Seventeen-year-old Paris Bennett made her live television debut tonight on “American Idol.” The top twelve female contestants performed on the two hour show which had Bennett singing “Midnight Train to Georgia.”

“I’m so excited to be doing this song because it represents my state and because I love Gladys Knight, and people say that I sound just as raspy as she does. So all I have to say is Georgia get on board, ‘cause that’s exactly where we’re taking them,” said Bennett in her pre-performance video.

With a seventies-era outfit and hairstyle, Bennett belted out the famous lyrics. The Fayetteville, Ga. resident, who is bilingual and loves the animated character Sponge Bob Square Pants, danced her way around the stage in what could only be described as an outstanding performance. Bennett’s charisma burst off the stage and out of the television screen, clearing up any doubt about whether she could hang with the best of the best. The performance even had judge Paula Abdul out of her chair in a standing ovation.

The judges’ reaction: Randy Jackson was first to say, “Alright, we got a hot one, America. We got a hot one right here.” Jackson continued, “Knowing Gladys, Gladys has been on the show, having worked with her in the past, yo man, you surprised me...you’re moving, you’re grooving, it’s like you’ve been doing this all your life. I was just blown away, that was amazing. This girl is amazing.”

Paula Abdul couldn’t have agreed with Randy more, “My hat goes off to you, you’re my idol. You’re like a little firecracker, you’re like the energizer bunny, and you avoided a wardrobe malfunction all at the same time. You got everybody up dancing and smiling, and you know what? You are a showman, show-woman, I think.”

Bennett’s humble response was a quiet “Thank you.”

A rare thing happened next, judge Simon Cowell’s opinion coincided with his fellow judges, “I agree with the guys. You know it’s very interesting. You come in 17, and you just showed a ton of girls what you have to do well in a competition like this. Which is, not play it safe, it’s a performance everyone’s going to remember, you were incredibly confident, and you have the expression Paula used earlier on, which is so important and it is the likeability factor. It’s not about being good, it’s about being great. That was great!” With that the audience went wild.

Abdul also remarked that Bennett reminds her of a former contestant, Fantasia Barino, winner of American Idol 3. With a little dance of joy and a brief post-performance interview with host Ryan Seacrest, also an Atlanta native, Bennett was finished with what had to be the most exciting night in her young life.
Thursday night’s show will reveal who received the lowest number of votes after tonight’s performance. The bottom girl and guy will be eliminated from the competition.

To vote for Paris Bennett, dial 1-866-IDOLS-05 (1-866-43657-05) or send a text message with the word “VOTE” to 5705 on your Cingular Wireless phone.
Watch “American Idol” on FOX Thursday evening at 8 p.m., and check back here for a post-show wrap-up.

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