AI season 12: Burnell Taylor eliminated

MANILA, Philippines – “I was speechless because how many people can make Mariah Carey cry?” shared Burnell Taylor about his American Idol Season 12 audition where he brought judge Mariah Carey to tears.

Indeed, Burnell knew how to channel emotions when he once again brought on the tears during his last performance on the show. On the April 4 (April 5 in Manila) elimination night, Mariah was not the only one moved to tears by his rendition of India Arie’s “I’m Ready for Love.”

Watch his last performance here:

Despite the emotional response from judges Mariah and Nicki Minaj, he was denied their one save for the season. The Examiner comments, “Mariah Carey, sitting at the judges table with tears streaming down her cheeks, was a dead giveaway that the save would not be granted.” 

Rock Week was Burnell’s waterloo as his version of Bon Jovi’s “You Give Love A Bad Name” failed to earn the judges and America’s approval. Judge Kieth Urban acknowledged how rock was clearly not Burnell’s genre and told him to make the song his own. Randy seconded and said the uptempo songs weren’t exactly Burnell’s forte.

The week’s top 3 were:

• Kree Harrison, who performed Janis Joplin’s “Piece of My Heart” 
• Angie Miller, who belted Evanescence’s “Bring Me To Life” 
• Lazaro Arbos who rocked out to Queen’s “We are The Champions”

In contrast to its emotional ending, the results show opened with successful performances from AI alumni. Season 9’s Casey James performed his new single “The Good Life”; season 4’s Carrie Underwood premiered her new single “See You Again.”

Burnell’s elimination leaves Lazaro Arbos as the only thorn left among the roses, after Top 10 eliminations have consistently been unkind to the male contestants.

The finalists still left standing are:

1. Kree Harrison
2. Candice Glover
3. Janelle Arthur
4. Amber Holcomb
5. Angie Miller
6. Lazaro Arbos

– Rappler.com