American Idol Showstoppers: Kaeyra ditches the piano ballads for a raucous rock tune
American Idol Showstopper round will air in two parts beginning Sunday (April 9). By the end of Monday’s (April 10) episode, the semi-finalists will be revealed. Expect plenty of twist and turns as the singers vye for that ticket that will take them to the competition at the Disney Aulani resort in Hawaii.
American Idol 2023 Showstopper Photos, Twist & Schedule Update
In a short clip from tonight’s episode, Kaeyra is about to take the stage. In the competition so far, the singer has performed slow piano driven ballads. She’s an incredible vocalist and an expert at flipping cover songs. But the judges–Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan–want her to go out of her comfort zone and sing something upbeat.
Kaeyra shakes things up!
Kaeyra knows there is a ton at stake, she she straps on an electric guitar and performs a raucous rendition of Bishop Briggs’ “River.” The singer shares, “I really wanted to show my fierce side. I brought out my bass, I wanted to show the judges that I play more instruments.”
Up in the balcony, the judges are on their feet. Lionel exclaims “wow,” as he watches a side of Kaeyra she hasn’t shown before. Luke rubs his arms “I got chills!” During the sit down, Lionel confessed to the singer that he worried about her history singing in restaurants and lounges. “I kept thinking, what you don’t want is for someone to be eating and not paying attention,” he adds, “Don’t be forgettable. We’re looking for people who can wake everybody up, get everyone’s attention…instant identity.”
The semifinalists will be revealed
The Top 55 who singers survived the Hollywood solo and duet rounds move on to the Showstopper round, where they perform in front of the judges backed by a full band in front of a live audience. During the episodes, the singers will perform and in a separate segment, the judges will reveal in a face to face meeting whether they have made the next round or not.
Are Lionel’s words to Kaeyra a run up to a fake out…or are the judges sending her home. Find out tonight when the Showstoppers Pt 1 airs on ABC at 8 pm ET/PT.
