And the Winner is...Well, Maybe

I have a thing about rooting for the underdog. I attribute some of this to being a Libra (10/17) and those dang Scales of Justice. I always see both sides of the story and usually skew towards the unbalanced choice.

So it's even more appropriate that American Idol would choose me as one of 18 women to get a special sneak peek behind-the-scenes look at Season 13 in December, that I would become one of the branded "Idol Tweethearts" and that I would stick with it all season. Friends and family expressed concern, "What's up with Lynne and her constant chatter about American Idol?" Most shared my enthusiasm, yet my stream was sprinkled with disparaging comments "I gave up after Hollywood Week!" and "I miss the dance routines!" Nobody has actually admitted to missing the awkward dance routines, but  there's still hope for the finale!

One thing I honestly miss are the Ford commercials. I always thought Ford was brilliant for shooting a custom spot each week with the remaining contestants. They were smart and fun. I prayed all season that Ford would call the Idol Tweethearts to shoot our own spot. We are smart and fun too! Plus, I would look great in a Ford Escape Hybrid. My other fantasy was a JLo L'Oreal makeover. Or a can of Diet Coke. I am not greedy.

Supporting American Idol this season has been challenging. Even the best combination of judges to date – Harry Connick, Jr., Jennifer Lopez and Keith Urban – couldn't get the traction they deserved. Being nice isn't enough. If I could pinpoint one weakness it would be in the audition process. A large percentage of contestants played acoustic guitars in their city auditions. They were comfortable performing in a small room in front of the three judges, but this comfort did not expand as the size of the venue did. And don't get me started about the buses in Hollywood Week: bad idea, mean spirited and a blatant waste of money.

It's no secret that my favorite, Savion Wright, was cut during Hollywood Week. I blubbered in my lazyboy. My fellow Tweethearts who had gone to a post Hollywood Week Bootcamp had not spilled the beans no matter how often I asked about him. I know they were equally disappointed. I kept hoping it was a secret plot twist and he would return under a new Fake Elimination 2014 rule. I will continue to hope until the finale.

Here we are on the cusp of choosing a Hunger Games, I mean, Season 13 winner. Every week I have felt it was any one's title to win and it still is. Caleb Johnson and Jena Irene (note to self every week: Geena) would have to be the Vegas odds-on favorites with their arena filling voices. Johnson's full lung rock vocals have brought down the house every week, but he needs to filter that voice off-stage. Jena Irene matches him decibel for decibel and will have a career no matter how the show ends. There is also the soulful Alex Preston whose quirky charm like his choice of pants does not quite extend far enough.

My underdog pick to win S13 is ... Jess Meuse.

Jess Meuse has impressed me the most throughout the season. She was a standout in the early auditions, but mostly for all the wrong reasons. Usually originals during audition rounds make me cringe, but her "Blue-Eyed Lie" was catchy and proved to be marketable when she sang it again during Top 8 week. Behind-the-scenes drama during Hollywood Week was a near disaster with Meuse having difficulty in two groups, then being reamed by a stage mom. She had a deep hole to climb out of in my opinion, but week after week she has filled that gap.

Her gravelly vocals, reminiscent of one my favs, Stevie Nicks (hear Meuse's take on "Rhiannon") and gracious manner when receiving criticism have won me over. She is clearly grateful to be there each week. She is serious about her career choice and has been posting videos on YouTube for four years. She needs to grow a lot more in her stage presence, but I remind myself that Carrie Underwood was pretty reserved on this stage as well and she got over it quite well.

For a winner counterpoint, see fellow IdolTweetheart Emily Hill's pick here. There's a Diet Coke at stake!

Join @idolTweethearts on Twitter every Thursday at 4pmPT/7pmET at #IdolPreParty, You could win a t-shirt!