IDOL Results: Too Country?

In last night’s results show, Haley Reinhart was voted off the island to “sweet home Chicago,” leaving the field at two.

The rather dull and predictable Scotty-Lauren finale represents the inherent problem of any show which attempts to define art with a popular vote. Many will agree the most compelling performers—from Pia Toscano to Casey Abrams and James Durbin—were victims of the public’s penchant for the familiar over the different.
Now, I’m not saying that about either Scotty or Lauren. McCreery has hung around thanks to his week-to-week consistency and now has outlasted many of those more flamboyant than he with an incredible cool under fire, especially for a 17-year-old. He seems poised for the title, but don’t underestimate Lauren’s aw-shucks down-home shtick. Like Haley, she’s a deceptive killer, and could well pull an upset by grabbing the spotlight and not letting go, which is what she’s done from her very first tryout.

Haley, Started Out ountry, but J-Lo wanted her more like Stevie Nicks. Did it hurt her chances?