American Idol 9 - Top 10 Girls Perform

It’s a good thing contender Crystal Bowersox recovered in time to perform Wednesday on “American Idol,” or she would have been automatically eliminated. She—and the show—reaped the rewards.

The news of her possible disqualification came from “Idol” producer Ken Warwick on Miss Seacrest’s radio show this morning. Luckily, Crystal was released from the hospital today (complications due to diabetes, according to media reports) and opened the show.

Crystal Bowersox: She came back firing on all thrusters, setting the bar high for the rest of the girls with a beautiful cover of “Long As I Can See the Light” by Creedence Clearwater Revival. Even before Kara DioLaguardiaAirport said it, I had written “effortless” in my notes.

Haeley Vaughn: I never thought I’d be praising Miley Cyrus’ vocals, but after hearing Haeley’s nightmarishly out of tune version of “The Climb,” Miley is fucking Maria Callas by comparison. Is Haeley a simpleton? She can’t stop smiling even when being massacred by the judges.

Lacey Brown: She should have gone home last week after desecrating “Landslide,” but Lacey decided to take Kara’s suggestion and cover “Kiss Me” by Sixpence None the Richer. It was karaoke at best, with some odd, unnecessary flourishes. I think she should go back to restoring furniture.

Read the rest of the recap at Project Q Atlanta.