"American Idol" took viewers to the movies in Wednesday night's episode, and if Oscars had been awarded, finalist Paul McDonald would have been a lock for Best Costume.
McDonald, son of UTC instructor Susan McDonald, opened the show wearing a black sequined suit that was as loud as his rendition of "Old Time Rock 'n' Roll" from "Risky Business." The suit, which judge Randy Jackson compared to Porter Wagoner's style, was embroidered in large red roses down the sleeves and pants legs.
Jackson told the singer America had just witnessed the "opening number of a Paul McDonald concert" Judge Steven Tyler asked to borrow the suit to go out on tour.
Rossville's Lauren Alaina Suddeth followed McDonald onstage, singing Miley Cyrus's hit, "The Climb." Producer Jimmy Iovine chided Suddeth for the selection in their taped mentoring session, telling the 16-year-old her voice was stronger than Cyrus's.
Suddeth, who was dressed in a metallic zebra-print bustier over black lace mini-skirt, said she chose the song because it describes her current quest on the TV show. "Everything about the song screams 'Idol'," said Suddeth.
Judge Jennifer Lopez told Suddeth she "loved the tear she has in her voice, that it transmits to the audience." Tyler told the teen, "I love what you bring to a song and how you own it."
The eight finalists become seven Thursday night at 8 p.m. on Fox.
Get all the Lauren Alaina news right here.
Susan Palmer Pierce is a reporter and columnist in the Life department. She began her journalism career as a summer employee 1972 for the News Free Press, typing bridal announcements and photo captions. She became a full-time employee in 1980, working her way up to feature writer, then special sections editor, then Lifestyle editor in 1995 until the merge of the NFP and Times in 1999. She was honored with the 2007 Chattanooga Woman of ...
related articles »
"American Idol" viewers want to hear more from Lauren Alaina Suddeth and Paul McDonald.
Both "American Idol" finalists with Chattanooga ties advanced to sing again during Thursday night's episode of Fox network's No. 1 ...
Both "American Idol" finalists with Chattanooga ties advanced to sing again during Thursday night's episode of Fox network's No. 1 ...
"American Idol" contestant Paul McDonald, whose mother Susan teaches at UTC, vaulted into the Top 24 Wednesday night.
Or login with:
New Account