Idol Hopeful Ashthon Jones Sings "When You Tell Me That You Love Me"

American Idol Season 10 Top 13 hopeful sings Diana Ross' "When You Tell Me That You Love Me" after being told by Idol Host and Heartthrob Ryan Seacrest that she "may be headed home tonight." After the nationwide vote, Haley Reinhart was safe, and Ashthon was given the opportunity to 'sing for her life'. Every season, the judges have one 'Save' that they can use to keep an eliminated contestant on the show. The 'Save' can only be used once, and must be used before the Top 5.

Ashthon Jones broke down crying after giving a beautiful, heart-felt performance. It is obvious that she does NOT want to go home. The judges deliberated for several seconds, then Jennifer Lopez delivered the judges decision. "I’m sorry baby,” says a tearful Jennifer, “It was unanimous.”

"When You Tell Me That You Love Me" is a 1991 song released as a single by American soul singer Diana Ross. The song was subsequently covered by various artists. "When You Tell Me That You Love Me" was the lead single from Diana Ross's 1991 album "The Force Behind the Power", released on the Motown label in the US and by EMI in the UK. The song, a sentimental ballad, was the album's biggest hit. It peaked at Number 37 on the US Billboard R&B Singles Chart while peaking at Number 2 on the UK Top 75 Singles Chart. Diana Ross considers "When You Tell Me That You Love Me" one of her signature songs. The UK release included her 1985 hit "Chain Reaction" on the B-side.

American Idol Says "Goodbye" to Ashthon Jones

Last Wednesday night's 'Results Show' unfortunately saw the elimination of American Idol Season 10 Top 13 hopeful Ashthon Jones. Throughout Idol, Ashthon gave many beautiful, heart-felt performances, and has the makings of a world-class Diva.

Ashthon Jones lost her job to audition for Season 10 of American Idol, saying she was "stepping out on faith." At the Nashville, TN auditions, Ashthon sang "Like We Never Loved at All" by Faith Hill. After receiving her 'Ticket to Hollywood', Ashthon would continue to choose songs by the great Divas. Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" was Ashthon's choice for the Hollywood Round Final. For the Top 24 ~ Top 12 Girls night, Ashthon sang "Love All Over Me" by Monica. The night Ashthon had to put it all on the line for one of 2 or 3 'Wildcard' positions, she choose "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going." This powerful torch song from "Dreamgirls", was performed in the Broadway musical by the incomparable Diva Jennifer Holliday, and in the 2007 movie by Oscar award-winner and American Idol Season 3 Top 7 finalist Jennifer Hudson. For the Top 13 competition, AI contestants were asked to sings songs by their personal 'Idols'. Ashthon Jones choose to sing a song by one of America's greatest Diva's of all time, Diana Ross. Ashthon sang "When You Tell Me That You Love Me," which Ross considers one of her signature songs.

Georgia's own Ashthon Jones auditioned for Season 10 of American Idol in Nashville, Tennessee. She was not one of the top five female vote getters in the semi-final round (Top 24) to advance to the Top 13. Ashthon was chosen by judges Jennifer Lopez, Randy Jackson and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler as one of the six (3 girls and 3 guys) to sing for a 'Wildcard' spot, and she advanced to the Top 13. She is the third 'Wildcard' finalist to be the eliminated first in the finals; the previous ones being Leah LaBelle from American Idol Season 3 and Jasmine Murray from Season 8 two years earlier.

American Idol's Ashthon Jones sings “And I Am Telling You"

Ashthon Jones, an American Idol Season 10 Top 24 contestant, unfortunately didn't make it through to the Top 10 after the nationwide vote. The judges, Jennifer Lopez, Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson, choose 6 contestants, 3 girls and 3 guys, to perform again...and they could sing any song from the competition thus far.

For a chance at a 'Wildcard' slot, Ashthon Jones, who sang "Love Over Me" by Monica when the Top 12 Girls competed, choose "And I am Telling You I'm Not Going", a song known to most of us in the version sung by American Idol Season 3 Finalist Jennifer Hudson. Jennifer Lopez complemented Ashthon, saying, “You deserve to be here,” while Randy said, “I love the attitude!”

"And I Am Telling You" is a torch song from the Broadway musical Dreamgirls. In the context of the musical, "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" is sung by the character Effie White, a singer with the girl group The Dreams, to her manager, Curtis Taylor Jr., whose romantic and professional relationship with Effie is quickly ending. The lyrics to "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going", often considered the show's signature tune, describe Effie's love for Curtis, both strongly devoted and defiant. She refuses to let Curtis leave her behind, and boldly proclaims to him, "I'm staying and you ... you're gonna love me."

In addition to its presence in the musical, "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" is also notable as the debut single of two women who portrayed Effie. Jennifer Holliday originated the role on Broadway in 1981 and won a Tony Award for her performance. In 1982, Holliday recorded a number-one R&B hit version of "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going". Jennifer Hudson portrayed Effie in the 2006 film adaptation of Dreamgirls, winning an Oscar for the role. Hudson's version became a Top 20 R&B single, and a number-one dance hit.