Orlando ‘Idol’ contestant Janell Wheeler not impressive Tuesday

Posted Feb 24, 2010 by Walt Belcher

Updated Mar 5, 2010 at 10:18 AM

It was a bad night for the women on “American Idol,” where there were more lows than highs in the competition. The best thing that can be said about the 12 women semifinalists is that they are attractive.

“American Idol” has stopped labeling Janell Wheeler as a Tampa resident because her heart and past belongs to Orlando—and Apopka.

She has only a slight connection to Tampa in that she was working here as a wine sales rep when she auditioned in Orlando last summer.

She set the record straight in an interview with an Orlando newspaper on Monday. She also shot down those rumors about Tim Tebow. The famous Gator is NOT her boyfriend.

But on to her lackluster performance last night. Judge Simon Cowell liked her but was not impressed with her rendition of Heart’s “What About Love.”

So far, he has only liked her version of Estelle’s “American Boy,” which she did during Hollywood Week. She is apparently best as an accoustic country singer. If folk music comes back, she may have a career. She goes flat on “What About Love,” and all the judges noticed that she was “pitchy.” But they all like her anyway.

Wheeler, 24, will probably survive this first round, but she’s got to get better to make into the top 12.

As for the others:

Lilly Scott’s “Fixin’ A Hole” by the Beatles got high marks from the judges. She’s different, all right. Might be too different.

Michelle Delamor has the look, and if she can show some style she might be in the top five.-She did an Alicia Keys song and didn’t live up to Keys, but who could?

Paige Miles, a Naples native, has a good voice but was wobbly on “All Right Now,” but the judges were pleased. Simon said she made a lousy song choice.
 
Crystal Bowersox won over the judges with Alanis Morissette’s “Hand in My Pocket.” She has a good voice, but can she be more than a coffee-house singer?

Katelyn Epperly came out looking kind of trashy in a black leather dress and did another oldie, “Lil’ Darling.” It was quirky and more weird than good.

Didi Benami was another favorite of the judges, but her version of “The Way I Am” by Ingrid Michaelson wasn’t great.

Katie Stevens, 17, gets points for being adorable. Simon said her song was annoying.

Ashley Rodriguez did Leona Lewis’s “Happy,” and none of the judges liked it. She might be in danger.

Haeley Vaughn, who is only 16, was rough on the Beatles “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” but the judges were kind.

Lacey Brown’s cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” was awful. Judges thought it was terrible. She may be a goner.