'Idol' Hopeful Testone Safe for Another Week

Kinnelon native and "American Idol" contestant Elise Testone is safe for another week on the popular FOX singing competition.

Vote results announced Wednesday revealed that voters passed Testone to the show's Top 8. Judges were fond of     

"I wasn't sure you were going to pull that off because nobody can pull that off. You made [Zeppelin lead singer] Robert Plant proud tonight, girl," Steven Tyler said.

See ongoing Testone coverage on Patch.

Testone's performance and her look was reminiscent of a younger Stevie Nicks, the episode's mentor. It was an observation not lost on Idol mentor and music producer Jimmy Iovine.

"Last night, Elise did herself and 'American Idol' a lot of good," Iovine said. "She took charge of the stage … She's exactly at the right age."

Iovine compared Testone, 28, to Nicks and Annie Lennox, who also launched their careers in their mid-to-late 20s.

"If she remains in the competition, which is most certainly deserved after last night … she goes right to the top of the class and is in competition for the whole thing."

Testone, popular on the Charleston, South Carolina, live-music circuit, is known for her raspy vocals and soulful delivery, but she had previously found herself in the bottom 3 twice in the competition.

This is her second week sailing through, and next week's '80s genre could work to her advantage.

"She was the dark horse, but not any more," Iovine said. "She's coming on strong."

However the show's other New York metro area contestant, Queens resident Heejun Han, was voted off of the program.

Here's who is safe
Deandre Brackensick
Colton Dixon
Joshua Ledet
Phillip Phillips
Jessica Sanchez
Elise Testone

Bottom two
Hollie Cavanagh
Skylar Laine

Eliminated
Heejun Han