American Idol 2024 Recap: Top 7 Results, Top 8 perform songs chosen by the judges
Judges Song Contest: Tonight, the Top 8 singers perform songs chosen for them by the judges–Lionel RIchie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan. But there is a twist. Each of the judges will choose a song for each of the contestants. The singers are presented with three mystery songs to choose from. After performing their selection, the contestant offers a guess as to which judge chose it. The judge who has the most songs picked “wins” and gets to choose a wildcard after Ryan Seacrest reveals 6 contestants voted through by America.
Also, American Idol alums Melinda Doolittle, Danny Gokey and Colton Dixon return to American Idol to sing “Shackles” by Mary Mary in tribute to Mandisa, who recently passed away. Additionally, the Top 8 team up with each other to perform songs by the judges.
American Idol 2024 Top 10 Rankings, Facebook Stats, Poll Results
American Idol 2024: Full Season 22 Schedule
How to VOTE
American Idol provides three ways to vote. You can vote online at AmericanIdol.com/vote, in the American Idol app or via text. You have to be at least 16 years old and located in the U.S., Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands to vote on ABC.com or in the American Idol app. For text message voting, simply text the number of the contestant you would like to vote for to “21523.” (Julia – 4, Abi – 8, Kaibrienne – 10, Will – 11, McKenna – 12, Emmy – 17, Jack – 20, Triston – 24) VOTING BEGINS AT THE TOP OF THE SHOW AND ENDS DURING THE END OF THE LAST COMMERCIAL BREAK Read the voting FAQ HERE. The show is LIVE COAST TO COAST.
Will Moseley – Folsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash (Stone by Whiskey Myers, White Horse by Chris Stapleton)
Will is a big fan of Whiskey Myers and initially works on his song “Stone.” But eventually, he settles on “Folsom Prison Blues” by Johnny Cash.
Will performs a reverent version of the song. His voice doesn’t possess Cash’s deep resonance and heft, but his gravelly tone pays proper homage to a classic. He lets loose on the chorus. His laid back style is a thing I’ve criticized in the past. It’s nice to see him finally come alive.
Will believes Lionel chose the song because Luke would’ve known the Whiskey Myers song and Katy would choose the conventional pick, Stapleton. Lionel lies at first, but then confesses that he chose it. And it turns out, Katy picked Whiskey Myers, Luke chose Stapleton. Ha ha. Will assumed that Katy wouldn’t know who Whiskey Myers is. Luke notes how looser and more free Will’s performances have become.- LIONEL wins (Judges comments Video HERE)
Kaibrienne – traitor by Olivia Rodrigo (Take a Bow by Rihanna, greedy by Tate McRae)
Katharine McPhee’s sister, Adrienne, who is a vocal coach, advises Kaibrienne to keep her eyes open and not scrunch up her face as she sings.
All three song choices are good for Kaibrienne, but she connected to this song after a bad romance broke her heart. The song is in her wheelhouse. Not only can she show off her vocal range, but the emotional lyrics allow her to use all the sweet broken parts of her voice.
The judges are on their feet. Kaibrienne thinks Katy chose the song. But at first she thought it was Luke. But she’s not sure. It turns out, Katy picked the song. “That was amazing,” she says. “You look like such a superstar.” Luke says, “It was like a real moment.” Lionel picked “Take a Bow.” He’s not upset! “You were speaking from the heart, you killed it.” – KATY wins (Judges comments Video HERE)
Emmy Russell and Jack Blocker – Hello by Lionel Richie
Jack plays guitar. The thing about Jack is that he’s an Americana singer, but can adapt his voice to many styles of music. He sounds smooth and romantic singing the Lionel classic. Emmy is performing beautifully as well. Lionel runs up on stage to give them a big hug. He says, “The most terrifying thing is someone singing your song. What if they don’t do it justice? The two of you together make such a brilliant combination.” In other words, he’s not mad.
McKenna Faith Breinholt – Everywhere I Go by Lissie (Hit me With Your Best Shot by Pat Benatar, Angels like You by Miley Cyrus)
When she heard her song choice, she cried. Her birth family is in the audience tonight and she wants to sing it for them.
It’s a good song choice that takes advantage of her low tones. It’s obvious the song means something to her. It’s a heartfelt performance. She soars on the chorus.
McKenna believes Lionel chose the song. But no, he picked “Hit Me With Your Best Shot.” Katy picked the song. She loves it too. “You voice moves people emotionally.” Luke says, “That was amazing. Your ability to bring the room into you by the nuances of your voice is really mature stuff.” Lionel says, “When you open your mouth, you could hear a pin drop.” – KATY wins
Jack Blocker – Always On My Mind by Willie Nelson (Heading South by Zach Bryan, Earned it by The Weeknd)
Jack is putting down the guitar for the first time. He wants all of his effort to go into his vocal performance. Willie Nelson is a huge influence on him, he says.
And once again, Jack proves to be a versatile vocalist. He’s interpreting the song as if he wrote it. I love his phrasing. His voice goes big at the end of the verse and even bigger on the chorus. Remember Jack had to be saved by the crew? He keeps getting better and better. Just gorgeous.
Jack guesses that Lionel chose the song. No. It was Katy AGAIN. She knows how to pick the songs. Katy is weepy. “You’ve been fully realized.” She shares how conflicted she was initially. Her assistant yelled at her. Luke says, “Katy is getting me wrecked!” But he’s happy with his song choice. “You’re winning in so many ways. That was a real spiritual…it came out of your heart and soul. A magical moment.” Lionel says, “You’re giving us pieces of you that you haven’t given us before.” – KATY wins (Judges comments Video HERE)
Triston Harper and Will Moseley – What Makes You Country by Luke Bryan
Not a big fan of self-referential country songs. BEER TRUCKS AND GIRLS Y’ALL. Bro country. Meh. having said that, Triston and Will are a good pairing. Will gives Luke a fist bump. Oh wait. Siccing your dogs on feral hogs. ALSO COUNTRY! Snerk. Luke is sads because he has no wins. Their version of his song cheers him up.
Abi Carter – Bring Me to Life by Evanescence (His Eye is on the Sparrow, Dangerous Woman by Ariana Grande)
At first she wanted to cover Evanescence. But the coaches try to persuade her to sing “His Eyes Are on the Sparrow.” They run through “Bring Me To Life.” She’s not sure what to choose. She eventually settles on Evanescence.
Abi’s instincts were correct. The song is dramatic and her performance makes a bold statement. Her black emo outfit is perfect. She would have performed a lovely Christian song and done well. But this is amazeballs.
Abi thinks Katy chose the song. NOPE FINALLY LUKE BRYAN IS ON THE BOARD. He does a victory dance. Luke says, “I created a monster! Way to take it to another level. You knew it was game on.” Lionel says, “You were so professional, so on it. You took it to the next level.” Katy says, “You just kicked down all four walls of the box I thought you were in.” Katy calls it the best song of the night. – LUKE wins. (Judges comments Video HERE)
Julia Gagnon – Over the Rainbow by Judy Garland (Because of You by Kelly Clarkson, Because You Loved Me by Celine Dion)
It’s her grandmother’s favorite song. She’s nervous to perform a classic that everybody knows. However, it’s a song that many singing show contestants have covered, including vocal coach Adrienne’s sister Katharine McPhee.
She melds together pieces of various renditions, including the Hawaiian version, and Eva Cassidy’s from the late 90s. But she also adds her own signature runs and a few impressively big notes. She did her thing with a classic song.
Julia guesses Katy picked the song. But she’s not sure. It’s not Katy. It’s LUKE! Luke has another win. Luke says, “There is no song you can’t sing!” Julia has tears streaming down her face. He notes how she incorporated different styles and made it her own. Lionel says, “You killed that song.” He compliments her range and control. Katy admits that Luke chose the right song. She calls the performance “cozy.” – LUKE wins (Judges comments Video HERE)
Melinda Doolittle, Danny Gokey, Colton Dixon come together to pay tribute to the late Mandisa
Mandisa sang “Shackles” by Mary Mary on American Idol in 2006. Now Melinda, Danny and Colton sing it in tribute to the Gospel singer, who died last week. It’s great to have Melinda back on the Idol stage! It’s been way too long. She’s one of the best singers to ever grace the Idol stage. She was on season 6, Danny competed on season 7 and Colton went far on season 11. Melinda knew Mandisa BEFORE Idol. They cheered for each other. Danny and Mandisa toured together at one point. Mandisa was his biggest cheerleader, he says. Colton believes the song sums up her life. “Our loss is heaven’s gain.” RIP Mandisa.
Abi Carter, Julia Gagnon, McKenna Breinholt, Kaibrienne – Wide Awake by Katy Perry
OK. So not strictly duets. The four female pop singer/songwriters come together to cover Katy’s “Wide Awake.” Is it fair to the contestants to not be split up in comparable groups? Hm. Katy is so happy to see them come together and collaborate. She loves the girl power. “You sounded so good.” They call themselves “Katy’s ladies.”
Triston Harper – Sand in My Boots by Morgan Wallen (Mountain Music by Alabama, Humble and Kind by Tim McGraw)
He knew immediately which song he’d pick. He wanted his girlfriend to be in Hawaii with him, but she couldn’t. He brought back some “sand in his boots” as a souvenir. He also tried “Humble and Kind” by Tim McGraw. Singing it was such a moving experience for him, he broke down at the end. He decided God was telling him what song to choose. But in the end, he went with his initial pick.
Triston is on stage again without his guitar. The connection to his girlfriend probably swayed his decision in the end. “Humble and Kind” is a crowd pleaser. It might have been the better choice. But going back to his storytelling roots is a good switch up from his recent stage performances, although he sounds a little flat in spots.
Triston isn’t sure but he guesses Luke. Nope. It was Lionel. He’s back on the board. Lionel says, “You have grown up right in front of us, you are a world class storyteller.” Katy picked Humble and Kind. But she’s not mad. “I believe in you.” Luke says, “Great job.” It’s his favorite night of the season. – LIONEL wins (Judges comments Video HERE)
Emmy Russell – Coal Miner’s Daughter by Loretta Lynn (Here You Come Again by Dolly Parton, Suddenly I See by KT Tunstall)
Emmy finally covers her grandmother, and is proud to be a coal miner’s great-granddaughter. Loretta Lynn recently passed away and during rehearsal, Emmy broke down and cried.
She sits at the piano to cover her grandmother’s signature song. She sings it as an emotional piano ballad, rather than a country song. Her version is more emotional than her grandmother’s version, which is a midtempo song. Emmy brings a new meaning to it. She says she knows the song well, and it shows. Her parents are in the audience crying.
Emmy guesses Katy and she is CORRECT. Katy wins the contest AGAIN. Luke is emotional, as is Katy. We are running short on time! – KATY wins
The ending score: Katy – 4, Lionel 2, Luke – 2
RESULTS
TOM DIM THE LIGHTS HERE WE GO. In no particular order, Ryan announces the singers who are advancing to the Top 6. The first person SAFE is Julia Gagnon. The next person safe is…Emmy Russell. Also safe is…Will Moseley. Next, America also saved, Jack Blocker. Also safe is Triston Harper. The final person through to the Top 7 is…Abi Carter.
Kaibrienne and McKenna Faith Breinholt are the bottom two. The judges will save ONE. The winner of the song contest picks. Katy is crying. “I love you both. She chooses McKenna Faith Breinholt. Kaibrienne is ELIMINATED. WOW. I would have chosen Kaibrienne, who is a better vocalist. She is also not afraid to take risks. And judging by Facebook numbers, Kaibrienne is more popular overall. The decision is just wack.
One of the three singer-songwriter females (Abi, Kaibrienne, McKenna) were bound to leave this week, as they were all probably competing for votes.
Top 7
Julia Gagnon
Emmy Russell
Will Moseley
Jack Blocker
Triston Harper
Abi Carter
McKenna Breinholt – Judges Save
Eliminated
Kaibrienne
