Michael Johns' March 25 Performance Changes Minds

Ever since I started regularly watching this season of American Idol, the week we got to the top twenty-four, I have disliked Michael Johns. Every week, I've been amazed that he was safe. Last night, he changed my mind.

When Michael began his performance last night with "We Will Rock You," I thought he looked and sounded like a rock star. However, this is not a song for showing off vocal talent, so I was ready for the judges to come down on him for that. While he performed it well, the way the song should be performed, American Idol is a singing competition and the songs should be chosen to show off the singer's vocal ability.

However, he made a brilliant choice in smoothly switching to "We Are the Champions." With this arrangement, Michael Johns showed a remarkable range, showing that he can sing a ballad or rock the house-all in the space of a minute and a half. His vocals were excellent-on the slow part of the song, he kept it alive and dynamic and strong. When the song progressed through the chorus, he built up to it and held strong, keeping the good vocal quality.

Michael definitely played the roll of a rock star last night. He had the look, the right facial expressions and body language, and the voice. With that performance, I believe he has a chance of becoming a fore-runner in this competition and could well be the next American Idol. I think he will have to fight for votes from fans of the other rockers, Carly Smithson and David Cook, and since they've had better performances all along, he will have to fight to take their votes. If he continues to make smart song choices like he did last night, he just may do it and win this season of American Idol.