It looks like it to me but it might have been the angle, which is not helping his case of going from boy band singer to rocker. RPS have all said they are not sure of him being a rocker. But I guess I don't know if it matters - Lakisa and Melinda both wore wigs throughout the competition.
I didn't know if that has been done all along (the 3 song pick); it was said the same thing was done on the Next Great American Band too, produced by the same company.
I agree it is very frustrating, when the comments relate to poor song choice. I can see how they could stack the deck in favor of a certain style of singer.