After a few changes to the schedule, American Idol 9’s Top 10 girls were ready to sing their hearts out for Wednesday’s performance round. Crystal Bowersox, who was hospitalized Tuesday night, was back in the studio and looked wonderful at the top of the episode. She spent a few moments talking to Ryan Seacrest before the performances began. “I’m a tough cookie,” Crystal promised. I had no doubt she would deliver a great number for the night.

“The guys were hot last night,” Randy Jackson exclaimed. “I’m hoping the girls show up like that tonight.” 

Crystal Bowersox, for whom the week’s line-up was switched around, was the first to be featured. She revealed in her video package that she’s a twin. She picked “Long As I Can See the Light” from CCR, a pretty bold choice, for her Wednesday performance. The bluesy/gospel feel of the song beautifully highlighted Crystal’s vocal talent. It was a great way to start the show. Randy Jackson was enthusiastic about the performance, shouting “that girl is hot!” Ellen DeGeneres loves Crystal’s “pure, raw, natural talent,” saying “you’re amazing.” Kara DioGuardi found the performance to be “effortless,” and compared Bowersox to “the greats.” Be interesting to know whom Kara includes in that category. “I completely misunderestimated you,” Simon Cowell admitted, saying “the vocal was incredible.”

Haeley Vaughn chose a Miley Cyrus song for her second week on the big stage, a tune that suits her much better than the one she chose last week. Vaughn enjoys making her own headbands, and she’s the Vote For the Worst pick two weeks running. “The Climb” fits Haeley’s style perfectly, but her vocals were weak and warbly from the first note. Most everything was off-key and pitchy, and the entire performance was just agonizing to hear. “It didn’t work for me,” Randy Jackson admitted, adding “it was excruciating.” You said it, Randy. Ellen DeGeneres advised Haeley “don’t ever stop smiling,” but found that Vaughn had no connection to the song. “You’re a really good performer,” Kara DioGuardi told her, but thinks Haeley needs “about a year” to work on her voice. “It was a complete and utter mess,” Simon Cowell remarked.

Lacey Brown chose to sing the song suggested to her by Kara DioGuardi last week: “Kiss Me.” Unfortunately, Lacey displayed no better control over this tune than she did “Landslide” the week before. This time around, Brown had the advantage of putting some of her showmanship on display, which could help keep her in the competition. Vocally, Brown lacks control, but this, too, could be remedied by allowing her more time on the show. “I actually think it was a good song choice,” Randy Jackson said, but found the performance to be “karaoke.” “I thought it was adorable,” Ellen DeGeneres expressed a different opinion. Kara DioGuardi likes Brown’s tone, but advised her to “step it up from here.” “I think it was marginally better than last week,” Simon Cowell bit out, pointing out the “massive, massive difference” between Lacey Brown and Crystal Bowersox - as if the viewing audience can’t hear it for themselves.

Katie Stevens can speak a four-word phrase in five different languages (six, if you count English), a small fact that was revealed during her video package. She wore a great outfit while she sang “Put Your Records On,” a popular Idol choice. Katie’s vocal strength was again on display during the performance, and I still think she’s more pro than she’s being made out to be. Stevens is definitely one to watch. Randy Jackson found many “bright moments” in the performance, finding the show “kind of cool.” “I think you have a great voice,” Ellen DeGeneres told her. “I don’t want to hear something that I would hear in my dentist’s office,” Ellen added. “I’m so frustrated with you, Katie,” Kara DioGuardi sighed. Simon Cowell doesn’t know what kind of recording artist Katie will be, and that’s why we also feels the frustration. “It was not a winning performance,” he told her.

Didi Benami used to be the mascot for her Middle School, but eventually she became a cheerleader. She chose the oft-recorded “Lean on Me,” truly one of the world’s most over-played tunes. Benami handles herself like an old pro on stage and seems to have the connections to back the attitude up. Nothing will convince me she’s not a plant. Didi offered up pretty good vocals and an entertaining presence, but there’s only so many times the world can hear the same song - and she was a little manic throughout. “I don’t know what’s going on,” Randy Jackson grit his teeth, “I don’t think it really worked.” “I love your voice,” Ellen DeGeneres praised. “I think you have a great presence,” she added, but admitted it “wasn’t really the greatest song choice.” “What I’m missing from you is consistency,” Kara DioGuardi criticized, saying “it felt like a karaoke bar.” “It was all over the place. It was screeching. Bad choice of song,” Simon Cowell cataloged all the problems with the performance. Didi’s eyes were teary by the time all was said and done.

Michelle Delamor picked “With Arms Wide Open” for her performance, truly an interesting choice. Delamor directs a children’s choir when she’s not being a reality TV contestant. She started the number out with a soft, sweet vocal and delivered a truly different version of the song. Delamor proved that she’s really got something to offer (but it’s not great fashion choices, that much is painfully clear). Her take on the tune was unique and very nice to hear. “The outfit is hot,” Randy Jackson praised. “The song, you just didn’t do enough with it,” he grimaced as he offered the critique. “I think you did do a lot with the song, and for a few moments in there I forgot it was a rock song,” Ellen DeGeneres told her, adding “I thought it almost worked.” “My favorite performance of yours ever,” Kara DioGuardi commented, to squeals from the crowd. “You believed in it,” Kara pointed out. Simon Cowell agreed with DioGuardi, and got the nod of approval on Delamor’s outfit from none other than Vera Wang.

Lilly Scott has been working on her stage presence in the past week, mainly focusing on keeping her eyes open. Unlike many of her fellow Idols, Lilly got great praise from the judges last week and she’s clearly a favorite. On Wednesday she picked “A Change is Gonna Come“ to display her unusual sound. Something about Scott seems too rehearsed - the girl has so much polish, it’s impossible to buy this whole shaggy-hairdo-laid-back-and-casual persona she’s putting out. There’s no doubt that she’s pleasant to listen to, however, and something about her sound commands attention. Randy Jackson declared Scott’s to be his “favorite performance of the night.” “I don’t know what it is, but you’ve got it,” Ellen DeGeneres found, calling Scott’s “by far, the best performance of the night.” “You just had your first moment in this competition,” Kara DioGuardi told her, saying “I was riveted.” “I wasn’t crazy about it,” Simon Cowell remained surly. “I thought you over-sang the song in the middle a little bit,” he added, but admitted “it was still great.”

Katelyn Epperly chose the ever-depressing Coldplay as the show began to wind down. She’s had training as a recording engineer, and hopes to own a studio some day. She sat at the piano to belt “The Scientist,” the first time we’ve seen Epperly with an instrument. From the first note, everything about her performance was stunning. The soft vocal seemed to perfectly suit Katelyn, and her look was great. It was hard to look away as Epperly delivered her simple, powerful vocals, completely owning the stage. “I really liked it,” Randy Jackson praised. “I liked that you were playing guitar,” Ellen DeGeneres had a Paula Abdul moment, but quickly corrected herself. “I fell kind of asleep,” she admitted, explaining that it was “way too slow.” “I kind of love you,” Kara DioGuardi declared. “You’re all over the place, but you’re really good,” Kara added, telling Katelyn to “figure out who you are.” “I thought it was a smart choice of song,” Simon Cowell added his opinion, saying Katelyn’s performance was “a million times better than last week.”

Paige Miles (oh yeah, she’s still on the show!) revealed that she enjoys coloring in her video package. Paige got great praise last week, and if you don’t remember her it’s because she performed first and was hardly featured at all in the weeks leading up to her Top 24 debut. She sang Kelly Clarkson’s “Walk Away,” which many of the girls on the show wouldn’t even be able to sing. Paige has a big voice, which she put to great use for her moment in the big spotlight, but everything about the performance seemed a little rushed and empty. Miles was singing at the audience and not to them, which is a subtle but very big difference. “I liked it,” Randy Jackson said simply, saying he wasn’t “in love with it.” “I loved it. I thought it was fantastic,” Ellen DeGeneres enthused. Kara DioGuardi pointed out that Paige wasn’t “connected” to the song, but admitted that she, also, “liked it.” Simon Cowell agreed with Randy, saying Paige has “failed, two weeks in a row, to choose the right song.”

Siobhan Magnus is great on film, which can be a huge asset on Idol. She picked a true diva song for her Wednesday performance, Aretha’s “Think.” Siobhan exploded onto the stage with her big, soulful voice, absolutely nailing the incredibly difficult tune. Magnus delivered huge, powerful vocals that nearly blew the judges out from behind the table. “You are so bold and so fearless, and let me tell you something - it was dope! You slayed it!” Randy Jackson cried, repeating “I loved it!” Ellen DeGeneres was also pumped after the performance, crying, “oh, man, that was good!” “I can’t get over that note,” Kara DioGuardi was astounded. “Once again, you are…you’re such a strange person,” Simon Cowell smiled. “You are interesting, and very, very talented,” he told her. Siobhan’s incredible performance is hard to describe - you’ll have to watch the video to really appreciate this girl’s vocal power.

Two girls and two guys in the competition will be ousted on Thursday’s results show. Will your favorite manage to hang in there another week? Check back tomorrow for all the elimination news. In the meantime, read all our other American Idol 9 posts.