‘American Idol’ vs. ‘The Voice’: Who’s the best singer? Vote here.
Week of: May 7 - May 14, 2012
"American Idol" vs. "The Voice": Our judges (and you) sound off on the best performances of the week.
"The Voice" victor Jermaine Paul sobbed through his victory song "I Believe I Can Fly." Over at "Idol" Hollie Cavanagh delivered her swan song, "The Climb," with dry eyes — as tears streamed down Joshua Ledet's face.
Did America make the right call by crowning former backup singer Paul? What will happen next on "Idol"?
Roll over the photos below to watch the performances and see what our experts had to say.
Full coverage: "American Idol" | "The Voice"
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Chris Barton
Music Writer
Joshua Ledet
"idol"
This week's song:
"It's a Man's Man's Man's World"
It's Joshua's world
With flashes of elastic power, clenched-teeth intensity and delicate vulnerability, Ledet was a one-man argument twisting through James Brown's original, folding in on himself then exploding through the song's battle-of-the-sexes lyrics. Anybody remember last week when it seemed like Juliet Simms nailed this song on "The Voice"? Neither do I. — Chris Barton
Play performance
This week's song:
"Rich Girl"
The Daryl abides
What does it say that the most memorable moment from "The Voice's" bland finale featured winner Jermaine Paul again relegated to backing vocals? Despite being at least five years behind the hipster reappraisal of Hall & Oates, the duo can still bring it, and Hall's transformation into some glossy cross between Michael McDonald and Jeffrey Lebowski made it that much better. — Chris Barton
Play performance
Jamar Rogers
"the voice"
This week's song:
"With A Little Help From My Friends"
A scene-stealing return
With "The Voice" bringing back some of the departed this week, Simms may have inspired some feelings of buyer's remorse by giving Rogers another chance. Also turning up for Paul's take on the Jackson Five as well as some giddy mugging backstage, Rogers seemed to be having the time of his life through the finale, which is a lot more than the rest of us could say. — Chris Barton
Play performance
Tony Lucca
"the voice"
This week's song:
"99 Problems"
Let's not fight
Working his own kickdrum before twangy guitar, harmonica and a whole lot of fire took Jay-Z's original to the Delta, Lucca's rambunctious turn with English singer-songwriter Hugo's head-bobbing rearrangement of Jay-Z was one of the liveliest moments of the week. Hang on a minute, I think Adam Levine and Christina might be still arguing over what a metaphor means. — Chris Barton
Play performance
Jermaine Paul
"the voice"
This week's song:
"I Believe I Can Fly"
Waiting for liftoff
How did one of the show's top talents finish on such an unremarkable note? Did Paul miss his '80s magic? Is the shadow of "Space Jam" simply too great? Regardless, at least the song took on some extra emotion as Paul fought back tears and roughly 78 hugs after his victory. (Really, NBC? You couldn't just let the guy enjoy his moment before sending him back to work?) — Chris Barton
Play performance
Todd Martens
Music Writer
Adam & Christina
"the voice"
This week's song:
"99 Problems"
The real (bickering) stars
Levine and Aguilera squabbling over the meaning of Jay-Z's "99 Problems" stole the show. She: It's derogatory toward women. He: It's called a metaphor! Two questions: Can the singer of "Dirrty" strike any moral high ground? And does this mean there might be some deeper, metaphorical meaning behind Maroon 5's "Payphone"? — Todd Martens
Play performance
Tony Lucca
"the voice"
This week's song:
"99 Problems"
A not-so subtle diss?
Mouseketeers don't always place nice. Aguilera had been tough all season on Levine's contestant-turned-pal Lucca, and it didn't take Encyclopedia Brown to recognize the song's kiss-off message. Lucca has grown into a lil' Levine — professionally vanilla — but the rap hit made a surprisingly easy transition into a roots rock stomper. — Todd Martens
Play performance
Juliet Simms
"the voice"
This week's song:
"Free Bird"
F.R.E.E.B.I.R.D.!.!.!.
There are cracks, hisses, pitfalls and all sorts of smoky quirks in Simms' voice. She was a good singer trapped in a terrible mall-punk band (Automatic Loveletter, but don't Google it) and "The Voice" brought out her rock 'n' soul potential. Also: More Skynrd in prime time, please. — Todd Martens
Play performance
Steven Tyler
"idol"
This week's song:
"It's a Man's Man's Man's World"
HIS LIFE!
And now, finally, the Aerosmith frontman has witnessed art. Joshua Ledet's take on "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" was finely done, but it was also apparently the greatest moment in Tyler's life. "I've never heard anything like that in my life. My life!" shouted Tyler. And here we thought "Love in an Elevator" was the pinnacle of music. — Todd Martens
Play performance
Jermaine Paul
"the voice"
This week's song:
"I Believe I Can Fly"
Crash landing
And now a standing O for supreme blandness! Paul won on Tuesday, and week in and week out he was one of the most consistent performers, but he closed the show with buttoned-up schmaltz. Sporting a tuxedo look, Paul seemed to be auditioning for a wedding singing gig rather than a recording contract. — Todd Martens
Play performance
Television Writer
Jessica Sanchez
"idol"
This week's song:
"And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going"
Don't want her to go anywhere
Sanchez funneled into this "Dreamgirls" song all the frustration she felt after her near elimination and solidly, passionately landed every note, every word, every nuance. It felt cathartic. When she sang "You're gonna love me," there was no choice but to surrender. — Amy Reiter
Play performance
Phillip Phillips
"idol"
This week's song:
"Volcano"
The pressure builds
This was perfect, pure Phillip Phillips: intimate, contained, intense, with so much hot emotion roiling beneath the surface of his pebbly voice. He showed a range, melodic command and vocal ease he had not before and brought the song a lava-like sizzle that was also ... cool. — Amy Reiter
Play performance
Jermaine Paul
"the voice"
This week's song:
"I Believe I Can Fly"
A winner takes wing
Paul really lifted off as a solo artist with this R. Kelly song, singing with soul and style, passion and power, emotion and elegance. Now he'll be able to crow about a win, feather his nest with $100,000 and sing like a bird on his own record. High may he soar. — Amy Reiter
Play performance
Joshua Ledet
"idol"
This week's song:
"It's a Man's Man's Man's World"
Will it again be a Man's 'Idol'?
Ledet's take on James Brown's textured classic didn't lack for passion. At points, he seemed to be attacking it through gritted teeth. It didn't pack quite the emotional punch Juliet Simms' version had on "The Voice," but it had standing-O-worthy soul. — Amy Reiter
Play performance
Juliet Simms
"the voice"
This week's song:
"Free Bird"
Flames in the air!
Simms carried the Lynyrd Skynyrd song off like the rock star she's poised to become. The striking Erte-esque costume – that fiery red dress with the filmy cape that at one point shot up in the air like a flame – didn't hurt either. Lighters aloft to that! — Amy Reiter
Play performance
Your Favorites
Poll Closed Jessica Sanchez
"idol"
This week's song:
"And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going"
'Great potential'
"Her great voice has a great potential in music industry and the recording company sure will make a money because of many followers," Ed Samson via latimes.com
Jessica Sanchez! One of the greatest voices I've ever heard in my entire life. I agree with Jimmy Iovine, "Game Over!" she should win AI hands down!!!!" DEeh Mac via latimes.com
Play performance
Phillip Phillips
"idol"
This week's song:
"Volcano"
'Most artistic'
"Phillips is the most artistic out of the three! U can bet that when the three of them come out with an album, his will, of course, be sung by PHILLIP PHILLIPS. But, mostly importantly be by WRITTEN PHILLIP PHILLIPS!" Jodi Vance via latimes.com
"Phillip is my choice for the winner, I would love to see him in concert, he is so funny and entertaining," Nita Ingham via latimes.com
Play performance
Joshua Ledet
"idol"
This week's song:
"It's a Man's Man's Man's World"
'Ready for the world stage'
"JOSHUA LEDET is ready for the world stage," Norma Jean Olivier via latimes.com
"..any one of them could win at this point. i think it should be joshua as he's been the most consistently good all along" Debi Stewart Schefren via latimes.com
Play performance
Hollie Cavanagh
"idol"
This week's song:
"I Can't Make You Love Me"
'Under-rated'
"I think sanchez struggled to get her last song out looked like she was fighting the song and Holliy"s came out effortlesssly they can"t hear," Brenda Harding via latimes.com
"Holly Cavanaugh is under-rated. Yes, her cover of the Bonnie Raitt song wasn't great, but the emotion and message were clearly delievered, soemthing the judges failed to notice," Jeff Dwyer via latimes.com California
Play performance
Jermaine Paul
"the voice"
This week's song:
"I Believe I Can Fly"
'Congrats'
"OMG!!!!!!! Jermaine Paul!!!!! THE VOICE! Congrats My Dude!!" Queen Latifah via Twitter
"if #JermainePaul doesn't win #TheVoice i've lost all faith in America" nicole baart via Twitter
Play performance
Photos: "American Idol" contestants / Michael Becker/Fox | Photos: "The Voice" contestants / Mitchell Haaseth/NBC.
Design and interactivity: Lily Mihalik. Interactivity: Armand Emamdjomeh/@emamd
Use the poll below to vote. Make your case in the comments. Poll remains open until Monday. Check back daily for new results.
