Local teens make it to "American Idol's top 13

Oakland teens make it to “American Idol’s” top 13

AMERICAN IDOL XIII: Semi-Finalist: Malaya Watson, 16. Southfield, MI. CR: Michael Becker / FOX. Copyright 2014 FOX. 

By Nancy McCauley Branstetter, Special to The Oakland Press

POSTED: 02/20/14, 10:49 PM EST | UPDATED: 1 DAY AGO

AMERICAN IDOL XIII: Semi-Finalist: Jena Irene, 17. Farmington Hills, MI. CR: Michael Becker / FOX. Copyright 2014 FOX. 

American Idol’s result night was a mix of absolute celebration and deep disappointment for the 30 contestants vying for a place in competition’s Top 13. Weeks of long days, intense pressure, hard work and hopes were placed in the hands of fans who voted for their favorites after live performances earlier this week. The judges held three wild-cards to play. When the results settled- Jena Irene, Farmington Hills and Malaya Watson, Southfield stood among the Top Thirteen survivors. They move forward in the competition.

Malaya was the first to be called forward to take her spot in the Top Ten. With her long bouncy hair flailing behind her, she blew kisses and ran in circles, touching the hands of the audience, bubbling with joy. One by one contestants were called to the stage to fill the ten chairs. Jena Irene was not included. She had not received enough votes.

The judges, Harry Connick Jr., Keith Urban and Jennifer Lopez, held three wild-cards, which means they could save three of the remaining contestants. Only five would be allowed to perform, and Jena was second to be called to sing for her “American Idol” life. Accompanying herself on the piano, she didn’t disappoint.

“This was a good use of this moment,” said Keith Urban. “You can sing and play.” You have a really good artistic sign right there.”

Host Ryan Seacrest asked Jena what she thought of her performance. With a deep sign of relief, Jena smiled and said, “It felt good. I’m not going to lie about it.”

As they have all season, the judges dragged out the drama as long as possible before naming Jena as one of the three wild-card survivors. Jena Irene and Malaya Watson join the “American Idol” Big 13.

The Top Thirteen

Surviving to the Top Ten, or in this case the Top 13 in the “American Idol” competition is a monumental milestone for contestants. Not only will millions of Americans know their names, but their music careers will be launched. They will be asked to join the American Idol tour, when it is announced, and the pressure will be cranked up to impossible levels.

The rules change for the finalists. They will be taken on a shopping trip, and given a budget to buy new outfits, and their hair and make up will be in the hands of expert beauty consultants.

At this point, the challenge for contenders will be to hang on to the natural qualities that the judges spotted early-on. The Top Ten is ultimate goal- the only thing better could be becoming the next “American Idol.”

15 girls started, 10 took the stage;Oakland teens move up

Oakland teens survive another round toward becoming the “American Idol”

Malaya Watson performs in front of the "American Idol XIII" judges on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014, on FOX. Photo by Michael Becker ó FOX Broadcasting. 

By Nancy McCauley Branstetter, Special to The Oakland Press

POSTED: 02/19/14, 7:02 PM EST | UPDATED: 1 DAY AGO

Jena Irene performs in front of the "American Idol XIII" judges on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014, on FOX. Photo by Michael Becker ó FOX 

FYI

“American Idol” will air at 8 p.m. ET Thursday on WJBK-Channel 2 (Fox-Detroit).

The pressure has been pumped up for contestants, and once again Fox’s “American Idol” contest crushed the dreams of five young female hopefuls by sending them home without letting them perform for the TV audience.

Judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr. secretly decided who could perform. Jena Irene of Farmington Hills and Malaya Watson of Southfield survived, with Malaya grabbing the last spot in the coveted Top Ten.

Irene’s performance of “Paint It Black” by the Rolling Stones drew praise from judges. Urban complemented Irene’s confidence.

“You are cool and have the vocals to back it up, very cool,” Urban said.

Lopez told Irene that she is one of her favorites. And Connick questioned her song choice by asking if she knew what the song is about, a question he posed to several contestants.

After nearly two hours of suspense and palpable tension in a holding room among the other female singers, the judges called Watson to perform. After racing to the stage, Watson belted out Ray Charles’ “Hard Times,” earning the words she hoped to hear from Lopez.

“You are one of the powerhouse singers of the competition,” Lopez said. “You are amazing, and I hope you are around for a long time.”

Urban brought a huge smile to Watson’s face by telling her, “You make glasses and braces look cool,” While Connick added that he is looking forward to seeing her settle into her space.

At the end of the show, America voted. Thursday, Irene and Watson learn whether fans put them in the Top Ten, allowing them to move forward in the competition. The judges will be allowed to “save” three contestants, boosting the number moving on to 13.

Also Thursday on “American Idol,” the male singers will perform, and the field will be narrowed from 15 to 10.

Oakland County teens face tough challenges to be next 'American Idol'

Team Clarity consisted of Sikenya Thompson, Jena Irene Asciutto of Farmington Hills, Munfarid Zaidi and Allie Odom. Sikenya was on vocal rest and didn't practice with her group. Sikenya stumbled with her lyrics and looked like she was going to cry, but the judges encouraged her to keep going. In the end, only Allie was headed home. (Photo American Idol — Fox) 

By Nancy McCauley Branstetter, Special to The Oakland Press

POSTED: 02/10/14, 9:15 AM EST |

Oakland County "American Idol" hopefuls were surprised when they arrived for the next round in the musical competition.

A total of 212 young singers from across the country headed for Hollywood last month, each with a Golden Ticket in hand and a single vision­ to become the next Idol. Hopefuls from the Detroit audition included Malaya Watson of Southfield, Jena Irene Asciutto of Farmington Hills and Sarah Scherb of Birmingham.

To their surprise, the American Idol folks invented a new challenge for contestants called Hollywood or Home. Exhausted from their flight, they were taken to an airport hangar for what Host Ryan Seacrest described as "a shocking wake-up call." Without a break to rest from their flight, about half of the group was called to sing for the judges and fight for their place in Hollywood.

"We didn't know what was going on and were all freaking out," Ascuitto said. "We watched the judges walk in, and Jennifer Lopez said, 'the competition begins now.'"

The stress and tension was visible on the faces of the hopefuls in the latest episode, which aired last week on Fox. As they were called to perform so judges Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr. could again listen to contestants they believed may not be Idol material. After a very long day and night, two buses pulled up outside the hangar. Connick told the group that one bus would take the contestants moving forward to their hotel and the next round, called Hollywood Week. The other bus was headed to the airport, where passengers would board planes to go home, never having a chance to unpack their bags.

Asciutto, Watson and Scherb were not asked to perform at the hanger, but faced the judges the next day. Ascuitto performed "Video Games" by Lana Del Rey, accompanying herself on the piano.

"My heart was pounding," Asciutto, 17, said. "My piano is like my blanket. It makes me more comfortable, so once I started playing, it all fell in place. We were supposed to say our names and why we should be the next American Idol. I was told to make it short, so I said that it's my time and my Mom would be very proud of me."

Following Ascuitto's performance, Keith Urban whispered to the other judges, "I like that song. I don't know it, and I am going to download it."

Malaya Watson also accompanied herself on the piano, singing "Brand New Me" by Alicia Keys.

"I chose that song because it showed who I am. I can sing and play piano," said Watson, 16. "I decided to wear comfortable clothes because I didn't want to wear something outrageous or pajamas. When it was over I felt like I had a boulder off my shoulders — phew."

At the end of the day, contestants faced their fate in the form of two lines­ the singers moving forward in the competition and the ones going home.

"I watched the really talented people move to one line, but I was not called,"Ascuitto said. "I was giving up hope when Jennifer Lopez told me to step forward at the last moment. I think my heart stopped for a second."

But there was no time to relax and enjoy the moment. Contestants were handed another challenge that took them out of their comfort zones and sent them scrambling not only to
form small groups, select a song to perform and choreograph it, but also find a way to stand out.

Drama erupted as the stressed, exhausted singers worked late into the night. Tears flowed and tempers flared as each group tried to find a way to work together. Ascuitto's group included a huge challenge in the form of Sikenya Thompson of Saginaw, who said she was sick and kept the others wondering until the last moment if they would have to perform without her.

Showing poise and professionalism fitting an American Idol, Ascuitto impressed the judges and earned her place in the next found of competition. Although Thompson struggled with her performance, she also was allowed to move forward.

Malaya Watson, with group members Olivia Diamond of Detroit and Queen Bulls of Ypsilanti turned in an entertaining performance of The Jackson 5's "I Want You Back." Jennifer Lopez told the group, "I want YOU back."

However, it was the end of the American Idol road for Sarah Scherb, whose performance was not aired. Scherb tweeted, "Unfortunately got cut in group round of Idol. I learned so much from my amazing experience, but it's definitely not over for me. Keep watching for me y'all."

The number of contestants now stands at 77.

• "American Idol" airs at 8 p.m. EST Wednesday and Thursday. http://www.americanidol.com/