Arts & Entertainment

Top 8: Deandre Brackensick Idol's 'Stand Out' of the Night

The judges said Wednesday's performance on the Fox show was the 17-year-old's best yet.

Deandre Brackensick continued to impress the American Idol judges, particularly Randy Jackson who called the 17-year-old’s performance Wednesday night one of his best yet.

“You used more of your natural voice and ,” Jackson said. “It was perfect.”

It was back to the ‘80s for the , and the San Jose, CA, native chose to perform El DeBarge’s “I Like It,” as the first performance of the night. Brackensick is the .

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Mentor Jimmy Iovine, who works with contestants, was joined this week by No Doubt bassist Tony Kanal and lead singer Gwen Stefani. Stefani told Brackensick he's the full package but needs more stage confidence.

“I feel like sometimes you look sort of worried the whole time,” she said. “I think you should just be more confident, like, own it.”  

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Brackensick admitted he gets nervous, but he let loose on stage, which didn’t go unnoticed. Judges agreed he was the . Steven Tyler called the performance “captivating.”

“I forgot where I was…that was exceptional today,” Tyler said.

Jennifer Lopez said Brackensick seemed “super comfortable” and appeared to have taken the .

“You were really enjoying the crowd. Even the way you moved your hair this time,” she said, referring to his long locks. She said the song was a great start to the show.

Brackensick told host Ryan Seacrest his opening performance could be a double-edge sword.

“I don’t want to be forgotten,” he said.

Tune in to the Fox show at 8 p.m. Thursday for the elimination round.


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