Country singer Randy Travis, who was this week’s guest mentor, said during performance night about the Top 11 group: “Probably as strong a group in the years that I have been watching ‘American Idol’.” Personally this year’s finalists are the best ones yet. However, someone will be eliminated, talented or not. So who got eliminated? WATCH THE AMERICAN IDOL VIDEOS HERE!
Grand Ole Opry = Country Music — can you imagine flamboyant Adam Lambert singing a country song?? LOL! For sure country lovin’ American Idol contestants are excited about this week while the R&B singers and rockers are dreading it. For this week, Randy Travis was on hand to offer advice to the singers, and most of them were star-struck about having a one-on-one with him. I WOULD BE! 
Here are the Idol performances:
-Michael Sarver sang “Ain’t Goin’ Down Til the Sun Comes Up” and did a pretty good job with it.
-Allison Iraheta sang “Blame It On Your Heart” — Paula Abdul called it a rock-solid performance.
-Kris Allen sang “To Make You Feel My Love” and miraculously, Simon Cowell said it was “terrific,” a good song choice.
-Lil Rounds sang “Independence Day” from Martina McBride and Randy Jackson said it didn’t feel comfortable to him.
-Adam Lambert gave a unique take on “Ring of Fire” and Kara DioGuardi said the version was a little strange, but she liked it because she got the drama and the “eyes.”
-Scott Macintyre sang “Wild Angels” which impressed Paula, though she wondered if he was using the piano as a crutch.
-Alexis Grace sang “Jolene” and Randy said it was a little pitchy and not a great performance.
-Danny Gokey sang “Jesus Take the Wheel” to which Kara said he came out of his shell in the second half.
-Anoop Desai sang “Always On My Mind” and Simon he went from zero to hero, adding that it’s one of his favorite performances of the night.
-Megan Joy Corkrey sang “Walkin’ After Midnight” and it was awesome though she had a flu! WOW!
-Matt Giraud sang “So Small” and played the piano while singing to which Kara called it amazing,
Ever wondered what’s the huge tattoo on her arm is all about? According to Megan Corkrey, “It is a castle and there is a night sky above it. In the stained glass — and it is my fairy tale — there is a king and a queen. That is me and who knows. Then there is a fairy godmother, my mom; a wizard, my brother; and a prince, my son. Also there are roses growing up the castle.” Aside from it, the American Idol Top 11 finalist has 6 other tattoos. Megan Corkrey’s other tattoos include her son’s name on her wrist; two stars on her back that represent her and her mom; her middle name ‘Joy’ on her hip; and a jumble of things she loves on both of her feet. Wow, that’s a lot! And here’s another tidbit: her arm fairytale tattoo isn’t finish yet! So, Megan Corkrey, should we expect it to envelope your hand too?
He may be affable and looks very approachable, but the Indian-American finalist of American Idol is more than just a friendly face. Beneath Anoop Desai’s cheerful appeal lies a heartbreaking story that prompted him to pursue singing after college. After making it into the finals last week, Anoop Desai, a recent graduate of the University of North Carolina, revealed his reason for being on the show. He announced to millions of American Idol viewers, “It’s been a tough day. We’re all thinking of Eve, and I love you, Chapel Hill.” Anoop Desai was referring to Eve Carson, the student body president of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, who was kidnapped and murdered last March.
Apparently, Eve and Anoop were close friends. She encouraged him to pursue his musical talents and to try out for American Idol. In a conference call interview with reporters last week, Noop Dawg (as he is fondly called) talked about how he thinks of Eve Carson every time he performs on the show. He shared, “When we graduated in May, they passed out to the entire senior class these big buttons that just say ‘Eve’ in Carolina blue letters on them. The buttons are black, and I carry that in my pocket every time I go onstage or go on to a results show just to remind myself that I’m doing it for her.”
To be booted off American Idol is definitely heartbreaking. To being one of the first to be eliminated is doubly so. But Jorge Nuñez — the dancing “divo” from Carolina, Puerto Rico — is taking it in stride. He had an interview with Entertainment Weekly to talk about how he’s feeling after being eliminated, about missing the American Idol tour, and his message to his fans. Read Jorge’s interview below:
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: How are you feeling about how everything went down last night?
JORGE NUÑEZ: I feel very happy, and I feel very fulfilled. And I feel that this is just the start of what’s gonna be even bigger later.
EW: Tell me about choosing the song, ”Never Can Say Goodbye.” Looking back, do you think that was a good choice? The judges suggested that you should have done ”She’s Out of My Life.”
JORGE NUÑEZ: They told me that, but the thing is, I’m not very familiar. I know stuff from Michael Jackson, but they’re upbeat, fast songs. They’re the kind of songs that are visual. For example, no one’s gonna do ”Thriller.” Those are the songs of his that I know — the really famous ones, the ones that are really, really upbeat. I’m not familiar with his ballad repertoire. It was kind of hard, and in the end, everyone knows Jackson 5. I felt comfortable with the song, and I thought, You know what? I’m gonna have fun tonight. I just wanna have fun on this stage, and I did have fun.
Are you disappointed that you didn’t make the tour?
I am disappointed that I’m not gonna make the tour, but maybe when they’re on the tour I’ll be doing something else. You never know.
How cool is it that they were fans?
That’s amazing. It’s weird, though, because they know me and I don’t know them. It’s like, why can’t I know you first? But it’s cool, even though, because when I meet them it’s going to be even better.
Is there anything you want to say to your fans?
I’d like to say something to a group of fans called ”The Boricua.” They sent me balloons and a scrapbook, and they were so nice to me. I’d like to tell them thank you. If you could do that, you’d be my hero!
..and the first contestants to be axed were revealed! What a full pack episode it was last night eh? But first, the twists: the producers have decided to introduce the Judges Save, a new rule that allows the panel to save one contestant from elimination. The stipulations: the Save may be invoked only once until the top 5; the decision must be unanimous among the judges; and the week the Save is used, nobody goes home, but two are sent packing the next week. Simon Cowell explained that Judges Save is intended to ensure the strongest remain in American Idol. As for the contestants who got eliminated, watch the videos BELOW — click here!
Missed last night’s awesome episode?? Don’t fret! We’ve compiled the best performances of the American Idol’s 13 finalists below. Of course, by “best”, we meant the four judges’ opinions on the performance =) Anyway, for the videos, CLICK HERE!