Bowersox shines on ‘Idol’; 3 sink in judges’ eyes

LOS ANGELES — If the “American Idol” judges hold sway over viewers, contestants Katie Stevens, Paige Miles and Katelyn Epperly should be nervous about making it into the top 12.

The three received uniformly negative comments from the judging panel after performing Tuesday night, while the other five female singers all hit high notes.

Stevens’ version of “Breakaway” sounded close to karaoke, Randy Jackson said, while fellow judge Kara DioGuardi suggested that the 17-year-old from Middlebury, Conn., does not know herself as an artist yet.

Epperly, 19, of West Des Moines, Iowa, seemed like she was just “going through the motions” on her version of “I Feel the Earth Move,” DioGuardi said. Cowell compared her performance to request night at a restaurant, but added that he did like her full, curly locks that evoked the song’s composer, Carole King.

Miles, of Houston, sang “Smile” and came in for the harshest drubbing.

Jackson told her the song was “way too big” for her. Ellen DeGeneres said the 24-year-old turned an inspiring song into something sad. DioGuardi added, “They’ve just said it. It was all wrong.”

Miles told the judges that she was overcome by emotion because the song was recorded by a favorite artist, Michael Jackson.

Crystal Bowersox, who took the stage with an electric guitar to belt out Tracy Chapman’s “Give Me One Reason,” drew nothing but bouquets.

“Love that, love you, love the song, love the honesty,” said Jackson.

Simon called the 24-year-old from Toledo, Ohio, “the one everyone has to beat.”

Lilly Scott also earned kudos from the judge for her performance of Patsy Cline’s “I Fall to Pieces,” on which she accompanied herself on a mandolin. But Cowell suggested that her offbeat approach could prove to be a risky one when it comes to viewers and their votes.

Siobhan Magnus, 20, of Marstons Mills, Mass., scored with “House of the Rising Sun” and Lacey Brown, 24, of Amarillo, Texas, did the same with “The Story.”

The eight male semifinalists will perform tonight, with the top six vote-getters from the men’s and women’s groups to be announced Thursday.

On Tuesday’s show, DeGeneres, who has joked about reports she and Cowell are feuding, provided “Idol” with one of its trademark quirky moments: She sat on Cowell’s lap and nuzzled his cheek, making sure the camera caught them.

“Oh, I didn’t know we started. I’m so sorry,” she said, feigning surprise before slipping back into her seat between Jackson and DioGuardi.

“I liked that,” said a smiling Cowell, who has denied any problems between them.

“I think Ellen’s taken,” host Ryan Seacrest informed him, a reference to her wife, actress Portia de Rossi.

On the Net:

www.americanidol.com

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Lynnwood
Lynnwood police: 1 suspect in custody, 1 at large after attempted carjacking

Beverly Elementary School went into a precautionary lockdown Thursday afternoon. Numerous officers continue to search for the second suspect.

Candidates announce campaigns for Everett city council seat

Ryan Crowther, founder of the Everett Music Initiative, will challenge incumbent Paula Rhyne for the District 2 seat.

Lynnwood City Council Vice President Julieta Crosby speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood picks top eight candidates to replace former council VP

The City Council will make its final decision Feb. 20 after interview process.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

The peaks of Mount Pilchuck, left, and Liberty Mountain, right, are covered in snow on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Western Washington’s current winter drought may not last through the season

Even with last week’s snow flurries, there’s no denying this… Continue reading

A view of a homes in Edmonds, Washington on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County to mail property tax statements this month

First half payments are due on April 30.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.