Farmington Hills’ Jena Irene falls in last round of ‘American Idol’

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Jena Irene hugs winner Caleb Johnson in the finale of "American Idol" on May 22, 2014. Screen capture - Fox

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By Nancy McCauley Branstetter, Special to The Oakland Press

POSTED: 05/21/14, 10:28 PM EDT | UPDATED: 23 SECS AGO

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Jena Irene hugs winner Caleb Johnson in the finale of “American Idol” on May 22. Screen capture — Fox

It was a nail-biter for Jena Irene of Farmington Hills and her millions of dedicated fans Wednesday, but in the end, viewers chose rocker Caleb Johnson of Asheville, N.C., as the 2014 “American Idol.”

Months of dedication boosted her to the top of the competition, but in Wednesday night’s extended results show, voters gave Johnson the edge. “The American Idol” website reported that Las Vegas odd-makers called the race a very close one, and “Idol” Judges Keith Urban, Harry Connick Jr. and Jennifer Lopez agreed they couldn’t predict who would win.

In addition to a congratulatory hug from Irene, Johnson receives a recording contract with 19 Entertainment, which is affiliated with “American Idol.”

Performing three times during finale night, Irene opened the Tuesday performance show with “Dog Days Are Over” by Florence and the Machine. The judges raved about her performance, calling the song a great choice by “Idol” producer Simon Fuller, but gave round one to Johnson for his strong performance of Aerosmith’s “Dream On.”

The 17-year-old Irene won the judges’ favor in round two with her favorite song of the competition, Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling In Love.” Finally, both contestants sang the song they’d record for their first single if they won the competition. Irene chose “We are One,” co-written by season-eight “Idol” contestant Felicia Barton, while Johnson chose “As Long as You Love Me,” by Justin Hawkins.

Irene still will be featured on the 41-city summer “Idol” tour among the top 10 finalists, including Malaya Watson of Southfield and Sam Woolf, who was born in West Bloomfield Township. Only one Michigan stop is planned, Aug. 7 at Soaring Eagle Casino Resort in Mount Pleasant.

Irene’s “Idol” journey began in October when she and Watson auditioned at Ford Field in Detroit, where they were awarded Golden Tickets to Hollywood, joining 210 other hopefuls from across the country who were quickly pared down to the most talented few.

Irene found herself in the dreaded position of bottom vote-getter — in danger of being sent home — only once, in February. But she charmed the “Idol” judges, accompanying herself on piano, to earn their only wild-card save, and continued in the competition. Working hard on her stage presence, she became the first wild card in the program’s history to make it to the finale.

In the last few weeks of the season, Irene asked Johnson to accompany her to prom at North Farmington High School. It remains to be seen if Irene will attend her prom on May 28, before the national “Idol” tour begins June 24, and whether she arrives on the arm of the newest “American Idol.”

Farmington Hills ‘Idol’ contestant Jena Irene in top two

Jena Irene of Farmington Hills performs on “American Idol,” which aired Wednesday, May 14. Photo courtesy of Fox Broadcasting 

By Nancy McCauley Branstetter, Special to The Oakland Press

POSTED: 05/16/14, 6:16 AM EDT | UPDATED: 1 MIN AGO

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The scene has been set for a showdown between Jena Irene of Farmington Hills and Caleb Johnson of Asheville, N.C., after “American Idol” viewers voted finalist Alex Preston of Nashville, Tenn., off the show.

Preston said Wednesday he believed it could be his last performance on “Idol.” He worked the crowd like never before and even played the drums while singing.

Irene and Johnson will give their final performances Tuesday to determine the winner.

The songs for the three remaining finalists were chosen by vocal coach Randy Jackson, judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr., and the contestants’ hometown fans. Irene grew stronger with each of her three performances Wednesday night. She closed the two-hour performance show with “Creep” by Radiohead, chosen by students at North Farmington High School. Accompanying herself on piano, Irene earned a standing ovation from Lopez and Urban, and clear endorsement from all three.

“You are going to be so hard to beat,” Lopez said. While Connick Jr. called her “brilliant.”

With family and friends cheering, Irene unleashed her characteristic vocals in the first song of the night, “Titanium” by David Guetta, selected by Jackson. He complemented the 17-year-old on her journey to be a polished performer.

“From boot camp until now, dude, I love it, my hat’s off to you. You’re ready,” Jackson said.

Rocker Caleb Johnson, who struggled with voice problems Wednesday night, was a fan favorite until the last few weeks. As Irene’s confidence and stage presence grew, Johnson lost support for using an objectionable word to fans on social media for blasting him with too many song choices. He apologized for the comments, but the controversy continued.

Thursday’s show included clips of Irene’s visit home to Farmington Hills over the weekend. She visited Hercules Coney Island, where she worked as a waitress, and was greeted by thousands of fans at a concert. Irene, 17, hopes to be attend her graduation from Farmington North High School on June 8, and is looking forward to her prom. The senior prom is scheduled for Tuesday, May 28, less than a week after the “Idol” finale. She said she hopes to bring fellow finalist Johnson as her date, calling him “one of my very best friends.”

“Idol” host Ryan Seacrest announced just before the results were given Thursday night that Johnson was asked to perform with Kiss.

Also this week, “Idol” celebrated its 500th show in its 13 seasons. The landmark included a huge cake and the return of the top 13 contestants, including Sam Woolfe, who was born in West Bloomfield Township, and Southfield’s Malaya Watson, who traded her braces for a retainer.

The final performance show will be aired live at 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, with the new “American Idol” crowned on Wednesday May 21.

An ‘Idol’ welcome home for Jena Irene

John Branstetter -- for the oakland press Jena Irene poses for a photo with fans after a parade in her honor in Farmington Hills Saturday. 

By Nancy McCauley Branstetter

POSTED: 05/11/14, 8:35 AM EDT |

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Thousands celebrated the homecoming of “American Idol” finalist, Jena Irene (Asciutto) of Farmington Hills on Saturday. As one of the three remaining contestants, the show arranged a special day for the 17-year-old which included a parade down 13 Mile Rd. to her high school, North Farmington, followed by a concert. After three months in Hollywood, Irene returned home a contender to become the next “American Idol,” complete with an “Idol” camera crews and producers in tow. Each of the remaining finalists were also given what the show called a homecoming reunion.

Irene’s day began with a raucus visit to “Hercules Coney Island” at 12 Mile Rd and Farmington Rd, where she once worked as a waitress. Every hug, kiss and cheer was recorded by the “Idol” team to be presented to America on the program next week. Irene put on an apron, lit a flaming cheese with ease, and chatted with old friends and customers.

“I’m overwhelmed,” said Irene. “I’m trying to take it all in and it’s impossible. It’s not even noon yet and this is the best day of my life.”

Also handing out hugs at the restaurant, were Irene’s brother, Nick Asciutto and mother, Julie Asciutto, who have shared Irene’s “Idol” experience. Since Irene is a minor, the program required her mother to stay with her in Hollywood, while her brother flew back and forth between Michigan and California. With her eyes filled tears, Julie Asciutto summed up her daughter’s rise to stardom as “a dream. I’m so proud.” Her brother adding that they all knew Irene would do something big, and are thrilled to watch her dream come true. Standing with the family, Dr. Sheri Jaffurs, Irene’s high school choir teacher, said she knew Jena Irene had something special.

“Jena used to sit at the piano and sing after class. The kids were drawn to her and were quiet, just listening.” said Jaffurs. “There was a quiet energy about her.” Irene later surprised Jaffurs with tickets to the season finale.

As the crowd cheered, Jena, Jena, Jena, Irene hugged everyone within reach and flashed her signature, huge, warm smile. Before heading out, Irene savored a bowl of Lemon Chicken Rice Soup heavy on the Tabasco sauce she added, like a real teenager.

Swelling crowds greeted Irene’s white limousine as she waved to the screeching crowd along 13 mile road. The paraded ended at North Farmington HIgh School. Long-time Jena Irene fans Kaitlyn Bashford and Sandi Spires drove from Riverview to join the celebration.

“I’m going to tattoo “I am my own person” on my arm. It’s line from a song she wrote called “Unbreakable Me.”,” said Bashford “We love her in Riverview and there are signs up everywhere to vote for her.”

Inside the school football stadium the “Idol” producers energized the crowd with a Jena chant. Oakland County Executive Brooks Patterson predicted Irene will be the next American Idol, calling it a “slam dunk.”

A massive scream erupted and Jena appeared on stage, asking “What’s going on? Before I start my set, I want to thank you so, so much. I’m going to try and win this for you.”

North Farmington HIgh School voted on what song she perform and Irene cut loose with “Creep” by Radiohead. In the front row Katelyn Perrett cheered her former band-member from the teen group “Infinity Hour.”

“The girl I wrote songs with in my basement and made fortune cookies with is now on national TV. It’s insane. I’m so excited for her.” said Perrett.

Irene performed “I can’t help falling in love with you,” by Elvis,” Decode” by Paramore and an original song, “Unbreakable Me.” A sea of cell phone recorded the concert.

Irene left the stage with thunderous applause, a key to the City of Farmington Hills and an official day declared in her honor.

A viewing party will be held at the Maple Theater in Birmingham on Wednesday, May 14. Supporters gathered that night will hope to see another incredible performance that will move Irene into the final two, leading into the season finale May 21.

Oakland County’s Jena Irene makes the “Idol” top three

AMERICAN IDOL XIII: Top Three: L-R: Alex Preston, Jena Irene and Caleb Johnson. CR: Michael Becker / FOX. Copyright 2014 / FOX. 

By Nancy McCauley Branstetter, Special to The Oakland Press

POSTED: 05/09/14, 8:31 AM EDT | UPDATED: 47 SECS AGO

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Jena Irene of Farmington Hills is one giant leap closer to her dream of becoming the next “American Idol.” After three strong performances this week, viewers voted Irene into the elite final three of the competition.

The honor comes with a homecoming flight on a private jet, a parade and concert.

Jessica Meuse of Slapout, Ala., received the fewest number of votes from viewers of the Fox show, and left the competition Thursday night.

This week’s theme, break-ups and make-ups, allowed Irene to select two songs she performed as lead singer of her teen band, Infinity Hour.

Before unleashing her deep, powerful vocals on Pat Benatar’s “Heartbreaker,” Irene shared the story of her first heartbreak at age 14. Confiding in a video played on Wednesday’s performance night, Irene, who turns 18 in July, said she thought she “would never get over” a boy who dumped her after returning from camp. The judges gave high marks for her performance, but urged her to find a way to move on stage to support the energy she unleashes with her voice.

She came back with a second break-up song, Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance,” with green laser lights shooting across the stage.

“You are a force to be reckoned with,” judge Jennifer Lopez said. “You and Caleb (Johnson) go toe to toe with the big songs.” Saying the words Irene hoped to hear, Lopez added, “You can take it.”

Dedicating her final performance to her mother for Mother’s Day, Irene chose Elvis’ “I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You.” Accompanying herself on the piano, she made the song her own, earning a standing ovation from Lopez and judge Keith Urban, followed by a kiss from Lopez — a first for any contestant this season.

“I was so moved, and I am so glad I was here to witness this moment,” said Lopez. Urban and Connick Jr. called the performance “incredible’ and “spell binding.”

Irene’s “Idol” survival philosophy has been to concentrate on the moment and her week to week performances. Now, with the finale less than two weeks away, she is allowing herself to imagine the season finale, May 21.

“I would be so incredibly happy to be competing on that show,” she said in an interview with The Oakland Press.

You may see Irene around the area as she makes a special trip home on Saturday, May 10, to introduce “Idol” viewers to her hometown. She will visit Hercules Coney Island at 12 Mile and Farmington roads, where Irene worked as a waitress, enjoy a parade in her honor and a concert at North Farmington High School. She is also looking forward to seeing her friends, especially former “Idol”contestant Malaya Watson of Southfield, who was previously eliminated but will tour with the other members of the Top 13 in this year’s competition.

Milford theater performs ‘Charlie Brown’ play

Students and adults in the Huron Valley Community Theater in Milford will perform "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" during Mother's Day weekend. Photo by Ken Jacobsen Nature Photos Online 

POSTED: 05/02/14, 12:53 PM EDT | UPDATED: 1 DAY AGO

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IF YOU GO

The adult cast will perform “You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown” at 7 p.m. May 9 and 3 p.m. May 10. The student cast will perform at 7 p.m. May 10 and 3 p.m. May 11. Milford High School Little Theatre is located at 2380 S. Milford Road. Visit hvcommunitytheater.org for more information and to purchase tickets.

Huron Valley Community Theater will present “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” on Mother’s Day weekend.

The Peanuts Gang will bring their famous humor and music to the Little Theater at Milford High School. Through brief vignettes, Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Sally, Pig Pen, Snoopy and the others will take the audience inside the shy, anxious world of the beloved Charlie Brown. Co-directors Nancy McCauley Branstetter and Linda Foran have a twist for audiences.

“There will be not one, but two casts for this production,” said Foran. “We will have an adult and a children’s cast and they will alternate performances. We hope the community will join us as we relive some wonder moments created by Charles Schultz.”

The show is a collection of some of the Peanuts Gang’s favorite songs and moments. The character Lucy will share her wisdom, Schroeder his musical genius and Charlie Brown will attempt to fly a kite, win a baseball game and even speak to his dream date, the Little Red-Haired Girl.

—Submitted by Nancy Branstetter

West Bloomfield ‘Idol’ reflects on experience and the future

By Nancy McCauley Branstetter, Special to The Oakland Press

POSTED: 05/03/14, 12:31 PM EDT |

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Sam Woolf has become a well-known name and brand among American Idol fans. His all-American good looks earned him the title of the ‘Cutest Idol Ever’ and his fans declared themselves the ‘Woolfpack’. The producers at “American Idol” took note of the echoing screams Woolf received each time he stepped on the stage, knowing thousands and thousands of teen girls were glued to the TV screen when their heartthrob performed. Thursday night the Oakland County native received the fewest number of votes and left the show, for now.

Sam Woolf was born in West Bloomfield into a musical family, stretching back several generations. He was a student at the Scotch Elementary School in West Bloomfield, and says he has great memories of Michigan. He moved to Florida in 2006 at the age of nine, and currently lives with his grandparents in Bradenton, Fla. Woolf is a senior at Bradenton River High School, where students have been actively supporting his campaign to become the next “American Idol”. In an exit interview on Thursday, Woolf said he hopes to attend his high school graduation, but will miss the prom on May 17 because he will be California rehearsing for the program finale, May 21.

The folks at “American Idol” did everything possible to keep Sam Woolf on the show. A few weeks ago, Woof received the lowest number of votes, but the judges used their one “save” of the season, to keep him in the competition. Last night in an “Idol” first, the five finalists were presented with what would have been another lifeline, although they did now know who was destined to go home. The finalists had to all agree to keep everyone on the program this week, but two contestants would leave after the results show next Thursday. The vote was split, 3-yes and 2-no.

“We all huddled to talk it over,” said Woolf. “At first we all said, let’s do this, but then some said it was best to keep things as they are, because two people leaving next week would be hard. We didn’t know who would be going home this week, but it is probably better not having it like that.”

He says he doesn’t know how the other contestants voted, but confided that he thought he might be the low vote-getter this week because of his performance Wednesday night of a song chosen for him by “Idol” fans. The song “It’s Time” called for a falsetto, which he didn’t attempt.

Reflecting on his “idol” experience, Woolf was clear that he is not comfortable with the “heartthrob” title he was given.

“I would not place myself in the category, and it made me uncomfortable sometimes,” said Woolf. “It is not who I really am. I am not a heartthrob. I was just a singer/songwriter when I came on and didn’t really think I fell into the heartthrob category until later, when they placed me in it. I was accepted to Berklee (College of Music in Boston) and will attend in September.”

When asked if Woolf thought he could win the competition, he said that he kept his focus week to week, and when he was almost voted off the show it was a wake up call for him. He is grateful that the judges “save” kept him on the program for another few weeks.

Woolf raved about the “American Idol” experience, saying the best part was becoming close friends with the other contestant, especially Alex Preston, Caleb Johnson and Jena Irene. He is headed to Florida for a few days, but will be back soon to prepare for the show’s finale, and is looking forward to the “Idol” tour this summer.

Jena Irene of Farmington Hills makes it to ‘Idol’ final four; West Bloomfield native voted off

Alex Preston, Jena Irene and Sam Woolf teamed up to perform "Best Day Of My Life" by American Authors. Photo credit: "American Idol" 

By Nancy McCauley Branstetter, Special to The Oakland Press

POSTED: 05/02/14, 11:57 AM EDT | UPDATED: 36 SECS AGO

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America selected the songs for the “Idols” this week, and Jena Irene of Farmington Hills performed her way into the final four in the “American Idol” competition.

Sam Woolf, who was raised in West Bloomfield, but now lives in Bradenton, Fla, received the fewest number of votes and left the program.

In an “Idol” program twist, the five finalists were given an opportunity to keep all contestants safe this week and send two people home next week, but the vote had to be unanimous. The vote was split, 3 to 2, which appeared to shock the judges. Woolf sang one last time for America, and his photo went dark.

As the program heads toward the May 21 finale when a new “American Idol” is named, the contenders are being asked to do more. This week each finalist performed three songs, two chosen by fans across America and a third for fun, sung with fellow contestants. The five remaining singers welcomed sage advice from their coach of the week, singer Jason Mraz, who told Irene “she sparkles like a toothpaste commercial.” Mraz urged Irene to look up and engage the audience with her eyes and have a good time. She took his advice, and the eyes have it.

Working the stage as she sang “My Body” by Young the Giant, Irene connected with the audience, touching hands and unleashing her huge voice. Judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr. approved, offering praise.

“Your style is emerging,” said Lopez. “You have signature moves that will define you as an artist.”

Keith Urban called the performance “killer” and Connick Jr. added that she looked like she’s having fun, unlike some of the other contestants.

Irene’s second song “Valerie” by Amy Winehouse, also chosen by fans, had the judges rocking in their seats. However, Lopez said that it was not Irene’s best performance because the song did not fit her style. Urban disagreed saying her vocals fit the song. Connick Jr. liked the performance, but was focused on her future stage name. Irene said she will be known as simply, “Jena.”

This week, the show producer wove extra performances into the two-hour program on Wednesday night. Showcasing a trio of contenders, Sam Woolf, Alex Preston and Jena Irene, the audience was on its feet, clapping and screaming approval for “Best Day Of My Life” by American Authors. Although the judges did not comment on any of the joint performances, all three wildly applauded with Lopez and Urban standing after the performance. Irene appeared to be the most comfortable on stage, smiling and taking command of the song.

In order to vote for Jena Irene call 1-855-4-IDOL-08 or vote online at www.americanidol.com/vote.