Jena Irene gave a performance on Wednesday that might have turned her into an American Idol frontrunner, singing an Elvis Presley song that had judge Jennifer Lopez in tears.
This week of American Idol came as a welcome change to fans after last week’s surprise elimination and drama surrounding the decision to let contestants pick whether someone is saved from elimination. Instead Wednesday’s episode focused on songs, and Irene turned in a spellbinding performance that had fans talking.
Irene channeled Elvis on the song “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” playing the piano as she belted out the hit.
After Jena Irene’s performance the crowd erupted, and judge Jennifer Lopez was so overtaken with emotion that she went on stage to give the 17-year-old singer a kiss.
“I’ve never gotten up to kiss somebody on the show,” she said, filled with emotion. “This is The King, and you reinvented it … I was so moved … I could cry right now … I’m so glad I was here to witness it.”
The performance may have come at the perfect time for Jena Irene. Longtime frontrunner Caleb Johnson had appeared to be running away with the competition, especially after his own performance on Wednesday.
Johnson performed Bon Jovi’s “You Give Love a Bad Name,” followed by Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Travelin’ Band” on Wednesday’s show.
Afteward, Lopez admitted that Johnson seemed poised for an American Idol win .
“You killed it again, you’re gonna be tough to beat,” she said.
But Johnson may have hurt his chances this week when he called out fans for their song selection. It remains to be seen if the insult hurts his chances of winning, but Jena Irene certainly raised her own odds with the performance on Wednesday.
