Katrina Darrell, the American Idol contestant who rose to prominence in 2009 when she auditioned in a bikini and clashed with judge Kara DioGuardi, has been arrested for DUI.
As first reported by TMZ, Darrell was pulled over in Pomona at 12:16 am.m. PST today and allegedly told police she was on her way to a local hospital because her mom – who was sitting shotgun – had fallen down and injured herself.
The police let her go as a result… but she then ran a red light and crashed into another car!
The former Idol hopeful tried to flee the scene, was pulled over again by cops who smelled alcohol on her breath and proceeded to fail a field sobriety test by blowing somewhere between .15 and .17, twice the legal limit in California.
Sources say Darrell was crying throughout the ordeal and released around 6 a.m. from the police station. She may also face charges for the aforementioned hit-and-run.
From left: Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson
Michael Becker/FOX
After two nights of live performances, American Idol‘s top 25 contestants – 12 women and 13 men – got a big reality check on Thursday as they faced their first elimination, which would cut their numbers down to just 13.
For 12 singers the dream of winning Idol would evaporate.
Ryan Seacrest announced that 33 million votes were cast over two days and explained how the dramatic night would unfold: The five guys and five girls who earned the most votes would be declared safe. Then, six singers would take the stage to try and prove themselves to judges Jennifer Lopez, Randy Jackson and Steven Tyler in hopes of getting one of three wild card spots.
So who’s in and who’s out? Keep reading for results:
The Top 10
1. Phillip Phillips
2. Jessica Sanchez
3. Hollie Cavanagh
4. Joshua Ledet
5. Heejun Han
6. Shannon Magrane
7. Skylar Laine
8. Elise Testone
9. Colton Dixon
10. Jermaine Jones
And for the wild card spots, the judges first called Jennifer Hirsh, who sang “Oh! Darlin’.” “You went for the gusto,” Randy told her. “It was a good performance.”
Jeremy Rosado was next – and he sang “I Know You Won’t” by Carrie Underwood, fighting off tears. “I believe in this kid. I believe in ‘Jer Bear’,” Jennifer told him.
Brielle Von Hugel put her heart into “Someone Like You” by Adele but the judges weren’t impressed. “Brielle may be in a little bit of trouble,” Randy said. “That wasn’t great.”
Deandre Brackensick sang “Georgia On My Mind,” and Jennifer appreciated his effort. “I’m feeling the fire from you,” she said. “You should sing like that every single time you get up there.”
Erika Van Pelt took on Lady Gaga‘s “Edge of Glory,” and the crowd went wild. “Out of the park, baby, out of the park!” Steven screamed.
And the last one to get another chance was Reed Grimm, who performed “Use Me” by Bill Withers. “You’re probably one of the most different artists we’ve had on the show,” Randy told him.
In the final minutes of the two-hour show, the judges revealed their picks for the three remaining spots in season 11′s top 13. And they were Erika, Deandre and Jeremy, who fell to the floor in tears before rushing to the judges’ panel for hugs.
American Idol returns Wednesday, when the contestants pay tribute toWhitney Houston.
DeAndre Brackensick. The judges are clearly enamored with the prospects of this California teen, who was raised singing Hawaiian pop, but the falsetto he favors seems to polarize viewers/voters.
Hollie Cavanagh. Rarely seen until this week, this British-born Texas teen got enough votes to make the Top 10, but she’s a true wild card. Her performance of Christina Aguilera’sReflection suggests things could go either way for her.
Colton Dixon. You’d have a hard time creating a contestant that could appeal to the Idol voting demographic on more levels than this Tennessean, who was eliminated just before semifinals last season.
Heejun Han. He’s not a bad singer, but his presence in the finals is as much a testament to his deadpan humor and offbeat tweets as it is to his onstage performances.
Jermaine Jones. This deep-voiced “gentle giant” got called back to the show as a ratings stunt, so it’s hard not to see his inclusion as a sympathy vote. He’ll have to show a lot more to get much farther.
Skylar Laine. A rollicking semifinals performance of The Faces’ 1971 rock hit Stay With Me vaulted this spunky Mississippi teen to the front of the pack of this season’s country-singing contenders.
Joshua Ledet.Idol has seen its share of smooth-voiced R&B crooners, but very few singers from the gospel shouter tradition. Ledet has the potential to be one of the season’s most dynamic performers.
Shannon Magrane. The 6-foot-tall daughter of a former major-league pitcher displays a poise beyond her years. Her performance of a contemporary Christian song may have helped her lock in a large, dedicated segment of Idol voters.
Phillip Phillips. An early favorite because of the way he turns songs inside out to suit his Dave Matthews-inspired style. Smart song choices and creative interpretations could take him deep into the finals.
Jeremy Rosado. Nice guys don’t finish last on Idol, and they don’t come much nicer than Rosado. He’ll have a hard time winning, but many tears will be shed when he leaves.
Jessica Sanchez. This 16-year-old delivered a stunning performance of Jennifer Hudson’s Love You I Do after a week of vocal problems and voice rest. Who knows what she’s capable of when she’s healthy?
Elise Testone. At 28, Testone has as much professional polish as anybody in the competition. Her self-assured, show-closing Adele cover immediately vaulted her to the front of the pack for the women.
Erika Van Pelt. This DJ comes with a confidence and a rich, deep alto that makes her a nice alternative to the less-experienced singers who want to live in the stratosphere.
E Online!: American Idol Top 12 Girls Sing: Who’s a Star? Plus, Randy Admits to Being “Lenient” on the Guys
Ryan Seacrestmay have introduced Steven Tyler tonight as “controversial,” but he most likely was referring to something other than Tyler’s judging M.O.
The worst the American Idol panel could say about any of the top 13 guys last night was that, maybe, he wasn’t perfect. MaybeEben Franckewicz hit a few bum notes, maybeHeejun Han didn’t choose the right song, etc.
Did they turn up the heat at all on the top 12 girls?
What do you think?
“Yo, a singing deejay, when have you heard of that? I love it!” Randy Jackson said for no good reason in response to a powerful but pretty unspecial performance of Heart‘s “What About Love” by Erika Van Pelt.
Jackson and his fellow judges had a few criticisms here and there—maybe even some constructive ones at that—but every critique was capped off with an encouraging remark about “next time” or “we know you can sing.”
Or “good lookin’ out,” as Jackson told Jen Hirsh.
Kinda muddles the process, don’t you think? Simon Cowellmust be turning over in his La-Z-Boy!
Actually, when Ryan asked Randy part-way through the evening how the ladies were stacking up against the guys, Randy admitted that, after watching the show over again last night, he felt they may have been “a little lenient, a little soft on some of the boys last night. There were some great performances but I think some of them were a little…”
“It was the excitement of the first night!” Jennifer Lopez chimed in.
“I think we gave some passes on some of our judgment,” Randy continued, “but, in order to do well in this…The stakes are going to be high. You guys are going to have to bring it hard every single time.”
As for who really deserved a flood of praise, we were partial to fierce little country girl Skylar Laine, who both sang “Stay With Me” by Faces really well and was fun to watch (she easily won the three-woman country battle with Chelsea Sorrell and Baylie Brown in our book); 16-year-old Shannon Magrane, who gave Jennifer her “first goosies” of the night and made Steven’s “reality check bounce”; and Jessica Sanchez, whose final note on “Love You I Do” from Dreamgirls had all three judges out of their seats.
Baylie, who couldn’t do justice to Lone Star‘s “Amazed,” probably received the overall least-positive critique of the night.
“Wow, Baylie, I’m not sure if that’s the best song you could have picked for tonight. I’ve heard you sing better,” Steven said, adding, almost reluctantly, “But I enjoyed it—and you’re very pretty.”
“I know it’s those nerves, I understand…but it’s got to be solid,” J.Lo leveled with her. “I felt you could have had a better moment. But we’ll see what happens.”
Randy, however, saved his harshest words for Haley Johnson—and rightly so.
“How do I say this? I’m a little stuck,” he began after Haley butchered the Eurythmics‘ “Sweet Dreams.”
“It was a bit of a nightmare for me instead of a dream…It was kind of pitchy all over the place. It’s harder to do Annie Lennox than it sounds. Her intricacies are spot-on and yours weren’t-spot on…I was like, ‘Wow were are we going? I’m a little dizzy.’”
Speaking of dizzy, how did two girls—Jen Hirsch and Elise Testone—both end up singing Adele’s “One and Only”?! Of all the already-perfect tunes to double up on!
Anyway, for the second year in a row, Idol will let 12 contestants go in one fell swoop. The bloodletting takes place tomorrow night.
Who did Adele proud in your book, Jen or Elise? Who’s a shoo-in for top 13 glory, and who do you see leaving tomorrow? Is it finally going go to be a woman’s year, or do the guys have it again? Sound off in the comments!
Ace ShowBiz: ‘American Idol’ Top 12 Girls Performance Recap: Sick Jessica Sanchez Wows the Judges
After the top 13 guys performed on Tuesday, it’s the girls’ turn to take the stage in a Wednesday, February 29 episode of “American Idol“. Chelsea Sorrell kicked it off with “Cowboy Casanova” by Carrie Underwood.
The country girl got some critics from judges with Jennifer Lopez saying the song made her sound nasally. Randy Jackson praised her strong vocals, but did not like her choice of song. Steven Tyler, meanwhile, told her to watch her phrasing and her timing.
Erika Van Pelt came out next with Heart‘s “What About Love”. Though the performance wasn’t stellar, Steven and Randy liked the confidence she showed on stage. J.Lo said, “You are one of our power voices”, but added that the Rhode Island DJ could have done it better.
Jen Hirsch opted to do a cover of Adele‘s “One and Only”. The judges had nothing but praises with J.Lo saying Jen was the first person to really let loose, and Randy gushed, “I think you’re one of the greatest singers in this competition this year.”
Brielle Von Hugel sang “Sittin’ On the Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding, starting the performance by sitting among the top 13 guys. Though she was a bit shaky in the beginning, Steven praised her for having a “great sense of the blues.”
Hallie Day delivered “Feeling Good” by Michael Buble. J.Lo said she has a beautiful voice as well as the looks of a star. Randy and Steven agreed that 24-year-old Maryland girl’s got the voice.
Skylar Laine made an energetic performance of The Faces’ “Stay With Me” without leaving her country root. Steven said, “You’re a pistol. Keep it up.” J.Lo loved her energy and described the performance as “Tina Turner went country.” Randy, meanwhile, said the aspiring singer is “Reba [McEntire] mixed with Kelly Clarkson.”
Baylie Brown delivered a cover of Lonestar‘s “Amazed”, but she failed to amaze the judges. Steven praised her looks but said that he’d heard her sing better, while J.Lo felt that she didn’t seem to have total control. Randy added the performance had a lot of problems.
Hollie Cavanagh showed she has a wide range of vocals by singingChristina Aguilera‘s “Reflection”. J.Lo declared her as one of the frontrunners to be “Idol” winner. Steven and Randy also loved the performance, but the Aerosmith frontman advised her to wear her hair down next time.
Haley Johnsen perhaps made a bad song choice by picking “Sweet Dreams” by Eurythmics. Randy commented it’s “a bit of a nightmare, instead of a dream,” prompting the audience to boo him.
Next up, Shannon Magrane sang “Go Light Your World” by Kathy Trocoli. J.Lo admired the 16-year-old girl’s passion and was impressed by the power of her voice for someone her age.
Despite having swollen vocal chords, Jessica Sanchez nailed it when covering Jennifer Hudson‘s “Love You I Do”. The judges gave her a standing ovation with Randy stating she’s “one of the best of the two nights.” Steven chimed in, “Your voice is perfect, your pitch is perfect.”
Adele’s “One and Only” was once again heard on “Idol” that night whenElise Testone performed, opening it by sitting behind a piano. She was so connected to the song that she almost cried. The judges appreciated that it was bluesy and from the heart, with Randy adding she’s “a force to be reckoned with.”
“American Idol” will return Thursday, March 1 with the announcement of the Top 13 for all male and female contestants.
Entertainment Weekly, PopWatch: ‘American Idol’: Did the Top 12 Girls just wildly outperform the Top 13 Guys?
YES! Yo, yo, yo, yo, yo. I thought tonight’s Top 12 Girls performance show was wayyyyyy better than Tuesday’s Top 12 Guys night. I’m surprised by how much I loved the energy of country-rocker Skylar Laine (pictured). Hollie Cavanagh is relentlessly endearing without even trying and effortlessly killed it by just standing at the mic on Christina Aguilera’s “Reflection.” Two of the ladies — Jen Hirsh and Elise Testone — dared you to let them be your “One and Only” by taking on the same Adele song. I suspect growly powerhouse Elise may have just knocked Jen out — even though Jen has been a favorite for awhile.
My quick Top 5: Elise Testone, Hollie Cavanagh, Skylar Laine, Jessica Sanchez, and Erika Van Pelt — with Hallie Day as the Wild Card. Who were your faves?
Did anyone else think Jennifer Lopez channeled Angelina Jolie tonight?
Angelina J. Lolie? Is that you?
Also, here’s my five-word review of Elise Testone and her hair:
ROOM. SERVICE. FLOWERS. New fave.
Which five girls do you think will (or more importantly, SHOULD) make it through tomorrow night?
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