I am back! Wow, wow, wow!!! American Idol is so so so good this season. I am loving so many people. I am in agreement with who went home and I am going to make my predictions on the six people who go home tomorrow. The strength of these contestants is part of what inspired me to come back and write. I needed an outlet for my opinions and feelings and a place to be able to come to and talk about how amazing they are.
Emyrson Flora opened the show with the song Tell Me You Love Me by Demi Lovato-- her stage presence was amazing. She's 16, and super poised with amazing range. Lionel loved her attitude. Katy loved her presence. Luke said she is a superstar in the making.
Country singer Mike Parker sang Chasing After You by Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd-- prior to last week, I was not sure if Mike was going to make it in this competition. He is so unique and I love how humble he is. In fact, the majority of these artists are. His voice has so much credibility and honesty. Katy said his voice is silky and smooth and Lionel called him a storyteller.
Tristen Gressett sang Sacrifice by The Weeknd-- This was an interesting choice, I felt like we were flashing back to the 70s. Vocals were good, but not as strong as some others tonight. He did command the stage. Luke loved his energy but feels the song choice may have limited him or put him in a box.
Sage sang Rhiannon by Fleetwood Mac-- I absolutely love Sage and I loved this song for her. She is such a throw back in terms of vocal style. Lionel called the performance "masterful". Katy said she gave the song a whole new shape.
Jay Copeland sang You Know I'm No Good by Amy Winehouse-- I love this song, but I didn't feel moved for whatever reason. To me, this performance is unfortunately forgettable because I didn't feel much behind it. Katy says he built that house one piece at a time. Lionel felt he was living up to his potential. I am feeling he is capable of more.
Chayce Beckham performed his new song Doin' It Right-- great song
Nicolina Bozzo sang Edge of Seventeen by Stevie Nicks-- Another performance I loved. Honestly started a little bumpy but she brought it right back. She is a great storyteller and really brought it in terms of dynamics with the song. Luke said she knows what she is doing as a vocalist.
Jacob Moran sang Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing by Stevie Wonder-- Jacob has experienced so much growth since first auditioning for Idol. It's pretty amazing. He changed that song up a lot. Lionel wanted him to hit more melody. Katy called him the best technical singer in the competition. He definitely has range but unsure I agree with that. Luke says he is so ready now.
Huntergirl sang Heartbreak Down by Huntergirl-- This was amazing, inspiring, and I could literally hear this on the radio right now. I could hear her performing this on the CMAs. Katy calls her an artist and said she would put her money on her. Luke could hear her on country radio and Lionel said she is a natural.
Elli Rowe sang Somewhere Only We Know by Keane-- Elli is sweet and she does have a great voice, but again, this performance got lost in the shuffle for me. I just don't find it memorable. Luke said her voice is pure and angellic. Lionel wants her to lean more into who she is.
Dan Marshall sang Friends in Low Places by Garth Brooks-- I was not a Dan fan before tonight! He totally turned me into a fan and believer. I loved this, and I found it so genuine and real. Lionel says he could take that on the road. Katy wasn't a fan before but she is now. Luke felt like he picked the right song.
Ava Maybee sang Anyone by Demi Lovato-- This is one of those songs that is so heartfelt so it needs to have so much emotion. And this did! This was so good; I believed her 100%. Katy felt she reinvented the song. Luke and Lionel both appreciated that she took a risk.
Allegra Miles sang Free Fallin' by Tom Petty-- Allegra has been a fave voice of mine since back when she was on The Voice. She is the ultimate storyteller. The way she transformed this song and and took us on a journey, wow! Luke called it the performance of the night and said it was magical. Lionel said she threaded a needle and told us a story. Katy said she is a pro.
Noah Thompson sang Falling by Harry Styles-- Ever since I saw Noah's audition I have been hooked. I am routing for him and he is so humble and so deserving-- not to mention the voice. The way he transformed this song was stunning and authentic. Lionel told him he has made it. Katy said he is a great human being and now he has his shot at this.
Leah Marlene sang Heal by Tom Odell-- Her performance last week was very throw away. But this. This was special. This is arguably one of the best vocals of the night. Katy's jaw dropped and said she felt every ounce of Leah's pain. Lionel said this is the best "class" of contestants ever. I think I agree with him.
Christian Guardino sang Imagine by John Lennon-- Great song choice, totally fits Christian. He is such a strong spirit with an amazing voice. I do feel some of the notes felt like they were a bit much, but I think regardless he is moving on for now because he is talented. I think he should scale back on some of the embellishments he is adding to the songs. Katy said he was put on this planet to do something super powerful.
Phillip Phillips sang Love Like That, it was great to see a more mature version of him on stage.
Fritz Hager sang When the Party's Over by Billie Eilish-- I was not a Fritz fan. I am now. That performance was ridiculous. I loved how he changed the song to fit him, but we were still able to identify the song. The falsetto was exactly what Luke said, "damn boy". Lionel called it stellar, Katy said you'll never be misunderstood again.
Katyrah Love sang Dream by Bishop Briggs-- What an improvement over last week. When I hear Katyrah sing I hear pieces of Whitney and Fantasia. She's gifted. Luke appreciates her energy and Katy hears shade of Whitney and has lots of great song suggestions for her.
Cameron Whitcomb sang Changes by Black Sabbath-- Another great song choice tonight. Cameron is so different from the last round that I feel like I am seeing a completely new artist. I loved how much control he sang with and hope he takes Lionel's feedback. Lionel told him to stand still for two verses next time. Luke liked that he showed he is growing into a serious artist.
Cadence Baker sang Train Wreck by James Arthur-- Cadence had a super special audition and I feel like she hasn't matched that since. I am waiting for her to have that moment. I hope she can hang in there and perform again. Luke felt she got back to the level she was at in her audition with this performance.
Lady K sang Love on the Brain by Rihanna-- This was exactly the song for her. I liked how the judges pointed out that she did not oversing. There were a few people tonight who did this. She sounded amazing. This is exactly where she should be. Lady K just has all the star quality. I loved this. Lionel loved her spirit and Katy thought she was Rihanna.
My Top 14 (in no particular order):
Emyrson Flora
Mike Parker
Sage
Nicolina Bozzo
Jacob Moran
Huntergirl
Dan Marshall
Ava Maybee
Allegra Miles
Noah Thompson
Leah Marlene
Fritz Hager
Lady K
Last spot is either Cadence Baker or Katyrah Love
