American Idol Recap: Cyniah Elise and Makayla Phillips Duet Earns Standing Ovation From Judges
No more group rounds for American Idol!
Oh, those zany American Idol producers. Just when we thought we knew what to expect, they start throwing twists and turns into the program. Last week, the contestants who made it through to Hollywood were challenged to choose a specific genre to perform in. This week, the group performances were traded for a much more difficult and tension-filled “Duets Challenge” that gave judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie a better taste of what each singer was capable of. “You have to pull your own weight in duets,” Katy explained while Lionel tweeted, “Duets is mostly listening, interplay between artists. I’ll cover you, you cover me.”
With a hefty bunch of contestants still in the competition, viewers didn’t get to enjoy all of the pairings perform, but at the end of the night, there were plenty of very magical moments — also plenty of mayhem and a bit of heartbreak, too.
LOUIS KNIGHT and FRANCISCO MARTIN
Chose each other because they heard they were being compared to each other, then met and had a connection.
- Performed “Break Even” by The Script
Francisco was obviously nervous and lost his place in the song.
LUKE: “You need to trust us and the people around us that you are that good because you are.”
KATY: “We have a lot of hope in the both of you, but unfortunately only one will win. But you two, you’re both going through.”
- BOTH advance to the next round
MADISON PAIGE and PEYTON ALDRIDGE
Peyton went MIA during song selection and rehearsal time. He was at the gas station buying chicken wings.
- Performed “Don’t You Wanna Stay” by Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson
At the last minute, Peyton decided to play guitar even though they had sound checked with piano. Peyton apologized to Madison after the performance.
LIONEL: “The opening was pretty much like buckshot. It was everywhere…Peyton, we’re very touched by your humility and honesty.”
- BOTH advance to the next round
ZACK DOBBINS and COURTNEY TIMMONS
Originally wanted to perform “Higher Love” by Steve Winwood, then switched to “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, then changed again. Before the performance, Zack, who didn’t know the lyrics, flippantly said, “This is not a memorizing contest, it’s a singing contest.”
- Performed “Dangerous Woman” by Ariana Grande
KATY: “Obviously, it was kind of a bummer.”
LIONEL: “You can give up backstage, you can give up at home, you can give up in my mind, wherever you want to give up, but you never give up on stage. Never. When you walk out on this stage, fake it. And if you have a partner with you, never leave your partner alone.”
- NEITHER advances to the next round
ALIANA JESTER and YZTHASINGER
Everyone commented on their chemistry, but she has a boyfriend and they insist it’s a musical connection.
- Performed “Like I’m Gonna Lose You” by Meghan Trainor
LUKE: “Your first harmonies were really, really tasteful…you work great together.”
- BOTH advance to the next round
TRAVIS FINLAY (25) and GENAVIEVE LINKOWSKI
Travis made Genavieve audition for him before they became a team.
- Performed “The Prayer” by Celine Dion
Received a standing ovation from the judges.
KATY: “Travis, I thought you were so good and your choices were great and they were surprising. Genavieve, you’ve grown so much in two years, but you still need to grow some more. Grow more because you’re going through.”
- BOTH advance to the next round
KAT LOPEZ and ALEC GARRIDO (formerly Kat Luna and Alejandro “Space Cowboy” Garrido)
They are an actual couple as well as duet partners for this round.
- Performed “You Say” by Lauren Daigle
- KAT advances to the next round and Alec was sent home
MARGIE MAYS and JOHNNY WEST
Another actual couple, nerves were getting the best of Johnny during rehearsals.
- Performed “Like I’m Gonna Lose You” by Meghan Trainor
KATY: You both are barely passing on to the next round.”
- BOTH advance to the next round
CYNIAH ELISE and MAKAYLA PHILLIPS
When the started rehearsing, Makayla didn’t know the song and there were concerns as both are powerhouse singers.
- Performed “The Prayer” by Celine Dion
Standing ovation from the judges.
LUKE: “That was like a movie!”
KATY: “You guys sang that so well, you did it such justice.”
- BOTH advance to the next round
TITO REY and ROBERT TAYLOR
Met and hit it off immediately. Ignored the vocal coach’s advice to be thoughtful with their vocal runs.
- Performed “Say So” by P.J. Morton
LIONEL: “What we just witnessed was vocal gymnastics. I don’t know how to judge it because it was too acrobatic. The chance for you all to personally can hit every possible note there is in the universe…it was not the greatest.”
- ROBERT advances to the next round and Tito was sent home
JUST SAM and SHENIEL MAISONET
Just Sam melted down before they finished rehearsing. Sheniel found her, hugged her and said, “Sometimes you just need a friend.” And, maybe a few hours of sleep.
- Performed “Mercy” by Shawn Mendes
LUKE: “You know what I’m loving about you two is you’re just getting better and better and better, and you’re getting more and more and more confidence. Sam, I couldn’t take my eyes off of watching you perform.’
LIONEL: “But, honestly, you’re giving us drama. To sing the song is one thing, but to act the song is everything.”
- Both advance to the next round
Other singers who are confirmed to advance to the next round include:
GRACE LEER
LAUREN MASCITTI
JIMMY LEVY
NICK MERICO
ISA PINA
OLIVIA XIMINES
FAITH BECNEL
JOVIN WEBB
LANDEN STARKMAN
PERRIN YORK
EVAN KURIGA
DILLON JAMES
ELYJUH RENE
KIMMY GABRIELLA
It’s another two-fer week of American Idol with Hollywood rounds continuing on Monday, March 23 with solo competition. Then, on March 29 and 30, the show moves to Hawaii for the finals in the pre-recorded finals.
Due to the rapid growth of COVID-19 and officials’ requesting Americans to shelter-at-home in order to flatten the curve, all of the contestants have been sent home. The status of the upcoming live rounds and finals is unknown at this point.
