After hearing a variety of voices featured on Idol this season, as far as I can tell, I think the judges are looking for a well-rounded performer with either a big voice (i.e. Jessica Sanchez & Joshua Ledet from season 11) or someone with a throwback kind of vibe to their voice a la Amy Winehouse or Haley Reinhart (season 10).
"I think Nicki is looking for an artist. I think Mariah is looking for the complete singer/songwriter. Randy is looking for somebody that sings on pitch, and Keith isn't just looking for a country star. Keith is looking for an instrumentalist, a good singer, and somebody that can capture that sort of magic charisma, if you will, and connect with the public. They all have their own agendas," Lythgoe shared.
This week the audience will get a better idea of what the judges are looking for as the first part of the semifinals begins on Wednesday, February 20. Still split up by gender, 10 girls will perform that night and 10 guys will perform the following night, Thursday, February 21.
After each night of performances, the judges will eliminate five singers from each group. This process will repeat the following week on Wednesday, February 27 and Thursday, February 28 and the Top 20 (10 girls, 10 guys) will move onto the second part of the semifinals where the audience gets to have their say during the first voting round of the season.
So let's hear it - what do you think about this season's panel of Idol judges, and what kind of singer do you think they're looking for?
Article comments
1 - Ruth Eddy
Well I think you are right on spot with your views on the judges; I think I am really enjoying Keith Urbin the most. I do however enjoy Randy and I think once the live shows start it will be good, all lthoughsomeone has to play Simon so maybe Randy will. They probably transition Randy to a mentor next year. I enjoyed some of the singers and also not so much.
This was a great article and I really enjoyed it, but, I more interested in the live show competition before I can make any decision regarding he contestants.
2 - jane
i hate the blonde. Whats her name anyway? You r a bitch
3 - runnernflorida
This is absolutely the worst season of American Idol I have watched. With the exception of Keith Urban, the judges are cooked!!! Especially Nicki whatever her name is...she is an insult to this show!!
4 - lasgr
where THE HELL is Simon?
this panel SUCKS - unbelievable.
only Keith saves it this season,
but not really.......
5 - soropop
This has got to be the worst season since the show started, because of the female judges and their bimboness!
6 - rick parks
How could you keep charlie after he didn't even get all the words right and obviously had the worst vocal and get rid of the only experienced contestant much less any of the 5 that were voted off. It shows favortism and it was supposed to be sudden death one song one chance and he wouldn't have even been a good karioki contestant with that vocal. Bad judgement especially that nicki chic and whoever else agreed with that crap! I've been a idol watcher since the beginning and that was the worst screw over of contestants I've ever seen. Not right!