American Idol's Top 10 female contestants for Season 9 performed Wednesday night including Crystal Bowersox, who was hospitalized for diabetic complications on Tuesday.
Crystal Bowersox sang first on Wednesday night, and earned rave reviews from every judge on the panel for her version of Creedence Clearwater Revival's 'I Can Finally See the Light'. Simon Cowell compared Bowersox to American Idol Season 1 winner Kelly Clarkson.
Video: Watch American Idol 'tough cookie' Crystal Bowersox perform after hospitalization
"The vocal was incredible," said Cowell. "And I promise you-this was like the moment we realized with Kelly Clarkson, that we've got a serious artist here, and I think we've got a really serious artist with you. Congratulations."
Haeley Vaughn sang next, performing Miley Cyrus' 'The Climb'. The judges' critiques were unanimously negative. Kara DioGuardi said that Vaughn needs about a year of training and "really strenghtening your instrument" before her "pitch problems are worked out". Simon Cowell called it "a complete and utter mess" and said "there's a certain irony for you singing a song about climbing when you fell off".
Lacey Brown delivered Sixpence None the Richer's 'Kiss Me' on the suggestion of Kara DioGuardi. Simon Cowell called the performance "marginally better than last week".
Katie Stevens performed Corinne Bailey Ray's 'Put Your Records On' in the hopes that it would show the American Idol judges her "younger" persona. The judges were unimpressed, and Kara DioGuardi said that she was "frustrated" with Stevens. Simon Cowell suggested that Katie Stevens "research" what kind of artist she wants to be.
Didi Benami performed the Bill Withers classic 'Lean On Me'. Randy Jackson said the song showed off the imperfections in Benami's voice. Simon Cowell called it generic, and a "wasted opportunity". Benami refrained from speaking after the critique, but her eyes were filled with tears.
Michelle Delamor performed an R & B version of Creed's 'Arms Wide Open'. Randy Jackson said that the song fell flat, but Kara DioGuardi said that she "bought" the performance. Simon Cowell said that while Michelle Delamor struggled with some of the notes, she "got about 80% of it right".
Lilly Scott sang the Sam Cooke classic 'A Change is Gonna Come' and played the 12 string guitar. The judges called Scott the best performer of the night, except for Simon Cowell who stuck with Crystal Bowersox as his number one pick.
Watch video of Lilly Scott's performance below
Katelyn Epperly sang Coldplay's 'The Scientist'. Randy Jackson said that it was great until the last couple of notes. Ellen Degeneres said that she "fell kind of asleep" and called the song "way too slow". Simon Cowell said that Epperly becomes "quite corny" when she performs but that she was "a million times better than last week".
Paige Miles took on Kelly Clarkson's 'Walk Away'. Ellen Degeneres said she liked everything that MIles did with the song. Kara DioGuardi, who co-authored the song with Clarkson said that MIles could have a hit with the song, but that she smiled to much during the song. Cowell said Miles is making "bad decisions" with her song choices.
Siobhan Magnus rounded out the night by singing Aretha Franklin's 'Think'. Randy Jackson called the performance "dope". Simon Cowell thought that the performance had both good and terrible elements, but called Magnus "unique" and "talented".
The American Idol results show airs Thursday night at 9:00PM EDT. Two women and two men will be eliminated from the competition.
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