Antonella the train wreck

Sabrina Sloan's revelation is that when she was in high school, she wanted to be the next Katie Couric. She hosted the school's weekly television show and got to interview her fellow students on campus.

She sings "Don't Let Go" by En Vogue and it starts off OK, but then she goes flat right before the chorus. I'm also quickly reminded of last week when Simon told her not to confuse power with shouting, because I feel like she's got them confused again. It's really not her best performance.

Is this week the first time the stylists have gotten to the contestants? Because I feel like Sabrina looks extra nice tonight, too. Her dress is cute, her curls seem more under control and her makeup just a little more perfect.

Randy says he's not crazy about her song choice, but that it was a solid performance. Paula says she has a gorgeous voice and that she looks beautiful. Simon says the performance lacked emotion - he says it was robotic, that she needs to inject personality. But despite the tiny critiques, they all quickly say "Yes!" when Ryan asks them if she deserves to be in the top 12.


One thing we didn't know about Antonella Barba is that she has been playing the violin since she was 4 years old. She played all through high school and still gives lessons when she's home from college during the summer. I must admit, that little bit of trivia actually helped redeem her a bit in my eyes. Given all the Internet hoopla, it wasn't too hard to form an opinion of Antonella - and not a good one, so hearing that she's been dedicated to music for so long kind of helped shine a better light on her.

Unfortunately, it can't help her singing voice. She sings Corinne Bailey-Rae's "Put Your Records On" and it's embarrassing how bad it is.

Now, I just need to quickly clarify something about my musical tastes and experience. First off, I need to state as clearly as I can that I am in no way a musical expert - I like the songs that I like, the artists that I like and I have no scientific formula for determining what they will be. I also don't usually follow artists, meaning one great song won't make me go crazy for a singer and have me rushing for the store to buy the album. I usually take a song at face value - rarely caring who sings it. If I like it, I'll listen to it, but very few names stick in my head.

Corinne Bailey-Rae is a name that is slowly beginning to stick in my head - haven't bought the album yet - but I like the soothing tone of her voice and the songs I've heard, I've thoroughly enjoyed. So you can imagine my horror to have Antonella virtually slaughter this song. She's so out of tune, you can hear the clashing between her and the backup singers. Her beauty just can't save her this time - and I'm not even going to comment on the hooker boots she's wearing...ugh.

Randy says it was pitchy and that he think she's a better singer than she thinks she is - she just hasn't shown it. I agree - she was great in the auditions, then just lost it completely. Paula says the song choice was good, but that she should avoid singing the low notes because her magic is in the higher range. Simon is speechless for a minute and then tells her that she's gone as far as she can go - that she is surrounded by some amazing girl singers and that he doesn't know how much more she can do. But he does pat her on the back about how she's handled the Internet photos and whatever...