<p>I can’t give you an exact answer to that. She was awful the first couple of weeks, but I’ll admit she has made better choices. I think she tries too hard when she sings, I don’t like her stage presence, she comes off as a little bratty. I just don’t like her. Obviously, this is my impression of her and she may be a lovely girl. I agree her voice does not match her looks. I heard an interview on the radio with Stefano yesterday and he seemed like a nice kid. There was something going on between he and Haley that was brief but he said that there wasn’t anything between Haley & Casey. Obviously, there IS something by the way he looked at her. Once again, this is just my impression, but Casey seems like a really nice guy that she would use and walk all over.</p>
<p>She has been uneven throughout the competition–sometimes her song choice is off (doesn’t showcase her talent or just plain doesn’t appeal to many people); last week, her performance within the same song was uneven (the beginning was weak, but the end was very strong). </p>
<p>We’re coming down to crunch time where a mistake in song selection or inability to sustain intensity throughout a performance could spell doom.</p>
<p>Haley does have a great look! Maybe she should be Gwen Stefani’s stylist–heaven knows, that girl needs someone!</p>
<p>Judges were right in that James has been consistently good throughout the competition.</p>
<p>I have watched every AI season except season 1 religiously. Never have I been so disappointed in the performers as this year. The only one I like is James. (of who is left). I also find that not only do I not like the remaining contestants VOICES but I can’t stand their personalities! Yikes! If it wasn’t for James, I would probably skip the performances and just tune in for the last 5 minutes of the results show. </p>
<p>To me, the quality of the performers and their maturity and “stage ready” aspects are hugely lacking. I see no “stars” here.</p>
<p>Boo, I can’t believe Casey went before Jacob and Haley. Casey has ten times the talent, charisma and stage presence of both combined. Because he is not totally consistent, and even occasionally hit an off note, I never imagined he’d make it all the way, but he was easily my favorite performer. The genre may have something to do with that, but so does his ability as an entertainer. I never thought about the performance - with him I just felt like a part of it. </p>
<p>I never cared for Haley or her voice. I agree there is a disconnect, but I think it’s more to do with her timing and her moves. There are too many misplaced, mistimed growls , for one thing. Jacob should have been long gone, too. He had potential, but never got it all together.</p>
<p>James and Scotty are both talented, but I wouldn’t spend money to see either one in concert. Neither are my cup of tea in terms of musical taste. Each has niche appeal, but James is the best performer of the entire crew and probably deserves to win.</p>
<p>This may sound ridiculous but I have commented to DH several times during Haley’s performances that she smiles TOO much. She has that 100 watt smile going almost all the time even when the song she’s singing might call for a more serious face.</p>
<p>Why are we judging Haley’s appearance while no one said a word about the men’s ? Appearance wise, she is the best looking of the remaining bunch.</p>
<p>I don’t understand the love here for Scotty. He gives me the creeps (voice and looks) and I can’t wait for him to get booted off.</p>
<p>I’m not judging Haley’s appearance! In fact, I think she’s appealing to look at most of the time. But I find her voice inconsistent and have liked almost none of her performances, exception being that early duet with Casey.</p>
<p>And, cbreeze, probably not worth the time to research this thread… but our criticisms of Casey’s look are legion, along with criticisms of Jacob’s wardrobe choices, Stefano’s under-dressing… I could go on.</p>
<p>I’d bet my bottom dollar that that the last two standing will be James and Scotty, and that Scotty will win easily. His demographic is the one that typically votes–tween girls, grandmas, southerners. Scotty’s genre is not my cup of tea, and James sounds like a thousand other bar band lead singers, so I don’t even know if I’ll watch the finale. But Idol totally lost me this year by hiring new judges who don’t judge. Apparently J-lo thinks her job is to look pretty, while Tyler makes Randy sound lucid. Without real critiques, none of the contestants have been able to perceive their shortcomings and improve.</p>
<p>Haley is DEFINITELY the best put together of the remaining bunch–looks and how she dresses. She looked great on Thursday! I still believe that Casey should have kept trimming his hair and beard…</p>
<p>I agree that Paul and Casey’s goodbye numbers were fabulous…winning smiles and thankful for the experience. Pia–why couldn’t you have exited with some dignity?</p>
<p>I think that you are right about the beard.</p>
<p>We happen to love Haley in this house. I don’t get the negativity towards her either. And I agree that her styles are very flattering.</p>
<p>From the Washington Post blog - " ‘Haley’s problem is she really doesn’t know who she is yet,’ Iovine says. See, our impression of Haley is that she knows exactly who she is, but is struggling to reconcile that with being on “American Idol.” </p>
<p>I agree with this. Jazzy singers like Casey and Haley have to decide whether or not to please the masses. I think that Casey sang to please himself, not the audience, and it cost him. No one in this competition has gotten the praise and breaks he has. I never quite got his appeal - he seemed to have a weak voice at times, and as with Paul - and Rod Stewart for that matter - I tire of quirky voices.</p>
<p>You can see Jacob trying to appeal to everyone, though to me he sounds like a gospel singer trying to be something else. Still, he’s gotten better IMO. They all have!</p>
<p>You mean the song where he was crying? If so, he explained that it reminded him of his wife and child and having to leave them to be on American Idol and how he’s doing all of this to better their lives.</p>
<p>I agree, I loved Haley’s performance! I thought Jacob was just not good. I missed James first song, but his second song did nothing for me, despite his tears. Loved Lauren, Scotty and Haley tonight!</p>
<p>I don’t like James’ kind of music and I don’t really care very much for him. His tears did not touch me–I felt it all a bit over dramatic. Perhaps I’m just cranky tonight. I loved Scotty and Haley and am actually voting for Haley (and I never vote) because I think Jacob should go home before she does.</p>
<p>So the judges agree that James was sharp AND flat (quite an accomplishment), but he squeezed out some crocodile tears, so it’s all good. Oh how I miss Simon! He would have eviscerated James for that performance (as well as a few other of the Idols), and at least that part of the show would have been entertaining.</p>
I loved Scotty and Haley and am actually voting for Haley (and I never vote) because I think Jacob should go home before she does.</p>