Austin360 blogs > TV Blog > Archives > 2009 > March > 04 > Entry
Austin “Idol” crooner Kendall Beard: Will she make it to Top 12?
Lufkin-born Austin resident Kendall Beard sounded pretty good on last night’s “American Idol,” didn’t she?
Wearing a yellow bubble dress, Kendall, 24, nailed Martina McBride’s “This One’s for the Girls.” At least I thought she nailed it.
Judge Kara DioGuardi said the country crooner had “issues with the notes,” but added that her “big personality” may have made up for any vocal flaws.
Simon Cowell told Kendall she was “cute” but conceded he “couldn’t wait for it (the song) to end.” Even Randy Jackson, a self-professed country music fan, wondered if her alleged shaky vocals were due to nerves.
But Paula Abdul, who leans toward praise for everyone, pronounced Kendall “adorable” and gave her props for fine fashion.
The bigger problem the UT grad faces in tonight’s results show (at 7 p.m. on Fox) is that at least four singers performed better — much better.
By far the best of the night was 23-year-old Lil Rounds, who belted ut Mary J. Blige’s “Be Without You.” The judges couldn’t stop heaping praise on her. Grumpy Simon Cowell even dubbed her performance “brilliant.” She was indeed fantastic, and there will be loud booing tonight if she isn’t among the three contestants chosen to move to the Top 12.
The judges also thought highly of Ju’Not Joyner, Jorge Nunez, Felicia Barton and Scott MacIntyre. Some of the comments from the judges, however, veered dangerously toward patronizing.
Paula went on and on about how proud she was that Jorge, a Puerto Rico native, had “overcome” his accent. And the judges also went on just a little too long about Scott’s “triumph over adversity.” The 23-year-old music teacher from Arizona is blind.
Tonight’s episode will reveal the three top vote-getters, but on Thursday, the judges (no doubt guided at least a little by voting totals) will pick three more contestants from the previously rejected contestants in the Top 36.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment Categories: American Idol
Comments
Austinites love to be heard, and we're giving you a bullhorn. We just ask that you keep things civil. Leave out the personal attacks. Do not use profanity, ethnic or racial slurs, or take shots at anyone's sexual orientation or religion. If you can't be nice, we reserve the right to remove your material and ban users who violate our Visitor's agreement. Click here to report comment abuse.
By nancy packard
March 6, 2009 11:50 AM | Link to this
Kendall should have made it. What about all of us millions of country music fans. We got left out!