If "Rock Star: Supernova" were a horse race, Ryan Star would be the dark one.
At the close of the show's second week, Star is still getting mixed reviews from the heavy-metal legends of Supernova -- drummer Tommy Lee, guitarist Gilby Clarke and bassist Jason Newsted -- and from guest judge Dave Navarro. But Star managed to stay out of the bottom three this week, unlike his fellow Long Island competitor Jill Gioia.
Star upped his energy level Tuesday night with The Rolling Stones' "Jumpin' Jack Flash," finishing the last half of the song down in the crowd. That moved save the performance, according to Navarro, who also noted that the first half of the tune nearly put him to sleep.
Why isn't Star wowing the judges? The problem isn't talent -- Star is the one singer whose performances hint at undercurrents of real emotion. The problem may be that he doesn't have the hammy, slightly hokey quality that Supernova seems to be seeking.
Still, Star got his head in the game after Lee asked to see a little more oomph. Star fired back, "I'm gonna show you, so watch out."
As for Gioia, her rendition of Hole's "Violet" was roundly panned, largely because she dressed like Courtney Love in a white prom dress and black cowboy boots -- she even held a bouquet of flowers. Navarro said the get-up "made him a little uncomfortable." Gioia tried to protest that the outfit was her original idea, but Navarro didn't buy it.
Still, her strong performance of Evanescence's "Bring Me To Life" helped her survive the week. Zayra Alvarez also landed in the bottom three, but it was Chris Pierson who went home.
At this point, Star and Gioia's biggest competitors appear to be hunky Australian Toby Rand, cocky Canadian Lukas Rossi and the shameless, one-named Dilana.