The Tribune

By LESH NOT EVEN the Pink inspired hairstyle and makeover was enough to save American Idol contestant Erika Van Pelt from being voted off the show last week. During last Wednesday's episode, the contestants were mentored by award winning rapper Sean "P Diddy" Combs, and styled by fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger. After taking Tommy's advice to change her look a tad, Erika decided to follow in the path of American singer and songwriter, Pink, by cutting her shoulder length blonde hair and dying it jet black. Even though Erika delivered a somewhat smooth rendition of Billy Joel's "New York State Of Mind," the 26 year old found herself in the bottom three with contestants, Heejun Han and DeAndre Brackensick, the following night. Receiving the lowest number of viewer votes, Erika's fate was left in the hands of the judges: Jennifer Lopez, Randy Jackson and Steven Tyler. In the competition, the judges are entitled to using a "save" card for a contestant to remain in the competition after receiving the lowest votes. Unfortunately for Erika, it was her time to go. All of the judges agreed to send her home. American Idol fan Simone* told In Ya Ear: "I think it was a shame because she had a really good voice. I think some one else should have been gone before she went." Another viewer, Charmaine* said:" I actually think the makeover ruined her. After that big change, people did not really notice her so I feel like they wanted the old Erica back. But nonetheless, I see her making it big and far places because she is talented and talent can't hide, no matter how much you change your physical appearance." Jennifer Lopez told Erika: "It was such a beautiful, beautiful vocal. I love the hair, but I'd love to see you let loose vocally more at the end but also let loose all over your body to bring in that performance, to really take us home." "I wanted to see you unplant your feet and really move around and really feel what you were singing about. That would be my only note too, because like I said, the vocal was beautiful," she said. This week, the remaining contestants will take to the Idol stage to sing a selection of songs based on their all time favorite performers. The remaining top 9: Heejun Han Elise Testone Hollie Cavanagh Colton Dixon Skylar Laine DeAndre Brackensick Jessica Sanchez Joshua Ledet Phillip Phillips