American Idol's judges gave Top 8 finalist Angela "Angie" Miller some harsh criticism during Wednesday night's performance show broadcast.

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Angie, who has been considered a frontrunner since the start of the competition, took the stage and performed "Shop Around," as the finalists were instructed to sing songs of Detroit artists -- including Motown.

While Angie had yet to receive any negative feedback from Idol judges Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey, Keith Urban, and Randy Jackson, the singer basically got pummeled last night.

"This was a very strange one for me... It's the first time ever that I've seen you on this show have such a pitchy performance. I mean, I don't know if it's [because] you couldn't hear in your ears or whatever, or was it the right key? I don't know. It was strange for me... You're usually so right on. It was not right on tonight. It was not great tonight, it was not great," Randy said.

"I would rather have heard you at the piano, because I love to hear you at the piano. I know you're probably sick of that... you could've sung 'I'll Be There' at the piano and swung it home. That's what I think. And I'm sorry if somebody else disagrees with me, but I want you to do the best you can as Angie. I feel like this is not necessarily what you do best, because I loved it when you just relax and sing in the way that you naturally sing," Mariah explained.

"I hear what Randy's saying about the pitch tonight... The melody kept pulling you down and your energy level was [high] but the song was [beneath that]... That's why you kept going sharp all the time. You would soar in moments and then you would be pulled back down by the beat of the melody. I really felt for you, but I will say that your talent is undeniable and we're going to be seeing you next week," Keith noted.

"I don't even think this has anything to do with whether or not you have undeniable talent," Nicki told the artist. "I think everyone knows that we feel like you do. And I don't think it has anything to do with the melody of the song. I think you came out today to try to show a different side of Angie that didn't need to be shown."

Added the rapper, "And you need to stop and enjoy that people are loving what you're doing. You don't have to try to be more overtly sexy. You don't have to try to be having fun... It doesn't even feel like an organic choice just for your swag... If your thing is not R&B or bluesy, switch it up and do what you shine at. Don't try to come out here and give us another style. We didn't ask for another style yet!"

Nicki actually seemed very frustrated and upset with Angie, prompting American Idol host Ryan Seacrest to seek a response from the singer.

"I just wanted to have fun -- not thinking about it too much and having fun," Angie told Ryan, adding that if she gets to come back next week, she's simply going to stick to having fun."

Angie wasn't the only contestant Nicki had it out with last night. When Burnell Taylor, Lazaro Arbos and Devin Velez performed "I Can't Help Myself" as a trio, Nicki ripped them apart.

"Wow, it's a beautiful day in Hollywood today, because that's what I felt like. I felt like that was back in Hollywood Week, okay? I don't know what that was, but I'm going to act like I didn't even see it or hear it. I'm going to thank God that all three of you already had your solo performances. Lazaro, you fell as flat as a pancake. Don't ever do that. I don't know what's happening, but all three of ya'll, go. Get off the stage!" Nicki hollered. "Go, go!"

Ryan then asked the guys what happened, and Burnell and Devin indirectly pointed fingers at Lazaro's part of the performance.

"I did what I was supposed to do," Burnell said. "Not to throw anybody under the bus, but it's a competition, so..."

"I mean, I learned my parts," Devin began. "I tried saving a couple people, but..."

"We didn't know the words that well, so it was kind of hard," Lazaro added.

However, the night wasn't nearly all bad. American Idol's episode also featured some standout, excellent performances from a few of the twelfth season's contestants. Candice Glover and Amber Holcomb got raving reviews for their solo performances, while Kree Harrison outshined and outperformed Janelle Arthur during their duo song.

"You know how much I love you, Janelle, right?" Nicki said. "But Miss Kreedom almost made it look like she flew in to do a duet with an Idol contestant today... Her voice sounded like butter."
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

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