On hand to give each artist a critique were judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, who were very impressed by this season’s talent.
Who Was Eliminated on American Idol tonight
Alana Sherman, Andrea Valles, Anilee List, Cecil Ray, Hannah Everhart, Jason Warrior, Liahona Olayan, Mary Jo Young
Who Made It Through to the Top 16
After the nationwide vote, here is the Top 16 in no particular order:
Alyssa Wray, 18
Perryville, Ky. College StudentSong: “Killing Me Softly With His Song” by Roberta Flack ‘You were actually an artist for the first time in my eyes today,” Katy said, who pointed out that Alyssa had dropped her Broadway leanings. “Katy literally took the words out of my,” Luke said. “Great song choice. You started it really classic and then you made it your own and modern day.” “It is really down to confidence,” Lionel said. “If you have the guns, hold it. You don’t need to use it on the first shot. You gave it to us.”
Graham DeFranco, 27
Rockwell, Texas Ariel Survey Pilot Song: “That’s Life” by Frank Sinatra “What is really endearing about you is you keep being the guy who can’t believe he is here,” Luke said. “You have this timeless voice. Enjoy.” “One thing that is infectious is the crowd will feed off the fun you’re having,” Lionel said. “You had the swag; you had the attitude. I love that you are enjoying the ride.” “You picked the best song for your voice,” Katy said. ‘It was cool. You have an incredible talent. Next time you perform, take the mic off the stand and move around.”
Grace Kinstler, 20
Chicago, Ill. College Student Song: “Elastic Heart” by Sia “You are a force to be reckoned with,” Lionel says. “You were laser sharp. You have the ability to draw us in. Fabulous presentation.” “Slow and steady wins the race,” Katy said. “What you gave us at the end really filled us up. You can sing anything, but how is it going to be interesting every time? Tell us a story. I think that was a perfect example.” “You have a race car, thoroughbred voice,” said Luke. “I see so much promise in you.”
Alanis Sophia, 19
Dade City, Fla. High School Student Song: “The Story” by Brandi Carlile “I thought it was a great song choice for your voice,” Katy said. “It is so scary to hear your name called and be thrown on stage, but you are so young and keeping it together.” “That was a rangy song,” Luke said. “Just make sure on the lower stuff to get your breath. Everything about you, watching you on my TV says star.” “Did we just witness an explosion?” Lionel asked. “You were down in the valley in the mud and then you exploded. This is a huge stage. Don’t get lost inside yourself, because other than that, you have star presence.”
Willie Spence, 21
Douglas, Ga. Caretaker Song: “Set Fire to the Rain” by Adele “The coolest thing you did at the top of the chorus was you sucked us in,” Luke said. “I was ‘Oh, my God, what is he doing?” That is what you do to make people watch.” “What we just saw, God took control of you,” Lionel said. “There is no possible way you thought of this. That is the Donnie Hathaway/Luther Vandross/Wille moment. It was a brilliant performance.” “The moment you looked at the camera, you were possessed in a godly way,” Katy said. “God was working through you. I love those 3-piece suits, keep them coming.”
DeShawn Goncalves, 19
Cleveland, Ohio College Student Song: “Feeling Good” by Nina Simone “For all of us who sing, the hardest thing is a cold start,” Lionel said. “You handled that. It was very clear that you own the piano as well.” “Something happened within a week’s span,” Katy said. “Did you have a talk with yourself in the mirror? If you continue with that confidence, you just need to bring out that personality. It was the next level for you.” “The whole time I am watching. I thought this is his best performance,” Luke said. “It’s so inspiring for us as judges. You put it all together. That was a great thing.”
Wyatt Pike, 19
Park City, Utah College Student Song: “Use Somebody” by Kings of Leon “Every time they called someone’s name, you looked like you were going to be sick,” Katy said. “You are such a good guy that you want everyone to go through. You have an angle in the competition. You are an authentic singer/songwriter. I would like you to do something small and vulnerable and bring us to tears. Whatever happens, you are already it.” “One of the coolest things that happened to me was the day I realized I get to do music forever,” Luke said. “Wyatt, you get to do music the rest of your life.” “You have a style on stage that we like to watch,” Lionel said. “To take that song on stage and make it your song, you are on to something big.”
Cassandra Coleman, 24
Columbia, Tenn. Coffee Shop Manager Song: “Wicked Game” by Chris Issak “Your verses were absolutely incredible,” Luke said. “You just need to soar more.” “The key word is confidence,” Lionel said. “Don’t put your mind in front of your voice, just sing.” “I saw you backstage and you were, ‘I don’t know what to do with all this adrenaline,’” Katy said. “I am glad you are getting another shot at it. There is American Idol and life after. I think you will ace both of them.”
Caleb Kennedy, 16
Roebuck, S.C. High School Student Song: “Midnight Train to Memphis” by Chris Stapleton “I have been studying you and I am sure you have ice water in your veins,” Lionel said. “You come up on stage and you sing the hell out of it. Stone cold. That was brilliant. That voice you just did was wonderful.” “You have this grit, this real country, you are becoming the outlaw,” Katy said. “To be 16 and stick to your guns on who you are and not being manipulated by everything going on around you, that is very hard to do,” Luke said. “You are driving your truck down the path you want to go.”
Colin Jamieson, 22
Boxford, Mass. Wedding Singer Song: “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears “Who knew you knew you had those vocals inside you?” Katy said. “Last week you were being cray. Today, a whole new side of you. You are an incredible vocalist. Those notes at the end were stellar. I was emo for you.” “You are here and there working the cameras and through all that, you can sing,” Luke said. “Now we are really hearing your voice go to these next levels that are surprising us. Great job.” “It is called show business,” Lionel said. “You have learned it is all about television, but I saw you do one other thing. I saw you were comfortable and that is a winning thing.”
Casey Bishop, 15
Estero, Fla. High School Student Song: “Black Hole Sun” by Soundgarden “You can sing anything you want to,” Luke said. “So many notes. Impressive. Why you chose rock, I will never know, but it’s your thing.” “It is fascinating to watch you,” Lionel said. “You start out as a fairy princess and end up as Janis Joplin. Where are the extra lungs on you? You hold notes incredibly.” “That is the best performance from you so far,” Katy said. “Vocally and technically so A-level. From where you started to where you are now, you are so dangerous.”
Madison Watkins, 25
Fayetteville, Ark. Hair Model Song: “Gravity’ by Sara Bareilles “There are a lot of voices that can hit the high notes, but it is harder to be expressive and tell a story,” Lionel said. “You pulled us in with your voice and your ability to tell a story. Very impressive.” “I was lost from the first couple of notes,” Katy said. “You are not lacking in personality or style. Tonight, you showed me a serious side of being a vocalist. It’s the best you’ve ever sounded.” “We are in the middle of a season of the craziest vocalists,” Luke said. “Tonight, you showed us you deserve to be here with these singers.”
Beane, 23
Boston, Mass. Wedding Singer Song: “Searching for a Feeling” by Thirdstory “This is another side of you” Katy said. “You were our friendly Mr. Rogers. There’s all these shades of Beane. You take the risk. You have my vote all the time.” “What America is telling us is they want to smile and be engaged and that is how you reel us in,” Luke said. “Then you back it up with amazing vocals.” “Watching you perform is a lesson in growth,” Lionel said. “Understanding people falling in love with you is the game. The point is, you want them to know you like you are doing right now.”
Hunter Metts, 22
Franklin, Tenn. Software Developer Song: “Skinny Love” by Bon Iver “What was really impressive is we got some angst in your music,” Luke said. “We heard you dig in. No one sounds like you in the world.” “Can I close my eyes and know who is singing? That is you,” Lionel said. “You gave us growl,” Katy said. “That is another level of who you are. You have that unique sound that is the wind beneath your wings.”
Ava August, 15
Laguna Niguel, Calif. High School Student Song: “2002” by Anne Marie “I am going to declare you 15 and dangerous,” Lionel said. “This is one of the most phenomenal classes we have ever had. For you to break through, I am very proud.” “Last week was a little more elegant and felt like Joni Mitchell or Audrey Hepburn,” Katy said. “But this reminds us that you still are young enough to like popular music. Classic always trumps cool, and you are classic.” “The intriguing thing about you, you have the thing to sing music your age, but also the elegance and grace that moved the needle for you last week, which is what got you to this round,” Luke said.
Chayce Beckham, 24
Apple Valley, Calif. Heavy Machinery Operator Song: “Waiting in Vain” by Bob Marley and the Wailers “You check all the boxes,” Katy said. “All you needed to do was sit on the chair and have this gritty, growly voice. I think you are the artist that America sees as authentic. I don’t think you will ever go back to hauling whatever you haul.” “Can you email me on how to be cool,” Luke asked. “Somewhere in the future for you is a song that you are going to write that is going to speak to guys like you and girls who want to marry guys like you.” “The reasons careers last a long time is if you start out in real,” Lionel said. “We find a fan base that connects. You are just a real guy and America has fallen in love with you.” American Idol airs Monday and Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
