Jackson’s Gianna Isabella makes top 10 and needs more votes

America has sent Jackson's Gianna Isabella into the top 10 of American Idol, but she needs more votes to stave off a double elimination on Wednesday's show.

The 15-year-old admitted in a that her performance of Beyonce's "Listen" on Idol's first live show of the season was not one of her best performances, "all the nerves definitely caught up to me," she said in a tweet.

The judges  agreed with her assessment — even the usually supportive Jennifer Lopez who said it "wasn't your best performance ever for me" and said that although there were parts that sounded good thanks to her powerful voice, she said it was "very shaky" and urged her to select songs that showcase her strengths if she is to make it through to the end.

Guest judge Kelly Clarkson recalled her time during the first season of "American Idol," which she won, and urged Isabella to "quit thinking" about her performance, saying she would lose emotion and get "pitchy." Harry Connick Jr. said Isabella's performance sounded "rehearsed" while Keith Urban urged her to "believe in herself" as she already has the "gift" of a great voice.

Michele Amable, who covers "American Idol" for Billboard magazine, said "Gianna looked beautiful (Thursday) night. Beyonce is a tall order, and Jennifer's comments didn't help. But there is still so much potential — she's only 15! If she gets to the next round, she has to pick a song that she can fully connect to-something with a younger feel to it. Gianna is going to need lots of votes and support to get her through to the next round."

Students at Jackson Memorial High School will likely be spending time on Friday morning casting votes for the sophomore Jaguar. Principal Kevin DiEugenio said he expects "a lot of energy and excitment" in the air at school today.

"She's part of our family at Jackson Memorial so we are proud of watching her progress," DiEugenio said. He said her mother, Brenda K. Starr, and father, Christopher Petrone, are a "really great family" who have been supportive of their daughter.

DiEugenio said the school sent an Edible Arrangement with balloons and grapefruit cut into stars at "Idol" to let Isabella know everyone was thinking about her.

DiEugenio said that his household alone cast about 100 votes to get Isabella into the top 10.

"I have a 10-year-old daughter who is all about this. We had probably four cell phones going. We had Facebook going," he said.

Five ways to vote before noon on Friday are:

• SuperVote online at americanidol.com/vote. You’ll need a Facebook account.
• SuperVote on the Fox Now app. The app is compatible with an Android or iOS device, tablet or handheld, and costs 99 cents.
• Google search for “American Idol Vote," and you'll be presented with a screen to vote from within the Google interface.
• Text “2” to “21523”
• Call 866-436-5702

Demi Lovato and Harry Connick Jr. are scheduled to perform Wednesday.