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.”
No comments:
Post a Comment