'American Idol's first-ever all-female Top 5 finalists prove why they're worthy

Amber Holcomb, Angela "Angie" Miller, Candice Glover, Janelle Arthur, and Kree Harrison all delivered strong performances that demonstrated why they're American Idol's first-ever all-female Top 5 during Wednesday night's performance show on Fox.


Four of the five females got standing ovations from Idol judges Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey, Keith Urban, and Randy Jackson for their tributes to female divas, which marked the girls' second round of performances last night. While Janelle Arthur was the only girl who didn't get the judges up on their feet, she still got great feedback for her rendition of "Dumb Blonde" by Dolly Parton.

"It was very 'Pow' because I felt you were connected to the song. I love the whole dumb blonde-thing. I just thought it was cute! I did. And you've always got that fiery Janelle thing," Mariah told Janelle.

"I just think your voice is so good. You have a thing that none of the other girls have. And I think when you work to those strengths, Janelle, that's when we go, 'Oh my goodness. That's why you're in the Top 5,'" Keith said.

"I just want to be very careful with everything I say to the Top 5, because this Top 5 to me, have superpowers and they need to be told that. You need to know that you are great. So having said that, I do think you're in jeopardy of going home tomorrow," Nicki explained.


"But the fact that you've gotten this far and you've kept that smile and that light inside of you, is why I will always love Janelle no matter what. You're very, very lovable. So yeah, there are some very dynamic girls here, but I don't think that has anything to do with how far you can go in the real world."

Candice performed "When You Believe" by Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey.

"You've got one of the best voices in the known world," Randy said.

"Rest in peace to the great Whitney Houston. I think you did her justice and thank you. I am so proud of you, as I always am every single time you sing," Mariah noted.

"Jimmy Iovine said you had to pull out the stops, baby. You just ripped them out and annihilated them," Keith added.


Kree took the stage and sang "Have You Ever Been in Love" by Celine Dion.

"It was such a beautiful song choice, Kree... You stayed in this beautiful, effortless state of control and it was so pleasing to listen to. What I love is you're going to inspire so many girls who are going to come into country music and realize that you can have poise and elegance and such a beautiful way of singing and be in country music. So thank you for that," Keith told her.

"You know what just dawned on me tonight? You're not country. You're worldly; You're iconic. You are Adele, you are Celine Dion... You are one of those divas that we can watch when they're 20 and when they're 50 stand on a stage and just sing... To me, you just elevated even your net worth. You just elevated everything in terms of your career and your longevity. You are everything, Kreedom," Nicki said.

Angie blew the judges away with her rendition of Beyonce's "Halo."

"Definitely Top 3," Keith acknowledged.


"Now my Angie Miller is back!" Nicki said. "You just did that song justice like a queen could... You did yo' thang!"

"Angie, tonight -- [Ryan Seacrest], Angie is in it to win it, ya'll!" Randy added.

"Yes, diva, very difficult to do a Beyonce song I must say, because she has a specific way of doing things... What I loved about your rendition of the song is the clarity in your voice... You're here to stay," Mariah explained.

Amber closed the show out with "What Are You Doing With the Rest of Your Life" by Barbra Streisand.

"Baby girl, it was simply perfection and I really, really hope that America gets to see inside of this beautiful human being that stands before me, because I don't think that you get the credit you deserve. Baby girl, every single note was on point and you held it like a classy diva should and you always giving me young Whitney Houston. I love you," Nicki said.


"Probably of the whole entire season, in my estimation, that was the most difficult song for any of you to ever sing. You sang the I-don't-know-what out of that... This girl does not belong in the bottom because you are so good. You're this young Rihanna with this giant voice to me -- so current, so modern, so 'the thing' for right now," Randy explained.

"Classic. Beautiful. Elegant... You are potentially a massive star. Thank you for this performance, please vote for Amber," Mariah added.






About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski