Part 1 of the American Idol Season 8 was aired live (February 17). The performances of the idol hopefuls were a little disappointing to the 4 judges. A few performers stood out though, and one of them is Alexis Grace. Alexis received all praises for her performance and it was definitely a good start for her.

Alexis Grace, who was highly featured during previous rounds, finally had her moment to shine on stage. Alexis sang “Never Loved a Man” with very good vocals and in a totally different character.

Grace put plenty of soul into her performance, winning praise from the judges.

“I’m lovin’ you,” Randy told her, saying “you found the soul.”

“The genie is out of the bottle,” Kara DioGuardi declared.

“I think you are, by a mile, the best,” Simon Cowell threw in his opinion, calling Grace a “dark horse” and “one to watch.”

Simon also said that she reminds him of Kelly Clarkson

Here’s the final rundown for the first 12 AI contestants:

Jackie Tohn: “A Little Less Conversation” by Elvis Presley

Ricky Braddy: “A Song For You” by Leon Russell

Alexis Grace: “I Never Loved a Man” by Aretha Franklin

Brent Keith: “Hicktown” by Jason Aldean

Casey Carlson: “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” by the Police

Anoop Desai: “Angel of Mine” by Monica

Anne Marie Boskovich: “Natural Woman” by Aretha Franklin

Michael Sarver: “I Don’t Want to Be” by Gavin DeGraw

Tatiana Del Toro: “Saving All My Love For You” by Whitney Houston

Stephen Fowler: “Rock With You” by Michael Jackson

Stevie Wright: “You Belong With Me” by Taylor Swift

Danny Gokey: “Hero” by Mariah Care