Weinberg junior John Park advanced to the Top 20 on “American Idol” Thursday night, despite receiving mixed reviews from the judges after his rendition of “God Bless the Child” the night before.
“You have got to have an incredible voice to take on that song and you haven’t,” “American Idol” judge Simon Cowell said.
University President Morton O. Schapiro said he thought Cowell was too harsh on Park.
“That’s a Blood, Sweat and Tears song,” he said. “I thought he was really good. I thought they were much too hard on him. I thought he showed remarkable range and a real presence.”
American Idol judge Ellen DeGeneres said she liked his performance and hoped he would continue in the competition.
“I want people to vote for you and give you another chance because I like you a lot,” DeGeneres said Wednesday night.
DeGeneres got her wish: Park will move on to the next round after enough viewers called in to vote for him Wednesday night. Park will next perform March 3.
Weinberg junior Anjali Parekh said she thinks it is incredible he made it through.
“It is really exciting that he is getting up there,” the Weinberg junior said. “I feel people remember the Top 20.”