American Idol Recap: Sophia Wackerman Earns Standing Ovation, Judges Select Top 40
Will you watch next week when Idol goes to Hawaii?
If tension got any higher inside the historical Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles, it would have gone up in flames, but the Solo Round of American Idol was a big one. The solo performances determined who would make it into the Top 40 of season 18.
Fortunately, host Ryan Seacrest had an ace in the hole for the young singers. He brought in season 17 runner-up and fan favorite Alejandro Aranda to help calm nerves and offer advice.
Judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie also had a bit of sound advice before the singers took the stage and that included cautioning the contestants against performing original songs. “It’s all about song choice,” Katy said with Luke adding, “Picking the right song is so critical, because if they can’t pick out songs to impress us, they certainly can’t pick out songs to record in the future.”
A lot of the contestants were folding under the pressure. They were sick from too many late nights of rehearsal and were over compensating by trying too hard. It got so bad that, at one point, Katy couldn’t take it anymore. “I just told them to calm down,” she said.
In spite of fair warning, there were still many artists who insisted on performing original material. Fortunately, the following singer-songwriters made it through to the Top 40:
ROBERT TAYLOR
- Performed an original song
LIONEL: “That was the wrong song. That did not work.”
- Advances to Hawaii
AMELIA JOYCE
- Performed an original song
LUKE: “She sings great, it’s really about songs.”
- Advances to Hawaii
JULIA GARGANO
- Performed an original song
KATY: “It’s just not a song that holds me.”
- Advances to Hawaii
LAUREN MASCITTI
- Performed an original song (“God Made a Woman”) inspired by her nana
Judges were floored.
LIONEL: “That was a strong song.”
KATY: “She has so much potential, but she’s definitely got some competition.”
- Advances to Hawaii
JIMMY LEVY
- Performed an original song
KATY: “That was disappointing.”
- Did not advance
DILLON JAMES
Recovering addict, two years sober
- Performed an original song
- Advances to Hawaii
JONNY WEST
Girlfriend, Margie Mayes, is also in the competition
- Performed an original song
- Advances to Hawaii
There were also multiple multiples – groups of contestants who were singing the same popular song. The following four singers all performed Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”:
CYNIAH ELISE
- Advances to Hawaii
GEENA FONTANELLA
- Advances to Hawaii
YZTHASINGER
- Did not advance
OLIVIA XIMINES
- Advances to Hawaii
These singers both sang “I’m Here” from the musical version of The Color Purple:
KIMMY GABRIELA
- In her audition, Lionel told her she was Top 10 material
KATY: “I want to figure out who she is as an artist, but I feel like she’s Top 10.”
- Advances to Hawaii
JUST SAM
- Had been sick – sore throat and laryngitis – but nailed it.
- Advances to Hawaii
And these two singers both performed “Always Remember Us This Way” by Lady Gaga during the broadcast:
KAT LUNA
- Her boyfriend, Alec Garrido was eliminated in the Duets Round
- Did not advance
CAMRYN LEIGH SMITH
- Did not advance
To be fair, there were plenty of contestants who heeded the judge’s advice and delivered solid covers of recognizable songs that they made their own with thoughtfulness and creativity.
GENAVIEVE LINKOWSKI
Had previously auditioned and made it to Hollywood before she was cut.
- Performed “In My Blood” by Shawn Mendes
- Advances to Hawaii
JOVIN WEBB
- Performed “Parachute” by Chris Stapleton
- Advances to Hawaii
PERRIN YORK
“The caliber of the band is so high, you get one run-through.”
- Performed “Good As Hell” by Lizzo
- Advances to Hawaii
JEB VONDERBRUEGGE
- Performed “Rocket Man” by Elton John
- Advances to Hawaii
ARTHUR GUNN
- Performed “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” by Creedence Clearwater Revival (revised from auditions)
Band didn’t have time to learn the arrangement, so his performance was acoustic.
- Advances to Hawaii
SOPHIA WACKERMAN
Roommates with Sarah
- Performed “Somewhere” from West Side Story
Standing ovation from the judges
- Advances to Hawaii
SARAH ISEN
Roommates with Sophia
- Performed “Light On” by Maggie Rogers
- Did not advance
FRANKLIN BOONE
Related to Alejandro’s quiet personality and was surprised he was still in the competition
- Performed “River” by Leon Bridges
- Advances to Hawaii
LAUREN SPENCER-SMITH
Had never heard the song she sang until the night before her performance
- Performed “The Joke” by Brandi Carlile
- Advances to Hawaii
LOUIS KNGHT
Struggling with the loss of his best friend to suicide
- Performed “Hold Me While You Wait” by Lewis Capaldi
- Advances to Hawaii
MAKAYLA PHILLIPS
- Performed “‘Cause I Love You” by Lizzo
KATY: “That was the worst song she could have picked.”
LUKE: “It was.”
- Advances to Hawaii
MARGIE MAYES
Boyfriend, Jonny West, is also in the competition
- Performed “Lost Without You” by Freya Ridings
- Did not advance
The night wasn’t without a heart wrenching bit of drama, though.
MIKAYLA BROWNLEE
Became disoriented on stage and walked off. She has a heart condition – vasovagal syncope – which can be triggered by stress. She returned later that day and gave a stirring performance.
- Performed “Rainbow” by Kacey Musgraves
Received a standing ovation from the judges
- Advances to Hawaii
After the competition, the remaining contestants were divided into three groups where they waited to learn their fate. At the end of the night, the competition was cut down to 40 singers who would continue to the first showcase in Hawaii. In addition to those noted above, the following singers are going to Showcase Rounds in Hawaii:
DEVON ALEXANDER
BILAAL AVAZ
FAITH BECNEL
DEWAYNE CROCKER, JR.
AMBER FIEDLER
TRAVIS FINLAY
SHANNON GIBBONS
CAMERON HAVENS
NATALIE JANE
ALIANA JESTER
JORDAN JONES
GRACE LEER
GRACE LUNDY
FRANCISCO MARTIN
NICK MERICO
DEMIE RAE MORENO
ELYJUH RENE
EMMA VALENTINE
Unfortunately, after the March 29 and 30 Hawaii rounds, the remainder of the American Idol season is up-in-the-air as taping was suspended due to the coronavirus.
