Country artist Skyler Laine is turning it on as being one of the ones to beat in this season's America Idol contest - (FOX photo)

Video Beat - EXTRA - AMERICAN IDOL'S SKYLER LAINE TURNS IT ON!

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

The country girl is improving every week. She could be this season's Lauren Alaina - Jennifer Lopez disgraces herself and family with a sleazy video with her boy toy boyfriend who is young enough to be her son - Why is American Idol promoting Phillip Phillips so heavily with his having a limited voice? - Recommended TV Listings

Thursday April 12, 2012 - (Asia)

THE HEAT IS ON

It's down to the final seven and things are getting serious. Country artist Skyler Laine is turning it on as being one of the ones to beat in this season's America Idol contest. The 18-year-old from Mississippi is gaining strength and confidence in each week of competition. She has gained momentum similar to the manner in which Lauren Alaina surged to the finals losing a close race to Scott McCreery last season.

One of Laine's strengths is her exuberant down to earth vibrant personality. She stays with her country style and power. Of the Top 13 competition she has been selected to the bottom three only once. Should she continue her improvements she has the voice and talent to be a dark horse to win the competition. Being a country singer brings country music fans votes.

Last week the judge Jennifer Lopez almost made a mistake in using the judges only save for DeAndre Brackensick. She was the only judge that wanted to save him. Brackensick is a nice singer with a gimmick voice but certainly not talented enough to win the competition. If used that would have created another Pia Toscano fiasco that occurred last season when she was eliminated in the 9th position due to the judges saving Casey Abrams in the 11th position.

A save should be used only for those who are talented enough to win the event. Abrams was not and neither is Brackensick.

Several weeks ago we pointed this out when we noted that if the save is used too early then what happened when a talent such as Jessica Sanchez receives the least amount of votes and is voted off the show?

Lopez votes with her hot pants and not with her brain. All of her comments this season about how she loves all the pretty boys in the competition are annoying and unnecessary. What has that to do with talent?

Two of her pretty boy favorites receiving the most positive comments Phillip Phillips and Colton Dixon have never been voted into the bottom three. Dixon is talented with a hit look and effective pop/rock voice and image. Phillips is a good looking guy with judge Steven Tyler comparing him to a mixture of Steve McQueen and Johnny Cash but the point being where is his true voice that defines him worthy of such over abundance of praise?

This season the judges are overly promoting certain contestants and dismissing others. The most abused in a dismissive manner is Hollie Canvanagh. The most ovary praised is Phillips who comes off as an extremely nice person but not worthy of all the promotion and commendation.

Iovine said of Cavanagh, "The only thing she's missing is a certain type of experience," which she will receive on the Idol summer tour. Her voice is great but she needs to mature and take a few entertainment business kicks in the face and learn survival strength and self confidence.

Guest mentor Akon said to Cavanagh, "Just own it (the song). You gotta believe that you're perfect."

Dixon and Laine sang a duet that was a pleasant surprise and was one of the best ever performances on Idol regardless of judge Randy Jackson had to say in his negative way. These two contestants could have separate careers but their excellent harmony and chemistry together is worthy of their recording albums together as a duo. They have the look, talent and personalities to be successful.

Last week Lopez did a cheap trick in showcasing her new video with her boy toy dancing boyfriend. Lopez is old enough to be his mother. Not only was it disrespectful to her former husband Marc Anthony but it was a tacky presentation of her showcasing her boy toy who it's rumored that she pays $10,000 a week so he can have money to sometimes pick up the check.

The incident was an in his face demeaning way of dissing Anthony. What ever their problems were to flaunt herself with her boy toy to a youthful audience was the height of sleaze and a disgusting message to send to her two children by Anthony.

Part 2 - THE RESULTS

AMERICAN IDOL'S FINAL 7 Finalists

* Hollie Cavanagh (born July 5, 1993) is from McKinney, Texas, she is 18 years old. She auditioned in Houston, Texas. She originally auditioned for season 10, but she was cut in the Sing for Your Life round.

* Colton Dixon (born October 19, 1991[40]) is from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, he is 20 years old. He auditioned in North Charleston, South Carolina. He originally auditioned for season 10, but he was cut in the Sing for Your Life round.

* Skylar Laine (born February 1, 1994[41]) is from Brandon, Mississippi, she is 18 years old. She auditioned in Houston, Texas.

* Joshua Ledet (born April 9, 1992) is from Westlake, Louisiana, he is 19 years old. He auditioned in Houston, Texas.

* Phillip Phillips (born September 20, 1990) is from Leesburg, Georgia, he is 21 years old. He auditioned in North Charleston, South Carolina.

* Jessica Sanchez (born August 4, 1995[43]) is from San Diego, California, she is 16 years old. She auditioned in San Diego, California. Before Idol, she was first known for her appearance on the first season of America's Got Talent.

* Elise Testone (born July 29, 1983) is from Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, she is 28 years old. She auditioned in North Charleston, South Carolina.

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