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The classmates of the "American Idol" 2014 finalists Jena Irene Asciutto and Caleb Johnson are all glad of what the two had accomplished. Even more hinges on how America voted May 20 after their performances, wherein it highlighted the talents that brought Johnson and Asciutto to this point and the nervous excitement of both of them, Asciutto a high school senior, thrust into the worldwide spotlight.
Judges Harry Connick Jr., Keith Urban and Jennifer Lopez like Johnson's rendition of Aerosmith's "Dream On" and Asciutto's encore performance of Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love with You." Aside from that, the two finalists debuted their first singles, Asciutto's "We are One" and Johnson's "As Long as You Love Me," which are available for download on iTunes.
And while Asciutto hails from Farmington Hills and Johnson from Asheville, North Carolina, they got something in common as both of their family Bay City has led to a grassroots swell of support for the two as they face each other at tonight's finale, beginning at 8 p.m. on Fox.
Then McAlear-Sawden Principal Michael Connors is proud to say that he doesn’t know who to support since both of them are from his school. Anyone of them winning the show would surely bring some recognition for the show.
Most of the family members are also getting some recognition from the attention that both the finalist are getting from Facebook. "We are all having a blast here," wrote Asciutto's uncle Scott McPhee. "Just got back from the Nokia Theater to pick our tickets up. It's a huge outdoor complex that looks like Times Square. It's loaded with happy people!"
There's the picture of Johnson with Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and the others from KISS, who will be performing for the night’s broadcast. Asciutto in the other hand joins Paramore in the celebrity segment, just a taste of what's coming in the season finale.
"Caleb was rehearsing with the guys from KISS and it was something he never could have imagined before," said Melissa Pauley. "He's met so many people through this."
The fun will spill over to Bay Valley Resort and Hotel tonight where a viewing party begins at 7 p.m. in its Players Lounge. Located at 2470 Old Bridge Road in Frankenlust Township, the night is full of promises as both family members of the two finalists await the final count.
"There's no way I'd be able to sleep tonight," Melissa Pauley said of her cousin Tamra's post-performance plight May 20. "I'd pace the floors and walk the streets. I hate to see it all come to an end though. It gets emotional every week, hoping he's not going home. There will be a sense of relief when we can start looking ahead to his future."
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