Her voice was electric. The audience connected, captivated by every note she belted out. Her range was uncanny, the vocal runs brilliant. No one could have given a better rendition of “I Will Always Love You.”

With a sharp, distinct flurry she finished the song, looked into the judges’ eyes and waited.

“Yo.” Randy Jackson fumbled for the right words, waiting for the cheers to die down. “All right, all right, you know what?” he paused momentarily to cringe. “I sort of felt it, but you know. It was kinda pitchy in a few places. I don’t know. It was good, but not your best performance.”

Paula smiled, looking a bit too dreamy. “Look, you’re beautiful. You just look so great up there.” Paula smiled. “Did you have fun?”

She nodded.

“You’re a star already. But, I think the song was just a little too big for you.”

Simon glared at the camera showing genuine sardonic disdain. “Look, Whitney. That was like going to the circus and watching the trapeze performer crash to the ground, only there was no net.”