So, American Idol contestant Haeley Vaughn's performance on Tuesday night sparked the first big difference of opinion of the American Idol season.
As Ryan Seacrest pointed out, it was as if the judges were watching two different shows when Haeley sang "I Wanna Hold Your Hand," by the Beatles. New judge Ellen Degeneres felt the 16-year-old high school student was shining bright in her first performance of the season. "You just shine," Ellen said. "I enjoyed it...just as someone who likes music, I enjoyed it."
But the other judges, who all have the experience Ellen lacks in the music industry, weren't as enthusiastic. Simon even said, "I think it was verging on terrible...It was just for me a complete utter mess."
Well, this fan sitting at home on the couch agreed with Ellen, who in some ways represents all of the viewers watching at home. Haeley Vaughn's performance wasn't half as bad as Simon said. In fact it was one of my favorites of the night. Do you agree with Simon or Ellen on this one? Does Ellen know what she's talking about or are the experienced judges proving their knowledge of music? Tell me your thoughts in the comments.
Comments
I think she’s an arrogant idiot who has lived a sheltered life. She likes to boast about her own uniqueness when really she bears a cookie-cutter resemblance to the indie scene which is no longer indie, but rather mainstream today. She’s a poser, and she should get out and expose herself to some real culture before telling me she has charisma and that she’s going to revolutionize music. People with charisma don’t have to advertise it. And her claim that she’ll revolutionize music is only sadly pathetic as she’s certain to return to her roots as a street busker. As I type this now, I begin to think that maybe American Idol and mainstream music is the right place for Lilly, seeing as mainstream pop culture is decided by the mass populace which is less than intelligent in all its parts or as a whole. Therefore, I retract my earlier statements and conclude with this: Lilly is the perfect candidate to win American Idol. Because really, who cares?
I thought Haeley’s performance was beyond terrible, and by far the worst of the night. I think this week her mom should take her out and have her lips pierced. Together.
FYI
I forgot to mention in my comment above that I am referring to Lilly.
My husband (a musician and songwriter) and I both thought Haeley’s voice was beautiful and unique. Her performance was by far the most exciting one of the night — her voice SOARS. Raw talent is a great thing to witness. The judges (except Ellen) definitely got it wrong.
I usually always agree with Simon but was just shocked that he said Haeley was a mess??? What?? I thought she was one of the most unique and was my favorite performance of the night besides Didi. I have never picked up the phone and voted before but i did tonight so maybe that was what the judges were after?
I agree with Ellen. I did not think that was terrible at all. For someone whos 16, performing on a stage like AI, she did really well and sound great.
She was awful; worse performance of the night. Simon got it right!!!! Love Ellen but This is no the job for her!!
I am shocked….I LOVED HER PERFORMANCE AND THINK SHE WAS PERHAPS THE MOST ORIGINAL OF THE EVENING. I too have never voted but immediately picked up the phone to vote for her. She was wonderful.
I cant believe they Didnt get Haeley. What where they hearing. She was the most orignial and best proformance of the night. She made I wanna hold your hand sound new and fresh and did it her own way. The Judges need to watch the show over again.
luverOrHater you are being extremely ignorant!! Arrogent idot…ARE YOU SERIOUS!! Haeley had the best performance last night. Apparently you have no musical background at all. And how do you feel talking about a 16 year old girl who hasn’t done anything wrong to anybody. I think you’re the arrogent idot who wouldn’t know talent if it bit you in your behind!! Haeley you were awesome and Simon doesn’t know what he’s talking about.
I absolutely loved Haeley. I think she brings a lot to this competition. Haeley Vaughn has a very powerful voice she showed this in “I want to hold your hand”, but i totally agree with Kara she has to work on some parts of her register because they were shaky. She can improve a lot during the competition everyone s not always perfect keep that in mid
.
Ashley, I’m confused. luverOrHater was talking about Lilly not Haeley. Hee Honk
The judges don’t get her – especially Simon. Haeley was the only contestant that truly gave a creative, original performance. The rest of them sound like their trying to mimic what we have heard a thousand times before. What she does with her voice at the high notes sounds so amazing. Please Haeley don’t change a thing. Don’t let Simon influence you into becoming another mad at the world cry baby clone.
I totally didn’t hear what the judges, minus Ellen were hearing. I thought Haeley was the best person of the night. Even the crowd seemed to enjoy her as well. All of the other performances were all pretty boring and similiar. I hated that girl who did the Alicia Keys song, but the judges loved her. She really sucked to me.
It is disgusting to see how quickly people jump on the band wagon to rip people apart!!! This young lady, Haeley Vaughn, is the most sincere, breath of fresh air in talent, I’ve seen in awhile. I pray she is back on that stage next week and blows everyones socks and shoes off!!! Haeley, delivered her performance with confidence, calmness and with that genuine smile on her face that she always has. I thought she looked like and had the radiance of an angel. Haeley, is no cookie cutter performer! This industry needs more of what shes got, to get up there on that stage at 16 yrs old and sing with that million dollar smile, and deliver that authentic style she has!!! Haeley I think you are a refreshing sweet, sweet, spirit that also has a beautiful voice. Don’t let these jerks burst your bubble, if the truth were know the person that is behind the keyboard being so cruel, is more than likely bitter from some musical rejection they have recieved in the past! Sooooo, GO OUT THERE AND LEAVE THEM ALL WITH THEIR JAWS DROPPED!! YOU ARE JUST GREAT, AND DO NOT LET ANYONE TELL YOU ANY DIFFERENT!!!!!!
Haeley is in real life a very ncie and sincere person indeed. I actually used to go to school with her, and am very glad to see her shining to the world. Tho i don’t think her last performance was the greatest, I know that this girl is a wonderful person and does deserve to win the contest.
Unfortunately, I’m not entirely sure she will as it is true that the majority of people are stupid and follow the main ideas of others…
Goodluck Haeley! I’ll be voting, and never let your smile cease to brighten the world.
Haeley was by far the most original and energetic performer of the group. I thought her version of the Beatles song was amazingly fun and creative. I was entertained and moved. Simon needs to shut his trap about her smiling too much, she is living a dream and finding it delightful. Simon could takes some lessons from her about that aspect. I wish this delightful young lady the best of luck in this competition.
I really don’t know what show you guys were watching. I completely agree with Simon…I think that Haeley’s performance was just annoying. I’m not trying to be mean, so please spare me the hate comments that will follow this. In my personal opinion I think she was terrible and should have gone home. Some of the girls that left were way better.
Haeley has a potential to be okay, but she is just not fit for Americal Idol, some of the other contestants are so much better. I find her voice to be very irritating and I think people are jumping on the ‘band wagon’ of saying shes great.
She was adorable.
I really, really wanted to like Haeley because she is from the city I live in, but I thought she was bad – extremely bad. I’m sure she’ll do great things though – she seems really sweet.
The fact of the matter is Haely’s voice was not good enough to record. Ask your self- who would buy her CD’s. African Americans will not because they do not buy country western. Caucasians will not because she does not fit the beauty definition. Lets get real-she needs voice training.
Well duh it was your favorite because she’s a young black girl. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that you’d back Ellen on this, since she’s backing a black girl.
Haeley’s performances during Idol (both “I Want To Hold Your Hand” and “The Climb”) were utterly atrocious. She took two songs that are incredible and butchered both of them.
How she even made it into the top 24 is beyond me. Her voice is not a pleasant one and she has to know this. Plus she looks bad practically begging Disney for a job. She’s still in high school and not particularly talented.
I’m sure she’s a nice enough girl, but singing isn’t tailored to public performances of Idol’s nature. She would be best utilized as a second soprano is say, a church choir. Her voice is loud, but not good.
Ellen has no business being a judge of musical ability. She’s great at being a gay afternoon talk-show host, but just add Idol judge to things she should avoid. Like political activist.
I am a musician and a singer. I Want to Hold Your Hand by The Beatles is one of my favorite songs. Her performance reminds me of U2′s The Best of 1980-1990 / The B-Sides, there were two versions of “The Sweetest Thing” one was the Radio Version, the other was an Alternate Take.
I prefer the Alternate Take because Bono’s voice wasn’t perfect, it cracked at some points and was raspy at others. He sang with more raw feeling and emotion than the Radio Version.
Her voice wasn’t perfect, but she emoted very well, had fun and sang with feeling and enthusiasm. I was blown away by it. She took one of my all time favorite songs and did something that I thought was creative and amazing enough for me to download it.