In this week’s chat with Taste of Country, American Idol mentor, Scott Borchetta is very concerned about tonight’s “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” duet between Tristan McIntosh and Lee Jean.
Jean is sick, Borchetta tells Taste of Country. That won’t help him, or her.
“He’s not one of the bigger voices on the show,” the BMLG mentor says after explaining how some contestants are more stylists than pure vocalists. “Tristan is. Lee is really gonna have to step up if he’s going to stay on par with Tristan.”
Both are just 15 years old and will lean on each other throughout their version of “I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing.” It could end up being the surprise highlight of the night, but if Jean struggles, there’s always the potential that McIntosh could sound off, as well, thus hurting her in the long run.
On Tristan’s solo song, Martina McBride’s “A Broken Wing,” Scott reveals she’s been singing the tune since she was 11. He also runs through how and why Tristan changed her song last week. Again, half the interview is all about concern for his very special snowflake Tristan. It’s taking a lot of work on Scott’s part to keep her in the competition! Heh.
Scott finally moves on to discuss the La’Porsha Renae and Trent Harmon duet, “See You Again” by Charlie Puth. He tells TOC it’s the pairing he’s most looking forward to. Some of the contestants were intimidated at the prospect of singing with La’Porsha, but not Trent.
“Some of them were afraid to sing with her, because she is so powerful,” he said. “Trent’s like ‘I got this, we’re good.’”
Scott explained that working with Trent to stop the singer from pulling faces during performances is about more than just appearance. “It was more about getting him to relax, because if he’s doing all of that with his face to get his sound out — it was like ‘Dude if you can relax that, there’s even more sound that can come out inside you and it’s not so forced.’”
Scott confirmed that once again, the three lowest vote-getters will sing last with the judges saving one. Two will go home. Oh and Scott admits that his opinion on who goes and who stays matters.
“There’s a little bit of a wink and a nod in there, for sure. Because I’ve spent time with them all week.”
“They (the judges) may ask a question.”
American Idol airs tonight at 8/7c PM on FOX . Watch for our live blog! The Top 8 sing solos and are paired for duets. Click for Song Spoilers.
Read more at Taste of Country
