With the stakes running high and the "American Idol" Season 8 reaching its end, Downey's Allison Iraheta hit the stage Tuesday night performing Janis Joplin's song "Cry Baby," and sadly fell short on votes Wednesday night and had to go home.Rock icon Saul Hudson, better known as Slash, took part in mentoring the top 4 finalists on "Idol" this week since it was Rock Week. The contestants each had their one-on-one time rehearsing their selected songs with Slash at the Roxy on the Sunset Strip. Once Allison had her song rehearsal with Slash, he said that she had a natural rock and roll naturism and swagger. This week the show ran a little different due to the fact that only four contestants remained in a full-length show time, so each contestant had to perform twice, including a duet with another contestant. Adam Lambert and Allison were first to perform their solo performances, which then followed Kris Allen's duet with Danny Gokey and their solo performances, and ended with Adam's and Allison's incredible duet. Allison's performance of "Cry Baby" was not her best performance of the season but was very well sung. Her voice was amazing like always but she chose the wrong song to perform. She did not take on a song that would challenge her to sing to her full potential and the judges took note of it. "You can sing your face off, you can sing anything, [but] I did not like this song choice for you," said judge Randy Jackson. Simon Cowell complimented her vocals but told her that it was obvious that she tried to sound too much like the original singer, making her a "sound alike" and that her performance was unoriginal because of it. Allison has a natural edgy grasp to her voice that makes her singing so powerful. It was only her song and artist choice that faulted her in sounding like Joplin since in this song they have a similar vocal style. The story was different when she hit the stage to do her duet with Adam and performed "Slow Ride" by Foghat. The judges praised both of them for their amazing chemistry on stage and vocal talent. All the judges recommended they do a duet on their albums in the future. "Rock god. Rock goddess. This is when a duet is right, when you're pushing each other to be better [and] that's what you just did on the stage," said judge Kara DioGuardi. Simon Cowell said the performance was what might save and keep Allison in the competition. Unfortunately, Cowell was wrong about Allison being saved on Wednesday. After more than 64 million votes were counted, the results were in on Wednesday night and 17-year-old Downey resident Allison did not make the cut. She had an amazing journey on "Idol" and gave many young people the hope and dream of one day going as far as she did in making their dream and passion come true. Just because her journey ended on "Idol" does not mean it is all over for her. This summer she will be on a 50-city tour with the rest of the top 10 finalist of Season 8. The end is only the beginning for Allison. Well known musician Daughtry was also eliminated around this time on "Idol" years back and he is now working with his band on a second album, and Jennifer Hudson was eliminated early when she was on the show and is now an Oscar and Grammy winner. We have not heard the last of Allison and that is a safe bet to make. Besides the sad news of Allison leaving, the "Idol" stage was great that night with performances. The top four contestants sang to "Schools Out for Summer," alongside Slash on guitar. Paula Abdul performed her song "I'm Just Here for the Music." Daughtry debuted his band's song "No Surprise" and No Doubt performed their song "Just a Girl."

********** Published: May 8, 2009 - Volume 8 - Issue 3