As the top 10 “American Idol” contestants took on Top 10 songs of the Billboard 100 from 2010 to present this week, Malaya Watson of Southfield and Jena Irene of Farmington brought great performances and were rewarded with enough votes to move forward in the competition.
Irene took a chance this week, performing an electronic-music song, “Charity” by Zedd, a first in the genre for Season 13 of “Idol.” In the middle of the performance, the room was swathed in a sea of green when Irene asked the audience to light up glow sticks. The judges called it the best performance up to that point in the Wednesday night Billboard 100 top hits show.
“You are a strong singer,” said judge Harry Connick Jr. “There was not a lot to that song and you did a lot with it.”
Judges Keith Urban and Jennifer Lopez praised her song choice, with Urban adding that she made the melody her own.
“You came out looking comfortable and energized,” he said. “No matter what you sing, it sounds like you.”
Watson sang “When I Was Your Man” by Bruno Mars. In past weeks, the judges counseled her to work on her voice control and she obviously listened. Sitting on a stool center stage, Watson delivered a strong performance.
“Well done, you knocked it out of the park,” Urban said. “You have more control in your voice. Tonight, you pulled it back and it worked.”
Connick offered a rare compliment, telling Watson she was “present for every word, which is hard for performers.” Lopez said the song started slow, but when Watson hit the middle of the song, Lopez got goosebumps.
MK Nobilette, 20 of San Francisco, Calif., was sent home with the fewest votes.
In preparation for their performances this week, the top 10 contestants were guests on “Idol”, host Ryan Seacrest’s radio program. During an interview with Watson, Seacrest asked about the lyrics of her song choice. Watson explained a boy is about to lose an important person because he never gave his girlfriend flowers nor held her hand. “I’m 16 years old and I’ve never received flowers and no one has held my hand,” she added.
After Watson’s performance and the judge’s comments, Seacrest presented Watson with roses and a card which read, “Enjoy your first flowers from Ryan and the ‘Idol’ team. Smiling, Watson continued reading: “Charge this to Harry Connick Jr.’s credit card.”
WATSON’S THOUGHTS ON ‘IDOL’
During a short break between her physics and pre-calculus classes in Hollywood this week, Watson shared her thoughts on the “American Idol” experience. She said she has learned to expect the unexpected as part of the competition, but being jarred awake early Monday morning by an earthquake took her by surprise.
“I wasn’t sure what was going on, because it was my first earthquake,” she said. “First it shook, then there were two or three waves. It was a little scary. But then, there are all kinds of surprises here every day.”
Watson says she’s getting more comfortable and settled into the weekly routine of selecting a song, practicing with the band, then performing live before America each week. How does she handle the nerves and pressure that come each performance, knowing it could be her last if she does not receive enough votes?
“It isn’t easy, but I make it look easy,” Watson said. “I really don’t get nervous, because I have been performing since I was 5 years old. I sang in church, the Michigan Opera Theater, Mosaic Youth Theater and so many places that I can’t remember them all. Once I am on stage, I’m fine.”
Watson says she appreciates every moment of the “Idol” experience, including all the extra little things contestants are asked to do. She regularly receives notes of encouragement from all over the world — Australia, Japan and especially the Philippines. Her mother is Filipino, and she and her father are both with Watson in California. As the youngest contestant, she says the others treat her like their “wild little sister.”
“We are all so close, and we really like each other,” Watson said of her fellow contestants. “We spend a lot of time together, but I still miss my friends back home. When I have free time, I call my friends and we tease each other. They are happy for me, but still treat me like Malaya, and that’s good.”
The young singer was promised a computer if she made it to the top 10, and she is now the proud owner of a MacBook Air.
“I love it,” said Watson. “It’s the first computer I’ve had that really works, and it is so helpful with my homework.”
Watson and Irene have beaten the odds. Competing against thousands of “Idol” hopefuls from across the county, they were among 211 singers to receive golden tickets to Hollywood. The are among the nine contestants who remain in the battle to become the next “American Idol.”
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