Top Three Choose Their Own Songs On 'Duets'
Since the season began back in May, the superstars--Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Nettles, John Legend and Robin Thicke--have been choosing the songs for their partners. Last night though, the top three got to choose their own song that showed off their style in hopes of winning over America and taking home the top prize on next week’s finale.
But first fans had to say goodbye to Bridget Carrington, who brought a touch of class to Nat King Cole’s “Unforgettable” on last week's episode. With this show, there isn’t much time to mourn before they’re breaking into song. Especially since this was all three contestants last shot to impress America.
After a short commercial break, J Rome and Jennifer were singing The Script’s “Breakeven.” Though at first it seemed like an odd choice for J Rome, who had taken on Usher and Whitney Houston in previous weeks, he managed to show another side of his voice and again prove why he’s been in the top every week. Kelly, wearing her grandma slippers under her floor length gown, thanks to a bum foot, thought going outside the box worked perfectly for the talented singer. And John commented on the chemistry, which the two seemed to have right from the get-go, making us believe they're in love one week and at each other's throats the next.
Then it was Jason’s turn, who has certainly become the dark horse in the competition. Since fighting his way out of the bottom, he has managed to woo the crowd and show why Kelly picked him in the first place. Their take on Billy Paul's “Me and Mrs. Jones,” which helped save Jason in a recent a cappella challenge, was steamy and sultry. Though not all the superstars agreed. Robin felt Jason lacked a certain naughtiness or passion when it came to singing a song which is about an extramarital affair. And more importantly because he's able to sing it with the beautiful Ms. Kelly Clarkson. Jennifer, on the other hand, said he was a “yummy little soul singer in a skinny little Filipino body,” and understood why all the teenage girls were after them. But Kelly knows it isn’t just the teens that are voting for her man Jason, “I’m 30 years old and he rocked my world!”
John Glosson always brings the class and this night was no different. With Jennifer he took on “The Prayer” a vocal obstacle course originally sung by two of the strongest vocalists: Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion. Going a little bilingual—John had Jennifer take the Italian verses—the two showed their range and proved why Robin calls John, “Georgia Bocelli.” Though Robin noticed a little pitchiness, Kelly said she was so hypnotized by his voice, she hadn’t even noticed. “And I’m picky about that stuff,” she said.
Along with getting to choose their duet song, the contestants also chose a solo that them a chance to show what kind of artist they would like to be.
Though John Glosson said he would like to have a career like Michael Bublé’s, he went a little country for his pitch perfect performance of “Bless the Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts. Jennifer, who showed off her baby bump, even noted that she felt like a stage mom, singing along and giving the thumbs up as she watched both her partners onstage.
J Rome went back to his soul roots for Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered.” The singer seemed to own the stage, even throwing in a few fierce dance moves at the end.
John did his best Bruno Mars impression on “Runaway Baby,” which was full of sass and attitude that showed he was a lot edgier than the nice boy next door we saw in the beginning of the competition.
Next week on the finale, the big winner of season one is revealed.
Which J do you think deserves to be number one? Or an even better question, are you Team KC or Team Jennifer?
-Shannon Carlin, CBS Local
