And the next person to move on is... Erika Jo.
In her pre-recorded segment, Erika Jo says: "Well, all of us cast members, all eight of us were sitting in the common room, and somewhere it got brought up something about Casey and I being young, and not having enough experience." They cut to Casey, who says: "We're working our butts off too, so we're all in the same boat here." Tamika replies: "Not really, not really." Erika Jo then rebutts: "In a way I understand exactly what you guys are saying. You guys are older. You guys have worked for it just as hard as anybody in this room. I mean gosh guys, I mean, it's all that we've ever wanted. It's all that I've ever known." Back to Erika Jo discussing what happened, she says, "It really kind of hurt, because I have just as much experience as anyone else in that room."
The song that Erika Jo has chosen to sing is Rebecca Lynn Howard's "Forgive."
LeAnn: "Tell me the truth. Do you ever get sick of hearing people say that you might be a little too young to make it in this business?"
Erika Jo: "You know, it's been really tough through all the years growing up in the business, and not having enough respect. I mean, you've been there."
LeAnn: "I can totally understand what you're going through."
Erika Jo: "But it's ok. Alright."
LeAnn: "It only makes you stronger."
Erika Jo: "Exactly."
Bret: "Erika Jo, artist to artist, you look like you were just born to be on stage. You're a natural up there. I just wanna tell you, just feel this, in your soul, right. Forget about age. None of that matters. What matters is what you feel when your heart picks songs that you wanna do. Don't worry about any of us. You just sing and we'll be fans. How's that?"
Phil: "I don't care how old you are. I mean, you're probably one of the best on stage in this whole competition. I think everybody's gotta look at what you do. Really."
Anastasia: "I agree, I think you are one of the best singers, technicians. I love your new look. I still wajnna feel it. I'm really not feeling it yet. I want to so bad."
Bret: "Anastasia is just raising the bar."
Backstage, Cledus is talking to Tamika: "Last week Anastasia said you were the lead horse going into this competition. Did that add any extra pressure on you? Or do you like the pressure?"
Tamika: "Absolutely, that's pressure, but I work good under pressure."
Cledus: "So, you've got some confidence going, huh?"
Tamika: "I think I do."
Cledus: "Best of luck. Hang in there."
Erika Jo enters from her performance, and Cledus calls to her: "Erika Jo get over here. I just got a call from the receptionist at the Opryland Hotel. You blew out four windows in the hotel hitting that high note. And you nailed it, let me tell you. You nailed it right there. Real quick now... Is there some tension going on over there at that hotel this week with you and the other people? I mean ya'll aren't fighting are ya? Everything's ok?"
Erika Jo: "Oh, no no no. There was just a little bit of tension, but it's over with now. Everybody spoke their piece. And it's all done."
Cledus: "No headlocks or anything, right?"
Erika Jo: "No, not at all."
It's time to find out who the third finalist to move on is, but first LeAnn pulls Jenny aside saying: "Jenny, come here. So, I've heard that some of you guys had to doctor's office this week. What's that all about?"
Jenny: "Yes we did. There was a strep throat scare, but don't worry, everybody's in good shape tonight and we're ready to go."
LeAnn: "Alright, well that sounds good. I hope you guys are doing better."
The next finalist moving on is Tamika Tyler.
In Tamika's pre-recorded segment she says: "This week has been very emotional. And, you know, I actually personally called a group meeting yesterday. Tamika speaks in the meeting: "It's been a long road for probably us older ones, that have just been working towards this, it feels like forever." Back to the interview, Tamika says: "I really was feeling very disconnected." Erika Jo in the meeting: "We've been to the bars. We've been to the honky tonks that we can get in. And we've played. So, we know that aspect." Back to Tamika's interview: :I know it's a competition. And we're all going through the same thing. And, it's more comforting when you are being supportive to each other, and kind to each other."
Tamika sings Bonnie Raitt's "Let's Give 'Em Something To Talk About."
LeAnn: "What's been your favorite part about being on Nashville Star so far?"
Tamika: *sighs* "My favorite part is all the relationships that we've made from the finalists, to the production crew. to you."
LeAnn: "Thank you. And what's been the most difficult so far?"
Tamika: "By far, the emotional roller coaster."
LeAnn: "As she's saying this, she's freaking out, still shaking, she needs to breathe?"
