Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-5598112-20160908051327/@comment-26288837-20160908054346

There is no easy way to do this because all 5 have their strengths and weaknesses. Each one is better than the others at some facet of singing or performing. But judging them on their overall talent, including voice, stage presence, showmanship, entertainment value, and how moved I am, here are my rankings:

1. Grace Vanderwaal: She is the total package--singer, songwriter, musician. I'm in awe of her.

2. Sal Valentinelli: He's got style, showmanship, confidence coming out of his ears, and a voice channelled from arguably the greatest singer of the 20th century. Plus, he is highly entertaining to watch and listen to.

3. Laura Bretan: Usually when I hear young people sing opera, I have a hard time believing that it's really them singing. Laura Bretan makes a believer out of me. She has got an amazing voice, and her ability to hit the notes so perfectly and hold them so long, takes my breath away.

4. Linkin' Bridge: These guys have been inconsistent throughout the competition, but they really stepped up in the semi-finals. I could tell that their lead singer was really putting everything he had into it with sheer determination to put his group into the finals. They impressed me so very much.

5. Brian Justin Crum: I know I'm going to catch flak for ranking him so low, but honestly, he is just not as good as the other 4. He's more like a diamond in the rough. He's got this big, powerful voice, but he has no idea how to really use it. His arrangements are all over the place and disjointed. His high notes always sound a bit strained (though he sure can carry them for what seems like forever). And I think he's a little too desperate to be liked and admired. I can tell he's trying really hard, and putting his heart and soul into his performances, but I just don't find him that entertaining, and his song choices bore me.