Queens’ Heejun Han found himself in American Idol’s bottom three vote getters for the first time this season, but survived to advance to the show’s top 9 and keep his Idol dream alive.
Han was joined by DeAndre Brackensick and Erika Van Pelt as the bottom three vote getters with Van Pelt being sent home.
After being saved Han tweeted to his followers, “Thank you so much for giving me another chance.”
Han has now advanced as far as fellow Queens crooner Pia Toscano made it on last year’s show.
This week, the Idol top 10 tackled the songs of Billy Joel. Han previously performed Joel’s “New York State of Mind” last month in his final performance before the judges chose the top 24 semifinalists.
This time, the Flushing-native sang “My Life,” but not before starting with something “much too slow.”
Han entered the stage in a tuxedo seemingly to perform a ballad, but as the piano began, Han ripped off his tuxedo and requested something he could dance to.
In a seeming preemptive to the judge’s criticism, Han sang “I don’t care what you say anymore, this is my life,” during his “My Life” performance.
“I love that you brought a little fun to tonight, that was a breath of fresh air,” said Jennifer Lopez, but added that she did not think he hit the vocal as well as he can.
Steven Tyler told Han he has to take his singing a little more seriously.
“There were still some vocal problems, but as much as you were entertaining I was just happy to see you have a good time,” Jackson said. “We’ve become to know you as a funny dude. I loved that part of it.”
The top 9 will perform again next Wednesday at 8 p.m. on Fox 5.
