’re watching it considering Haley clearly has the x-factor.