Melinda – I Believe In You And Me – Whitney Houston
(Randy’s choice)

What can I say...This girl should win this. It was flawless and it gave me gooseys!! Randy said “I thought if you could do this song, you should get the grand prize. That was hot, you did it!” Both Simon and Paula agreed it was her best performance to date. Simon said “round one goes to Melinda!” I AGREE, GO GIRL!

Jordin – She Works Hard For The Money – Donna Summer
(Producers choice)

This performance was more subdued and less charismatic than the first, but the vocal was still good. I did think it was a bit boring though. The judges had nothing terrible to say, but they weren't blown away either. All in all a bit wet!

Blake – This Love  –  Maroon 5
(Producers choice)

I'm expecting this to be good and I’m not disappointed. Every time Blake gets songs that he can play with like this, he brings it home and (no surprise) he does tonight! He has great control of the tone of his voice and just the little smidge of beatboxing perfectly topped it off. The judges agree. Paula says he is totally in his element and Simon said he preferred this performance to his others.
Looking good Blake!

Melinda – Nutbush City Limits – Tina Turner
(Producers choice)

The judges have spent all their time over the past 12 weeks comparing Melinda to a young Tina Turner. She didn’t let them down… It was nothing short of fantastic! She had the attitude, the grit and in homage to Tina she even gave a lil wiggle and a hair flick or two! Go on Mel... Bring it home! ALL the judges agreed that it was brilliant, Randy went so far as to say, two rounds to Melinda.  

Jordin – I Who Have Nothing  (Jordin’s choice)

It’s just my opinion but I thought this was mesmerising. I loved it. Spot on control, virtually pitch perfect, sincere and heartfelt. Well done missus! You could have just walked into the final…
Randy said it was her best performance; Paula loved how it built, but Simon didn’t love it as much because it was too old for her.

Blake – When I Get You Alone - (Blake’s Choice)

I didn’t like this song choice at all! It was static, tedious and I just didn’t know it. Every year it happens, don't choose a song that voters don't know! Especially when you wanna reach the final. I would hate to think that Blake would go out because of a poor selection. His other two songs could put him through. Randy said it was “cool,” but he thought the other choice was better. Surprisingly, Simon loved it. “That is what I like about you, your original and you take risks.” Ok Simon, whatever!

Melinda – I’m A Woman (W.O.M.A.N) – (Melinda’s Choice)

As soon as the blues riff starts, I know this is gonna be s**t hot! (Pardon the french, but she's ace!)
What more can I say, I loved it - perfect for Melinda. If this girl doesn’t make the final after Lakisha went last week, it’s a travesty! She rocks! Paula and Randy agree, "you relish the spotlight, you're a star!" Simon said “If  I’m gonna award a place in the final to the person who has consistently delivered it’s you!” The audience can’t stop applauding!

Ryan asks the judges the million dollar question…
Who should go through to the final? Randy thinks it will be the two girls, “if it’s based on singing.”
Paula sits on the fence and won’t choose (no surprise there) and Simon, well he just wants his Melinda! Bless x

The votes are in…
Ok guys, last week I said the world had gone mad…

Well I stand corrected!
Melinda Dolittle is out of American Idol.
This is madness! I can’t believe it!

This has to be one of those times when people haven't voted because they think she'll walk it. It has to be!

Talk about a travesty, what are you thinking America?
It was bad enough last week when Lakisha went!
Please tell me, what's this about? Don’t get me wrong the other guys are great artists but I just don’t think they hold a candle to ‘The Dreamgirls!’

Does the public think that Lakisha and Melinda will get record contracts anyway? Do they think they will both do a Jennifer Hudson and poke Idol in the eye? What is it? If nothing else this proves that Idol should have a judging system like The X factor. The public should vote on the final two and then the judges choose who leaves. This is not right. (Rant over!)

So anyway... Blake Lewis and Jordin Sparks will battle it out in the final and I honestly have no idea how they got there. I would have bet my house on Melinda or Lakisha making the final, but we shall have to see who the American public choose as their winner…

It won’t be the winner I wanted…will it be yours?
Either way you know it’s gonna be a great show!
I can't wait to see how they both perform the song they have to release! As artists they are SOOO Different! 

So...decision time!
If I have to pick one, I think I'll go for.....Blake.
I think it's time another guy won.

Join me next week Friday for the grand finale!

Selena Ledgerton Cooper
MSN Reality TV Blogger