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'American Idol': Rachel Zevita feels like a 'Criminal' -- should she be arrested?
The road to "American Idol" has been an exceptionally long one for New Yorker Rachel Zevita. She's been auditioning for the show since Season 6 -- but will her journey end just shy of the top 12?
The 21-year-old took the stage on the Mar. 2 ladies night, with a cover of Fiona Apple's unrelentingly sexy 1997 hit "Criminal."
Instead of singing it like the original -- or anywhere within a 20-mile radius of it -- she pranced around stage, enthusiastically swinging her hair to an upbeat rendition that seemed a bit too Broadway.
And those are the judges' words, not ours. Steven Tyler, the kindest of the three, was the first to make the theatrical comment. Jennifer Lopez was quick to follow suit.
"This is the first time that America is seeing you," she says. "Do you want them to see you as a Broadway performer or someone who could be a recording artist right now?"
But it was Randy Jackson who hated it most of all. "It wasn't great," he says. "It wasn't good... I didn't even know who that was. It just didn't work."
The boos weren't quick to start, so it seems as though a lot of the audience agreed. How about you -- is it already too late for Rachel?
Here's a palate-cleansing reminder of how the original "Criminal" sounds... though, be warned, this was pretty racy video back in its day.
The 21-year-old took the stage on the Mar. 2 ladies night, with a cover of Fiona Apple's unrelentingly sexy 1997 hit "Criminal."
Instead of singing it like the original -- or anywhere within a 20-mile radius of it -- she pranced around stage, enthusiastically swinging her hair to an upbeat rendition that seemed a bit too Broadway.
And those are the judges' words, not ours. Steven Tyler, the kindest of the three, was the first to make the theatrical comment. Jennifer Lopez was quick to follow suit.
"This is the first time that America is seeing you," she says. "Do you want them to see you as a Broadway performer or someone who could be a recording artist right now?"
But it was Randy Jackson who hated it most of all. "It wasn't great," he says. "It wasn't good... I didn't even know who that was. It just didn't work."
The boos weren't quick to start, so it seems as though a lot of the audience agreed. How about you -- is it already too late for Rachel?
Here's a palate-cleansing reminder of how the original "Criminal" sounds... though, be warned, this was pretty racy video back in its day.
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Photo/Video credit: FOX
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WHO CARES IF RACHEL ZEVITA CAN EVEN SING? SHE IS A DEAD RINGER FOR "THE GREATEST BEAUTY, LIZ TAYLOR" AND SHOULD BE A MOVIE STAR. SHE LOOKS AMAZING AND HAS THE HUNGER FOR THE FAME AND THE CAMERA.
The judges are constantly complaining about how the contestants should make these songs "their own" and that is EXACTLY what she did. I have heard them praise people who sound like complete crap via tv screen and think that she did an excellent job.
this is the first time that I have actually felt that they were unnecessarily critical...what a way to deflate somebody's confidence!
I loved her take on the song, thought it fit the mood of the lyrics great, and loved her willingness to play it up. She's getting my vote.
she was pretty darn bad - thought she was being sexy and sultry, but really looked amateurish and unprofessional in her performance
My favorite idol contestant of all time. Sad to see her go. So beautiful, such an amazing voice. Her not going to the "top 10" is a perfect showing of why idol contestants usually do nothing after winning. The audience that watches the show isnt the audience that spends dollars on CD's and tours.
Goodbye Rachel... much love, you are amazing!
Have to agree with ByeRachel. Rachel is drop dead beautiful and deserved to be in the final. She is a great singer and I hope she gets a future in the business.
Its Sad to see one of the best female singers that I have seen in this competition. Rachel please don't let the fact that this was the second time in this show let you down. If this is really what you want, continue to believe in yourself it has brought you this far. Therefore follow your dream.
I agree with one of the previous comments on how the judges want them to make a song their own, and when she did, they raked her over the coals. the look on her face afterwards was so unfair. You got pop, soul, jazz, country, so why not something "broadway". how was that any different than the nimrod producers to force them to sing beatles songs, and i like the beatles. Randy, Stevie: you got it wrong. Jlo-I'm jealous of the attention Steven is getting, so I have a fake cry when I have to tell one the contestants they didnt make, and please, as I tell people they can't sing, listen to my crappy video, that, oh by the way, we'll show it on American Idol and force the audience to stomach through it, in order to get to the end of the show" and then pick Ashthon, paaaaalease.
As far as Rachel goes ....... grrrrrr, you are my American Idol
If you listen to it carefully, it was really bad throughout, especially at the end. I have to agree with Randy.
Rachel was my favorite girl!!! I think they should put her on Glee!!! She would be perfect!!!!