American Idol 2018 Recap – Top 24 Celebrity Duets Pt 1 Live Blog (VIDEOS)

Featured on the panel are veteran R&B master, Lionel Richie, pop star Katy Perry and country singer Luke Bryan. Ryan Seacrest returns to host.

American Idol 2018 Spoilers – Top 14 Contestant List

NO SPOILER DISCUSSION ON THE LIVE BLOG. Keep spoiler chatter confined to spoilers posts’ comment sections. Giving results away during the live blog will result in an instant banning. Thank you for your cooperation.

American Idol Top 24 Contestant List with VIDEOS, Social Media Links
American Idol 2018 Spoilers: Top 24 Solo and Celebrity Song Choices

Catie Turner and Andy Grammer – Good to Be Alive (Hallelujah) – Andy calls Catie “highly original.” Catie says “OMG YOU COULD BE MY UNCLE OR SOMETHING. Andy reminds her that nerves will rob her of the fun. “Look me in the eyes if you get nervous,” he says. It’s another song that doesn’t allow Catie to shine. But it’s better than “Call Me” so there’s that. Catie’s flopping around the stage is kind of distracting. But the two singers do have chemistry. Andy is a generous duet partner.  Celebrity partners leave the stage before the judges critique. “You are such a natural!” says Katy, “You were doing incredible harmonies.” Lionel felt she kept up with Andy, no problem. “You killed. it.” Luke calls Catie “an anomaly.” He also compliments her harmonies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlOxidydroE

Cade Foehner and Bishop Briggs – Never Tear Us Apart by INXS – Bishop notes Cade’s “sparkly green eyes.” He calls her ma’am. That’s a whole new world for me, she says.  Oh boy. HE’S COACHING HER. Ha. And Bishop is literally swooning. Cade calls their duet a “match made in heaven.”  I’ve gotta say though…Bishop is the real star here. I can’t take my eyes off her, as she works the stage with the crazy eyes.  Having said that, it’s the celebrity’s job in these duets to make their partners look good, not grab the spotlight. Cade’s guitar work was steller as always. “Put the tickets on sale!” says Lionel. “You wanna come on tour?” says Luke. “You really have something special,” says Katy. She hopes he moves to the voting rounds. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0NTnQ_Ch-E

Layla Spring and Sugarland – Stuck Like Glue – Jennifer Nettles is very supportive of the young singer. Plenty of praise and positive notes. Layla says she’s her first duet ever. This is a very good matchup personality wise. Layla is just sparkling up on stage.  What a fun performance. Layla and Jennifer could be sisters. Great chemistry and energy. Layla declares that she just wants to jump off the stage and crowd surf. Calm down girl! “You just fit in with them,” Luke says. “You are just springing full of joy,” says Katy. Recounting how he sang with Jennifer for his country album, he calls Layla “very brave” for holding her own. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6uRY7xoBOM

Dominique and Aloe Blacc – Wake Me Up – Aloe says he’s in Dominique’s corner. “The most important thing is to make it your own,” he says. Dominique admits that he’s nervous to sing in front of the star.  Aloe says the melody and the emotion is more important than the lyrics. The audience claps along over their heads. Hopefully in time. Aloe’s voice is so distinctive. Dominique’s not so much. The harmonies are nice? The performance could have been more energetic. Katy is freaking out because EVERYONE IS SO GOOD. Lionel thinks he is rising to the occasion. Luke compliments his versatility. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EOxUwr3J14

Ryan introduces a posse of high school girls. Waving in the pit!

Brandon Diaz and Luis Fonsi – Despacito – Spanish is not Brandon’s first language. And Despacito is so wordy! He used to sing in Spanish to his Abuelo. Luis advises him to “make your voice dance” when singing in another language.  Once again, Katy is swooning. Eh. That performance could have been more exciting. Brandon never really let loose. He was obviously out of his element. Lionel is totally surprised by his Latin flavor. “I know all the words to that song!” says Luke. “I’m sold.” Katy felt Brandon held his own.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEEyoCxHic8

Kay Kay  and Pat Monahan – Drive By – So Kay Kay is only 18. Pat says she’s sure of herself in “all the right ways.” They chant “in it to win it in it to win it” perhaps, attempting to summon Randy Jackson.  However , Kay Kay is struggling during rehearsal. She’s never performed with a band? She’s used to singing a cappella. What? This is such a random pairing to begin with.  Their harmonies are really good. There’s a little bit of ad libbing from Kay Kay. Pat is a very generous duet partner–he’s really allowing her to shine. Luke thought it was a little outside of her comfort zone, but good job. Katy compliments their blend. “You took care of business,” says Lionel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wpsdX33UWk

So…I guess no serious critiques tonight? The judges LOVE EVERYTHING. 

In a little between performance chat, Katy shares that she’d love to duet with the mystical magical Lady Gaga.

Trevor McBane  and Bishop Briggs –  River – Trevor is a big big fan. Oh. Trevor and Cade are roomates. Bishop realizes that they are kind of competing because they have similar styles. Once again, Bishop is the star here. Oh. The verses are too low for Trevor. He’s struggling a little, but comes alive on the chorus. They have a nice blend. Bishop gushes that Trevor is “destined for greatness.” Katy notes that she’s a firecracker that could blow someone out of the ring. That’s pretty much what she did, actually, in both performances. Luke says, ‘We love your vibe.” He compliments Trevor’s consistency. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOrOm84zbx8

Michelle Sussett and Luis Fonsi – I Can’t Make You Love Me by Bonnie Raitt – This is one of Luis’ all time favorite songs.  Michelle is hoping to bring the people of Venezuela some happiness. Now THIS is where Michelle can finally reveal her vocal chops. If she has them. Hm. I don’t love her phrasing. She’s not a powerful singer. Fonsi, on the other hand, is very soulful. She ends the performance on a very sweet high note.  ‘That is what you call chemistry,” says Lionel. “I didn’t want it to end,” says Luke. “There’s still so far you can go,” he says. “You made me a believer,” says Katy, “The world is your oyster.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XLd7djI8VA

Jonny Brenns  and Andy Grammer – Back Home – He gives Jonny the same advice he gave Catie. Enjoy yourself! Jonny’s tone is soooo pretty. Their voices blend really well.  When Jonny can get out of his own way, he’s spectacular. He’s still a little awkward here, but definitely had his moments. Luke enjoyed him performing an upbeat song, even if it needed some polishing up. Lionel thought he seemed excited and enthusiastic. Katy suggests he take a few ballet classes. Aw. The awkward dance moves are kinda cool. He just needs to own it all and be confident.  Jonny tries a few ballet moves back stage and does NOT appear to be sold. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifh2YETRLLQ

Dennis Lorenzo and Allen Stone – Unaware – Allen thinks Dennis sing beautifully “like a flock of beautiful doves.” This was Dennis’ audition song, and he’s reprising it already.  Impressively, Dennis is bringing some old school 70s vibes to this performance. The song builds slowly until the singer’s gorgeous falsetto erupts like a bright flower. Man. These two sound beautiful together. The performance of the night, for sure. “That was so special!” says Katy. He’s still playing the guitar with the hole in it. Katy advises that he never get rid of it. “That was spectacular,” say Lionel. Allen watches from offstage “Right on Dennis!” Luke calls Dennis Allen’s match.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD9hpbnEG40

Michael J. Woodard and Pat Monahan – Angel in Blue Jeans – Pat Monahan is from Erie PA? I did not know that. They joke that singing a love song as a duet might be a little weird. “We won’t make as much eye contact,” Michael jokes. Hm. Not a big fan of the Train oeuvre. The chorus is basically a bunch of wordless “ooohs.” Nevertheless, Michael is doing his effortless, artless thing with the song. He’s an original. Lionel says he is “really rising to the occasion…enjoy this run,” Luke can’t take his eyes off of Michael and the way he “throws love to the audience” is inspiring. He tells Michael to stay true to who he is. Katy calls him a “beautiful chameleon.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvoCGbxeExo

Gabby Barrett and Sugarland – Stay –  Gabby says her dad loves the song, and that is reminds her of the painful time her family had during the 2008-2009 crash. “Translate pain into hope,” Jennifer advises her. in into hope. A country singer with a soulful sound, Jennifer is a good match for Gabby. The star is one of the best pure vocalists in country music. Gabby is having some nice moments here without overdoing it (as she is wont to do). It’s as iff Jennifer’s presence grounds and calms her down. Luke says she nailed it from top to bottom. “Way to show up,” says Katy. “I can tell you aren’t getting comfortable…that’s the key to success.” 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JE_JRgaIbSE

THE RESULTS RIGHT AFTER THE BREAK.

KIERAN DIM THE LIGHTS YAY!  The judges announce which seven contestants will advance to the Top 14. It’s tense. Aw. Trevor cries after he’s eliminated. No tears from Layla. But if looks could kill…  The eliminations are reasonable. Layla has potential, but she’s not quite ready yet. I know Michelle’s vocals are lacking, but she’s a good performer. She won’t last in the lives, but I understand why the judges advanced her. The rest are talented vocalists, but didn’t bring star quality to the stage. 

Advancing to the Top 14

• Cade Foehner
• Michelle Sussette
• Dennis Lorenzo
• Gabby Barrett
• Jonny Brenns
• Michael J. Woodard
• Catie Turner

ELIMINATED

• Layla Spring
• Dominique
• Trevor McBane
• Kay Kay
• Brandon Diaz