AMERICAN IDOL NIGHT 11: TOP 12 WOMEN PERFORM!!

It's go time, baby! Tonight, the women sing and WE decide. This year looks like it's gonna offer a lot of fresh new hotness with the women, and we'll be hearing from them tonight for two solid hours. So strap in, men get your drool bibs, and get ready for the women of American Idol!

(live blogging, please keep refreshing!!)

Seacrest is looking awfully seacresty tonight. I'm with Seacrest on the "no more crying cowboys" and "no more Brittenum twins." The girls are looking great tonight, but what in the world did Paula do to her hair?

Simon says that he hasn't had any criticism for his actions on the show, which is true in the Opposite Universe. The year that he doesn't get criticized for being harsh is the year you should keep your eye on the skyline for the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, and I ain't talkin' about Notre Dame football. Simon claims that people have been attacking Ryan for being obnoxious, by which he means gay. Paula denies being tougher this year, but I don't think that's true. She's actually been a bit tougher this year, though we didn't get to see what she screamed at Rhonetta about. Randy thinks a guy is going to win this year, so I guess they're finally going to start being good. About time they showed up!

Now it's time for a montage of the ladies, which is fine by me. Ayla's got a gun on her as she throws the football. Somebody slap me...I just saw Katharine doing the hula... Kellie gets to cry a lot. ICK, PICKLER! And there's an assortment of shots of them all jumping around and rejoicing.

After the break, we get started!

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Mandisa is my Nashville homegirl! I am just in awe of her. She has such a tremendous voice, and despite Simon's "bigger stage" comment, she is quite beautiful. She's singing "Never" by Heart, which is a really interesting choice, and one of my favorite songs. Carrie did it last year with "Alone"...can Mandisa do it? Of course she can. She sounds great, and now I know what would happen if Ann Wilson and Aretha Franklin would have had a baby together. I enjoyed her performance, it was hot, and I'm definitely about throwing this girl some votes tonight! Randy loves it, despite a few sharp notes. Paula thinks she's the second coming of someone great. Simon thinks it wasn't perfect, but says her personality more than made up for it, and he predicts that she will be in the finale. I can't help but think he might be right. 1 866 IDOLS 01

Kellie Pickler's obnoxiously redneck self gets on-screen and cries and cries. She's no doubt very pretty, but there's just something annoying about it. Kellie is going to sing Martina McBride's "How Far," and dedicating it to her dad. Martina...hmmm...good Carrie-clone choice, and not the way to distance herself that she might have been looking for. She's not got the depth of Martina's voice, and she's reaching for the high notes. She almost runs out of gas on the really high ones. Her tone is MUCH too nasal. She does Carrie's knee-bend squatty singing. Oooh, she really missed a note during the last verse. That was painful. Randy says it's sort of a half-baked performance. One can tell that Paula didn't really like it because she dances all around the subject and blames song selection. Simon thinks the end was a mess, but he invokes the likability aspect, which means he didn't like it, and is just pimping her at this point. No votes for Ick, Pickler. Somebody needs to push her shut-up button while she's rambling to Seacrest. She said "Pick Pickler" again which makes me want to vote in negative numbers for her. 1 866 IDOLS 02

After the break, it's time for much hotness...

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Becky O'Donohue is giggly and quite beautiful. I have to admit that her initial audition wasn't all that great, so I'm not sure what to expect tonight. She'll be singing "Because the Night" by 10,000 Maniacs. Interesting selection. She's got a deeper huskier voice that comes from somewhere down in her toes. She's dragging it a bit. I'm not at all impressed with the refrain of the song. She sounds like she's over-reaching a bit. If I'm being honest, she sounds a lot like Lindsey Cardinale, last year's major hottie, but that's not good, because Lindsey got eliminated a bit early. Becky's stage presence is there, but her notes are all over the place. Randy likes her whole package, which is 90 percent look and 10 percent voice. Paula didn't really like it and says the notes were off. Simon celebrates a breakthrough with Paula. Simon thought it was better than expected, she's a visual 10, but a vocal 6.5 and he thinks she's going to fall to better contestants. Not the best contestant and not many votes from me. Better than Ick Pickler. 1 866 IDOLS 03

After the break, more singing and stuff...

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We're back, and Ayla Brown is taller than I expected. Then again, Seacrest is a bit short. Ayla looks nice tonight, and as always she carries herself with class. She will be singing Christina Aguilera's "Reflection," which doesn't bode well, since I absolutely hate that song. I have to admit though, the first few notes gave me goose bumps! Her voice is the strongest one we've heard tonight so far. She is hitting the vast majority of her notes spot-on, though she had trouble with one run. I like it! I love it! I want some more of it! Randy thinks she pulled it off well and compliments on her falsetto. Paula echoes the sentiment and compliments Ayla on making the song her own. I love Ayla's attitude. Simon thinks she's a hard worker and compliments her on her emoting. He says it's one of her better performances. This girl is getting votes from me tonight, and Ayla has gained serious points tonight. 1 866 IDOLS 04

Paris Bennett is up next. She's singing "Midnight Train to Georgia" as sung by Gladys Knight. She's got the bounce going on, almost a bit too much. It's no secret that this girl has stage experience, and she works that out. Her vocals aren't that amazing, but her personality is so sparkling that it's hard not to like her. She plays to the camera quite well, and for her age, she is quite an electrifying singer. Love the last note!!! I feel like running a few laps now that she's done. Randy takes the opportunity to name-drop on Gladys Knight, and he is blown away. Paula has nothing bad to say. Simon says she's a great performer and compares her to Fantasia, which isn't the best thing in the world. Simon says she was great. She wasn't my favorite, though. 1 866 IDOLS 05

After the break, Stevie Scott!

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Stevie Scott has this enchanting smile. She's cute. She has really great control of her voice. She's singing "To Where You Are" as done by Josh Groban. Low notes aren't her best friend, though. She's having difficulty breathing and holding her notes initially. To me, she sounds just the least bit flat. Song selection is key here. Stevie, I like you, but I'm not that impressed. There are no strong notes, no amazing runs, and the whole song just seems understated. Randy thinks it was boring, which was my feeling exactly. Paula thinks that combining Enya and Josh Groban was a great idea. Simon thinks it was a total mess and compares it to be at a horrible Sunday lunch and having a child singing out of tune. Not a good night for Stevie, who is also taller than Ryan. She looks like she's about to burst out crying. For her personality, I hope she goes forward, but based on her performance tonight, she could be going home. Stevie thinks Ryan could have a chance with her, and Seacrest can't wait to get to the break! 1 866 IDOLS 06

We'll be back, most likely with someone else singing...

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The guys will be singing tomorrow night. Yay.

Brenna Gethers is the most annoying person this year. I can't wait to see her fall flat on her face. She's going to sing Stevie Wonder's "You Are the Sunshine of My Life." Brenna's middle name is Mema. That's so...uninteresting. She starts off flat. Her performance is uninteresting and bland. One thing Idol contestants need to remember is that you HAVE to come out strong, rather than coming out soft and building up. Leave it all on the stage, baby! This is just an average performance, sort of like a karaoke version. She blows her last few runs. Randy thinks she chose a safe song (and I agree.) Randy thinks it's not enough. Paula thinks Brenna needed to be more humble and compliments her on that which means that Paula doesn't like it and can't find anything else to say. Simon thinks that tonight's performance has been horrible and that she was unlikable. Brenna challenges him. I can't wait for her to be voted off tonight, because she is the least likable person on the show. I refuse to vote for this chick. She poses enough to even make Seacrest tired of her. 1 866 IDOLS 07

Up next, homina homina Heather Cox!

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Wow, Heather Cox is unbelievably gorgeous. She's singing "When You Tell Me That You Love Me." She starts off really badly on the low notes. Again, come out stronger! Don't be saving anything! Leave it ALL on stage. She sounds like she needs to go to a higher key. This is just an average performance. Her stage presence is okay, and naturally the camera loves her. She finally comes out somewhat on the last few notes. I don't know what to say. It wasn't awful, but it was just sort of...safe. Randy echoes my sentiment. She just did not go for it. Paula reaches for something nice to say, but has to just reiterate what Randy said. Simon says it was sung like an elocution lesson which is quite apt, and it was definitely forgettable. Paula reminds us that Heather is beautiful, so yeah, I'll throw her like one vote. 1 866 IDOLS 08

After the break, Melissa McGhee and Lisa Tucker...

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Melissa McGhee is cute, and we just haven't seen much of her yet. We get a peek at her auditions. She will be singing "When the Light Goes Down" as done by Faith Hill. She has a sort of Peppermint Patty vibe to her. Again with the safe songs, though! Starting off low doesn't work for her, but she does come into it during the refrain. She misses a run, but overall her vocal is fairly strong. She has a strong presence, and there's obviously some emotion. I just don't know about her range, but I suspect it's fairly limited. She ran out of gas as the song ended a little bit early. Randy says it started shaky, but that she really kicked in in the middle. Paula thinks it was a great performance and that her vocal tone was sexy and sultry. Simon says he's in between both sides. Melissa points out that this is the first we've heard her sing, which is a good point. Simon thinks she's lifeless and that her lack of exposure might hurt her. I think she's worth a few votes. 1 866 IDOLS 09

Lisa Tucker is ready to go, and I'm ready to see her. She's been one of the most phenomenal performers this year. She's looking great tonight, and her voice is coming out strong. She's obviously got great vocal control, and there's something of a young Mariah in her look and voice. I do think she went flat a bit at the end, but her overall performance is a winner. Very good! Randy says she chose the most ambitious song and that she rocked. Paula thinks she is a precious little gift. Simon says she's extraordinary and thinks that ten years from now we'll remember that this was the night we first saw Lisa Tucker perform. This girl is well worth the votes. 1 866 IDOLS 10

After the break, 2 more left...

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Kinnik Sky is up next. She'll be singing Oleta Adam's "Get Here," which is an amazing song. I hope she can do it well! Her voice is not bad. She seems to be reaching for lower notes. She really kicks it into high gear, but she goes sharp. Unfortunately, this performance is just too safe, boring, and she didn't nail it well enough. The last few notes were really good, but not enough to save the performance, and she cut the last note a bit too soon. Unfortunately, as Randy says, people are going to compare her unfavorably with the original artist. Paula compliments her looks, and says she did sing sharp notes. Simon thinks her problem is that she is up against the outstanding performances of the younger contestants. Simon thinks it's a very cabaret performance. Kinnik, I think, is in grave danger of going home this week. 1 866 IDOLS 11

After the break, my girl, Katharine McPhee...

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Katharine McPhee looks incredible. They've saved the best for last. She's going to sing a Streisand song. Wow. THIS is a voice. Girl, ain't nothin' wrong with that! I like the subtle understatement followed by the belting of the strong high notes. Technically, she's probably the best singer tonight. She NAILED all of her runs. Yes! Definitely a contender. Randy agrees that she's a hot performer. Paula now loves her job again because of this performance. She can't say enough good things. Paula predicts she will win the show. Simon says that out of the four very good vocalists, she was the best! I love her. 1 866 IDOLS 12

So, who's going to go home, and who's going to stay? My predictions:

Who's going home: Kellie should, but her fan base is going to put her through. Stevie, Kinnik, Brenna, and Heather are the most likely candidates for hitting the road.

Who has a lock on it (but don't forget to vote for them!): Paris, Katharine, Lisa, Mandisa, and Ayla.

Tune in tomorrow for more Idol performances!