PERFORMANCE - ALEX MANES GUERIN
It wasn't the finale but Alex had a feeling that this was his last time on the Idol stage. Feeling lucky to even have made it this far. He was up there following two talented woman. So there wasn't going to be holding back this. If there was a time to actually show all of himself it would be this week.
He was walking on out on the stage in navy blue shorts with reddish brown belts and a dark gray t-shirt. A black denim jacket with a cotton hoodie in it.
This time when he came on the stage there was no stage band set up, the stage wasn't all lit up. It was only a keyboard that was all mic'd up in center stage with a spotlight on it. He gently slid his hand on top of the keys. It wasn't even a few seconds later that he started to play. No other instruments to back up the singular keyboard. An eleven second intro before he started singing.
I am not a stranger to the dark Hide away, they say 'Cause we don't want your broken parts I've learned to be ashamed of all my scars Run away, they say No one'll love you as you are
But I won't let them break me down to dust I know that there's a place for us For we are glorious
It was only for a moment but his gaze left the audience to look down at his hand. The ring that Michael had made for him. It was only for a second and then his gaze rose again to look at the dark filled audience. There was only a bit of lights that lined the steps so that if anyone needed to leave during the performance they wouldn't be tripping over their feet. As well as a few lights around the judges table.
When the sharpest words wanna cut me down I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown 'em out I am brave, I am bruised I am who I'm meant to be, this is me Look out 'cause here I come And I'm marching on to the beat I drum I'm not scared to be seen I make no apologies, this is me
It was a bold choice because the music was soft for the first verse. He had been worried that he would barely be heard over the audience but it was quiet for the first time through that nights performance. He hoped that they could only hear his voice and the music and not the pounding of his heartbeat that he had echoing in his ears.
Another round of bullets hits my skin Well, fire away 'cause today, I won't let the shame sink in We are bursting through the barricades and Reaching for the sun (we are warriors) Yeah, that's what we've become
I won't let them break me down to dust I know that there's a place for us For we are glorious
Holding the note at the end of that last verse he closed his eyes and tilted his back slightly. Not enough to really be noticed by anyone. When he opened his eyes there was more lights in the audience. People using their phones like they would lighters in the dark. Waving them gently back and forth. He didn't know exactly how to describe what he was feeling in that moment. It felt like he couldn't hold onto the thought long enough. If he did he was worried he might not remember the start of the next verse.
It was at the beginning of the next verse that the audience could be heard singing with him. A smile curling at the corners of his lips.
When the sharpest words wanna cut me down I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown 'em out I am brave, I am bruised I am who I'm meant to be, this is me Look out 'cause here I come And I'm marching on to the beat I drum I'm not scared to be seen I make no apologies, this is me