Canadian Idol Update: Girls On Top

After a decent showing by the top 22 boys on Monday night, it was the ladies' turn to shine on Tuesday.

Newfoundlander Tara Oram started the show with Lynn Anderson's country hit "(I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden." It was a little hard to focus on her honeyed country twang, if only because she was decked out in the cutest outfit in the history of Canadian Idol. I don't want to get all Jeanne Beker on you, but Oram looked fabulous in a red and white printed confection paired with black cowboy boots. And was that a lobster belt buckle I spied? Oram for the win!

"There's a sweetness that I really, really love," said judge Sass Jordan of the performance.

Toronto's Martha Joy was up next, singing Aerosmith's god-awful "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing." While there's strength behind Joy's voice, her pantomime-esque emoting made her performance better suited to a high school musical than a national audience.

"That was so theatrical and almost pageant-y around the edges," said judge Zack Werner."I just don't feel it," added fellow judge Jake Gold.

In Montana Martin Iles' intro, she said, "I'm not emo, I'm not punk... I'm just Montana."

She proved her point by jumping, flailing, shrieking and cackling her way through her performance, beating the unholy crap out of The Used's "The Bird And The Worm." Astounding. I've never been so simultaneously terrified and entertained in my life.

"Holy crap! Oh my god," exclaimed Jordan.

"Bar none, my favourite performance since I ever sat in this seat on the show," said Werner. "That was so fun. Arrrghhh!"

Arrrghhh, indeed. I love you, Montana. Please don't ever kick my ass.

Mila Miller is a diva-in-the-making. Her performance of Mary J. Blige's "I'm Going Down" was polished, soulful and powerful.

"It was really sassy, really vibe-y, really fresh," said Werner."Really impassioned," seconded Gold. "It really worked for you."

Miller's glorious mound of hair is amazing. Watch out, Macy Gray.

Maud Coussa-Jandl was one of the weakest singers of the night. While The Cranberries' "Dreams" proved to be ever-so-cute with a francophone accent, it came off as far too precious and rather rough around the edges.

"That's really stylized," Gold said."You need to find songs to let you be you," judge Farley Flex agreed. "Song selection is critical in this competition."

Werner just called it "horrific." Ouch!

Annika Odegard was also a disappointment. The golden-haired jailbait... er... ingenue, had a pretty voice, but pretty doesn't cut it at this point in the competition. During "Helplessly, Hopelessly," Odegard faded out on the notes, cutting them off before their time. Gold called the performance "limp and cheesy," while Werner grumbled, "This ain't the Miss Teen Canada pageant... forget about trying to win a tiara."

Naomi-Joy Blackhall singing Whitesnake with her new Nelly Furtado hair was probably a total bonercoaster for male viewers across the nation. Unfortunately for her, the judges decided to listen instead of look.

"That song was in the key of 'Huh?'" said Werner.

"Unfortunately, the vocal didn't happen for you," offered Flex.

Oh well. We'll let Joy Blackhall know if Tawny Kitaen ever needs a protege.

While Christine Hanlon proved that she can do a great Sarah McLachlan impression, her performance of "Possession" was generally unremarkable.

"Out to lunch," said Werner.

"I remember you being much more edgy," lamented Flex.

"That song just wasn't you," decreed Jordan.

Last-minute top 22 addition Scarlett Burke was a vision in her '60s-inspired sequined shift dress. Unfortunately, she looked like she was about ready to throw up during much of her performance. I can understand why. Whitney Houston gives me indigestion, too.

"That was really uninspiring for me," said Gold.

"You've got to grab us right away," coached Jordan.

Khalilah G's song choice, Pink's "Family Portrait," was another unlikely one for Idol, but it paid off for her as far as the judges were concerned.

"Poised, composed, cool, calm, collected, beautiful," raved Flex.

"It made me shiver," said Werner.

The final performance belonged to adorable moppet Carly Rae Jepsen, who should legally change her name to Adorable Moppet Carly Rae Jepsen. She's the cutest thing on two legs. "Put Your Records On" was soulful, sincere, sweet and electrifying.

"The Rae in your name stands for ray of sunshine," said Jordan.

"You're top 10," predicted Werner.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and prognosticate top three. Only time will tell.

Tomorrow: Who will stay and who will go?