Smokey Robinson Makes Big Impression As ‘American Idol’ Mentor
Smokey Robinson helped lend a bit of Motown to the American Idol singers this week, and the legendary singer appeared to have quite an impression on the show’s remaining contestants.
Picked to serve as a mentor, Smokey got to spend some one-on-one time with the contestants in the studio before they performed some favorite Motown hits on the show. Some of the performances seemed to fit the genre perfectly, like Candice Glover and her rendition of “Through the Grapevine.”
“You’ve got one of the best voices in the competition,” Randy Jackson told Glover after her Smokey Robinson-inspired performance.
Janelle Arthur put her own twist on the genre, singing a country-infused verson of “You Keep Me Hanging On” by the Supremes.
As the competition whittles its way down past the top 10, the battle for the title is growing more fierce.
There’s also a big of controversy as American Idol moves toward its conclusion. In a statement this week, judge Nicki Minaj said she’s sure that the winner will be one of the female contestants, not one of the three remaining male singers on the show.
Robinson noted that it would be difficult to crown a winner.
“We’re down to the last eight contestants on American Idol –– and all of them are very talented,” Smokey Robinson said.
Smokey Robinson isn’t sharing Motown hits with the American Idol contestants alone. The singer plans to release an album of duets this fall revisiting some of his biggest hits. The still-untitled album will feature songs including “My Girl,” “The Tears of a Clown,” and “Cruisin’.”
Robinson has yet to release the names of his collaborators, but said he is excited for the project.
“Not only do I have a musical history with the guys involved, but a longstanding friendship as well,” Smokey Robinson said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to bringing our talents to the table as we collaborate on this project.”
(Photo via Dwight McCann / Chumash Casino Resort / www.DwightMcCann.com [CC-BY-SA-2.5 , via Wikimedia Commons)
