After the performance, with Steven Tyler told McDonald that he "just made Americans think twice about their decision."

Scotty McCreery was the first of the remaining contestants to sing, performing LeAnn Rimes' Swingin. The 17-year-old played it a little too safe, and all of the judges agreed when Jennifer Lopez said she was expecting more from him.

Accompanied onstage by a marching drumline, James Durbin wowed the judges with his version of Muse’s Uprising. Lopez called it “the best theatrical performance of the night,” and Randy Jackson exclaimed “He slayed it!” Tyler added: “I love that you are out of your mind, beautifully so.”

Haley Reinhart sang Adele’s Rolling in the Deep, adding her signature bluesy style which Tyler said brought “a little bit of Haley” to the song.

Jacob Lusk performed a gospel-y rendition of Luther Vandross’s Dance With My Father. The judges compared him to Vandross, and Tyler even called him "Luther Lusk." Jackson didn’t quite agree, saying, “It was vocally good, but didn’t make me jump up and down.”

Casey Abrams made Lopez swoon with a combination of Maroon 5’s Harder to Breathe and a kiss on the cheek for Lopez, recently named People's "Most Beautiful Woman in the World." Tyler let Casey know that he may have a few enemies in America, “because you’re so (F-bomb) good.” Agreed.

Stefano Langone stepped it up a bit with Ne-Yo’s Closer, which all the judges agreed was “really good”. Lopez noted that he had his “swag going on.”

Lauren Alaina wrapped-up the show with Sara Evans’ Born to Fly. The judges praised her vocal performance, but encouraged her to push herself more. Randy said, “It was great, but you can do anything… challenge yourself, Lauren.”

Expect to see Langone in the bottom three Thursday night, and maybe sent home.



Karen Malmquist is a sophomore at La Salle University, and the head writer and star of In Other News, a comedy series airing in Philadelphia.