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For more on her biography/career, see Erika Van Pelt/Personal.

Erika Lynn Van Pelt (born December 12, 1985)[1][2] was a contestant on Season 11 of American Idol.

Audition[]

Erika auditioned in Pittsburgh. She sang "Will You (Still) Love Me Tomorrow?" by The Shirelles.[3] All three judges voted "yes", sending her to the next round.[3]

Hollywood Round[]

Erika was shown in the first part of Hollywood Week, in the same Lines of Ten as Aaron Marcellus (during a montage that also included Creighton Fraker, albeit in a separate line). She sang "Glitter in the Air" by P!nk; shortly thereafter, all three advanced. She was subsequently shown amongst a montage of contestants who survived Group Roundโ€”albeit not heard singing. After her non-televised third round solo performance, she was placed in the first deliberation room, along with Creighton Fraker, Aaron Marcellus, Hallie Day, Adam Lee Decker, Tenna Torres; David Leathers, Jr.; Elise Testone, Johnny Keyser, Amber Holcomb, Scott Dangerfield, Colton Dixon, Candice Glover, Cortez Shaw, Naomi Gillies, Jermaine Jones, Chase Likens, Lauren Gray, Devan Jones, Jen Hirsh, Joshua Ledet, and Adam Brock, where it was revealed that everyone in the room had advanced.[4]

Las Vegas Round[]

For the 1950s stage, Erika was shown in a group with Angie Zeiderman, Adam Brock, and Shelby Tweten, singing a medley of "Great Balls of Fire" by Jerry Lee Lewis + "Shake a Tail Feather" by The Five Du-Tones (later covered by Ray Charles).[5] Initially, all four members of their group advanced.[5] However, in a controversial decision, the judges rescinded several advancements, including Angie's. For Erika's final solo performance, she sang "Don't You Remember?" by Adele.[6] At the Final Judgment, the judges told her that she did enough to become a Top 25 finalist.[6]

Top 25[]

Erika sang "What About Love?" by Heart (originally by Toronto) in the semifinals. She did not receive enough votes to place amongst the Top 5 Girls, and was in danger of elimination. However, the judges opted to select her to fill one of six Wild-Card slots, which enabled her the opportunity to sing once more for survival.

Wild-Card Round[]

Erika sang "The Edge of Glory" by Lady Gaga.[7] At the end of the episode, Randy Jackson announced, on behalf of the judges panel, that Erika had become one of the Top 13 finalists.

Top 13[]

For the Whitney Houston/Stevie Wonder theme, Erika sang Houston's version of "I Believe in You and Me" (originally recorded by The Four Tops). On results night, it was revealed that America's votes landed her in the Bottom 3 of Women (in a split-gendered Bottom 6). However, she was the first female contestant sent back to safety.

Top 11[]

For the Year You Were Born theme, Erika sang "Heaven" via Bryan Adams. On results night, it was revealed that America's votes landed her in the Bottom 3. However, she was declared safe last, while Shannon Magrane was eliminated.

Top 10[]

For the Billy Joel theme, Erika sang "New York State of Mind".[7] On results night, it was revealed that she did not receive enough votes from America that week. She sang an encore of "I Believe in You and Me" as her 'Save Me' song. However, the judges declined to use their save; thus, Erika was eliminated in tenth place.[8]

List of Performances[]

Stage Song Artist Result
Audition "Will You (Still) Love Me Tomorrow"? The Shirelles Advanced
Hollywood "Glitter in the Air" P!nk Advanced
N/A N/A Advanced
TBD TBD Advanced
Las Vegas "Great Balls of Fire" / "Shake a Tail Feather" [medley]
(w/ Adam Brock, Shelby Tweten, & Angie Zeiderman)
Jerry Lee Lewis /
The Five Du-Tones
Advanced
Final Judgment "Don't You Remember?" Adele Top 25
Top 25 (Girls) "What About Love?" Toronto / Heart Wild-Card
Wild-Card "The Edge of Glory" Lady Gaga Top 13
Top 13 "I Believe in You and Me" Whitney Houston Bottom 3
(Women)
Top 11 "Heaven" Bryan Adams Bottom 2
Top 10 "New York State of Mind" Billy Joel In Jeopardy
'Save Me' Song "I Believe in You and Me" Whitney Houston Eliminated

Trivia[]

  • For Top 10 Week, special guest Tommy Hilfiger served as fashion consultant/style guru.[9] He cajoled Erika into getting a makeover to amplify her voting prospects.[7] She received a dramatic haircut change, from shoulder-length blonde hair to a black pixie cut.[10] Although the judges lauded the revamped image, it unfortunately wasn't enough to escape bottom 3/elimination.[8]

Quick Links[]

  1. Erika Van Pelt's Website
  2. Erika Van Pelt on Instagram
  3. Erika Van Pelt on Facebook
  4. Erika Van Pelt on X (Twitter)
  5. Erika Van Pelt on YouTube
  6. Erika Van Pelt on Pandora
  7. Erika Van Pelt on SoundCloud
Season 11
Finalists
 ยทPhillip Phillips ยทJessica Sanchez ยทJoshua Ledet ยทHollie Cavanagh ยทSkylar Laine ยทElise Testone ยทColton Dixon ยทDeAndre Brackensick ยทHeejun Han ยทErika Van Pelt ยทShannon Magrane ยทJermaine Jones ยทJeremy Rosado
Semifinalists
 ยทReed Grimm ยทJen Hirsh ยทBrielle Von Hugel โ€”โ€” ยทAdam Brock ยทBaylie Brown ยทHallie Day ยทCreighton Fraker ยทEben Franckewitz ยทHaley Johnsen ยทChase Likens ยทAaron Marcellus ยทChelsea Sorrell

References[]

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