Video: Cortez Shaw sings lukewarm Bruno Mars song on American Idol

Would you vote for him?

It’s safe to say that Cortez Shaw — our only remaining local singer on American Idol — received a mixed review after taking the stage on Wednesday night. Among the observations:

Cortez Shaw Performs “Locked Out of Heaven” - AMERICAN IDOL SEASON 12

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He went with the Bruno Mars hit, “Locked out of Heaven,” which required the backup singer to continually go, “Hup, hup, huphup, hup.” The only reason this was so distracting and noticeable was because the camera kept cutting back to him. Over and over. Which made folks at home almost focus more on the hup-hupping than the singing.

The fancy footwork Shaw displayed was also distracting. Entertaining, however.

Keith Urban’s first words after the performance: “How did you feel about that?” Oooh. That’s never a good question from an Idol judge. Neither is, “Why did you pick that song?,” which was his follow-up.

Still, Nicki Minaj felt Shaw got his mojo back and that his charisma came out. But again, the mixed review: She hated his outfit. Noting his dance moves with the “pelvis thrust,” she added, “I couldn’t even get into it with the … long johns.” (Later, she called him out on his jean vest as well.)

Host Ryan Seacrest noted that Shaw might be able to revisit “the threads” if he’s able to survive tomorrow night and make it into the top 10.

Flashing an incredibly winning smile, Shaw replied, “When.” As in, not “if.” That’s the spirit. Hup hup huphup hup.