American Idol Recap: Judges Save Makayla Phillips to Round Out Top 11

Buckle up, because the remainder of season 18 of ABC’s American Idol is going to fly by.  Contestants are now performing from – and judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, along with host Ryan Seacrest and mentor Bobby Bones are appearing from – their respective homes as the coronavirus continues to keep much of the public sheltering safely at home.

And speaking of home, the theme for the night was songs that reminded the contestants of home.

But there was a lot that happened before the Top 10 was announced and the performances started, including a performance from previous Idol, Phillip Phillips. In addition, it was announced that the judges got one save for this night only where they could choose a contestant that America may have overlooked to continue on in the competition.

Throughout the show, the Idol judges met with industry peers to discuss what it takes to make it in the music industry.

Charlie Puth told Katy: “It’s important for every artist to have an understanding that it’s not supposed to happen overnight.”

Darius Rucker told Luke: “Getting up in front of an audience is awesome and the singing thing and the performing thing gets easier because you’ve got all that energy coming back at you…my thing is I’m trying to make that last person in the last row feel like they’re up front.”

Stevie Wonder told Lionel: “If you know you have that gift, you have to be committed. You’ve got to give it all. And you can never begin to think you’re the best in the world because that’s when you begin to lose it, because it’s not true.”

The Top 10, in no particular order:

LOUIS KNIGHT (19) – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Louis: “My heart rate is through the roof right now. I’m just so, so grateful to everyone in America.”

• Quarantined at home with his parents, siblings and dog, Milo.
• Delivered pizzas to doctors and nurses.
• Performed “In My Place” by Coldplay

Katy: “So, I thought it was really commendable of you to lean into those roots of yours. I think, whatever happens, you’re a star, obviously. I thought it was a good song choice, it really pulled at my heartstrings and it made me escape to a better time, which is what we need right now.”

JULIA GARGANO (21) – Staten Island, New York

• Quarantined at home with mother, brother and sister, stepdad and cat
• Gave a tour of her house using a whisk as a microphone
• Performed “New York State of Mind” by Billy Joel

Luke: “I’m speechless. That might be may most favorite performance of the year thus far. Twelve out of ten. What a moment of elegance and maturity and class and grace and beauty. Wow, great job!”

JOVIN WEBB (29) – Gonzales, Louisiana

• Quarantined at home with his family
• Performed “VooDoo” by Allen Stone

Lionel: “I loved it. It’s an old school sound, but it’s so fabulous coming out of your mouth because your delivery is real when that rasp comes out. And the more you frown up on that, it’s magic, my friend.”

GRACE LEER (27) – Nashville, Tennessee

Grace: “It’s an honor to represent country music, especially women in country music.”

• Quarantined in her hometown of Danville, California at her family home.
• Mom is a physician assistant
• Performed “Over the Rainbow” by Judy Garland

Katy: “Wow, that was an unusual…I’ve never heard your voice like that at all. You went big and it was bold all throughout. It was like you were singing for thousands.”

JONNY WEST (23) – Marietta, California

• Quarantined at home with girlfriend, Margie, in her apartment
• Performed “Faithfully” by Journey

Luke: “Your ability to never really look like you’re sweating or forcing anything within your range, is truly remarkable and you tease us with thee well-placed falsetto movements. You have your style and you know it and you stay within that style. You could sing anything. Great performance.”

SOPHIA JAMES (20) – Long Beach, California

• Quarantined at home with her dad and brother – watching movies and cooking dinner together
• More nervous to perform from home because she’s also a cameraman, sound engineer and musician
• Performed “In My Room” by The Beach Boys

Lionel: “You’ve done the work in terms of sussing out where your delivery sweet spot is. You’ve found it. And I love your delivery from top to bottom.”

ARTHUR GUNN (21) – Wichita, Kansas

Arthur: “I want to thank all of the people that have supported me in this journey…I am so stoked.”

• Quarantined at home with mom, dad and sisters at home.
• Cooking food from Nepal
• Performed “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver

Katy: “I felt so much more connected to that performance with you connecting with me. I mean, looking at the camera and working it, Arthur. That was amazing!”

JUST SAM (21) – Harlem, New York

• Quarantined by herself in Los Angeles
• Grandma is in New York – didn’t want to risk getting her sick
• Performed “Grandma’s Hands” by Bill Withers

Luke: “You almost get to forgetting that you can hit those big last notes and then you hit it and it’s like, ‘Oh yeah, she’s still got those big notes.’ From top to bottom, the richness and how your voice really holds up at all levels of your range is what makes you so great to listen to.”

DILLON JAMES (26) – Bakersfield, California

Dillon: “I don’t realize how much I enjoy spending time with my family until we’re all cooped up together.”

• Quarantined at home with family
• Performed “Yesterday” by the Beatles

Lionel: “You have an absolute sound to your voice. It’s identifiable to you and you only. Keep that in focus. Be yourself.”

FRANCISCO MARTIN (19) – San Francisco, California

• Quarantined at home with parents, sister and dog
• Quarantine has been very hard, mom works at hospital on the frontline, affects his anxiety
• Performed “Falling Like the Stars” by James Arthur

Katy: (In tears) “Yeah, sure it was hormones, but it was believability, too. It was real believability and I felt it.”

With that, the decision was turned over to Katy, Lionel and Luke to use the save or to keep the choice to just Top 10. And they chose to use their save….

MAKAYLA PHILLIPS (17) – Temecula, California

• Quarantined at home
• Dad is a first responder
• Performed “The House That Built Me” by Miranda Lambert

Luke: “Early in the audition, I heard this amazing voice out of you and I have been really wanting America to hear that and that’s why we fought for you and saved you, and I’m so glad you came back to allow America to hear just how great of a singer you are.”

With that, the vote was turned over to America to choose the Top 7 contestants. Next Sunday Idol will announce those winners during a celebration of Mother’s Day. Those moving on will perform their favorite Disney songs, which will determine who moves on to the season’s finale.