Meet mini J-Lo! American Idol judges reveal adorable childhood snaps... as they narrow contestants down to eleven
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They've been criticized for being harsher than necessary this season, but the American Idol judges looked thoroughly angelic as they revealed childhood snaps on Thursday.
Jennifer Lopez, 44, Harry Connick Jr., 46, and Keith Urban, 46, showed off their adorable child pictures, while they reminisced about the music of their childhoods.
For Lopez that meant the gritty Bronx of New York City and the 1973 Chicago song Saturday In The Park.
Memory lane: Jennifer Lopez shared her favourite childhood song on Thursday as the judges took a musical stroll down memory lane on American Idol
'My mother used to play this song...Saturday in the park, think it was the Fourth of July,' she said, humming out the first few lines.
'My birthday is in July so I felt like it was about me a little bit,' added the Jenny From the Block singer, who was wearing a plum red jumpsuit and stilettos.
'And I love Saturdays ... and I love the park,' she mused.
Fond memories: J-Lo shared that her mother frequently played the 1973 Chicago song Saturday In The Park while she was growing up
Chicago song: Jennifer said the song's lyrics mentioning the Fourth of July reminded her of her birthday that month
Hot thing: Jennifer was seen strutting her stuff on the way to the American Idol studio on Thursday
Fabulous! Lopez looked incredible in her brown satin outfit
Big stars: L-R: Ryan Seacrest, Phillip Phillips, Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Keith Urban all posed for a snap together
Urban recalled the 'imaginary rock band' he formed when he was a nipper in New Zealand and Australia. Unfortunately there was no one in the band, called Rock Fever except for little Keith.
'I wrote the name on my parents' garage door,' said the country singer who is married to Nicole Kidman.
'My dad was livid,' he recalled.
Young rocker: Keith Urban recalled creating an 'imaginary rock band' while he was a kid
Own band: Keith painted his band's name on his family's garage door to the chagrin of his father
For New Orleans native Connick the tune When The Saints Go Marching In always always has reminded him of home.
'It's my football team and the first thing I learned on the piano,' said the jazz aficionado.
The newest Idol judge started learning piano at age three and was performing with a local jazz band by age 10.
Louisiana native: Harry was born and raised in New Orleans
Young talent: Harry talked about his love for the song When The Saints Go Marching In and how it reminds him of New Orleans
But the night wasn't all fuzzy reveries.
After 70 million votes from the public 18-year-old Emily Piriz was eliminated from the competition.
Piriz received the least votes after singing a J-Lo anthem on Wednesday and was left to 'sing for her life' with the Grace Potter track Stars.
The performance was shaky and the judges decided not to use a 'save card' on the Florida native.
Singing to survive: Emily Piriz received the least votes and was left to 'sing for her life' with the Grace Potter song Stars
Under scrutiny: Keith, J-Lo and Harry carefully studied Emily's performance before deciding not to save her
Piriz had been placed in the bottom three with student Jena Irene, 17, and 20-year-old San Francisco resident MK Nobilette.
All the contestants were nervous after some brutal criticism the night before.
After being dubbed 'the nasty judge' Connick made a point of telling his fearful protégés how 'great' they were.
Bottom three: Idol host Ryan Seacrest chatted with the bottom three singers MK Nobilette, Jena Irene and Emily
After calling them 'the most talented group since the first season' he remained stern.
'But I'm a judge I can't fraternise with you,' he barked.
A video message from Drew Brees, the New Orleans Saints Quarterback, brought him down a peg.
'Harry you OK buddy? You were a little harsh on those guys last night,' smiled the NFL player.
'That's my hero,' screamed Connick, clearly thrilled.
Football star: New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees surprised his number one fan Harry with a video message
After a strong gospel performance last night Malaya Watson raced into the next round along with rocker Caleb Johnson and soulful C.J. Harris.
For entertainment former Idol winner Phillip Phillips made a return visit to give a world premiere of his new single Raging Fire.
The 23-year-old Georgia-born singer has since gone platinum and is 'on first name terms' with Bruce Springsteen and John Mayer.
'We're proud of you man,' said host Ryan Seacrest.
Returning champ: Former Idol winner Phillip Phillips returned to perform his new single Raging Fire
Awaiting fate: The final 12 contestants waited to learn if they were advancing along with Ryan and Randy
Irish band: Randy Jackson introduced the Dublin-based band Kodaline
Also saved for next week were bearded Tennessean Ben Briley, rock chick Jessica Meuse and shy Florida boy Sam Woolf
Alabama farmer Dexter Roberts also sailed through with 21-year-old Majesty Rose and alternative singer Alex Preston.
For another musical interlude tastemaker and former Idol judge Randy Jackson brought in Irish band Kodaline.
The Dublin-based four piece sang their haunting track All I Want.
Next week the 11 remaining contestants will return to the Hollywood stage.
All denim: Jennifer's boyfriend Casper Smart on Thursday headed to the set of Restored Me filming in Los Angeles
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nurselady80, Baton Rouge, United States, 1 day ago
I love al the judges, they are the best ever. This is the worse group of singers that has been on the show since it's beginning. They let some of the best singers go in the beginning trials, because they were trying to be too PC. Some of the singers seems to not really care if they are there or not. They do not seem excited about the show at all. Harry is the best and most truthful judge, I hope he comes back next year.