SEBASTIAN — Kristen O’Connor sang her heart out tonight on the American Idol stage and is now one of this season’s top 13 contestants; a hard-fought achievement.
But it was the American Idol judges who gave her the pass, not America’s popular vote.
After American Idol judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban, and Harry Connick Jr., narrowed the playing field down to 20 contestants, they turned control over to the show’s national audience to cut 20 down to a mere 10.
Though O’Connor was not one of the 10 favored contestants, the judges gave her and four of her competitors one last shot on the stage.
After a strong performance of “Unconditionally” by Katy Perry, the judges deemed O’Connor worthy of one of the top 13 final seats.
Going forward, O’Connor will have to rely upon the nation’s vote to continue on in the national competition that has a history of molding some of America’s recent singing talent.
No matter how strong O’Connor’s stage presence is, how perfectly she hits the notes, or how flawlessly she delivers a song, without the votes of her fans and supporters, she will fall short of becoming the next American Idol.
O’Connor has described music as her greatest talent, her biggest dream, and the goal she has worked hardest for.
In order to keep this Sebastian native and all-around musical powerhouse moving forward in this competition, she needs weekly votes.
Tune in to American Idol on FOX every Wednesday at 8 p.m. to hear O’Connor perform, and vote at the end of the show to ensure she receives every chance to pursue her highest dream.
