33 replies to this topic

[TWoP Tennison]

Elise Testone

[Yogurt Baron]

I'm not a big Elise fan - her growly-rocker vibe seems really phony to me, and if I were going to go on Idol and try to make it by doing a bad impersonation of a past contestant, I'm not sure Amanda Overmyer would be the first name to come to mind - but her semifinal performance contained some surprisingly good singing, under the Faux-vermyer affectations. So given how many people are left who I hate more, I'd like her to make it to about the halfway point.

[Dejana]

Top 13 Q&A

What sets you apart from the other contestants?
Elise Testone: I have lots and lots of experience. I’ve been in so many bands. I’ve been a backup singer, a lead singer, I have a music degree. There are a lot of things the younger competitors have that I don’t have, so I do see a nice healthy competition going on.

What do you need to improve to win the competition?
Elise Testone: Um, I’m perfect. No! I’m kidding! I would like to be able to sing higher and really hold that out and have that nice vibrato.

What one thing about yourself do you most want people to know that hasn’t been covered on the show?
Elise Testone: I’ve sung opera. I did Italian, French opera for my senior recital. I’m fun. I’ll always tell you the truth. I’m a goofball. I can sing any kind of music and make it my own. I can play instruments.

This is the point when contestants often get makeovers — anything you’d love or loathe to change?
Elise Testone: They have really great ideas and I like what I’ve learned about them so far. I’m ready to take chances!

Any specific theme nights you’re dreading or looking forward to?
Elise Testone: I love the funk and I love rock. I love some Black Crowes and Led Zeppelin and Jimmy Hendrix. There is nothing I’m dreading.

Who gives the most constructive and helpful feedback: Steven, Jennifer, or Randy?
Elise Testone: I like that Randy actually gave me some criticism last night, that was nice. They’ve been really nice to me. Last night, he said it wasn’t my best. I’m glad he said that. If they are always positive, I’m never going to grow.

[RoisterDoister]

Elise Testone: I love the funk and I love rock. I love some Black Crowes and Led Zeppelin and Jimmy Hendrix. There is nothing I’m dreading.

I'd love to see some funk on the show. Bring it, Elise.

[NoteForMyself]

She deserved to in the top 10. But I have a feeling that she may end up being the shock boot. At 28, she's the oldest contestant this season. And she has a little bit more reserved personality that may not always stand out, especially as the competition gets down to less people and it will have to be more than just about being able to sing.

[Airy Pits]

I like the voice, I like the "won't take bullshit" vibe she gives off, but I'm afraid her voice is going to give out very soon. And I felt that her "I almost cried that's why my voice cracked," seemed like an excuse. I can't be sure, but it seemed like her voice cracked on almost all the belty parts.

[olddan23]

IMHO the main problem that Elise faces in her projected success @ this dog & pony format is that not enough potential voters would recognize the name Susan Tedeschi. But, on the other hand, for those of us who do.....next week can't come soon enough.

[MandoMaid]

I like the voice, I like the "won't take bullshit" vibe she gives off, but I'm afraid her voice is going to give out very soon. And I felt that her "I almost cried that's why my voice cracked," seemed like an excuse. I can't be sure, but it seemed like her voice cracked on almost all the belty parts.

I was hearing that too. She said in her interview that she used to sing opera. No way you could sing opera with a rasp like that, proving that she's really done some serious damage to her voice. Every time she reaches for a high note she almost doesn't get there.

[rockwood84]

IMHO the main problem that Elise faces in her projected success @ this dog & pony format is that not enough potential voters would recognize the name Susan Tedeschi. But, on the other hand, for those of us who do.....next week can't come soon enough.

Amen to that! I would love to hear what Elise could do with "Lord Protect My Child"!!!!

[Cherry Wire]

Elise looks a lot like Melissa McGhee from a few years back. Sounds like her too. Same person?

[olddan23]

Okay, now I'm pissed! I don't know if these guys are still reeling from the continuing disaster that Taylor Hicks turned out to be or what, but gimme a effing break.....I've got a jack-leg ambulance chasing lawyer friend who could win a class action suit for blues singers et al against these bozos for that crap they pulled on Elise! What?.......we're gonna pick one schmuck and not let her choose her own song...no, no....WEEEEEEEE'RE gonna choose your song! Oh......you've never even heard it?..........well, TOUGH SHIT, GIRLIE! sing it anyway! Nice!!!

[Yogurt Baron]

I missed the episode, and just caught clips of the performances on YouTube, but I thought Elise was one of the best of the night. What did she originally want to sing?

[angelita100]

The Greatest Love of All

I didn't think she was THAT horrible but after last week it definitely wasn't her best. And all the other girls except Shannon were better I thought. Hope she rebounds.

Edited by angelita100, Mar 9, 2012 @ 10:12 PM.

[olddan23]

Well, she survived the assassination attempt. But, the conspiracy continues.....they made her sit on the ejection seat for an hour knowing she was the low vote getter....once again, nice! I know she's not TCO or even a finalist, I just really like her mellow vibe and appreciate her ability to deliver a quality performance without trying to make the curtains @ the back of the venue flutter.

[aquariumblue]

The Greatest Love would have been a worst choice. It is a power ballad that has been performed over time.

Elise is hardly the victim. The chick has a bad attitude. Her back talking, her brushing off Hollie when Hollie was called safe over her. Then she whine about if she had known I'm Your Baby Tonight for a month and having to learn the group number for results night.

I also do not see the mellow vibe. She's always come across as someone who is intense, hard, humorless. I just don't think she is cut out for this kind of competition.

[toddthomas]

VFTW put her "birth year" as 1957. That sums up her look, appearance and ancient smoker's voice more than anything I could snark.

[sofaspud]

I also do not see the mellow vibe. She's always come across as someone who is intense, hard, humorless. I just don't think she is cut out for this kind of competition.

Definitely. I think that's the main reason why she's shown up in the bottom 3 2 weeks in a row now. Yeah, this is a singing competition, according to the judges, but when you have the American public at large voting, personality will always be a major factor. And from what we've seen so far, I don't exactly get the warm fuzzies from her.

[Oh Miss]

Okay, I might regret this - but I have to out myself as someone who knows Elise. It's really weird to see someone you know up there after watching this crapfest for years. We're not besties or anything, but we've hung out.

Believe it or not, the girl is not humorless. Not in my observation. She's actually really funny in person. It's been a real lesson in how the cameras represent people. It's not particularly accurate.

There is something East Coast about her, no doubt. But I think the intensity comes from knowing this is like her last chance, unlike the teens. I'm glad she's made the tour. That will be life-changing in terms of money.

[olddan23]

I, too, am glad to see her make the tour. At least now she can get paid for the pain inflicted. I mean....dayum....they put her on the launch pad first again. What's next.....they hand her a dunce cap to put on? Girl can sing. Girl is way cool. And......I know she'll have several really good friends on the tour.........she can buy beer.

[maiana]

I said I wouldn't watch this season and yet here I am.

Elise's performance was the only one that I looked up from my bejeweled game to watch and I had a big smile on my face the whole time she was singing.

I just know I'm setting myself up for disappointment falling in love with someone who isn't going to win. Again.

[deedee2]

Believe it or not, the girl is not humorless. Not in my observation. She's actually really funny in person. It's been a real lesson in how the cameras represent people. It's not particularly accurate.

See, Elise never came across humourless to me. Then I started reading all this negative stuff about her and didn't understand why! She's very cool, imo. Glad she's had a bit of an upswing in the last 2 weeks. Her voice is fantastic and unique, and I hope her story arc follows the Haley Reinhart dark-horse/underdog one of last year. Of course, her chances of winning are slim (girls don't win Idol, as we know - esp not girls over 20), but top 3 would be nice. Maybe Jimmy will even sign her if she gets far enough in the competition.

[BootStar]

I didn't have a strong opinion one way or the other about Elise until this week, but she just SLAYED that song. And I love that she "dared" to perform a song that Adam Lambert supposedly owns (as if). Good on her! I doubt she can outlast Jessica, but she certainly deserves to outlast Hollie and Schulyer. She schooled those chillun!

I never believed David Cook had a prayer in hell of winning his season until he sang "Billie Jean." Is there any chance Elise could pull off a similar upset? Her performance of "Whole Lotta Love" felt like a game changer.

[deedee2]

Is there any chance Elise could pull off a similar upset? Her performance of "Whole Lotta Love" felt like a game changer

WLL may be a game changer for Elise personally, in the same way that Benny and the Jets was a game changer for Haley. But I think Elise will eventually bump her head on the Idol glass ceiling on her way to the win.

Edited by deedee2, Mar 30, 2012 @ 12:58 PM.

[UhHuhHer]

I've been a fan of Elise's ever since the Top 24 selection show and the clip of her singing "This is a Man's World". I don't watch the audition or Hollywood rounds ever, so when I saw Elise I was happy because she was clearly a contestant I could get behind.

Then Whitney Houston week happened, and consecutive weeks in the bottom three happened, and then the stank face "she's got an attitude" stuff started happening, and I figured Elise wasn't long for this competition. And then Vienna happened, and more importantly, WLL happened. And wow. Talk about a comeback. As Annie Barrett from EW wrote, "The balls on this woman!"

I don't think she can win (I don't think a female contestant can EVER win this show again, but that's just me) but she's definitely vaulted herself into Top 3 contention. That's what I hope at least.

Edited by UhHuhHer, Mar 30, 2012 @ 2:39 PM.

[Sydney0502]

Wow..what a spoiled rotten brat Elise was tonight. I gotta tell ya, I was going to vote for her. I like her voice better than Jessica and she blows Holly out of the water (Holly is wayyyy too formal and needs to pull whatever she has out of her ass and "feel" the music). What the hell was Elise's story when that Jason or whatever "star" dialed in and "surprised" her? The dude Ryan Seacrest emailed to phone in. WHat a SUPER GENEROUS GOD MOMENT gesture for someone THAT famous to do with a nobody like her and she says.."that's all ya got"???

What a VAIN full of herself star wanna be. Elise, you are NOT there yet honey. You have a looonnnnnngggg way to go. Just because you are on AE doesnt make you an ICON where famous movie stars got your number they just drop everything and "watch" you. WHat happened tonight (or however long ago that was recorded) was humbling for most people on that show but you showed your "unclassy" colors.

The main issue with this chik (for me) from the get go is her lack of class and etiquette. She talks like a horse and her mannerisms need a good grace class. Funny, as her family seems decent so not sure where she learned to talk and act.

I happen to like the gritty voice when she sings on key but this just totally ruined it for me with her. No recovery..what a ridiculus thing to say.."that's all ya got"..never THANK YOU for dialing in..Oh My Gosh..you calling in "for me"? How VAIN VAIN VAIN and so ridiculously full of herself this chick is. NO VOTES for me as it is the whole package here folk's. Our tax dollars do go these people's pay checks if not immediatley over time..and I dont want to be supporting anyone that can't even say "thank you".

[madam magpie]

I'm pretty sure she was joking.

[SpringTulips]

Yes, I think she was trying to be funny... she said right before how much she loved the guy. She is not a comedian so should probably pass on the jokes.

Edited by SpringTulips, Apr 12, 2012 @ 12:16 AM.

[angelita100]

Elise was joking. Hopefully most of the audience will take it for it was. But since this audience is uptight historically and can't stand people they feel are ungrateful who knows.

[Phan]

How to vote for Elise Testone.

Poor Elise. You have to have inane pageant answers, smile at all times, and can't crack a joke or two unless you have a Y chromosome and declare yourself an "artist". And the viewers wonder why women can't win.

[the macguffin]

Our tax dollars do go these people's pay checks if not immediatley over time..and I dont want to be supporting anyone that can't even say "thank you".

AFAIK, Elise supports herself and presumably pays taxes herself.