By RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com, originally filed Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Loren Lott, a Clark Atlanta University 2014 graduate, is a top 48 finalist on "Idol" and let's face it, she's a lock for the top 24 given how much time "American Idol" has given her to date.
They gave her solo round performance of Adele's "Skyfall" front and center last Wednesday as a promo following "Empire." She is one of the few "big" voices among the women and that should serve her well when live voting happens. Plus she is incredibly bubbly.
"I knew we only had a minute, not even a full 90 seconds," she said last week in a phone interview. "I needed a moment." She hit her "glory note," as she called it, at the end.
"I wanted to let them know there's more to me every time they see me,' she said.
One thing nobody watching knew is she was suffering from a throat infection and had no idea whether she'd be able to hit any notes, much less that big one. A medic was nearby and she sucked on a lozenge until just moments before she sang. (She slid the lozenge temporarily into her bra while she sang.)
"I was very scared," she said. "It hurt so bad. I was in so much pain, I was in tears. I'm happy I just made it through the song. Every note that came out was a surprise."
When she saw Jennifer Lopez give her a standing ovation and her mom in the audience clapping, she began crying. "Just to know I made her proud made me so emotional and thankful."
She said most of the contestants have been supportive of each other. "There have been a lot of prayer circles," she said. Of course, she admitted bringing 218 people from all over the country meant a nice stew for germs. She wasn't the only one to get sick. Plus, they kept the auditorium ice cold, which was good for equipment, not for the singers.
Loren was seen only momentarily during the earlier group round. "My group had so much fun," she said. "We did 'Pretty Young Thing.' We did this adorable choreography... The judges all said I was the highlight. My confidence was building."
The top 48 each got quick two-minute interviews with the three judges. She said she blurted out a lot of her biography, like how she loves hot wings and Ethiopian food. She knows her big personality can seem a bit much to folks but "it's just what God made me."
Fortunately, when she made it to Los Angeles last week, she was fine. (I know that's a spoiler but clearly, I wouldn't be bothering to talk to her if we weren't going to see her again.)
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Here are some "Idol' advance videos from Hard Rock Cafe set to air tonight and tomorrow. Obviously, if "Idol" is releasing these in advance, they are probably going to the top 24.
Adanna Duru "It's a Man's Man's Man's World." (A song that has probably been done one too many times on "Idol" at this point.)
And Jax tackles Lady Gaga's "You & I."
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Thre is so little "Idol" related news from the past few days, I am noting that a loser auditioner was charged with rape, someone you are unlikely to remember because he tried out in 2011. Thanks New York Post!
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"Reality Check" duo Michael Slezak's favorite is Sarina Joi Crowe and Melinda Doolittle is swooning for Clark Beckham. Melinda also noted "grandpa" Nick Fradiani, who is an ancient 28. They noted the quick disappearance of Jess Lamb and David Oliver Willis. They clearly see the men having an edge this year:
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