That's enough to get a standing ovation from all four judges. Keith tells her it was a perfect song for her, and only wishes he could have heard her hold more notes so he could appreciate her "exquisite" tone more. Nicki gushes about how she's surpassing the whole competition, which she seems to belatedly realize is not as high a compliment as she intended. Randy declares Amber "in it to win it" and says Amber believes in herself now. Mariah says she's been waiting for Amber all night and she's one of her favorites and she's happy America gets to vote for her. Ryan even compliments Amber on how comfortable she was singing it before giving the voting instructions. Which I think he's going to carry out himself after the show.

Kree Harrison talks appreciatively in her intro reel about the band and the vocal coaches and the whole process, which she seems to be enjoying thoroughly. She's sticking with the country ballads she does so well, her voice pretty as always. Not that I needed to hear two Faith Hill songs in one night, this one being "Stronger." I'd love to hear her do some Brandi Carlisle some time. Keith's feedback gets a little technical for this show, talking about the F-sharp above high C she hit tonight before rattling off the names of female country vocalists she fits into. "You already know that you're my wife," Nicki says, and adds that Kree has her favorite tone of all the women in the competition. Randy sounds like a wrestling announcer some more and then goes on to agree with Keith, calling her "country and then some." Mariah loves watching her and hopes she continues. And if she doesn't, she's good enough to go get famous the normal way. Ryan gives Kree an opportunity to voice her appreciation of the judges' comments, which she gladly does. Because that's what you do. Kree knows perfectly well that's part of the biz too.

Adriana Latonio, this season's youngest contestant, talks in her intro reel about the support back home in Alaska without mentioning Sarah Palin, and then does "Stand Up for Love" in a long dress that unfortunately reinforces the impression that she's performing at a beauty pageant. Though she does manage to bellow a big note right at the end. Keith has reservations about the song choice given the level of what they've been hearing tonight, and says it took too long to get to the good part. Nicki takes a little while warming up to saying that "After Angie, Amber, and Kree," Adriana maybe needs to just come back next year with a little more experience. Randy agrees with Nicki (and me) that it was pageant-y, and not what she needed to do. Mariah gets to be good cop at the end as always, saying she was hoping for something a little more soulful from her like before. Ryan teases the night's final performance from Candace coming up after the break, saying she both hedges her bets and lays it all down. I don't think Ryan is getting much time to gamble while he's in Vegas.