Rising Star - Live Blog and Recap - Top 13 Perform, 5 Go Home

Welcome to the live blog and recap of Rising Star Week 7! Last week featured the final round of the live duels, as our Top 13 was completed after Dana Williams earned the West Coast Save. But tonight, no one is safe.

The Top 13 will perform live for your votes, in real time, and the 5 singers with the fewest votes will be eliminated at the end of the show. Thirteen perform, only eight advance to the second week of quarterfinals. Who will survive the cut? It's entirely up to you. Keep it locked right here, as Rickey will be adding videos as the night rolls on, and I'll be updating with my running commentary!

Credit: ABC

Let's get this show on the road!

RECAP

-We kick things off with Josh Groban announcing that the Top 13 will perform for the first time, but only SEVEN will advance, with ONE West Coast Save, which means eight singers will advance to next week and five will go home. Also, the experts' votes will only count for 5% this week, instead of the usual 7%. Should be interesting. Onto our first performer!

MACY KATE kicks off the show!

-Macy talks about her rigorous schedule of swimming back at home, before talking about how close she and April Lockhart are. She says April makes her feel like an actual 16-year-old, and together, they have a lot of fun (including making a bunch of silly videos). Their relationship is absolutely adorable. That said, we don't get a lot of talk about the competition itself, since there aren't really any mentoring sessions we see. So we'll find out the song she's singing when she sings it, I guess.

-Macy Kate is singing "Who Knew" by Pink, and it's to the point where I think it must be some kind of rule on this show that you MUST start your song with the chorus. Like, no other singing show I know of does this for this many contestants, this damn often. And it just doesn't work here, as Macy Kate is just horribly off-pitch the entire way through. That said, her tone is still gorgeous, which is why I wish this had been better, because it felt like she just couldn't hear herself over the music for most of it. She just missed so many notes. But she ends with 60% of the vote, and all three experts giving her an upvote, which surprised me a bit.

-Ludacris loved how Macy commanded the stage, even though she missed some notes. Kesha agrees with Ludacris, and warns Macy to be careful with those complicated notes. Brad keeps the echo chamber theme going and agrees with Luda and Kesha, but adds that Macy can bring it as the weeks roll on, since she's such a star.

VIDEO: Macy Kate sings "Who Knew"

-Josh explains how tonight is going to work: there are seven chairs by the stage, and those seats will be occupied by the seven highest vote-getters as the night goes on. Some people will lose their seats as the night rolls on, or maybe no one will. Regardless, whoever is sitting in the seats when the show ends will automatically advance to next week's show.

SHAMEIA CRAWFORD is up next!

-Shameia chats about being the show's first West Coast Save, and adds that while she loves being here, it's hard being away from her husband. Her husband gets to come visit, however, and it's a cute moment, as he tells her that he loves her, but doesn't want her to come home any time soon. Shameia says she doesn't want to be a "doo-wop pop chick" anymore, and feels this show will help her get out from being a background singer.

-Shameia sings "Next to Me" by Emeli Sande, and it's a pretty decent performance, despite having a ton of bum notes just like Macy Kate had. By the end of the performance, she's straddling the line between shouting and singing. It's not going to be a popular opinion, but I thought this was an absolute mess that Shameia only just managed to save at the end. She ends the performance with 76% of the vote, including upvotes from all three judges.

-Ludacris and Kesha are all about Shameia, talking about how she's a powerhouse vocalist who is in no way a background singer anymore. Brad, meanwhile, adds that he wants Shameia to continue in this competition, since she's a great performer.

VIDEO: Shameia Crawford sings "Next to Me"

JOSHUA PEAVEY is up next!

-Joshua says he's the last parent left in the competition, and talks about how he hasn't seen his kids in the six weeks he's been out here. However, his kids came to visit him, which has been one of the happiest moments since he's been out here in LA. Joshua reveals he's doing "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You?" by Michael Bolton, and says that if you know this song, you know it's going to take everything he's got. No kidding. A.C. Slater and Jessie Spano

-This is pretty good. It starts out strong, and only gets stronger as it goes on. He has such a powerful, pure voice that makes for a no-frills performance. No crazy vocal gymnastics, just pure feeling. This was tremendous, and he ends the performance with a whopping 85% of the vote, including upvotes from all three experts. Josh Groban comes in for an interview, but there are apparently audio issues that not only extend to his microphone, but also to those of the experts. Because of this, presumably, Josh abruptly throws to a commercial break (the producers must have said something in his earpiece). Guess they need time to sort this out. I didn't think any show could have audio issues like The Voice, but here we are! Happens to the best of'em!

-Back from break with Josh saying that intensity of Joshua's baby-making vocals caused their audio system to crash. We then throw to Brad, who reads a quote from Twitter praising Joshua for nailing a Michael Bolton song, while also rejoicing in Josh's mic getting cut. Kesha says she always forgets just how good Joshua is, but is happy to be reminded. Ludacris says he can hear the Holy Spirit in Joshua's voice, noting that his background is coming through in the performance.

VIDEO: Joshua Peavey sings "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You?"

APRIL LOCKHART is up next!

-April finds it surreal that she's an inspiration to so many people. It's a big responsibility. However, she says she doesn't want to let them down. I do like April quite a bit, and I'm hoping she can bring something really special to this performance, because I'd hate to see her go home so soon.

-April sings "Iris" by the Goo Goo Dolls, and I'm getting vague Julia Goodwin flashbacks, although I would imagine it's just a coincidence. No guitar for April this time, just a straight vocal, and while I don't necessarily dislike the performance, this was far from April's best. However, she does have a killer closing note, and she looks amazing (I love the iris on her dress). Ultimately, she ends up with 71% of the vote.

-Ludacris notes that although she left her guitar at home, he still thought she did a great job. Brad asks April how she thought she did, and April admits it wasn't her best. Brad agrees, but notes that she's still a great singer, and adds that no other major musical artist has her specific medical condition. He says it's time for that to change. Kesha is also largely positive in her critique, although some of it has to do with her having an iris tattoo that matches the pattern on April's dress.

VIDEO: April Lockhart sings "Iris"

MANEEPAT MOLLOY is up next!

-Maneepat talks about her sister being her best friend, while also going into detail about her parents deciding to move to the States to help her pursue her dream. She's gotten farther than she ever thought she would, and while she vows to do her best, she really, really wants to get through to the next round and continue on in the competition. I'm certainly rooting for her.

-Maneepat sings "Stars" by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, and while I'm absolutely sick to DEATH of this song on reality singing competitions, Maneepat delivers a damn good vocal. Seriously, her voice sounds so mature and full-bodied and rich (I feel like I'm talking about coffee now). It made me appreciate the song way more than I have in recent years. Kesha and Brad voted yes, but Ludacris voted no. Maneepat ends the performance with 68% of the vote, which is a LOT less than I thought she'd get.

-Kesha notes the difference in Maneepat's confidence from the beginning of the competition to now, saying she thinks Maneepat can be "a force to be reckoned with" in the music industry. Ludacris disagrees, however, saying that while he's always loved her voice, he wanted something more at this stage in the competition. Brad says he voted yes strictly based on Maneepat's vocals, since she sang a lot better than some of the people who've gone tonight, but he adds that she definitely needs to work on her stage presence. Fair enough.

VIDEO: Maneepat Molloy sings "Stars"

DANA WILLIAMS is up next!

-Dana says being saved by the West Coast was an amazing feeling. She then talks a bit about her family and how supportive they've been, before adding that she's been working as an elementary school teacher and a part-time guitar teacher before coming on this show. She seems super likable. Hopefully, her performance delivers on the same level.

-Dana sings "Latch" by Disclosure, and is it weird that I actually like this arrangement more than the original? Seriously, I would buy this TONIGHT. Kesha is already on her feet midway through the performance, and I don't blame her. It's just so...pretty. And Dana never misses a note. This is my favorite of the night so far. However, despite getting yes votes from all three experts, Dana ends the performance with just 60% of the vote.

-Kesha talks about wanting to produce her CD, and Brad says "Why don't you?" And Kesha says she just might. Ludacris, meanwhile, is mad at America for not getting her score higher. Josh says perhaps the West Coast will save her, before joking that Ludacris only gets mad for the makeup sex, which the crowd doesn't really seem to get (or appreciate). Brad, however, says that while he likes Dana's voice, he felt that was the worst possible song choice for her. This gets him on the bad side of Kesha, Ludacris, and the crowd, but he sticks by his critique, which is nothing if not admirable. But yeah, I couldn't disagree with him more.

VIDEO: Dana Williams sings "Latch"

ALICE J. LEE is up next!

-Alice's parents are having a blast being featured on national television, and Alice talks a bit more about them by discussing how they came to America and made a life away from their family and friends. Alice says she wants to succeed partially for her parents.

-Alice sings "The Story" by Brandi Carlisle, and this is the most I've liked Alice sing the competition started. I never really saw the same things the judges or America saw in her, but I thought this was a pretty damn good performance. Still a little Broadway, but that's not really much of a complaint, since I'm a theater nerd. I'm seriously impressed with Alice, and stunned by how much I liked this. Her vocal was very strong, and virtually devoid of any flaw (other than her lower register being a tiny bit weak). Of course, the one time I finally get behind her, she gets downvoted by two of the judges, and only gets 40% of the vote.

-Ludacris says he didn't think it was bad, necessarily, but felt it wasn't as good as her previous performances, and wasn't enough for this stage of the competition. He feels that while her stage performance skills have usually been stronger than her vocals, her onstage skills weren't as good this week. Kesha, who was the only yes vote, reiterates that she's not a dream crusher, and praises Alice. Brad says he thinks there were some pitch issues he just couldn't let go, and feels she probably needed a little bit more time with the song to iron it out.

VIDEO: Alice J. Lee sings "The Story"

-So now that seven singers have gone, the Wall comes down! It's up to the next six singers to raise the Wall by surpassing the vote percentage of the lowest scorer. Alice Lee is in the hotseat!

JESSE KINCH is up next!

-Jesse Kinch talks about being an introvert in high school, but notes that being around so many "cool and interesting" people "opens you up" in social situations. This week, he looks to show his range. He'll be doing a White Stripes song but notes that no matter whether the song is old or new, you have to do a song justice. "If I don't believe in it, no one else will".

-Jesse sings "Seven Nation Army" by the White Stripes, and I'll be stunned if he isn't in the running to win this entire thing. This was absolutely stellar. All three experts are on their feet a quarter of the way into the performance, voting yes and giving him enough of a percentage -- with America's vote -- to raise the Wall. Jesse just looks like such a rock star with his guitar and his Jim Morrison hair, and while some might argue he's too much of a throwback to appeal to today's music scene, I'd argue he's just what rock music needs right now.

-Brad, who was practically on his hands and knees with that performance, is such a fan of Jesse that he wants him to sign his guitar. Kesha, meanwhile, is so flustered by the performance that she "just can't" right now. Ludacris says they all took this job as experts because they love music, and that performance is why he took this job. Of course, with Jesse's score of 88%, Alice J. Lee has been knocked out of the hotseat, meaning...

ALICE J. LEE has been eliminated from RISING STAR!

-Alice will now need the West Coast Save if she wants to stick around. However, before we head to break, Josh announces that there's a tie for the lowest score between Macy Kate and Dana Williams. He says we'll reveal how they will determine the next person to sit in the hotseat when they come back.

VIDEO: Jesse Kinch sings "Seven Nation Army"

-Back from break, and Josh reveals that they're determining the lowest scorer by going down to the decimal percentage of the score. So the person now in the hotseat is Macy Kate with 60.34%, meaning the next performer needs to beat 60.34% to raise the Wall and get a spot in the Top 7.

MEGAN TIBBITS is up next!

-Megan talks about living in an apartment with five other girls, and how awesome it is. She says each subsequent round is more awesome than the last, although she's worried about tonight's show, since five singers will go home. She's going to show a different side of her music, and try to work on some of the higher notes that maybe don't come so easily to her. Megan announces she's ready to rock out on the stage.

-Megan sings "Home" and it's actually a better stage performance than it is a vocal. She really gets into it, and is a fairly engaging performer to watch. Hell, the vocal even gets stronger as the performance rolls on, culminating in a pretty killer closing note. I dug it. But not America or Ludacris, as she only scores 32%.

-Brad says he enjoys Megan but felt it was a risky song choice, although he did vote yes. Ludacris echoes the sentiment and says it's hard to pin Megan down, since her first performance featured a harp while her second was a considerable departure from the first. And this one is an even farther departure. Kesha agrees somewhat, saying that it wasn't the best song choice, but notes that this is in no way the end of Megan's music career.

VIDEO: Megan Tibbits sings "Home"

MEGAN TIBBITS has been eliminated from RISING STAR!

-Eh, I felt she did better than Macy Kate, but I can see why America wasn't thrilled with the performance. It's hard to make heads or tails of what kind of artist Megan wants to be.

LISA PUNCH is up next!

-Lisa recalls needing to be saved by the West Coast, declaring that she's not going to let it happen again. She discusses moving to America from Guyana, and living up to the motto of "One People, One Nation," and how honored she has to have Guyana backing her.

-Lisa sings "Girl On Fire" by Alicia Keys, and it's incredibly sharp during the chorus, as she falls out of pitch, a problem I noticed a lot of people having tonight. I think the band is just louder than usual, because most of these singers didn't have this problem before tonight. This tried to be a high energy performance, and it mostly succeeds with some cool choreography midway through, but I don't feel it was enough. It comes down to the wire, as Lisa reaches 59% of the vote as the performance ends, meaning Macy Kate retains her seat.

-Kesha is on the verge of tears, saying how she hated that it was so close, yet so far. Ludacris, however, loves that Lisa fought every single second to raise the Wall, and has such respect for her fierceness. Josh backs up Lisa on this, noting how hard she works. Brad, meanwhile, notes that he felt Lisa was pitchy, but adds that her performance was really cool with the choreography and everything. Before she goes, Lisa says she's happy to have made it this far, before throwing a shoutout to her little brother.

VIDEO: Lisa Punch sings "Girl On Fire"

LISA PUNCH has been eliminated from RISING STAR!

-Back from break with Josh giving a shoutout to Julie, one of the viewers at home. No idea why.

AUDREY KATE GEIGER is up next!

-Audrey talks about being a bartender in New York, having left her home in New Jersey in order to find greater opportunities. She talks about how unfortunate it is that she had to pass up graduating her yoga teaching certification class in order to come to LA for the show, but states this isn't an opportunity she would have passed up for any reason, so she's happy with the choice she made. And her family is proud of their "little girl".

-Audrey sings "The Big Bang" by Rock Mafia, and it's a perfect choice for her voice. Her tone is so subtle and effortless. I seriously can't get enough of her voice. Granted, I kind of wish she'd have picked something different. That said, this comes right down to the wire, as the song is just milliseconds from ending when Kesha and Ludacris FINALLY decide to get off their asses and make up their minds, adding a "Yes" vote to put Audrey over the top with 65%.

-Ludacris says this was the longest he's ever taken to vote yes, and explains that it was because he didn't feel she got into it until the end. Kesha says she voted yes on potential, because she loves Audrey's voice but didn't like the song. Brad, who was the one to vote yes the earliest, says Audrey's voice may be his favorite of the competition. But he didn't feel this song was "the money" for her. He reads a tweet from a woman named Pamela from West Virginia, who simply wrote, "Bad song choice for her."

VIDEO: Audrey Kate Geiger sings "The Big Bang"

MACY KATE has been eliminated from RISING STAR!

-Now Dana Williams is in the hotseat with 60% of the vote. We come back from break with some silliness from Twitter, as fans have suggested everything from the experts wearing spacesuits, Kesha dying her hair rainbow colored, and contestants doing songs by the experts. The experts seem down with all of this, surprisingly. Not that we're necessarily going to see it...

AUSTIN FRENCH is up next!

-This was the most exciting week of Austin's life, since he flew home to Georgia in the middle of the week for his wedding to his best friend and the love of his life. We get a lot of sweet images from the wedding, including Austin thanking his wife for supporting him, and his wife vowing to follow him anywhere. Austin says it means the world to him that his best friend is also his biggest fan.

-Austin sings "If I Ain't Got You" by Alicia Keys, and it's a positively stellar vocal. Not a bum note in the entire thing. It's crazy to think he had less rehearsal time than most of the contestants, yet he absolutely slams it here, nailing all the runs and bringing a smooth, unforced tone. It's no real surprise to me that he raises the Wall with 86% of the vote.

-Ludacris surmises that his wife has everything now, while Kesha talks about how much she loved Austin's performance. We have to skip over Brad because we're low on time.

VIDEO: Austin French sings "If I Ain't Got You"

DANA WILLIAMS has been eliminated from RISING STAR!

-Audrey Kate Geiger is now in the hotseat! Man, and just a week ago, I thought she'd be a surefire finalist.

SONNET SIMMONS closes the show!

-Sonnet recaps the emotional journey of losing her duel and getting saved by the West Coast, complete with behind-the-scenes video. She was in tears after being eliminated, but she all but breaks down when she learns she's being saved. She video chats with her mother and reveals that while her mother wasn't always there for her in her youth, she's really stepped up in recent years. This is important because Sonnet really needs that support to pull herself through a competition like this.

-Sonnet sings "Young and Beautiful" by Lana Del Rey, and man, was I not feeling this at all. She starts off out of time with the music, and while she has a handful of very pretty notes at the beginning, it was just kind of a meandering, boring performance. Sonnet isn't a bad singer, but I really don't know why she was saved in the first place. Hell, this performance isn't exactly a ringing endorsement of her potential of getting saved again. Even KESHA voted no! That's kind of insane, when you think about it, since she gives out yeses like Halloween candy. At just 30%, Sonnet fails to get the necessary 65% to raise the Wall, meaning she's going home.

-We rush through the judges, who all voted No. Ludacris talks about what a difficult song choice it was, while Brad says it was the wrong song entirely, and too pitchy on top of it. Kesha pleads with Sonnet to not let this experience stop her, but to let it make her stronger, and that's a wrap.

VIDEO: Sonnet Simmons sings "Young and Beautiful"

SONNET SIMMONS is eliminated from RISING STAR!

-And so our Top 7 scorers are (in no particular order)...

Jesse Kinch
Audrey Kate Geiger
April Lockhart
Maneepat Molloy
Austin French
Joshua Peavey
Shameia Crawford

Meanwhile, the six singers who will be in the running for the West Coast Save are...

Macy Kate
Dana Williams
Sonnet Simmons
Alice J. Lee
Megan Tibbits
Lisa Punch

Who should get that eighth and final spot? And did all the right acts go through? Sound off in the comments!

Thank you for hanging out tonight, and I'll catch you next week as the Quarterfinals roll on!

GOODNIGHT!