‘Idols’ refresher: Brackensick, last of wildcard finalists

DEANDRE Brackensick. photo: www.americanidol.com

Here’s part 3 of the Inquirer  series on the the Top 10 finalists of “American Idol” Season 11, who will perform live on Sept. 21 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

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Finishing eighth place, DeAndre Brackensick was known for his falsetto and whistle registers, plus his curly long hair which figured prominently in his performances.

DeAndre, along with Colton Dixon and Hollie Cavanagh, was a returnee from Season 10. All three were cut before the live shows because the judges felt they were not yet ready.

After getting through in his auditions for Season 11, DeAndre and Jessica Sanchez got a standing ovation from the judges in the group rounds with their superb rendition of Buddy Holly’s “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore.”

DeAndre’s R&B singing style was compared to Maxwell and DeBarge. In the final judgment leading to the Top 25, he sang Maxwell’s “This Woman’s Worth,” prompting a remark from Jennifer Lopez that she’s been waiting for DeAndre to sing that song.

Although he did not get enough votes to make it to the Top 5, he was picked as one of the wildcard contestants. He sang “Georgia on My Mind,” which prompted Steven Tyler to let him move on to the Top 13.

He always elicited laughter whenever he tied his long hair in a ponytail every time Ryan Seacrest told him that he was safe from elimination.

During the ’80s-theme week, DeAndre sang “I Like It” by DeBarge, and although he got decent comments from the judges, his votes were not enough to let him stay on in the competition.

He was eliminated that week, making him the last of the wildcard contestants to be booted off the show.

A couple of months after the season finale, DeAndre tweeted that he was dating Jessica.