Southfield’s Malaya Watson landed in the dreaded bottom three of Thursday night’s “American Idol” results show, but it was Sam Woolf, formerly of West Bloomfield Township, who sang for his life. The judges rewarded his performance by using their only save of the season to keep Woolf, now residing in Bradenton, Fla., in the competition.
This week’s theme, “Back to the Start — First Audition,” was an assignment to sing the song each performed at auditions last summer. Watson and Jena Irene of Farmington Hills showed how much they have grown as artists since auditioning for the show at Ford Field last July. Viewers applauded their Wednesday performances by voting.
Before her live performance, Watson introduced her father, Ron, to judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr. Watson recalled her daughter’s indecisiveness on audition day.
“She just kept procrastinating,” Ron Watson said. “It came down to the last minute before she decided to go for it, and we are so glad she did.”
In an interview with The Oakland Press, Watson laughed about her “Idol” audition, saying she thought she was being taken for an interview when she walked into the audition room.
“I saw three people sitting a table and just said hello,” said Watson. “I’ve grown so much since that day. I am able to tell a story with a song now without crying like I did during the first performance. Now I know I can win this.”
This week, with the band behind her, Watson unleashed a powerful, polished performance of “Ain’t No Way” by Aretha Franklin, demonstrating control she lacked when she arrived in Hollywood. Gushing with compliments, the judges called her a star.
“Malaya, you’re on fire,” Urban said. “You’ve got the voice and were in control.”
Judges Lopez and Connick — clearly fans — told Watson she is “blossoming as a star.”
Irene told the judges said the nerves she felt that day in Detroit have turned to excitement when she sings.
Performing her own rendition of Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep,” Irene delivered a huge, dynamic finish, which pulled Urban to his feet for the first standing ovation the night.
“I loved that you took a song we all know so well and made it your own,” he said. “That took real courage and it was great.”
Jennifer Lopez spoke seriously. “My advice to you is to blow everyone away every week, and win this whole thing,” she said. “I’m telling you this because you can do it.”
New this week were duets. Irene paired with Alex Preston to perform “Just Give Me a Reason” by Pink and Nate Ruess. Watson and Woolf, turned in an adorable performance of “Lucky” by Colbie Caillat & Jason Mraz. The judges offered no comments, but closely watched, silently judging each duo’s ability to blend and connect with each other.
The Top Eight — Irene, Watson, Caleb Johnson, Jessica Meuse, Alex Preston, Dexter Roberts, C.J. Harris and Woolf return next week to the competition.
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