For all the praise given to “American Idol” this season, be it for the new judging panel or the emphasis on incredible audition and Hollywood performances, there has been a nagging criticism–the producers’ tendency to “play favorites” and pimp contestants with more emotional, compelling backstories has not gone away.
The double-edged sword of wanting to a tell a contestant’s touching story without over-exposing him to the masses pierced particularly hard through Chris Medina, whose tale of love for a fiancee rendered severely handicapped in an accident started to backfire. Medina’s demonstrations of love, loyalty and bravery were hard to ignore, but as he never seemed to be delivering from a vocal perspective, critics started to get angry. Is a backstory, no matter how touching, enough to overshadow vocal inferiority on “American Idol?”
Much to the surprise of long-time “American Idol” skeptics, the answer, at least for this Wednesday, was no. In the always-gut-wrenching “Green Mile” segment, during which the “Idol” judges reveal the fates of the top 40 (24 will move through to the fan-voted semifinals), a heartbroken Jennifer Lopez had to reveal that Chris Medina did not make the cut.
Footage of his rather painful rendition of “Fix You” should have telegraphed the elimination, but given “Idol”‘s thirst for contestants with color, the assumption remained that he would make the cut. His elimination was thus a huge shocker, and the emotion drove judge J-Lo to tears. As a cliffhanger for tomorrow’s show, FOX asked whether she would be able to continue through the “Green Mile” round.
The news was not all bad Wednesday. Featured contestants Clint Jun Gamboa, Ashthon Jones, Haley Reinhart and Naima Adedapo were all put through. Paul McDonald, who received tremendous showcasing for his Las Vegas round rendition of “Blackbird,” also made the cut.
Other top 40 members who will join Medina in heading home are Lakeisha Lewis, Hollie Cavanagh, Alex Ryan and Deandre Brackensick. Earlier in the night, “Idol” revealed that featured contestants like Molly Swenson and Ashley Sullivan were ousted at the Vegas stage of the competition.
The full top 24 will be revealed Thursday night.
