2012 American Idol predictions and picks have been a little easier to make the past few seasons. As an avid viewer of the show, I’ll be the first to admit that the past few seasons have been boring because the competition really wasn’t that strong across the board. What I mean is that it seemed like Scotty McCreery or Lauren Alaina were absolute locks for the final two last season on American Idol. In the end, there weren’t any American Idol shockers as McCreery knocked out Alaina on the final night. I think this season will have a different finish that might surprise a few people.
The country charmers seemed to be miles ahead of the pack in 2011. So what about 2012? As we draw to the finish, I think the American Idol final two will be Phillip Phillips and Skylar Laine. Who is going to win American Idol in 2012? It could come down to a very interesting final few weeks as the show continues to progress. Laine, a country standout in the mold of Alaina, is very reminiscent of Reba McEntire. With the huge country following the show apparently has(just ask McCreery or Alaina), it seems inevitable that the only remaining country singer has a great shot at the final two if not the title. Sometimes as a view I watch and wonder if Laine isn’t the daughter of Reba or some distant relative. She’s that good and I think the comparisons are just too easy to make.
Phillip Phillips has his own Dave Matthews or Jack Johnson type thing going on. Maybe the only negative I can come up with for Phillips as we head down the home stretch is that he sounds the same on so many songs. But so does Tom Petty.So do many of the great rockers of the day. The fact that Phillip Phillips is always very watchable speaks volumes for his chances. But will he outdo the other strong male competition on the show like Colton Dixon?
Many may wonder why my 2012 American Idol predictions and picks for this year don’t include Jessica Sanchez. Sure, it was an emotional save from the judges. But the fans already showed they weren’t that attached to her once. I think it’s going to be a similar fate that we saw with Pia Toscano when she exited way too early.
So let’s go ahead and narrow my order of finish for the final weeks of American Idol. I think Elise will go home in the coming week. She’ll be followed by Joshua and then Hollie. Jessica will then get the boot leaving Skylar, Phillip and Colton.
In those finales, I can see Colton breaking through to beat Phillip-but I just have this gut feeling that Phillips will steal the show if he gets the chance to do something in his own wheelhouse. For that reason, I think Phillips and the ultra polished Laine will make the finale.
My American Idol predictions from that point? I have a strong feeling the overwhelming country fan base will be too much to allow Phillips to win in that case. Idol has a huge country following and proof resides in some of the folks who have emerged as country stars from the show like Carrie Underwood and Kellie Pickler. Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina only added to that. So my strong inclination is to pick Laine to win it all this year.
But I won’t. So who will win American Idol this year? Instead of Laine or Dixon, I have to go with my overall gut feeling and pick Phillips to win it all. I think it’s safe to say he’s probably developing a large cult following on his own. His type of music doesn’t really endear itself to competition shows like Idol. However, I think that’ll change this season as Phillips wins in a complete American Idol shocker.
Is anyone else worthy of the title? I think the judges were spot on that Jessica is the best overall singer on the show(or at least hinting that with the save). Dixon is becoming a fan favorite that could emerge as a complete darkhorse winner in the style of Kris Allen. If you look at the list of past American Idol winners, it’s not always the person you might expect winning the competition. In fact, that list of past winners from the show includes some performers who haven’t quite made the splash people might have expected. I don’t think that’ll be the case with Phillips should he win. If he is packaged the correct way and can do his own material, Phillips could be another Matthews or in that vicinity. The interesting thing for Idol fans will be to see how America reacts to someone like that who doesn’t quite fit in the mainstream genre. I think Idol fans are in for an interesting few weeks as the show progresses. I fully expect the unexpected but my heart tells me Phillips is just too contagious with his smile and demeanor. It’s nice to see someone for a change who just seems to be completely into his music and having fun on stage. That’s something I don’t think we see very often on shows where young contestants are nervous and in audition mode. Phillips just seems to be doing his own thing and I truly think America is going to see that and vote in that direction.
If not, Laine, Dixon or Sanchez would make an excellent champ and Phillips can sell records.
