Majesty earns judges' plaudits
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on March 27, 2014 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/MATT CAULDER
From left, Wayne Early Middle College students Malik Bizzell, 17, Sean Jahad, 16, DaeJane Richardson, 17, Sirtauria Hilliard, 17, and Maria Mandujano, 16, sign the banner for "American Idol" hopeful Majesty Rose. The banner will be sent to Rose whether or not she stays in the running.
Goldsboro was in the spotlight on "American Idol" Wednesday night as contestant Majesty Rose shared a bit more about her hometown.
The Top 9 continued their race to the finale in the national competition, with the show's band moved onto the stage to perform with the singers.
Majesty Rose took to the stage second. She chose to sing "Shake it Out" by Florence and the Machine.
But before she sang a note, the audience got a glimpse at her roots. In a pretaped film segment, there was footage from city hall and downtown and with her preschool students at the Family YMCA, with Majesty narrating.
"Life in Goldsboro was like, I mean I was like a normal person. I went to work at my preschool. I was special to myself," she said with a laugh. "I think there were people who thought I was something special. My preschool kids, I know I have inspired them. That's why every week I get up there I'm going to continue to be myself. I'm going to continue to be an example for them."
She alluded to the "big transformation" going from a small town to Hollywood.
"I have grown a lot. Really, it's been my confidence that's been the biggest thing that I have had to, like overcome," she said. "I'm definitely grateful to the people who believed in me. It's really encouraging."
She said she intended to "sing like there's no judges" and went on to play tambourine and interject a little dance in her performance.
"That's the Majesty that I love," said judge Jennifer Lopez afterward. "I love you when you're like that. You just feel so comfortable up there. "Vocally it was a little bit all over the place but performance-wise, for me it was a 10."
Judge Harry Connick Jr. also praised her vocal abilities.
"You're so talented. From the first day, I remember you and I have been waiting for you to connect (with the audience)," he said. "I think you're so close to breaking through in this competition. Because what I think makes it hard is that stylistically you're so diverse and it doesn't give people anything to latch onto."
He also commented on the dance steps she interjected, which had drawn applause from the audience.
"Majesty, I'm telling you, if you're lucky enough to stick around in this competition, you're so close to just owning the stage," he said.
Judge Keith Urban credited her choice of song, because she has an "incredible range."
Host Ryan Seacrest asked Majesty how it felt to perform on stage with the show's band.
"It was really good," she said. "It feels like I'm going my thing. We'll see how American feels about it but I'm happy."
Will Majesty advance in the competition or wind up back in the bottom three for the third straight week?
Tune in tonight, when the show airs on Fox TV for a half-hour results show at 9 p.m. Or make your way out to the Family YMCA for a public viewing party that starts at 8:30.