!['American Idol' 2013 finalist Curtis Finch Jr. sang Fantasia's "I Believe" during the March 13 top 10 show.](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_width/hash/59/75/59754d0a5a04464e752d85642350e9f6.jpg?itok=LQULkNdM "'American Idol' 2013 finalist Curtis Finch Jr. sang Fantasia's "I Believe" during the March 13 top 10 show.")
"American Idol" 2013 resumed March 13 as the top 10 tackled tunes performed by former "AI" winners. Gospel crooner Curtis Finch Jr, who impressed mightily with his March 6 rendition of R. Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly," opened the two-hour episode with a version of a Fantasia song that earned him a split decision from judges Keith Urban, Randy Jackson and Mariah Carey.
During his mentoring session with Jimmy Iovine, Finch shared that he aspires to be "the modern day Luther Vandross," but Iovine cautioned the affable competitor against getting "caught up in the past" and encouraged him to adopt a more "contemporary" sound. Finch vowed to run with the suggestion, and selected "AI" season three winner Fantasia's coronation song "I Believe" as his ticket to top 10 success.
Finch hit the "AI" stage wearing a bright red paisley jacket, and delivered a solid but not spectacular version of his song of choice. Urban praised him for "always" making the right song selections and for having a solid sense of self, but told him to try to avoid oversinging when he's excited. Jackson loved what he termed his "fly jacket" but said he wanted to see "another side of Curtis" in the weeks to come. Carey disagreed, saying she appreciated his "gospel tinge." She hoped he'd just continue to be himself. Usual panelist Nicki Minaj was stuck in traffic and missed the performance.
To see if Curtis Finch Jr. earns enough votes to continue on in the competition, watch the "American Idol" 2013 top 10 results show on March 14.
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