Danielle Withers rocked her way to another week on NBC’s “The Sing-Off.”
Monday’s episode challenged the remaining seven groups to perform “Superstar Medleys.” Withers, 27, and her group, Afro-Blue, performed three Janet Jackson selections — a piece Withers said the group was “really excited about, or maybe it’s just me.”
- View photos of Danielle Withers and Afro-Blue
- Watch Afro-Blue perform a Janet Jackson Medley
- Vote for your favorite performance from week 7
The 2002 Mason High School graduate took the vocal lead in much of the performance, along with group member Mariah Maxwell.
Judges praised the group’s sound and its lead vocalists, but echoed critique from earlier weeks that the group has a tendency to “over-think” parts of its arrangements.
Judge Shawn Stockman said the group performed an ambitious arrangement, and that they made it look “easy and effortless.”
Ben Folds called it a radical and smart arrangement and called out Withers for an “awesome” performance.
Sara Bareilles said the performance was perhaps too ambitious, but overall praised the 10-member Howard University-based group.
“You guys have amazing lead vocalists: Danielle, Mariah, you sounded amazing, I loved it,” gushed Bareilles. “You guys are such an amazing strong group; there’s something really, really special in Afro-Blue and I want to continue to see that blossom and grow.”
Withers, dressed in a black Flapper-style dress, also took the early vocal lead in a special Halloween-themed opening piece, performed by all seven remaining groups.
The weekly series hosted by Nick Lachey follows 16 a cappella groups from across the country as they compete for a Sony Music recording contract and $200,000 cash prize.
Withers and Afro-Blue will next perform on Nov. 8. The final live episode will air later this month.
Stay tuned to MasonBuzz for updates about Withers and Afro-Blue’s progress in the competition. You can also follow Withers on Facebook.
Posted in: Arts & Entertainment |
