Review
American Idol season 23 will welcome award-winning composer, actor, and singer Lin-Manuel Miranda as its mentor for its two-episode Disney Night celebration on May 11 and May 12, and he’ll inject some much-needed energy into this lackluster season. Lin-Manuel created the Broadway musicals In the Heights and Hamilton, and he wrote the soundtracks to the animated films Moana, Encanto, and Vivo. He also contributed new songs to the live action version of The Little Mermaid, as well as Mufasa: The Lion King. In addition, Lin-Manuel starred as Jack in Mary Poppins Returns.
Lin-Manuel’s work with Moana, Encanto, The Little Mermaid, Mufasa: The Lion King, and Mary Poppins Returns has made him Disney royalty, so he was the perfect choice to mentor the American Idol season 23 Top 7 contestants during their two Disney Nights. He’ll be choosing the songs on the first night, by Heroes and Villains Night on the second. The Top 7 contestants include Breanna Nix, Gabby Samone, Jamal Roberts, John Foster, Mattie Pruitt, Slater Nalley, and Thunderstorm Artis. As Lin-Manuel mentors the contestants, he’ll be a refreshing burst of energy for the show.
The American Idol Season 23 Contestants Have Sung Too Many Ballads
Lin-Manuel Should Advise Them To Spice Things Up
Throughout American Idol season 23 so far, Breanna, Gabby, Jamal, John, Mattie, Slater, and Thunderstorm have relied mostly on ballads to showcase their immense vocal talents. They’re all phenomenal singers, but they haven’t ventured too far outside of their comfort zones. On Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night, they didn’t really rock out, but instead they chose rather safe songs, except for Jamal, who sang «Shout.»
Although John chose «Jailhouse Rock» and Mattie selected «Piece of My Heart,» neither of them had the sass that judge Carrie Underwood was so desperately looking for that night. In addition, Thunderstorm’s «Fire and Rain,» Gabby’s «Saving All My Love for You,» Breanna’s «Open Arms,» and Slater’s «Your Song,» were powerful performances, but they didn’t highlight their personalities in any way.
During Iconic Idol Moments Night, the contestants delivered more of the same, with all of them singing ballads, including Slater’s «Angel from Montgomery,» Thunderstorm’s «House of the Rising Sun,» Mattie’s «Because of You,» Gabby’s «A Song for You,» Breanna’s «Tell Your Heart to Beat Again,» John’s «I Told You So,» and Jamal’s «Heal.» Again, they were all fantastic performances vocally, but, somehow they were still very boring because it was too much of the same type of song.
On American Idol season 23 Ladies Night, the pattern continued, with the American Idol season 23 contestants singing safe songs that kept them in their boxes. They included John’s «Something to Talk About,» Breanna’s «Water Under the Bridge,» Thunderstorm’s «When We Were Young,» Slater’s «Whoever’s in New England,» Jamal’s «Undo It,» Mattie’s «The House That Built Me,» and Gabby’s «I Was Here.»
During the Judges’ Song Contest, the hope was that judges Carrie, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan would choose songs for the contestants that challenged them more, but, instead, it was another pretty dull episode. The performances included Breanna’s «Independence Day,» Mattie’s «Always Been You,» John’s «I Cross My Heart,» Gabby’s «Hero,» Jamal’s «I Believe,» Thunderstorm’s «Faithfully,» and Slater’s «Atlantic City,» which were predictable choices for them.
Hopefully, Lin-Manuel will choose tunes from the Disney song catalog that force the American Idol season 23 Top 7 contestants to spice things up. Fans know that they can sing ballads well. Now it’s time for them to venture outside of their comfort zones, and sing some upbeat songs. Lin-Manuel is sensational at bringing energy to music, as evidenced by his live performances, so the hope is that he’ll teach the contestants how to spread their wings. They should move and work the stage more, not just walking around and touching hands with the audience, but also dancing a bit too.
The American Idol Season 23 Contestants Have Played It Safe
Lin-Manuel Should Encourage Them To Take Risks
American Idol season 23 has impressive singers, but it lacks fun. It’s very predictable and comfortable, which has made it boring. The contestants range in age from 16-29, but they don’t seem youthful or energetic. Disney Night is the perfect opportunity for the Top 7 contestants to try something new, and Lin-Manuel is the ideal person to guide them while they do that. While it’ll be easy for them to play it safe, past American Idol contestants have proven that unexpected song choices can catapult them to the top of the pack and taking risks pays off.
American Idol season 16 winner Maddie Poppe’s quirky version of «The Bare Necessities» from The Jungle Book and season 17 winner Laine Hardy’s surprising rendition of «Oo-De-Lally» from Robin Hood proved that they deserved to be crowned the champions. Season 20’s Nicolina Bozzo made history with her extraordinary performance of «Poor Unfortunate Souls» from The Little Mermaid by being the first American Idol contestant to sing a villain’s song on Disney Night.
These risky song choices made the contestants stand out, rather than singing typical and overused Disney Night songs such as «You’ve Got a Friend In Me» from Toy Story, «I See the Light» from Tangled, «Remember Me» from Coco, and «Circle of Life» from The Lion King.
Lin-Manuel should encourage the American Idol season 23 Top 7 contestants to take risks and sing songs that get the crowd on their feet. It’s time for some energy and dancing on the show. Disney Night should feel like a party. It would be awesome to see Lin-Manuel choose some upbeat Disney songs for the contestants, such as «Under the Sea» from The Little Mermaid, «I’ll Make a Man Out of You» from Mulan, «Try Everything» from Zootopia, «You’re Welcome» from Moana, «Zero to Hero» from Hercules, «Almost There» from The Princess and the Frog, «Friend Like Me» from Aladdin, «Love Is An Open Door» from Frozen, «Surface Pressure» from Encanto, and «Seize the Day» from Newsies, among so many others.
Lin-Manuel could help the contestants infuse some of his signature style into the songs, including rapping, to make them sound more modern as well. Viewers have heard enough ballads this season, and this would be a refreshing change. The Heroes and Villains Night should definitely help with this and make things interesting.
American Idol season 23 has been something of a snoozefest so far, and, with only three episodes left, the contestants must do something to wow the viewers who’ll be voting. With his charisma and positivity, Lin-Manuel will bring some much-needed energy to the show. He knows what it takes to bring life to the stage, and he can share his experience with the contestants. With Disney icon Lin-Manuel as their mentor, there’s no telling how far the American Idol season 23 contestants will go.
American Idol airs Sundays and Mondays at 8 p.m. EDT on ABC.
Sources: American Idol/Instagram, American Idol/Instagram
