Hollie Cavanagh sadly didn’t make the Top 3 on American Idol on May 10. The 18-year-old isn’t letting the elimination get her down, though! She told HollywoodLife.com all about how judge Jennifer Lopez’s sexy performance on the show gave her motivation.

“I honestly thought it was amazing, I think of it as a inspiration because she dominates the stage,” Hollie says about J.Lo’s steamy Idol number with her backup dancer beau, Casper Smart. “Nobody can touch her and she will do what she will do and people are going to love it. I look up to that because that is what I need to learn as a artist.”

As for Hollie’s predictions about who will be crowned the next Idol, she’s surprisingly not convinced the title will go to her BFF Josh Ledet!

“At this point, I am exactly with America,” she says. “I have no idea.”

As for Josh’s feelings about that?

“He would probably agree,” Hollie says. He sits there every week and I’ll be like ‘Your performance was amazing’ and he’ll be like ‘you never know’ and I say it to Jessica and she says ‘you never know” and I say it to Phillip [and he says] ‘you never know.’ America’s sitting there like ‘Oh, I don’t know who’s going to win’ and the judges are sitting there saying that and I’m here saying that. You honestly don’t know but the top 3 are amazing so whoever wins it’s going to be an amazing finale.”

We agree! The American Idol summer tour with top 10 contestants kicks off July 6, and Hollie says she’s already thought about who she’d love to perform with!

“There’s a lot of songs that I’d like to perform,” she says. “I’d like to do mine and DeAndre’s ‘I’m So Excited’ just because I’ve always wanted to do a duet with DeAndre [Brackensick] and then I got the chance… So I would like to do that again. It was really fun. Maybe do a duet with Skylar [Laine] or Josh [Ledet] or something like that, that would be a lot of fun. I think that everyone is so different that even people like me and Jessica [Sanchez] we are such big singers and small, we are still different. I’m more of the pop side and she is more of the full on R & B Soul. So I think that once the tour comes around I think all of that thinking will go out the window. So if we crack on a note people will be thinking that it was the best cracked note they ever heard. Its going to be fun and enjoyable.”

What do YOU think, HollywoodLifers? Who do you think Hollie should do a duet with on the American Idol tour?

–Reporting by Russ Weakland

More Idol:

1. Jennifer Lopez Performs With 25-Year-Old Lover On ‘Idol’
2. ‘American Idol’ Results: Did Hollie Cavanagh Survive?
3. Simon Cowell Wants To Do Britney Spears ‘X Factor’ Announcement On ‘Idol’

Hollie Cavanagh spoke with HollywoodLife.com following her elimination from American Idol on May 10. Read on for her thoughts on who will win the title, and which songs she wants to perform on the tour this summer!

HollywoodLife.com: So is Josh Ledet your obvious pick to win since you are best friends?

Hollie Cavanagh: No! (laughs) At this point, I am exactly with America. I have no idea.

HL: How do you think Josh would feel about that?

HC: He would probably agree. He sits there every week and I’ll be like ‘Your performance was amazing’ and he’ll be like ‘you never know’ and I say it to Jessica and she says ‘you never know’ and I say it to Phillip [and he says] ‘you never know.’ America’s singing there like ‘oh, I don’t know who’s going to win’ and the judges are sitting there saying that and I’m here saying that. You honestly don’t know but the top 3 are amazing so whoever wins it’s going to be an amazing finale.

HL: What would you like to perform on the tour?

HC: There’s a lot of songs that I’d like to perform. I’d like to do mine and DeAndre’s ‘I’m So Excited’ just because I’ve always wanted to do a duet with DeAndre and then I got the chance… So I would like to do that again. It was really fun. Maybe do a duet with Skylar or Josh or something like that, that would be a lot of fun. I think that everyone is so different that even people like me and Jessica we are such big singers and small, we are still different. I’m more of the pop side and she is more of the full on R & B Soul. So I think that once the tour comes around I think all of that thinking will go out the window. So if we crack on a note people will be thinking that it was the best cracked note they ever heard. Its going to be fun and enjoyable.

HL: So you are ready for the tour?

HC: I am so excited, because Randy and I said it at the same time, we will not be judged! (Laughter)

HL: What’s the perfect Mother’s day gift?

HC: Me going home and being with my Mom. I get to go to NYC, so maybe I will be able to get her something nice in NYC. It won’t be expensive but it will be nice.

HL: Did you see JLO’s kids?

HC: No, but I saw them and they were so cute, but didn’t meet them.

HL: What were your thoughts of JLO’s sexy performance with Casper?

HC: I honestly thought it was amazing, I think of it as a inspiration because she dominates the stage. Nobody can touch her and she will do what she will do and people are going to love it. I look up to that because that is what I need to learn as a artist.

What do YOU think, HollywoodLifers? Did Hollie deserve to go home?

–Reporting by Russ Weakland

More Idol:

1. Jennifer Lopez Performs With 25-Year-Old Lover On ‘Idol’
2. ‘American Idol’ Results: Did Hollie Cavanagh Survive?
3. Simon Cowell Wants To Do Britney Spears ‘X Factor’ Announcement On ‘Idol’

Many believed that after last night’s performances on American Idol , Hollie Cavanagh would be the Idol hopeful most likely in trouble. But was that the case? 

Turns out, America predicted correctly. Sadly, Hollie was given the boot and officially ended her race to become the next American Idol May 10. She took the elimination really well. It was her BFF, Joshua Ledet, who was the most upset!

What do you think of tonight’s elimination? Who is your favorite right now to win? Sound off below!

[INTERVIEW] American Idol’s Hollie Cavanagh: Why Jennifer Lopez Is My Inspiration

More Idol:

1. Recap: It’s Hollie Cavanagh’s Time To Go
2. Skylar Laine: Why I’m Relieved I’m Off ‘Idol’
3. Results: The Most Shocking Elimination Yet?

American Idol viewers were treated to a sneak peek of Tom Cruise‘s upcoming jukebox musical Rock of Ages on May 9, and HollywoodLife.com was on the scene to get the Idol finalists’ thoughts on Tom’s career-turning role. Though Philip Phillips says he didn’t pick up any tips about stage presence from Tom’s Stacee Jaxx, he did admit it seems “like a good movie.”

Hollie Cavanagh, meanwhile, was a little more vocal with her excitement for the movie.

“From the clips that I’ve seen, [Tom Cruise] is good,” she told us. “I didn’t know that he could sing like that. I honestly didn’t.”

Neither did we!

Watch the latest Rock of Ages trailer below, then tell us: Will you go see the movie?

Click here to view the embedded video.

— Reporting by Russ Weakland

More Idol:

1. Recap: It’s Hollie Cavanagh’s Time To Go
2. Skylar Laine: Why I’m Relieved I’m Off ‘Idol’
3. Results: The Most Shocking Elimination Yet?

With only four finalists remaining this season on American Idol, the judges are becoming more critical of each performance, a lesson Hollie Cavanagh learned the hard way May 9 when the panel told her she “didn’t feel” her own performance of Bonnie Raitt‘s “I Can’t Make You Love Me.” ”It’s not good to get bad criticism at this point, but I felt [the song],” Hollie told HollywoodLife.com after taping the live show.

“I felt the lyrics in it, she continued. “They can tell me I didn’t feel it, but I felt it. I feel like I felt it, then I felt it, you know?”

Oh, we know.

“It’s just, I guess, my song choice,” Hollie conceded. “They loved the first song choice, but not the second one.”

How do you feel about Hollie’s future on Idol? Were the judges right to criticize her last night? And do you think she’ll be the one voted off tonight? Watch her performance below, then cast your vote and share your thoughts in the comments!

Click here to view the embedded video.

— Reporting by Russ Weakland

More Idol:

1. Recap: It’s Hollie Cavanagh’s Time To Go
2. Skylar Laine: Why I’m Relieved I’m Off ‘Idol’
3. Results: The Most Shocking Elimination Yet?

The Top 4 took on songs with a California Dreamin’ and Songs You Wish You Wrote themes. With such a wide-open second theme, the Idols had a plethora of songs that they could choose. But with the notoriously bad song choices the Idol hopefuls often make, did it turn into a great episode of performances or was it a bust? And why did they sing so many songs that were just on The Voice?

Phillip Phillips: “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” by Creedence Clearwater Revival

The death spot this week has been given out to the one and only Phillip Phillips. Do the producers really want to see him go home? This performance was leaps and bounds better than anything he did last week, but it wasn’t spectacular. The girl with the saxophone was heavily featured, which may have taken away from his performance. But the judges were really happy with what they saw. I agree with Randy that it started off a little weird but got better as the song continued. Nothing amazing but he certainly didn’t harm his standing. I think the others may be better as the night continues, we shall see.

Hollie Cavanagh: “Faithfully” by Journey

Such an incredible song that was a wise decision for Hollie to take on and tackle. Its the part of the competition where song choices are almost just as important as the performance. Speaking of the performance, it wasn’t good. I didn’t believe her and the story that the lyrics are meant to tell. This might be the song that finally takes her off the show. But the judges loved it, which basically says to me that the judges are awful. Listen to the original song and how it should be performed and then listen to Hollie’s performance. It was not good. Then she talked about not understanding the song, well, Hollie you still don’t!

Joshua Ledet: “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban

This could be a safe choice for Joshua. Its a great song that wasn’t done very well by Chris Mann from The Voice, but I imagine that Joshua will pull it out. It didn’t start it out very well. The problems the Idol hopefuls have is that they can’t emotionalize the songs they choose. They just sing it, which is not really what music is all about. This song by Josh Groban is a classic and Joshua Ledet did it worse than Chris Mann. Which really isn’t saying much. Jennifer Lopez said he was the best singer in the last 50 years last week, this performance proved her wrong.

Jessica Sanchez: “Steal Away” by Etta James

Jessica Sanchez is 16-years old and needs to sing a song that is closer to her age range and make things fun. We get that she can sing the high notes, but its time to entertain us. This was very cabaret and a maybe a little bit to dirty for her as well. The judges should not even talk because they never have any criticism. Randy Jackson mentioned she could sing the phonebook. I’m thinking that it would have been a better song selection. She really needs to knock her next song out of the park.

Duet #1

“This Love” by Maroon 5 – Joshua Ledet & Phillip Phillips

This was great, this is the types of songs they both should sing. This could be a revelation for them both. This performance together was better than their individual performances. Watching these two perform I could see these two being the final two. The judges loved it, and I actually agree with the judges assessments. This was effortless and fun. It’s about time!

Duet #2

“Eternal Flame” by The Bangles – Hollie Cavanagh & Jessica Sanchez

Who in the world OK’d the swings? This was the complete opposite from Joshua and Phillips performance. Randy Jackson mentioned that it was strange and I couldn’t agree any more. The best performance was that Joshua and Phillip started swinging in the background because this duet was miserable. They didn’t play off each other and seemed like they didn’t want to be there. Yikes!

Phillip Phillips: “Volcano” by Damien Rice

After the 7 hour ‘Rock of Ages’ commercial we are back to the competition. Phillip Phillips came off his fantastic duet and reverted back to his old ways. But it was way better than his first song. It was slow but he felt the lyrics which was a nice change of pace. He was in his wheelhouse but I still would like to hear him do more Maroon 5 type songs. That’s were he shined. He is safe and I liked it and the simpleness of it all. But next week, Phillip needs to blow America’s minds and really change it up to be the next American Idol.

Hollie Cavanagh: “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Raitt

The judges pretty much killed her after this performance. She will really need tons of votes to be saved. But what she has proven the last couple weeks is that she has gotten those votes. It wasn’t that bad but the judges who need to bash someone chose Hollie because they want the Top 3 to be Phillip, Joshua and Jessica. Well I am pretty sure that they will get their wish.

Joshua Ledet: “It’s a Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World” by James Brown

This song will probably get him his 14th standing ovation. If anything he is safe especially performing after Hollie who was bashed. We got our usual screams from Josh but he kept it interesting. He made it into an actual performance. The judges will love this and just as I thought, he got his 14th standing ovation. I really hate that the judges have already crowned him the best singer in the world and the best American Idol of all time. Randy Jackson deemed this the best performance the best of any singing show but last week on The Voice – Juliet Simms sang the song much better.

Jessica Sanchez: “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” by Jennifer Holliday

This song is stuff of legend, but Jennifer Hudson and Jennifer Holliday own this song. Jessica Sanchez is not a Diva, she has a big voice but that is all she has as she doesn’t have the performance to back it up. She seemed like she rushed the song to get all the notes in rather than make a statement like Joshua did in the previous performance. The arrangement was all over the place and it seemed like the judges forced themselves to stand up. It wasn’t as natural as Joshua. Plus the judges really had to stretch things. She’s safe but she shouldn’t be in the finals.

So HollywoodLifers, Who will make it to the Top 3 and who will be going home?

Click here to view the embedded video.

Russ Weakland

Follow @mrsandwich96

We’d really love a girl to win American Idol this season, but it’s going to be tough if they keep getting voted off! Tonight best friends Hollie Cavanagh and Skylar Laine were in the bottom two…

…leaving Joshua Ledet, Phillip Phillips and Jessica Sanchez safe for another week.

Shockingly, Skylar was eliminated, which had her BFFs, Josh and Hollie, in tears.

So HollywoodLifers, Can you believe Skylar was voted off? Did she deserve it? Sound off below!

Breaking News — Skylar Laine: Why I’m Relieved I’m Off ‘Idol’ — Video

More News:

1. Demi Lovato: How I Coped With Wilmer Valderrama Split
2. ‘Punk’d Preview’: Demi Lovato Sees A Ghost
3. Demi Lovato Should Judge ‘X Factor’ Over Miley Cyrus

The Top 5 took on the songs of the ’60s and Brit Pop, and for the most part delivered a fun show that could have been a train wreck. With the help of the best mentor to date, Steven Van Zandt, the Idol hopefuls really came out of their shell. But with the highs of Hollie and Joshua, are Phillip and Skylar in trouble of elimination?

Hollie Cavanagh: ‘River Deep, Mountain High’ by Ike & Tina Turner

The ever dreaded death spot was given to Hollie this week. I would have to say this is a bad song that was a pretty good performance. Hollie actually looked like a star on the stage tonight. With the amount of people on stage tonight, it actually made her look that much more important. And she led the background singers and band members into a rather surprisingly enjoyable first song of the night. Jennifer Lopez was spot on when she said, “It was nice to see that you could lead a big production. I felt the energy.” Hollie having a second round performance that meets or surpasses her first song could actually make her safe for one more week. She may be peaking at the right time.

Hollie Cavanagh: ‘Bleeding Love’ by Leona Lewis

This second performance was actually a great song to pick. It made Hollie work with a song that was a little younger and more in her wheelhouse. I liked Randy Jackson‘s critique as he mentioned, “This girl’s a fighter. That was unbelievable.” It wasn’t unbelievable, but I think she did enough tonight to warrant another week on the show. It bounced off her first performance that was stellar enough to make the underdog a possible diamond in the rough. She felt at home on stage this week. Now will America reward her for her good night?

Phillip Phillips: ‘The Letter’ by The Box Tops

Phillip is his own type of performer and really doesn’t change from week to week. Some call it consistent and others may say that its the same old song and dance. One thing is for sure, he is back from his rather crappy set of performances from last week. I would think he still might be in the bottom three but if he survived last week then he should be fine again and get the proper amount of votes to make him safe. But I would like him to start singing his song selections and lose the growling he often does to the selections he makes. Steven Tyler tried to put a dig on Phillip but in a nice way by saying, “You should be so proud that you get away with it, like the Stones got away with it.” I don’t think he will be able to get away with it much longer. The other Idol hopefuls may eclipse him as the remaining few weeks continue. His act may be wearing thin, we’ll see.

Phillip Phillips: ‘Time Of The Season’ by The Zombies

This is a classic song that he actually didn’t overdue it vocally. He actually is singing the song which is amazing to actually hear for the first time this season. It certainly is the time of the season for Phillip to mix it up and he may have just officially saved himself and got votes from people that don’t usually vote for him. Randy was pleasantly surprised as well when he added, “You can really sing the melody.” This could be the revelation that Phillip needs to make it to the finals and actually win it.

Skylar Laine: ‘Fortunate Son’ by Creedence Clearwater Revival

Skylar has been the Idol hopeful that has improved the most in her journey. But this week didn’t start very well. She chose an amazing song but didn’t perform it very well. It seemed like she was screaming her performance rather than singing her performance. The judges must be watching another show as they absolutely loved it. Steven Tyler mentioned that, “You love music and music loves you.” Well when it came to this song I would have to disagree, it just wasn’t her best nor was it to the caliber that she has shown as of late. She could actually be in trouble especially since Hollie actually delivered this week.

Skylar Laine: ‘You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me’ by Dusty Springfield

Jennifer Lopez gushed, “You wanna win don’t you? You just might.” It was better than her first song but it was just way too boring. After this performance she will not win the show. Plus when the focus is more on the random couple on the bench on stage then her performance that is actually trouble brewing. The judges loved it and she will get the country vote but I think her two performances actually hurt her more then it helped her. It’s too bad because Skylar has been fun, but I think this might be her time to go home. If anything she will be in the bottom three for sure.

Jessica Sanchez: ‘Proud Mary’ by Ike & Tina Turner

As much as Jessica is trying to be the next diva she is not the next diva. She is 16 years old and should do fun songs that are actually fun and appropriate for her age. This is a huge song that was a decent performance but as the song went faster it seemed as if she was screaming the lyrics. People next to me in the audience were saying, “Not a good sound choice,” and “This isn’t karaoke, this is American Idol.” I’m going to have to agree with those audience members and Randy who actually judged her saying, “This performance was barely OK.” She wasn’t the worst of the night but this didn’t do her any favors, she really needs a strong second song to be out of the bottom three. She won’t go home from this performance, but she needs to pick up the pace for sure.

Jessica Sanchez: ‘You Are So Beautiful’ by Joe Cocker

This is an incredible song that tells such a simple but emotional story. This was leaps and bounds better from her ‘Proud Mary’ performance but I don’t think that Jessica told the story of the song. She sounded great and moments of the song were very nice but this song deserves much better. Again, she’s 16 years old, I wish she started to act like it. The judges though, as they have all season loved every single minute of it. Randy Jackson wasn’t afraid to say, “This girl is on top of the leaderboard.” I actually think he should have said this about Hollie this week. But when do the judges actually judge?

Joshua Ledet: ‘Ain’t Too Proud To Beg’ by The Temptations

I really liked the song choice and the choreography here and lets not forget that he received the pimp spot. This should have been his moment but it didn’t reach that level. He may have still been in shell shock from his duet with Phillip. (See below) Steven Tyler was quick to mention that Joshua was, “One of the top 2 best Idols of all time.” I would like to introduce Steven Tyler to Chris Daughtry, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and even Clay Aiken that are better than Joshua. Let the performances judge the votes, we don’t need the judges to force feed us anything. I mean Joshua had fun and this was a good performance but they are trying to make him the greatest singer ever. Its far from it. Saying that, he’ll be safe for another week.

Joshua Ledet: ‘To Love Somebody’ by The Bee Gees

The judges gave Joshua another standing ovation, which I believe is his 13th! Will that be unlucky? During the judging phase when he gets his praise he never really says, “Thank you”. I hope he isn’t building an ego. But when Jennifer Lopez throws out comments like, “There’s so few people who could perform that way. You are one of the best singers I’ve seen in 50 years, since James Brown.” How can you not have an ego? But really how outright ridiculous was that comment. He did the song good, he’ll be safe for another week, but the best singer in the last 50 years!!!! I mean that is a complete joke. His first song was better than this and I believe we all can list 100′s of singers better than Joshua Ledet. Talk about being overhyped.

The Duets:

The Idol hopefuls also paired off in duets, which they should be very happy they were not judged on because they were horrid. Especially the duet between Phillip Phillips and Joshua Ledet when they sang, ‘You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ by The Righteous Brothers. It just might be the worst American Idol performance of all time. Joshua was scared with how Phillip was playing with him on stage and Phillip tried to sing a song that is way out of his league. It was completely awful. Its worth watching just solely on seeing what a bad performance is all about. Talk about cringe worthy!

As for the girls, it was better but how could it not be from the guys duet? They chose to sing ‘Higher & Higher’ by Jackie Wilson and it seemed as if they were trying way to hard to hit there spots on the stage and not perform the song. Hollie was the best singer on stage out of the three and continued looking like a star for the first time all season. But the duets were really awful for the most part.

So HollywoodLifers, who do you think will be in the bottom three and who is in danger of going home? Will it be a surprise?

Russ Weakland

Follow @mrsandwich96