In case you hadn’t guessed it yet this week’s mentor is Mariah Carey. This will make the night interesting because we all know how many times it has been said to contestants that by choosing a Whitney or Mariah song you are setting yourself up for comparison. Will the Idols be judged be extra harshly tonight? Read the breakdowns on each performance to find out.

Up first tonight was David Archuleta who chose to sing the song “When You Believe” off of the Prince of Egypt soundtrack. This song was also made famous by Whitney Houston when she released it on her album My Love is Your Love.

Randy felt David picked one of the toughest songs but that he was the bomb. He can sing anything. Paula said he made Mariah proud. Simon said he knew that David would pick the song he did and that he performed it very well.

Tonight Kristy Lee Cook chose the song “Forever” that appeared on the Mariah Carey album Daydream.

Mariah enjoyed Kristy choosing the song she did because not many people know it. Kristy gave Mariah goosebumps.

Randy that it was amazing but that there were a couple of pitchy parts at the beginning. He felt she stepped it up at the end though. Paula was blown away. She loved the arrangement the most. She felt she would have a hit with it in the country western world. She was proud of her. Simon told her that she didn’t give him chills like she did Mariah. He felt it was a bit whiny at times. He thought she was smart but it wasn’t great.

Jason Castro got the pimp spot tonight. His song of choice this week was “I Don’t Wanna Cry” off of the Mariah Carey self-titled album.

Mariah looked forward to seeing his performance and she enjoyed working with him.

Randy didn’t love it. He felt like he was a weird beach luau. Simon cracked up. Paula said she would love to be at that luau. Simon agreed with Paula? Say what? Shocking. He didn’t feel it was the best vocal but it was a cool version. He also added that the guys won the night.

Brooke White was the fourth person to perform tonight. She chose the famous Mariah Carey song “Hero” from the album Music Box.

Randy liked that she brought a whole singer songerwriter vibe to it. He didn’t like the bridge of the song though. He thought it was pretty good. Paula thinks she is authentic. She didn’t feel it seemed challenging for Brooke. Simon felt it was a bit like ordering a hamburger and only getting the bun. To clarify, it was missing the vital ingredient.

Tonight Carly Smithson performed second. She chose the song “Without You” from the Mariah Carey double-sided single, Never Forget You.

Mariah felt she did a great job.

Randy liked that she challenged herself with the big vocals but he thought she needed to trust herself more. It was pretty good. Paula liked that she showed some vocal restraints then soared. Simon really wanted to hear Carly sing the song before tonight but he didn’t feel she pulled it off.

Singing in the sixth spot tonight was David Cook. He chose the Mariah Carey song, “Always Be My Baby” off of the album, Daydream.

David surprised Mariah when he chose the song he did because she wasn’t sure what he was going to do with it. He made her proud of the changes he made in the song to make it different.

Randy thinks he’s ready to make an album. He then stood up and said that was the most brilliant performance yet.
Paula said the song he chose could be in movie soundtracks already. Simon said it was like coming out of karaoke hell into a breath of fresh air because he was original, daring and it stood out by a mile. He felt that it was a sign of a great artist — someone who takes risk. OH YEAH!!

Up third tonight was Syesha Mercado. She chose the song “Vanishing” from the Mariah Carey self-titled album.

Mariah felt that Syesha made a great choice with the song she picked.

Randy thought she picked the toughest song of the night too. He was afraid when he she was singing the song but she did a good job on it considering. Paula felt she was smart this week because she picked a song that most people don’t know therefore she was being compared to Mariah. She felt it was unbelievably magical. Simon said thought it was very, very good but he’s not sure that he would have chosen a song that many people don’t know about. Will it hurt her? Turn in tomorrow night to find out.