Theatrical: Lady Gaga tutored the four remaining American Idol contestants, advising them to add a touch of theatre to their performance Lady Gaga is not known for her restrained approach to performing - whether it be emerging from an egg or dousing herself with blood onstage.
So perhaps she was just what American Idol needed to liven it up as the final four contestants performed last night.
The eccentric pop superstar pushed the Fox singing competition's finalists to add theatrics to their renditions of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller songs.
Intimidating? Gaga tutors the religious country singer Scotty McCreery, who kissed his crucifix when she told him to act like the microphone was his girlfriendHer advice that Scotty McCreery should pretend that the microphone is his girlfriend prompted the deep-voiced 17-year-old country crooner to kiss the cross around his neck.
'You've got to get right in the center of that hot dog,' she advised the conservative singer.
Ready for super stardom: McCreery received plaudits from the judges for his performanceLady Gaga's steamy direction didn't seem to deter McCreery, who impressed the judges with both his rollicking take on The Coasters' Young Blood and heartfelt rendition of Alan Jackson's Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning) during the beginning of Wednesday's episode when the finalists were tasked with performing inspirational tunes.
'You're ready for superstardom, and I hope you make it,' Randy Jackson told McCreery afterward.
Popular: The singer has the audience on their feetLauren Alaina also seemed poised for greatness with her inspirational ballad of Martina McBride's Anyway, but she wasn't ready to proclaim that she was 'evil,' as noted in the lyrics to Elvis Presley's Trouble, until she received some motivation from Lady Gaga, who directed the 16-year-old singer to sing the ditty in character.
'When I was 16, I was way too weird to be on American Idol,' Lady Gaga admitted.
The result was apparently delicious, with Steven Tyler noting that Alaina 'delivers a song like a blue plate special.'
Intense: Gaga stares at Lauren Alaina as she performs her version of Elvis' Trouble
What an outfit: Lauren Alaina and the other contestants performed songs by writers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
Haley Reinhart, 20, wasn't quite as yummy.
The judges bickered about her interpretation of Michael Jackson's Earth Song.
Tyler was a fan, but Jackson and Jennifer Lopez didn't eat it up.
'I felt like you were just screaming,' Jackson said over a chorus of boos from the crowd.
Reinhart returned with a vengeance - and a string orchestra - with Ben E King's I (Who Have Nothing).
Taking her advice: Gaga tutors Hayley Reinhart, who then had her stand-out performance of the season
Two different sides: Hayley sang 'Earth Song' by Michael Jackson then Ben E King's I (Who Have Nothing)Lady Gaga directed her to let out a dramatic exhale in the middle of the song.
The judges were floored. Jackson dubbed it 'her moment' of the night, and Tyler informed her that she 'just Reinharted yourself into the middle of next week.'
'That was amazing,' said Lopez. 'One of the best performances of the year.'
James Durbin, the wailing 22-year-old rocker, opened the show clad in tails with Journey's Don't Stop Believin' and closed it down with a metal-tinged take on The Clovers' Love Potion No 9.
Getting into it: Gaga and James Durbin share a love of performance
Hands on: Gaga shows James how to moveJackson, who formerly played bass with Journey, said Durbin was 'paying homage to my friends,' and Tyler attested that he 'did it right.'
'You can sing anything,' Lopez told Durbin after Love Potion No. 9.
One of the four finalists will be eliminated tomorrow night.
The final four: The judges look on as their contestants line up with host Ryan Seacrest
source: dailymail