American Idol 2024 Recap: Top 5 Results, Top 7 perform songs by Adele, plus dance classics
Tonight, the Top 7 singers perform two songs. One by pop icon Adele, another a dance inspired tune. Ciara mentors the contestants. Meghan Trainor performs. Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan sit on the panel. At the end of the show, after viewers vote in real time coast to coast, host Ryan Seacrest will reveal the 5 contestants advancing to next week’s Disney Night in Florida.
American Idol 2024 Top 7 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, 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.
Katy is on the verge of a major wardrobe malfunction.
Songs that Make You Want to Dance
Pop singer Ciara mentors this round
Jack Blocker – Long Tall Sally by Little Richard
Ciara gives tips on how to move on stage. That’s the thing here–encouraging the contestants to work the performance space. Fun Fact: The Beatles also famously covered this song.
Good thing for the guys that old rock n roll songs count as “dance” songs, and they aren’t all expected to perform disco and the like. This performance is very entertaining. Once again Jack does his thing while showing viewers a different side to his talent. Is he really playing that guitar though? Heh.
Luke says, “This is not the kid we knew a couple of weeks ago.” Luke notes that he used his voice in a different way. “10 out of 10.” Lionel says, “I don’t know what the heck I just saw. I agree with Luke. Give me more of that.” Katy says, “I can’t look at you. Katy was worried about him initially. she says, “HOLY SH. That was authentically you.”
Julia Gagnon – Roam by the B52s
One of the guitarists in the Idol band is in the B52s. Juliet had no idea. Again, Ciara is giving dance tips and instructions.
I would NOT have expected Julia to pick the B52s. She’s having fun on stage, but I’m not sure this is the right song for her. She’s not entirely comfortable playing rock chick. But vocally, she’s always up to the task. Her dad looks concerned.
Lionel compliments her ability to hold a note. “It was fantastic,” he says. Katy says, “What a cool song choice.” She wanted a few more dance moves, but loved her ad libs. Luke liked her thought process in the front. He thought she was closed off initially, but then loosened up and became more confident. Ryan introduced “Greg” from the B52s. Obviously, part of their touring band.
Abi Carter – I Know What You Did in the Dark by Fall Out Boy
Abi claims she can’t dance. “I’m not a dancer!” Ciara says that if her movement naturally follows her vocals she’ll be fine.
OK this theme is turning into Rock night. These are NOT dance tunes. Well, B52s nominally. But I am not complaining. Abi is following up her Evanescence triumph last week with another banger. She’s transforming into season 22’s resident rock chick. She almost lost her mic pac!
Katy wonders why she held back her energy all season. “I’m scared for my job!” Luke mentions how he hires people to help them on stage, while the Idol contestants are left to handle mishaps on their own. “You handled it like a pro.” He calls her performance “Amazing.” He thought she was just a piano singer. Lionel says, “You never broke character!”
McKenna Faith Breinholt – ET by Katy Perry
Katy saved McKenna last week, while sending Kaibrienne home. Now McKenna wants to honor the judge with a cover of one of her songs. McKenna found a video of her singing ET as a kid. She hopes to show Katy a different side.
Finally a singer chooses a pop hit. Hm. She realizes she’s competing with Abi, who has successfully shown a harder, more energetic side to her talent. She’s not the best vocalist of the ladies left in the competition, but she’s fighting hard to stay in it.
Luke notes how her black shiny outfit is something Katy would wear. “You’re pushing yourself and you’re cutting through.” Lionel says, “You made a Katy Perry song your song.” He loved the way she sat in the driver’s seat and took it to the end. “Great job,” says Katy. “I didn’t know you had that in you. So great to step into the rock star/pop star.”
Will Moseley – Give Me Three Steps by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Will calls dancing “out in left field” for him. Ciara still tried to teach him a few rudimentary moves. Will played along like a good sport.
Out of all the singers so far, Will is staying put center stage in front of the band. He’s delivering a solid version of the song, albeit not particularly creative. He does make the rounds of the catwalk to shake a few hands. But like he said dancing isn’t his “thing.” Anyhoo…Rock night continues!
Lionel says, ‘That’s the way to make the nasty…that was so good. I enjoyed that you were having a good time doing it.” Katy says, “You can mosey! You just need to look like you’re having fun” And she believes he accomplished that goal. She calls him a rock star. Luke says, “I don’t think I’ve heard you hit a bad note all year. You sing your butt off. That’s why you’re here.”
Emmy Russell – Shut up and Dance by Walk the Moon
She was never comfortable dancing. Emmy wants to play the song like a piano ballad. But Ciara suggests she get up during the song and pick up the tempo.
The band adds a little banjo to the arrangement, which is NOT dancey at all, even after the song’s tempo picks up. She performs it as a piano ballad with a few country touches. Theme aside, the arrangement suits her. I expected her to get up from the piano at one point, but she did not.
Katy asks her why she didn’t get up. Emmy admits that she didn’t follow Ciara’s advice because she was too nervous. Katy says it was still good, but she should continue to push herself. Luke appreciates how much she’s grown and agrees with Katy that it was one of her best vocals. Lionel says her nerves weren’t obvious and that she’s on her way to superstar status.
Triston Harper Trouble by Travis Tritt
No problem. Triston loves to dance. Ciara helps him commit and connect to the audience. “Let the fun shine even more,” she advises.
Triston is back in popular crowd pleasing mode. He’s still awkward on stage, like a baby bird. He’s only 15, right? But he’s NOT afraid to look a little silly. He does not hold the hip swivels back. It’s rather endearing. These faster songs don’t give him a chance to show off his vocals. But the audience doesn’t seem to mind.
Luke says, “You out-gyrated me!’ He adds, “You keep smiling and dancing…and being you.” Lionel gets up to demonstrate his own moves. But Katy doesn’t want to see it. “I was gyrating before you were born!” Katy loves watching Triston’s mom watch him. “I’m so happy for you,” she says. Ryan demonstrates his own moves, which we really could have done without.
Meghan Trainor sings
Meghan was the mentor for the Top 12 (She mentored on The Voice too this spring!) Now, she’s back to sing her singles. “To the Moon.” and “Been Like This.” Ugh. The second song is one of her terrible cringe tunes. It’s about booty. Not a big fan of her cheesy, corny style. However, she’s had a 10+ years career penning novelty songs. She’s made the most of it. Meghan admits that she had been feeling under the weather. “Y’all are killing it today!” she says, as she attempts some distance from Ryan. Meghan mentions that she is heading off on her first tour in 7 years.
Songs by Adele
It’s Adele’s birthday today. Happy birthday, Adele.
McKenna Faith Breinholt – Make You Feel My Love
Adele covered this Bob Dylan classic on her first album 19. McKenna accompanies herself on guitar. While it’s a safe song choice and one that’s been covered many times on singing shows, McKenna performs a solid arrangement of the song that highlights her signature raspy alto.
Lionel says, “How you can make an Adele song so smoky…that was choice picking.” Katy says, “It’s so you. You’ve shown us how to transform. You’re growing every single time.” Luke says, “That’s your kind of song. It was done perfectly.”
Jack Blocker – One and Only
This song is off of Adele’s 21 album. Jack picks an Adele tune that shows off his soulful side. I’ve come to believe that Jack can sing anything. He can make all the ugly faces he wants. He never ever bores me with his song choices and he proves over and over again that he can SANG. I’d love him to make the finale. He also has a ton of confidence and charisma on stage.
Katy says, “I think you are fully feeling yourself now. That’s what rock stars do. You are someone that we are aspiring to now.” Luke says, “It’s a THANG!” recalling how the judges almost turned him away at his audition. It’s hard to believe that Lionel and Katy initially said no to him. Lionel says, “You have a relaxed period about you. Keep doing it.”
Will Moseley – Rolling in the Deep
For the first time, Will picks a song that’s out of his box. It’s a stringent theme. Which Adele song could suit his country rock leanings? The songs lower notes are a little low for his range, and it’s not the best song choice for him. But he’s making the most of the song in his own style.
Luke says his buddies will say, ‘They made him do Adele.” Ha Luke. That sums up Will’s dilemma with this theme. He’d never choose to cover Adele on his own. He’s been forced out of his comfort zone, which is actually a good thing. Lionel calls the performance “fantastic.” Katy says he gave an Adele song “Will Moseley vibes.”
Julia Gagnon – Set Fire to the Rain
Ryan reminds viewers that Julia sang “Rumor Has It” for the Top 24 round. Lucky for Julia, this second round is exactly her wheelhouse. Her soulful style is similar to Adele’s. I bet she’s covered this song before. She caps the night with big notes and a winning style.
Lionel says, “Way to go to make an Adele song your own. It was something to watch.” Katy says, “This was your lane. You were making such strategy choices. It is exactly what Adele wants on her birthday.” Luke notes she’s probably sung that song a lot, and for that reason, she delivered a relaxed and assured performance.
Emmy Russell – Water Under the Bridge
The song is from Adele’s album 25. Emmy needs her feet planted firmly on the ground in order to control her nerves. Nevertheless, she delivers a comfortable and controlled rendition. It’s a reserved performance, but also lovely.
Katy says she’s never sounded better than tonight. “You got the memo, Emmy.” Luke says, “You know exactly who you are and you stay there.” He doesn’t think staying safe in her lane is necessarily a bad thing, Lionel says, “You’ve conquered your demons.” He calls her a little “sassy and sultry” tonight.
Triston Harper – Easy on Me
The young singer performs a twangy, countrified rendition of the song, at the mic without his guitar. He loses the sweet original melody. His version is somewhat monotone and a little flat. But the arrangement suits him. Having said that, his phrasing on the last verse and chorus delivers an emotional punch.
Luke calls it “really real really you.” Lionel says he turns into himself when he takes the mic off the stand. Katy says, “It’s about how you sell the story. Those words are also your words.” His mother is very emotional in the audience right now.
Abi Carter – Hello
After two energetic stage performances, Abi is back behind the grand piano singing a ballad. Cut to Katy, who is visibly moved. The song allows Abi to shine. Her tone is beautiful and phrasing nuanced and emotional. Once again, Abi ends an episode with a show stopper.
Lionel says, “It’s the best I’ve ever heard you. Soulful…delicate…personal. That was amazing.” Katy calls the performance “angelic frequency.” She begs viewers to vote. Luke jokes that Abi crushed the latest “Hello.” He says, “It was tremendous.”
Top 5 REVEALED
Dim the lights! 19 million votes come in tonight. After the live nationwide vote. Abi Carter is the first to make the Top 5. The next person in the Top 5 is Jack Blocker (YAY). Triston Harper is ALSO in the Top 5. Will Moseley ALSO in the Top 5. And the final spot goes to….Emmy Russell.
Julia Gagnon and McKenna Faith Breinholt are eliminated. For once, my Power List reflected the results! Throughout the voting weeks of the show, Julia and McKenna rarely raised above middle pack as far as Facebook views (which often reflect voting trends.). McKenna hit bottom last week, and unless she did something drastic this week (she didn’t) she was heading home. I’m OK with this week’s results.
American Idol Top 5
Abi Carter
Jack Blocker
Triston Harper
Will Moseley
Emmy Russell
Eliminated
McKenna Faith Breinholt
Julia Gagnon
