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American Idol Rundown: The Top 10 Girls

BuzzSugar — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 09:34:50 PST

So, might as well just come out and say it: '70s night was not exactly the best for our American Idol ladies. And now I'm really wondering what exactly it is the producers think they're doing this season. After all that promotion telling us it's the most talented group ever, why wouldn't they start without having themes at all, giving us a few weeks to get to know this group as they sing their very best songs?

That said, I'm not sure it was entirely the theme that hurt the ladies on Wednesday. How can you go that wrong with a decade that brought us Carly Simon and Heart? And yet, while there were two or three good performances, the rest seemed to range from "eh" to "ow." Still, a couple of the ladies do have me believing they could give little David Archuleta a run for his money, so to see what went down on Wednesday (and don't forget to vote for which singers will go home tonight), just

read more. Carly Smithson: Fun fact: She's a bartender in an Irish bar. She picked Heart's "Crazy on You," and I'm surprised at how much I liked it, especially because last week had set me up to be disappointed by her. Maybe she's just better with rock songs than ballads. Randy, oddly, came out swinging - maybe to compensate for his overpraise last time - saying it had a rough beginning, Paula could tell she was singing a song she liked, and Simon said it was better than last week, though she still hasn't found the right song. Syesha Mercado - Apparently she's acted in a bunch of commercials, and she can cry like a creepy baby. She does "Me and Mrs. Jones," except it's "Mr. Jones," and here's the thing: I really like this song, but the version she sang has to be the most boring version I have ever heard. The chorus was OK, but she lost me on the verse. Randy said it was a bad choice, Paula called her out for going off pitch on softer notes, and Simon thought it was indulgent for her to sing a song written for a guy, which is pretty lame as far as criticism goes. Brooke White - She's a beauty school dropout! She came out looking like a '70s folkie with her guitar and sang "You're So Vain" while looking pretty directly at Simon, who - true to form - seemed to think the song was about him. She sounds an awful lot like Carly Simon, with all the good and bad that that implies; it's nothing new, but it's very pleasant to listen to. Randy liked it though it stayed close to the original, Paula said it was a great song, and Simon loved it. Because it was about him. Clearly. Ramiele Malubay - She's a hula dancer, but she busted a different kind of move on the stage with "Don't Leave Me This Way." It was the first really disco-sounding song of the night, and it absolutely sold me on Ramiele. I could imagine her voice on the radio right now, it's that smooth and that commercially appealing. She could have put more into her performance, but it's a little early to harp on that. The judges universally thought it was just OK, though, even though Simon's criticism seemed to have way more to do with the song than the singing. Kristy Lee Cook - I thought we could maybe get through her whole secret without her mentioning horses, but no. Hey Kristy: not a secret. She's back to her crunchier hair and was wearing a whole lot of shiny fabric, but her "You're No Good" sounded better than last week. It's a song that has about five notes and five words, and I was bored by the end, but at least she hit those five notes, you know? Randy called it a 100 percent improvement, Paula said it was a good song for her, and Simon said he wants to know what kind of singer she is; they seemed to decide that she should be this year's country girl. Amanda Overmyer - Dear lord in heaven, what did they do to her hair? And would it kill them to dress her in pants of a solid color? I know she's "a rocker," but that doesn't mean she should look like she shopped in the discount aisle at a Halloween superstore. The chorus of "Carry On My Wayward Son" was fine, but the verse? Was B-A-D. Like, off pitch, where's the tune, "well, that's how you get picked by Vote for the Worst" bad. Randy said the song had too much melody for her to sing (heh), Paula said the song didn't fit, and Simon said the whole thing was contrived. Sad. I really like Amanda, the rocker nurse bookworm. Alaina Whitaker - She's one of those people whose food can't touch her other food. She sang "Hopelessly Devoted to You," which is not a song I'm hopelessly devoted to. Her voice was strong enough to pull it off, but there's something about the whole performance that made her seem both 16 and 60 at the same time. Randy thought she had pitch problems, Paula liked it OK, and Simon said everything about Alaina seemed too old. Alexandrea Lushington - She's a fire department poster child, and - this isn't her fun fact, just something I noticed - she has incredibly long arms. She tried Chicago's "If You Leave Me Now," another one of those '70s songs that I knew by sound but not by name, and she looked like she didn't even like the performance. I didn't think it was that bad, but she tried to do some things with her voice that her voice can't do, and it just hurt her in the end. Randy said it was too safe, Paula thought it was cool to hear a girl do the song, and Simon said that song is a '70s relic, period. Kady Malloy - She sings opera. She also sang "Magic Man," and not that well. She's not awful (and better than last week, for sure), but she doesn't quite have the power in her voice to really hit the chorus, so she ends not doing much with the song. Randy said the verse was never quite on pitch, Paula said the power notes, at least, were good, and Simon said there's still a gap between Kady on stage and Kady the rest of the time. Then he claimed to have never heard "Magic Man," so whatever. Asia'h Epperson - She, not totally surprisingly, was a cheerleader and came out looking totally different this time, with hair extensions and a sort of sassy-secretary pencil skirt. She went bold with "All By Myself" and then totally missed the first high note, so I have to give her credit for finishing the song, which got better as it went along. Randy gave her credit for the difficulty of the song, Paula said the ending counts and she made it work, and Simon said he's not a good enough singer to do one of the big diva songs, though she almost pulled it off. My favorites: Brooke by a mile, then Carly, then Ramiele. Should be worried: Amanda, unless she's built up enough goodwill to get votes. Kady, Alexandrea, and Alaina, if people forget they exist. Going home: I actually think there's a chance Amanda won't go home, so I'm predicting Kady and Alexandrea. Photos courtesy of Fox

Which AI Girls are Going Home? Cast Your Ballot Now!

BuzzSugar — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 06:30:00 PST

It was the second part of '70s week on Wednesday's American Idol, as it was the ladies' turn to take on the songs of the disco decade. Ten went in, but only eight will remain after tonight. Which two girls have reached the end of their Idol road? Cast your ballot now!

Snap Judgment: The Top 10 "American Idol" Girls

BuzzSugar — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 09:27:43 PST

This feels like the point in "American Idol" when we're just biding our time until the top 12. The pleasant surprises happened last week, and now we're just waiting for the bad singers (and the good-but-unpopular-or-less-attractive singers) to get booted. The top 10 girls on Wednesday were a lot like the guys on Tuesday: good-but-not-great performances, mixed in with a few stinkers by popular contestants who will stick around longer than they deserve.

Crazy-ometer update: Paula hit about a 6 out of 10 for the two days combined. She was surprisingly snappy with Simon on Tuesday, but by Wednesday she'd reverted to her whole babbling "you're sooo beautiful" brand of "criticism."

You can fill out this ballot to predict which girls are going home, and to read my judgments and picks,

read more Gina Glocksen (at right): Wow, Gina's boyfriend has dyed a little red skunk strip in his hair to match hers. I like her a lot generally, but she sounded a little shrieky, and the backup singer hit the hardest notes for her. Simon spent a lot of time telling her she doesn't look edgy enough, which I think is the last of Gina's problems. Alaina Alexander: I finally figured out who she reminds me of: an Olsen twin. I'm not familiar with the song she sang, but she did better with it than with the Pretenders last week. I'm not sure if she was off pitch on the chorus, like Randy said; I'm more inclined to go with Simon's opinion that she just ran out of steam. LaKisha Jones: She did a pretty funky "Midnight Train to Georgia," but she didn't blow me away like she did last week. The judges told her to be less nervous, and then Simon started ragging on her outfit and her dancing, a la Mandisa, Jennifer Hudson, etc. But she'll be around next week. Melinda Doolittle (at left): I find myself smiling the whole time I'm watching her - I suppose that because she's smiling, it's only appropriate that I reciprocate. Her voice sounded fantastic, and she's classy (almost too classy for "Idol," honestly). The judges loved it, and Simon called it the best vocal of the year. Antonella Barba: I was psyched to hear Antonella's song dedication - maybe it will be to the person who leaked the racy photos! - but alas, it was just to her brother. She sang a too-fast, off-key, weirdly arranged version of "Because You Loved Me," and the high note wasn't the problem - the rest of them were. She tried invoking Jennifer Hudson after Simon panned her, but honey? You are no Jennifer Hudson. Jordin Sparks: She apparently took to heart the judges' advice from last week to sing a bigger song, tackling Christina Aguilera - pretty well, I thought, until the last of the power notes, which just bombed. She cried dedicating the song to her brother and was crying again at the end, which seemed authentic coming from her. She rivals Melinda, LaKisha, and Blake for most likable contestant this year. Stephanie Edwards: Her dedication was all about her parents pushing her to audition for "Idol." Isn't she a little old to have stage parents? She seemed to have some trouble with the tricky rhythms at the start of "Dangerously in Love" but totally pulled it together at the end. Not quite the splash of last week, but still good. Leslie Hunt (at right): The more she talks, the more I like her; she's kind of a lovable mess. She pulled out our second "Feeling Good" of the week, with an a capella beginning and some surprising scatting at the end. Simon said she's not terribly memorable; Paula said she was "a different flavor of ice cream," and then Seacrest called Simon sorbet. I ... have no idea what happened there. Haley Scarnato: Well, singing "Queen of the Night" was one way to banish the cabaret vibe. Oh the other hand, she didn't really have the voice to pull it off. At least she had fun this time. Maybe she should try something not sung by Celine Dion or Whitney Houston, though. Sabrina Sloan: She sang a convincing version of "All the Man That I Need," but I can't really forgive her for breaking my no-Whitney rule for the second time in the night. Simon and I both liked her better last week, but she's clearly in the top half of the group. Who should go: Antonella, please, and probably Haley, with Alaina a close third Who will go: Haley and Leslie. Just when I was starting to like her, too. Your turn! Use this ballot to tell me which girls are going home. Photos courtesy of Fox

Fat-Proof Your Life

Health — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:06:06 PST

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Health.com here on our site.

By Maridel Reyes

It's true that there are certain times in your life when extra poundage seems to appear out of nowhere . . . and settle on you. In fact, experts have honed in on the exact moments when you're most vulnerable to weight gain.

"Life transitions, having a baby, and going through menopause cause many women to pile on pounds," says Susan Albers, PsyD, author of But I Deserve This Chocolate!: The 50 Most Common Diet-Derailing Excuses and How to Outwit Them. "But with planning and prep, you can stay thin."

We asked top experts for their strategies to help you ward off weight creep - and even shed pounds - at these tricky stages. Solutions ahead.

Getting married

Heavier ever after? It can be the flip side of wedded bliss: "Six out of 10 of my clients come back heavier after the honeymoon," says celebrity fitness and wellness guru David Kirsch.

Health.com: 25 Diet-Busting Foods You Should Never Eat

Young newlyweds pack on an extra six to nine pounds in the five years after getting hitched compared to singletons, according to research from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. And most of that gain happens in the first year of marriage.

"Couples start to mirror each other's eating habits," explains Albers. "You might be matching him calorie for calorie without realizing it."

Learn how to keep the pounds down postmarriage and in the mommy years, after the break.

10 Crosby Fall 2012

Chi Diem Chau — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:16:03 PST

Derek Lam's new venture, 10 Crosby, has fulfilled its cool-girl status for Fall '12. The third collection from the line, 10 Crosby showed plenty of bold prints, sharp tailoring, and just the right amount of femininity to please every downtown girl. Inspired by the classic holiday flick Home Alone, Lam and design director Liz Giardina envisioned what the 10 Crosby girl would wear on a snowy Winter day. With that thought in mind, the two created silky printed palazzo pants, cozy peplum cardigans, fox-fur vests, and pajama-inspired tops tempered with tailored poplin shirt dresses and sharp trousers. We especially love the chambray shirt dress and chunky peplum cardigan combo. More defining moments below, then check out the complete collection lookbook, starring Belgian beauty Hanne Gaby Odiele.

Trends: Bold prints, palazzo pants, sheer, plaid, peplum.
Colors: Red, nude, gray, green, brown.
Key Piece: We love the chic structured shirt dress and gray peplum sweater combination.
Accessories: Loafers, ankle-strap sandals, pumps, skinny belts, sling-back platform mules.
Who Would Wear It: Girls who like polish with an edge like Olivia Palermo, Amanda Brooks, and Kate Bosworth.

Foodie Friday Link Time: Super Eats For Super Bowl Sunday

Susi May — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:51:48 PST

A serving of wings equals 40 minutes of jumping jacks! Ouch! - Fab Fit Fun
Easy, quick, and healthy: 10 tasty dips for game day - Real Simple
Winners and losers: learn the best beer for your waistline - Shape
Score! Dig this low-calorie onion dip - Prevention
20 game day diet-friendly appetizers, FTW - Self
Give your wings a health upgrade and decrease your calories - Fit Bottomed Girls
Nutritious and delicious Super Bowl party food; it's a win-win - Daily Spark
More ways to make your buffalo wings better for you - Blisstree
Be sure to pick the top dog for your game day eats - Health

Week in Review: Golden Globes Beauty, Winged Eyeliner, and Eco-Friendly Products

BellaSugar — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 03:25:34 PST

Check out our latest BellaTV episode and some of our favorite stories from the week:

The top 10 makeup looks from the Golden Globes.
Red-carpet hair secrets worth copying.
See birthday girl Betty White through the years.
All about The Hunger Games nail polish collection, Colours of the Capitol.
How to avoid three ways you may be damaging your hair.
Cute and convenient solid perfumes.
Find out the best way to apply winged eyeliner.
Learn how to create Zooey Deschanel's tuxedo manicure from the Golden Globes.
5 must-have eco-friendly beauty products.

How to Get Rihanna's Rock-Hard Abs

Shape — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 04:32:58 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar.

Rihanna is one hot singing sensation. Having recently been named the best-selling digital artist of all time - thanks to a whopping 47.5 million downloads of her hits - the sexy songstress is also a top contender for album of the year at this year’s Grammy Awards.

But not only does the Barbadian beauty know how to rock a stage, she also rocks a bikini, too! No stranger to showin’ off some skin, getting that taut and tight tummy definitely takes work.

The Top 10 Best-Dressed Stars at the Golden Globes

That’s where inspirational fitness expert extraordinaire Ary Nuñez comes in; she’s been training the artist hard for almost four years. “We focus on the core muscles and we do a ton of repetitions,” Nuñez says.

See Rihanna's ab workout after the break.

Link Time - New Year, New Genres to Read

TresSugar — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:55:58 PST

5 genres of books to try reading this year - The Frisky
Tips for strengthening your marriage after an affair - YourTango
The scariest facts about pregnancy - CollegeCandy
Why smart women watch (and love) The Bachelor - Huffington Post
Get the dirty, firsthand details from Sexapalooza - Glamour
The gay rights movement in six minutes - GOOD
Hot men with sexy scruff - theBERRY
The top OMG moments from last night's Gossip Girl - BuzzSugar
Dating lessons to learn from Betty White - Glamour
The 10 most scandalous muses in art history - Flavorwire

Catch Up on All Your Favorite Golden Globe Moments and Play FabSugar's Best Dressed Bracket!

Katie Henry — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 23:55:03 PST

Red carpet fashion and beauty coverage:

Catch up on other arrivals fun you may have missed:

The list of all the winners, and more press room fun: