Watson makes ‘Idol’ Top 9 after singing Bruno Mars’ hit

By: 11 years ago

https://youtu.be/PX4i1Ls-5hQ

MANILA, Philippines – Impressing the judges with a Bruno Mars’ hit, Filipino-American Malaya Watson made it to the Top 9 in the famous singing contest “American Idol.”

Watson, whose name means “free” in Filipino, was safe in Thursday night’s (Friday morning in Manila) elimination round that sent home NK Nobillete, according to “Idol’s” Twitter account.

You’ll be seeing @MalayaTinaB next week. She’s SAFE! #IdolResults #IdolTop10

— American Idol (@AmericanIdol) March 21, 2014

Watson, who sported a straight hairdo in her last week’s performance, is back to her natural curls when she sang a Bruno Mars’ hit “When I Was Your Man.” After her performance, she received flowers from host Ryan Seacrest.

Both Watson and Mars (real name is Peter Gene Hernandez) were born to Filipino mothers.

Watson’s performance drew praises from the all three judges of the show.

Pop star and “Idol” judge Jennifer Lopez said she had goosebumps after watching Watson sing.

“I had ‘goosies’ when you hit the middle of the song. It was sung beautifully, tenderly, with so much feeling and love. It was awesome, beautiful,” Lopez said.

Lopez said she was about to hate Watson when she thought the teenager was going to change the song.

“You decided to just leave it the same. And it didn’t affect me at all,” she said.

Musician Keith Urban commended Watson for having “more control in your voice.”

“Well done for doing that and just leaving it as it is, especially when you can knock it out vocally like you did,” he said.

Singer-actor Harry Connick Jr. said Watson was “sincere” in her performance.

“The thing I like the most is how sincere you are in interpeting the lyrics. I really feel that you’re present in every single word,” Connick said.