In what FOX is calling a “dramatic twist,” Ryan Seacrest surprised the Top five finalists – Alex Preston, Jena Irene, Caleb Johnson, Sam Woolf and Jessica Meuse – with the option of either eliminating the lowest vote getter, or rolling last night’s vote over to next week, when two contestants would be eliminated.
In an anonymous vote, the finalists did not unanimously agree to delay the elimination until next week, therefore Sam Woolf was eliminated after receiving the least amount of votes.
The “Idol Twist” as Ryan called it was controversial. TWO contestants voted to preserve America’s vote. The anonymous vote is no longer a secret. The contestants revealed how they voted to reporters backstage after the show! Via a tweet from Chris Trondsen from Pacific Rim Video.
American Idol fans: Caleb, Sam & Jess voted YES, keep everyone together (2 home next week). Jena & Alex voted NO, send someone home tonight.
— Chris Trondsen (@ChrisTrondsen) May 2, 2014
UPDATE: Trondsen has uploaded a video edit of the finalist’s revealing how they voted. Alex DID NOT reveal his vote. We only know how he voted through a process of elimination.
Are you surprised? As front runners, it makes sense that Alex and Jena would vote no. Sure, they didn’t know who had the lowest number of votes, but the calculated risk was worth eliminating the competition to preserve their status. Sam and Jessica were in danger of elimination. It’s understandable they would vote yes. This is a competition with a lot at stake. I can’t blame contestants for voting based on self interest. (Maybe Jena and Alex voted purely to preserve America’s vote, but I suspect their decision was at least partly self-preservation). Caleb, on the other hand, just seems like a nice guy who wants to get along with everyone. Alex expressed his displeasure with the “Idol Twist” on twitter.
That twist was not cool. Didn’t make sense at all. Should have just kept it the same. Whatever. Sam HAS a career, he’s about to explode. — Alex Preston (@RealAlexPreston) May 2, 2014
Everyone voted tonight, knowing that they themselves could go home. No one knew. It is Americas vote, has been for 13 years. It’s shitty. — Alex Preston (@RealAlexPreston) May 2, 2014
Oh, and who else is going to buy Sams kickass album? I am. He’s one of my absolute best friends. For life. — Alex Preston (@RealAlexPreston) May 2, 2014
And from Jessica Meuse
So was that twist reminiscent of the @TheHungerGames or what? #ew #hateit #mean
— Jess Meuse (@JessMeuse) May 2, 2014
The twist was “uncool” because it attempted to invalidate America’s vote. I didn’t text, dial and click last night just to have my votes dismissed. I’ve grudgingly accepted The Save as part of the game, but that should be the only time that votes don’t count.
Sam Woolf asks his fans to cool it with the hatorade
Stop hating on Alex and Jena. No one knew what the results were before the decisions were made. Anybody could of went home.
— Sam Woolf (@samwoolfmusic) May 2, 2014
Find other ways to create drama! Go back to doing the Huff! Or brainstorm some other cruel method to eff with the contestants that won’t screw with the outcome.
Next week, the final four take to the stage in the “Love: Break-ups and Make-ups”-themed performance show on Wednesday, May 7 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed). The following night, the Top Three are revealed on Thursday, May 8 (9:00-9:30 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.
Ryan Reveals the Idol Twist Results
Sam Woolf Says Goodbye with Its Time
ETA: Really enjoying the conversation in comments this morning! I still maintain it took some guts to say no. It would have been easier to just to say yes and allow the group to move forward. There would have been some backlash, but not like the contestants are experiencing now.
As some of you have mentioned, there is more at stake in the competition than ever before. It’s likely that ONLY the winner will get a record contract. If I were in Jena and Alex’s shoes, I would have voted no as well.
At this point in the competition, I am OVER fake feel good moments that only exist in the first place to manipulate the outcome. That America’s vote was preserved as a result was a good thing.
