- We got 55,
and we gotta go to top 24.
So we're gonna have to
cut half of them.
- Yeah.
- And we're having to cut
amazing talent.
- ♪ Could it be
I was the one ♪
- We're all nervous
because this is
like a make or break moment.
♪ Deep in the night ♪
- The waiting is no fun at all.
- We all wanna win.
We all want to be on top.
- Being sent home today
would be heartbreaking.
- You did not make our top 24.
- Unfortunately, this is the end
of your "American Idol" journey.
- It's just challenge
after challenge
and we don't feel like
you're ready for our top 24.
- ♪ I'll be your friend ♪
- Narrowing it down
from 55 to 24 is insane.
So, you know, do I have a shot?
Maybe. I guess we shall see
when the time comes.
- ♪ There we will be ♪
- It's hard knowing you do so
much and you feel like
you've given so much,
and it's just not enough.
- I'm ready to see
what they have to say.
- Everybody back home
is waiting to find out
if I make it or not.
- Seeing these talented
people go home...
It's like, you know,
that could very much be me.
It could be anyone.
- All right.
You're up to bat.
- Last night, Paige Anne
and Megan Danielle
were called into their
final judgment together.
- So we are so confused.
We're going to make
you all sing off.
- I knew it.
- I had to just throw
it all on the table
and hope for the best.
♪ There ain't no... ♪
And that's what
I'm doing right now.
I feel like I did enough.
There's a lot that
I wish could happen.
I'm nervous,
but I think I'm ready.
- Wow.
- All right.
- OK. All right.
- All right.
- All right, then.
- All right.
Let's hear you, Megan.
♪ There ain't no gold
in this river ♪
♪ That I've been washing
my hands in forever ♪
♪ I know there is hope
in these waters ♪
♪ But I can't bring myself
to swim when I am drowning ♪
♪ In this silence, baby ♪
♪ Let me in ♪
♪ Go easy on me, baby ♪
- ♪ I'm still a child,
I didn't get the chance ♪
♪ To feel the world around me ♪
♪ I had no time to choose
what I chose to do ♪
♪ So go easy on me ♪
- Mm, mm, mm.
- Whoo!
Mm, mm, mm.
- Thank you.
I'm crying now.
- Well, we're going to just
talk it out amongst ourselves.
- Yes, sir.
- And we'll call you
back in in a minute.
- All right, thank y'all.
- Thank you.
- All right.
- All right, now.
- Good job, girl.
You did so good!
- I mean, Paige might have
sang more notes, but Megan...
I'm... I'm so wishing for her,
that she finds out
who she is as an artist.
- All right.
- OK.
We're all in agreement?
- A clear case
of distant identity.
- Sure are.
- Let's do it.
- OK, we're ready.
- We're ready.
- First of all, just tremendous
jobs from both of you.
Paige Anne, you are
an incredible talent.
- Thank you.
- This is a year that is
really, really stacked,
maybe better than ever with
your style of singers
and we are totally in misery
trying to sort through it.
But you are not in our top 24.
- That's OK.
- Megan, we think you're a star.
- Thank you.
- What we've gotta get
this girl to understand,
truly how spectacular you are.
- I might lose it. Sorry.
- Listen, I'm getting emotional
talking to you about
how wonderful your voice is.
Understand?
- Yes, sir.
- We are so proud to
have you in our top 24.
And we wish you the best.
- Thank you.
- And I want you to
fight for your life. OK?
- Yes, ma'am.
To make it through
to the top 24,
I think I've proved
myself that, you know,
I'm supposed to be here.
So y'all know I go
to the top 24, right?
- I do feel like
I've grown a lot,
but I wouldn't have asked it
to go any other way.
- It's just not your time.
And it's OK.
- I got time.
You got lots of time.
- Yeah.
- I love you.
- Love you.
- ♪ Don't belong to me,
but I can't let go ♪
- So it's the end of
the road for Paige Ann,
but our next finalist
is ready to get
the crowd on their feet.
- What's up, y'all?
How y'all doing tonight?
I say show, you say, stopper.
- Show!
- Stopper!
- Show!
- Stopper!
- A little bit louder. Show!
- Stopper!
- Show!
- Stopper!
- Yeah!
That's what I'm talking about.
- Before she was hyping
up Hollywood, radio host
Marybeth Byrd was wowing
an audience of three
in Las Vegas.
- Honestly, coming
into American Idol,
I was just hoping for
a smile from the judges.
- Marybeth Byrd!
- You opened your mouth,
and it was correct.
- This is why we go to
the nooks and crannies.
- Oh, my God.
- And leave no
American Idol unturned.
- I could not have imagined
it going any better.
- For sure, top 10.
- Thank y'all so much.
- Coming to Hollywood Week
for the first time,
it was very intimidating.
- ♪ When it's leaving
Lord knows it's taken ♪
- Marybeth Byrd from
Northeast Arkansas and she's
headed to Hollywood Week
on "American Idol."
How are you feeling?
- I'm feeling just
over the moon.
I can't wait.
- ♪ I got a heart ♪
- I'm from Armorel, Arkansas.
Little, small town.
It is country with a K.
But there's always been that
side of me that just wants
to get out of a small town.
It's like I want this so bad,
you know, I'm craving
that yes from them.
American Idol Showstoppers.
Mark. Wait, I did it wrong.
Approaching Showstoppers,
I am a little nervous.
The Carrie Underwood song
is a hard one to do,
but I'm hoping that I
can let those nerves go
and just have fun.
- Nothing to hold you back now.
Come on.
- ♪ I'm flat on the floor with
my head down low ♪
♪ Where the sky
can't rain on me anymore ♪
♪ Don't knock on
my door 'cause I won't come ♪
♪ I'm hiding from the storm ♪
♪ Till the damage gets done ♪
♪ Baby, baby, baby,
baby, baby, tell me how ♪
♪ You think you're gonna
feel without my love now ♪
♪ I don't know why you
gotta keep coming around ♪
♪ Creepin' up my street,
but you can't bother me ♪
♪ Now I'm flat on the floor,
with my head down low ♪
♪ Where the sky can't rain
on me anymore ♪
♪ Don't knock on my door
'cause I won't come ♪
♪ I'm hiding from the storm
till the damage gets ♪
- How are you?
- I'm good. How are y'all?
- Marybeth Byrd.
What is the radio station saying
about your life right now?
- They are just thrilled.
I keep getting texts
every five minutes.
- Still here.
- I'm like, "Still here, guys.
I'll let you know when I can."
♪ Flat on the floor,
ooh, I got my head down low ♪
♪ Don't ya come knockin' ♪
♪ I'm hiding from the storm
till the damage gets done ♪
♪ Whoa ♪
♪ I'm hiding from the storm
till the damage gets done ♪
- We haven't seen
that side of her.
When we watched you
in Showstoppers,
that's the first time
we heard you kinda
get yell-y and scream-y.
- It was a risk.
- Did you feel it was a risk?
- I... I felt like it
wasn't my best, vocally.
- We love that you're competing
in the world of country.
We think you're
doing an amazing job,
but it was a surprise
to us because you've
always been more of a...
- Smooth singer.
Smooth... right.
- Mm-hmm.
- Now, always push yourself.
You know, don't give
up on going forward.
I think in your journey,
you'll get there,
but unfortunately,
you're gonna have to
call the radio station
and tell them...
- Did you get it?
- No. Not this time.
- You didn't?
- Just kidding! It was a yes!
I'm sorry!
Thank you guys so much.
- My heart can't take that.
- Did I scare you?
- Yeah, I thought
you didn't get it.
Another girl has
made it to "American Idol,"
and that girl is me! Ahh!
I'm in the top 24!
- You did?
Yes, Mom!
I've been waiting for a moment
like this my whole life.
- I'm super proud of you.
And every time you step on
that stage, you give it 150%.
- It's that stage in my life
where I need a new chapter.
And this is happening, and it
just feels so good to be here.
Did I scare you guys though?
- Yes!
- Coming up...
- There's a point in this show
where we have
to now make it a competition.
- To be in the top 24,
it would be a dream.
- Float like a butterfly,
sting like a bee, man.
- This might be
a moment for him.
- I found myself.
I know who I wanna be.
- I want to sing.
I have to sing.
- I'm trying to prove
that I can compete.
- You are in our top 24!
I guess nothing is promised.
- This is the hard part.
- You were really, really close.
- Welcome back to Showstoppers,
The Final Judgment,
where Nashville's,
Oliver Steele is putting
his own spin on an '80s classic.
- All right.
Now, come on!
- ♪ Everybody wants
to rule the world ♪
- Hey!
That's how you do it.
- ♪ Welcome to your life ♪
- Yes, that's how you do it.
- ♪ There's no turning back ♪
- One of my favorite songs, man.
- ♪ Even while we sleep ♪
♪ We will find you ♪
♪ Acting on your
best behavior ♪
♪ Turn your back
on Mother Nature ♪
♪ Everybody wants
to rule the world ♪
♪ There's a room where
the light won't find you ♪
♪ Holding hands while the
walls come tumbling down ♪
♪ If they do,
I'll be right behind you ♪
♪ I can't stand this ♪
- He keeps looking up
here and checking on us.
- ♪ Married with
a lack of vision ♪
♪ Everybody wants to rule the ♪
♪ World ♪
- All right!
- Yep.
- Yeah, the judges
stood up for me.
I... it... yeah, that felt
really, really, really good.
There's always going to be
a little bit of uncertainty,
like, will I make it?
But this means a lot.
- Oliver Steele, it's
been a wonderful journey
getting to know you.
How have you found this
journey for yourself?
- I feel like I've grown
and learned so much.
- Your dad should be
very proud of you.
- If I had it my way,
he'd be played for me.
- I know.
- If you keep singing like
you're singing to your father,
you could win this thing.
- Having experienced
that audition with my dad
by my side was very special.
It's one of the happiest
moments of my life.
♪ Saw you dancing
in a crowded room ♪
Something that I struggled
with for a very long time
was self-confidence.
- ♪ Save your tears ♪
It felt very validating
to have heroes of mine
stand before me and tell me
that I could go all the way.
- No need for
deliberation, y'all can
deliberate yourself through
to the next round, all right?
- There you go.
- At the beginning
of this competition,
I felt like I was
unsure of things
'cause that's the
ultimate struggle is, like,
is what I do good?
Do people like it?
So the further and
further I go along,
you know, it's made me feel
more validated,
not only as a singer,
but as an artist.
- You are so talented.
- Oh, my God. Uh.
- You are.
But I think sometimes the
head can get in the way.
The head can overthink
everything and look for,
did I do it right?
Do you love me now?
It can make it
a little disconnected.
Yes, you're playing
all the right notes.
Yes, you're singing
all the right notes,
but you're thinking
about it too much.
You're not singing from here.
It's not about winning, it's
just about singing from here.
- Absolutely. Yeah.
- Funny, we saw that even
in your last performance.
You know, I think you
were, you were looking up.
I think that looking
up to us, you know,
it felt like you were
looking for our approval.
I think you've looked up
to people your whole life.
Your father,
you've looked up to him.
You know, you've looked
up to other musicians
as your heroes.
- I mean, I'm... all
three of you, yeah.
- But I don't think you
should look up anymore.
I don't think you need to
because you are your own hero.
You don't need anyone
else's approval.
You don't even
need our approval.
- ♪ Always find my way
to you beside the hook ♪
♪ The hammer lies ♪
- You are your own hero.
Welcome to the top 24.
- ♪ California called
you queen ♪
- Thank you so much.
- You kidding me?
- I'm elated, over the moon.
I can step on a stage
now without being
worried that it's not
good enough for somebody
standing in the crowd.
- Your dad's going to be pumped.
- Yeah.
- Oh, he's going to be excited.
- Hey, son.
How are you?
- Well, Dad, I'm in the top 24.
- Absolutely fantastic!
- I couldn't have
gotten here without you.
I love you so much.
- Love you too.
Don't ever forget
where you come from
and who you are.
- I appreciate that.
Bye, Dad.
- That's my boy.
- Oliver's "Idol" dream
lives on in the top 24.
And now theater performer, Emma,
is ready to bring the drama.
- ♪ I've made up my mind ♪
♪ Don't need to think get over
if I'm wrong, I am right ♪
♪ Don't need to look no
further, this ain't lust ♪
♪ I know ♪
- Whoa!
- ♪ This is love ♪
- That's real stuff.
- That's top 10 material.
- ♪ But, If I tell
the world, I'll never ♪
♪ Say enough 'cause it
was not said to you ♪
♪ And that's exactly
what I need to do ♪
♪ If I end up with you ♪
♪ Should I give up ♪
♪ Or should I just keep
chasing pavements? ♪
♪ Even if it leads nowhere ♪
♪ Or would there be a place ♪
♪ Even if I knew my place ♪
- Wow!
♪ Should I just ♪
♪ Keep on chasing pavements ♪
♪ Should I just keep
on chasing pavements ♪
♪ Ohh ♪
- All right! Come on!
- ♪ Just keep chasing
pavements ♪
Oh, my God, my God, my God!
To be in the top 24,
it would be a dream.
It would.
♪ If I knew my place ♪
- All right.
- So now it comes down to
what we said at the beginning.
- Get all that
Broadway out of you.
You can be saved
from the thespians.
- The challenge
before you was how
to carve out your identity.
This class, as you may
well know, is so gifted.
We can see the potential,
that's the most important thing.
Do you have it inside of you?
We think so,
to go to our top 24.
- Oh, my God. Actually?
OK.
OK.
- It's really happening.
- It's happening.
- It's really happening.
- OK.
- You are in our top 24!
- Oh, my God! Oh!
- Come here.
- Oh, my God.
Thank you so much.
I'm so grateful to be here.
Oh, my God!
Thank you!
OK. Ahh!
- She's kind of an artist.
- Yes, she is.
Congratulations!
- I can't even believe I've
made it to this point.
So the fact that I can be in
the top 24 is pretty wild.
Wow.
- ♪ Who are we ♪
♪ To blame ourselves
for moving on? ♪
- Welcome back
to "American Idol,"
where country charmer,
Preston Duffee,
makes the long walk
to his final judgment.
- What's up?
- What's going on?
- I think that was the
first thing I said to y'all.
What's going on?
What's going on?
- Coming in country.
- Coming in country.
Thinking back on my first
audition, it was fun.
It was a great experience.
♪ And that's something
to write about ♪
- Singing my original song
was kind of surreal.
- Songwriting is a skill,
and you nailed that.
- I'm looking at, like,
a young Luke Bryan.
- The ladies at
church call me Luke.
Coming to Hollywood,
singing a Luke song
for Luke was really cool.
♪ But you can buy dirt ♪
I just wish I would
have done a lot better.
- ♪ Just a good, old ♪
- If it was a different
Luke song,
it could have been better.
- Didn't I reference you
in the audition,
it's like I was
staring at myself?
- I think Katy said I
reminded her of a young Luke.
- Sorry to have
done that to you.
- Even on your Showstopper
moment to run out there,
and I try to tell
myself had I ever
auditioned for "Idol," that's
the way I'd run out on stage.
- He sure is.
- ♪ Roll into town,
step off the bus ♪
♪ Shake off the where
you came from dust ♪
♪ Grab your guitar,
walk down the street ♪
- We comin'!
- Yeah.
- ♪ Tennessee
but I have found ♪
♪ It's a crazy town full of
neon dreams, everybody plays ♪
♪ Everybody sings ♪
♪ Hollywood with
a touch of twang ♪
♪ To be a star, you gotta
bang, bang, bang ♪
I really want
Luke to be on board.
I've been watching him
the majority of my life.
I really hope he's
liking what I'm doing.
♪ We hate it, we're all
just trying to make it ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
Me, being so boring
on my duet rounds,
I really think
I brought the heat.
♪ In this crazy town, yeah ♪
♪ Crazy town ♪
- All right!
That was cool.
- Yeah, he did a good job.
- That's the biggest
thing I've ever done.
10-year-old me used
to sit on my bed
and, like, sing in my mirror
and do just what I just did
and watch Luke Bryan.
- The vocal...
- I wish his voice
was just a little stronger.
- His vocal could have
cut through a little more.
- Yep, yep.
- I feel like
a rock star right now.
I'm just hoping that
I've done enough to prove
that I can compete.
- We've enjoyed getting to
know you throughout each round.
You've got the work ethic,
you've got the love for music.
I think navigating that
Showstopper performance,
we felt, although
your performance
was full of energy,
awesome, just vocally,
it's getting really, really
down to the nitty gritty.
- I agree.
- And I think if when I
was 21, if I would have
auditioned for "Idol,"
I probably wouldn't
have been altogether ready.
And I think we as a judging
panel feel that you're not
altogether ready, also.
Right now, you're...
You're not making it
through into the top 24.
- ♪ There'll be another ♪
- Get on stage,
keep writing,
thank you for everything.
You've got a great spirit.
- Yeah, you do.
- I appreciate y'all.
I really do agree
with what Luke said
about my vocal stuff
and I think that's cool
and I appreciate him
telling me that he
probably wouldn't
have been ready at this age.
- I appreciate you.
Me hugging me.
- I'll see you in Nashville.
- Come on, baby.
- There you go.
- Please do.
Please do.
- Have fun, Preston.
Thank you, buddy.
- Hanging out with Luke,
man, nine-year-old me
was cutting flips.
- When you love something,
you've got to let it go.
- ♪ Good Lord calls me home ♪
- OK.
What kind of news
do you got for us?
- I hate to say it,
but I'm going home.
- Are you really?
- Yeah, I'm done.
- What?
- Shocking.
- I'm sorry.
- It's all good.
I don't have anything
negative to say at all
about my experience.
I've really made some
great friendships here.
I've learned a lot
about things I would
have never thought of before.
I'm going to just
try to do better
and I hope you all see me.
Luke, I'll see you in Nashville.
I appreciate y'all.
♪ I can never love you right ♪
- Next to hear his fate
is someone
who inspired us all from
the start... Elijah McCormick.
- I believe you were
left here for a reason.
- ♪ I set out on a narrow way ♪
- God brought you back
nine times for you
to do something amazing.
- Before my accident,
my mom signed me up
for "American Idol,"
and I'm so grateful
for every single moment.
- After the nationwide vote,
America's Platinum Ticket
winner is Elijah McCormick.
Congratulations.
- When Ryan Seacrest said my
name, my mouth just dropped.
I felt honored.
- And going into this, how
do you feel about what you did
in the Showstopper round?
- I'm pretty nervous.
You never know.
As the numbers are decreasing,
my heart rate's increasing.
- You're human.
- Yeah.
This is the most nervous
I've been in years.
I've just seen so many people
leave I thought that would
make it... but you know,
you just never know
what you're walking into.
I just want to continue
to shine my light
if I make it into the top 24.
What's up, buddy?
- What's going on, y'all?
- How are you hanging in?
- I'm hanging.
I'm hanging.
How are y'all?
- Doing good. It's cold up here
in the mountains, huh?
Yes sir, it is.
Well, just first of all,
congrats on winning America's
vote for the Platinum Ticket.
- Thank you.
- That's a big,
big win early on.
It's pretty cool whenever you
can get America
on your side early on
- Early.
- Listen, such a raw voice
you have.
Make sure you pour the gas on
it and keep the reins on it.
I think your biggest quality
is the realness behind you.
Your ability to bounce back
from almost dying
multiple times.
- ♪ They say this mountain
can't be moved ♪
♪ They say these chains
will never break ♪
♪ But they don't
know you like we do ♪
♪ There is power in Your name ♪
♪ So move the unmovable ♪
♪ Break the unbreakable ♪
♪ God, we believe ♪
- You truly are a man
with a new purpose on life
and a new reason to
wake up every day
and give it all you got.
It shows in your spirit,
it shows
in your approach on stage.
And I tell you what, you really
are comfortable on stage,
even with the band,
you did a great job.
- ♪ You are the way when
there seems to be no way ♪
♪ We trust in you ♪
♪ You have the final say ♪
I chose that song for a reason.
The song brings back the
memories of overcoming
what I went through.
Believing for a miracle.
♪ Move the unmovable ♪
♪ Break the unbreakable ♪
♪ God, we believe ♪
♪ God, we believe for it ♪
♪ God, we believe ♪
- We're happy you're here
and we, as a judging team,
can be very happy to tell you
that you are in our top 24.
- ♪ When the best of me
is barely breathing ♪
- Wow.
Thank you so much.
- How's that feel?
- It feels great.
I've been waiting since
7:00 this morning.
I was like, I'm so
ready to see y'all.
I need to get in here.
Can I shake y'all's hands?
- Oh, please, man.
- Listen, great job.
- Let me get a hug.
Oh, yes, sir.
- Be you, and good job.
- Thank you so much.
Oh my gosh.
- We're proud of you.
- Love it.
- All right.
- Thank y'all.
- Good job, buddy.
- Go celebrate life, Elijah!
Yes, I will.
Oh, man!
Oh! Whew!
- I sense results.
- Top 24!
- Oh my gosh, you're strong.
I made top 24!
Oh!
I doubted myself
so much this last round.
Now I can breathe.
I knew you would!
Yes!
You guys know I was kind
of underestimating myself.
I'm so thankful
for all of y'all.
Thank you for everything!
Love y'all. Bye!
I'm just thankful.
Thankful I'm here.
- Welcome back to Showstoppers,
The Final Judgment.
Anxiously awaiting
their names to be called
are two of our Las Vegas
standouts, Elise Kristine.
- ♪ 'Cause you make me feel ♪
- You got a big old voice
in a small old body.
- Mm-hmm.
- Mighty Mouse.
- Mighty Mouse.
- Yeah.
- ♪ Woman ♪
- And Olivia Soli.
- ♪ Hello ♪
- Mm.
- ♪ Is it me
you're looking for ♪
- When people say, I'm going
to sing you a song, own it.
Take it and turn
it into your song.
You did it to perfection.
- I'm feeling pretty confident.
At the same time, I don't want
to jump to any conclusions
just because I feel like there
will be a couple curveballs.
- The judges have
some words for you,
but they'd like to see
you, Olivia, and you,
Elise, at the same time.
Don't be scared.
Don't be nervous.
- But go now.
- OK.
- Let's go.
Going into the final
judgment, I'm very unsure.
This opportunity means so much
to me because it's something
that I've dreamed
about my entire life.
I want to sing.
I have to sing.
And so I'm just hopeful.
- Oh. Double trouble.
- Hello.
- OK. Here we go.
- Just like
in Noah's Ark,
they came two by two.
- What's up, y'all?
- Hi.
I know it's weird when
you go in as a two-fer,
you're like, "Uh-huh."
- Yeah.
- Yeah, we were
freaking out back there.
We were like, "Oh, golly."
- You guys are
incredibly talented.
Elise, you sang some notes on
Showstoppers that like I've
never even heard before.
Is that typical for you?
Yes.
- Right answer.
- ♪ Birds flying high ♪
♪ You know how I feel ♪
♪ Sun in the sky ♪
- Whoo.
- ♪ You know how I feel ♪
- My God, y'all, this is crazy.
- That's crazy talent.
♪ On by ♪
♪ You know how I feel ♪
♪ It's a new dawn,
it's a new day ♪
♪ It's a new life ♪
♪ For me ♪
♪ And I'm feeling good ♪
♪ Stars when you shine,
you know how I feel ♪
♪ Oh, freedom is mine ♪
♪ And I know how I feel ♪
- Oh. Yeah.
- ♪ It's a new dawn,
it's a new day ♪
♪ It's a new life ♪
♪ Ooh ♪
Going off!
- That was, like,
glass-shattering stuff.
- Yeah.
- Yeah, yeah.
- Those notes were shocking.
So don't hide them,
don't leave them
for later because you never
know when you're going home.
- You know, we've seen
people die by that song
and she did not.
And die by that note.
- Right. Are they drinking
that organic milk?
- You remind me of like an
old Hollywood Natalie Wood.
- Ooh!
- Yeah, take that.
- You have a very classic vibe.
What a great time
to pull out an ace.
- Yeah.
- Olivia, what
an incredible talent.
- ♪ When I was young ♪
♪ I never need anyone ♪
♪ And making love
was just for fun ♪
♪ Those days are gone ♪
♪ All by myself ♪
♪ Don't wanna be all
by myself ♪
♪ Any more ♪
♪ All by myself ♪
♪ Don't wanna live all
by myself ♪
♪ Anymore ♪
♪ Ooh, by myself ♪
♪ Don't wanna live
by myself anymore ♪
♪ By myself anymore
by myself any ♪
♪ More ♪
- Hallelujah!
- Holy moly!
- I actually teared up because I
saw my dad for the first
time in weeks and weeks.
- Olivia!
- That meant a lot to me to
have him there watching.
- You're like my favorite
redheaded Ariana Grande.
You know, you've got
a real coolness about you,
a real depth and R&B and soul.
And you just tear up
all of those songs
in all the right ways.
So it's called "American Idol,"
and not
"American Idol's."
So eventually,
it has to get to one person.
We had a lot of arguments
concerning you guys.
You both are fantastic singers.
We were all very undecided.
We've decided to let America
decide
and send you both to the top 24.
Aha!
- Can I hug you guys?
- Yes!
- You didn't...
You didn't need that.
- You start over there.
I'll start over here.
- You didn't see that coming.
- If I had told
little Elise that she
was going to be
doing this one day,
she would have been pumped.
For it to finally be coming
true, it's just beyond...
It's just crazy.
Let's go, girl.
- Dad, you have sacrificed
your whole entire life
to being my mentor,
being my rock.
I really owe it to
him for me being here.
- Congratulations both of you.
Top 24, it's great.
Well done.
So Elise and Olivia,
two powerhouse vocalists,
secure two spots in the top 24.
But is there room for
singer-songwriter,
Dawson Wayne beside them?
- Oh, yeah. Here's my buddy.
- OK.
Here we go. Here we go.
- Really into this guy.
- Hi, this is going to be
kind of a story about my faith
and I just want everyone here
to know that you are so loved.
♪ Where did my wings go ♪
♪ I could've sworn
I could fly ♪
♪ Straight up into the sky ♪
Being a storyteller is
actually very important to me.
I don't pretend I'm
the biggest voice,
but I feel like I can
really put an emotion
and really just try to
connect with people.
♪ Boy, I should have known ♪
♪ It was all just a lie ♪
♪ No one on Earth can fly ♪
- So Dawson, tell me what
this experience has been?
I mean, how have you
fared through all this?
- I've had the most fun
of my entire life.
I think I've learned a lot.
Right now, I'm kind of in
a transitioning period.
I just got off a three month
mission for my church.
We just performed shows,
8 to 10 a day.
It was completely different
when I first got here.
- He's an artist.
- He's an artist.
- He's great.
- He's a real live artist.
- I don't just want
to be a singer,
I want to be someone
who's putting
a positive message out.
♪ You said if I believed
enough that I would fly ♪
Showstoppers was the best
two minutes of my life.
I've always just wanted to be
on the "American Idol" stage,
and being able to do
that was just so cool.
♪ Any second now, the ground
will come to take me home ♪
♪ Oh, and all that
I can do is close my eyes ♪
♪ As you lift me up ♪
- I love him.
- ♪ You lift me up ♪
♪ Ooh ♪
♪ You said
if I believe enough ♪
♪ That I would fly ♪
- That sounded like a pro.
- Dawson, you've got
your own identity,
don't try and compete
with anyone else.
Strengthen your lane.
This is your
mission now forever.
- Dawson, you're going
to be in our top 24.
- ♪ No one can do
what you do ♪
- I really have felt like
an outsider my whole life.
I've really never
had a lot of friends.
I don't know, it just
feels like, in a huge way,
I've just really risen above.
It's been a dream
of mine for forever
to be here,
to make top 24, especially.
So it just feels
really, really good.
I'm super proud of myself.
- ♪ Don't fade away ♪
- Welcome back to
the Final Judgment,
where platinum ticket winner,
Cam Amen,
hopes his "Idol" dream
will continue.
- I honestly feel
like I need this
more now because I got some news
that my girlfriend's pregnant.
I have a baby on the way,
so that's...
That's a lot more pressure.
It's scary, but I
feel like I can do it.
I mean, I've already raised
two from the age of 12 or 13.
So to make top 24 would mean
the absolute world for me.
- All right.
- How are you doing, man?
- Seems like a very long walk.
Oh, yeah.
Yeah, it was.
- How are you?
- I'm good.
- This has been
very interesting for you.
- You are going to Hollywood
as one of
our platinum ticket winners.
- Oh, my God.
- Walking out of there
with the platinum ticket
made me feel like someone
finally believes in me.
- You've earned this one.
We have to know.
I mean, you're our
platinum ticket winner.
And from the time we
gave you the card, you...
You went in your head.
What happened?
- I think it's part
of not believing in myself
and believing
what other people hear.
You know, because you know,
I don't hear
what other people hear.
The duets were very,
very stressful.
That's one of the hardest
things I've ever done.
- Cam, how are you feeling?
- I'm actually terrified.
- But there were
moments of brilliance
and that I could see right in
the middle of the performance,
that voice came in and said,
oh, this is not working.
- Come on!
- Come on, Cam.
Then you and the voice started
having a conversation
on stage in front of us.
- Pick it up, Cam!
- And I kept thinking,
what is going on?
- Come on, Cam!
- Getting through to
the Showstoppers round...
- You're going on
to the next one.
- I felt like it was my chance
to actually show the judges
what I could really do.
- Here's our God
dang platinum winner.
Come on, now.
- Cam, show up.
Ooh, you showed up with the fit.
- Got the hair looking nice.
- Show up with a fit.
- Come on, now, Cam.
- I'm actually super
excited to sing this song,
which is
"The Impossible Dream."
It pretty much tells my story.
♪ To dream ♪
♪ The impossible dream ♪
♪ To fight the unbeatable foe ♪
♪ To bear with
unbearable sorrow ♪
Seeing my whole dream unfold
on that stage was amazing.
I want to make it to the
top 24 because I feel
like it will not
only change my life,
but change my family's life.
♪ This is my quest
♪ To follow that star ♪
♪ No matter how hopeless ♪
♪ No matter how far ♪
Growing up, I felt like
I didn't have a voice
or I could not
speak up for myself.
Being on "American Idol"
has helped me
realize that I do have a voice
and it's also helped
me believe in myself.
♪ Marching in hell ♪
♪ For that heavenly cause ♪
♪ And the world will
be better for this ♪
♪ And that one man ♪
- You know, he is strong,
and then insecure.
Strong and then insecure,
strong and then insecure,
- I know.
- It's like, what's going on?
He's in his head right now.
- ♪ With this last
ounce of courage ♪
♪ To reach the unreachable ♪
♪ The unreachable ♪
♪ The unreachable star ♪
All right.
- I do feel very strongly
that I did make top 24.
I've learned so much
and I feel like
I could only learn a lot more.
I'm excited.
I'm very excited, actually.
I'm sorry.
- I think right in the
middle of the song,
you see him get confident,
then he'll lose it,
then he gets confident,
then he loses it.
- I know.
- That voice inside of you,
you've got to make friends
with that person
because it can talk you out of
your future and your happiness
and your life.
- Yeah, it can.
- We didn't give
you that platinum card
because we thought
you were kind of good,
you were amazing.
- I appreciate that.
- For "American Idol,"
you can take this all the way,
if you wanted to.
It's just that you
didn't believe it.
There's a point in
this show where we have
to now make it a competition.
- Yeah.
- You did not make our top 24.
- I do feel like
I gave everything
in my last performance,
but honestly,
it's part of believing.
- We believe in you.
As you go forward, if that
little voice comes in,
I want you to go back and say,
"Stop. Luke, Katy, Lionel
believe in me."
- ♪ Oh no, then the rain,
driving real slow ♪
- We'd love to
see you back here.
All right?
God bless you, man.
- Thank you so much.
- Please, man.
Love you.
Love you very much.
- ♪ Right now, I'm flying ♪
- Just believing in
yourself is everything,
especially in
a competition like this.
- You didn't get it?
I'm sorry, brother.
Can you make any sense of it?
- I can't even talk.
- And it's OK not to talk.
You can just let the
emotion come out, buddy.
It's OK.
- So good to see
your face right now.
- I love you.
- I love you, too.
I felt like I gave
everything I could.
- Good, bro.
- Step out.
- I love you, dude.
- ♪ I'm not ready ♪
- Welcome back to "Idol."
After last night's showstopping
performances, the judges
are zeroing in on the top 24.
Who will compete
for America's vote?
Mikenley Brown, are you ready?
Right here, let's go.
- This whole journey has
been an amazing experience,
but the fact that
I'm here, I'm just...
I'm so beyond proud of myself.
- Here we go, folks, stand by.
- Caroline Cole, are you ready?
- Yeah.
- This is it.
- There's so much
amazing talent,
but I mean, the stakes
keep getting raised
and they go higher and higher
and every around,
the amount of people
gets smaller.
Here's Kya Monee'.
- I'm very nervous for
the showstopper round
just because this is where I
got cut on my first season.
- ♪ To say goodbye ♪
- Bring the fire, Kya!
- ♪ There's always gonna
be another mountain ♪
♪ I'm always gonna
wanna make it move ♪
This time, to me, it
feels way more different
because I'm more
confident in myself.
Thank you.
- Honestly, we have
so much talent.
- Right?
- It's going to be ruthless.
- Hello!
- OK. Caroline Kole.
I appreciate what you did
with letting your hair down,
showing off a different side.
- ♪ And I don't want the
world to see me
♪ 'Cause I don't think
that they'd ♪
I wanted to get to
this point so bad.
Getting a yes,
getting top 24 would
absolutely change my life.
♪ I just want you
to know who I am ♪
- She looks more for real now.
- Yeah.
- Mikenley,
it's been amazing to see
you grow before our very eyes.
- ♪ I've been to the movies ♪
♪ I've seen how it ends ♪
I feel very confident that
that was enough to go through.
Even if I don't,
I'm so proud of what
I just left on the stage.
♪ The joke's on them ♪
Solid.
- ♪ I just want
a little more time,
♪ Little more time, little ♪
- I don't think we've ever
had a class like this before.
And I'm telling you,
you were in there.
- Yes, sir.
- What's really challenging is
we have to send away all kinds
of people that are so close.
- And as much as I
don't want to say this,
you're not going to
be in our top 24.
- It's just been
a game of timing.
This is another almost,
but it's not the end.
- ♪ Ready to say goodbye ♪
- Looking back a few years ago,
I was in the darkest
time of my life
and then this has just helped me
grow stronger in who I am and
I'm never going to give up.
- We also know you have
a heavy heart with Willie.
And we think about you
and we love you for that.
- Thanks.
Thank you.
I feel a little bit defeated,
even though I'm
still confident in myself.
- We did it, though.
I'm so proud of you.
- I feel like... sorry.
I feel like I didn't
make my Angel's proud.
- I love you.
- I love you, too.
- ♪ Ready to say goodbye ♪
- That's a toughie, y'all.
- Feeling the
pressure of all these
dramatic cuts is 21-year-old
hairstylist, Mariah Faith.
- I'm feeling really anxious.
It's hard seeing all your
friends coming in and out
and the yeses and the no's
and it's really scary.
So I feel... I feel nervous.
- And now it is Mariah Faith.
- I'm trying to go in
there without expectations.
It's hard not to though,
when you've worked so hard.
I guess I'm just hoping
that they're as proud of me
as I am of me and that they can
see the growth that I've had,
whether it's a yes or a no.
- ♪ When the wind
starts blowing ♪
♪ Can't stay in the moment ♪
- I feel like I have
a shot at the top 24
simply because I'm different,
but so is everyone else here.
And it would honestly
be an honor to lose
to anybody here right now.
- ♪ Ooh, ooh ♪
- Mariah.
- Hi.
- You got the faith, girl?
- Yes, sir.
I'm hoping so.
- How have you been holding up?
- I've been OK.
I'm really nervous.
- Girl, I see
a tear in your eye.
- I know.
I've seen so many good
people go home, and I'm like.
- I know, I know.
- My friends, you know?
- It's very difficult for us.
- I know it's supposed
to be competition.
- I know, but you fell
in love with them, right?
Yeah, I understand.
- About to get me upset.
- Yeah, I know, it's true.
- It's been just so amazing
and everything all in one.
You know? And I'm like, it's,
like, happy tears
and everything tears.
- It's a lot of emotions.
- Yeah. Sorry, guys.
- It's all right.
It's all right.
- You know,
I think people at home
watching you get emotional
about people, you know, it's...
It's real, it's special.
- It's real.
- And you know,
you made it to this point
because you are real.
- Yeah.
- You're this soul singer
that loves country and sings.
And that's what...
- A conundrum.
- Yeah, and that's
what makes singers
stand out to us that have all
of these flavors and flairs,
but they just are what they are.
And you sing the country
stuff in this soulful way.
How do you think you did
during Showstoppers?
- Whew, I tell you,
I know I could have
probably done better
vocally, but I
performed my little tail off.
I'm really proud of myself.
- ♪ I look for trouble
and I found it, son ♪
♪ Straight down the barrel
of a law man's g*n ♪
♪ I tried to run, but
I don't think I can ♪
♪ You make one move and
you're a dead man, friend ♪
♪ Ain't living long like this ♪
I never move around on
the stage like that.
♪ Can't live at all
like this, can I, baby ♪
I feel like I've given
them emotional and mellow
this whole time.
So I think it's time
to release the Kraken.
♪ He slipped the handcuffs
on behind my back ♪
♪ And left me reeling
on a steel reel rack,
♪ They got 'em all in
the jailhouse, baby ♪
♪ Ain't livin' long like this ♪
♪ Can't live at all
like this, can I, baby ♪
♪ Grew up in Houston
off of Wayside Drive ♪
♪ Son of a car-hop
and some all-night dives ♪
♪ Dad drove a stock car
to an early death ♪
♪ All I remember was
a drunk man's breath ♪
♪ Ain't living long like this ♪
I feel like I've grown so much,
being able to move
around on a stage.
♪ I can't live at all
like this, can I, baby ♪
I didn't even pull
a mic-stand out there.
So I'm really proud of myself.
♪ Ain't living long like this ♪
♪ Can I, baby ♪
Thank you. Thank you.
And I'm proud I got to
perform on that stage
in front of my mama.
My mom and I have
grown a lot together.
She had a lot of things
that she couldn't unpack
because I'm her daughter.
- But then when I started
unpacking all of my things,
she felt comfortable enough
to let herself grow, too.
- Oh, boy, all
the memories, huh?
I hope I make my
mama proud today
because she worked just as
hard as I did to get me here.
- How did you enjoy singing
with Noah and HunterGirl?
- That was, like, the most
amazing feeling on the planet.
I feel like nothing could
ever top that feeling.
I like... it took my
breath away seeing
how humble and kind
and true that they are.
They welcomed me with open arms.
It was amazing.
Thank you so much.
Thank you.
- So would making it in
the top 24 potentially
top that feeling?
- I think so, especially
after this week.
It's just been... whew...
All the emotions
and emotions I never knew I had.
And it would.
I think it might.
- Well, we get to see if it will
because you're in our top 24.
- ♪ If you ain't got
the love ♪
Thank you so much.
Oh, guys.
- Well, does it?
- It feels great.
It feels really great.
I'm in.
- Music has given her an outlet
to become who she truly is.
So I'm really grateful for
this opportunity to be able
to show the world her talent.
I want to just give her
the biggest thank you
to the heavens
to my late husband
because he believed in
Mariah when I did not.
He believed in her.
And as a single mom, I could
never have afforded
singing lessons
and dance lessons.
I just want to thank you,
Brian, for believing in her.
- It's an awesome
feeling knowing that
he started something
and I get to finish it.
I'm sad he can't be here
to see me finish it,
but I'm so grateful.
- He is definitely shining
down from heaven right now.
- ♪ Yeah, ohh ♪
- You're back with
"Idol's" Final Judgment.
With only a few spots remaining,
ex-volleyball player,
Hannah Nicolaisen,
is aiming to score a place
in the coveted top 24.
- Getting to the top
24 would be really cool
to represent a group of girls
that isn't always represented.
- Music tougher than volleyball?
- Volleyball, for me,
was an opportunity
to challenge myself
every day and I didn't
ever consider that music
could also do that
for me in this way.
- You jumped in a little late.
Yeah.
- Oh, did I?
- Yeah, yeah.
So, ♪ Da-da, uh ♪
- Coming here, I'm in
that place with a team
and with people
supporting you and, like,
in the challenge and I'm in
the thick of it
and I love that.
Hannah Nicolaisen!
- I'm really excited
about my song
'cause the song says,
"I don't wanna
be anything other than me,"
and I'm trying to do that.
♪ I don't need to
be anything other ♪
♪ Than a prison guard's son ♪
♪ I don't need to
be anything other ♪
♪ Than a specialist's son ♪
♪ I don't need to be
other than the birth ♪
♪ Of two souls in one ♪
You just hear it,
like, music is tough,
people don't make it in music,
like, have a backup plan,
and I think I should
probably do something safe.
But I don't really want
to do safe right now.
♪ I don't want to be anything
other than what I've been ♪
♪ Trying to be lately ♪
♪ All I have to do is think of
me and I have peace of mind ♪
♪ I'm tired of
looking around rooms ♪
♪ Wondering what I got to do,
who I'm supposed to be ♪
♪ I don't want to be
anything other than me ♪
When I ended my career
playing volleyball,
you kind of have
this moment of, like,
what do I do with myself?
I've kind of re-found that in
music, which I never expected.
I recognized that I'm in
a really special place here.
♪ I don't wanna be, yeah ♪
♪ I don't wanna
be anything other than me ♪
I just sang my best.
I don't know if it was top 24.
- What's really challenging
is we have to send away
all kinds of people
that are so close,
but we have to bring it to 24.
Shall I set it up for you?
- Ready?
- Ready!
- Ready!
- Set!
- Set!
Spike it.
Uhh!
- You're in our top 24.
- Holy...
- Did you just see all that?
Katie was going to...
- Thank you for practicing that.
- She was going to
spike my face if I
didn't get the volleyball.
- Hey listen, you teach
me about volleyball,
I'll teach you about music.
- I will take that deal
any day of the week.
- I love it.
- Oh, my God.
- Here comes Hannah.
- Top 24.
- Oh, my God!
- I'm in the top 24.
- Really?
- Yeah.
- I'm very proud of you, baby.
You're amazing.
- Thank you.
I love you.
- I love you, baby.
- I started this as,
like, a maybe I'll try it.
And now I feel like I
could... at the end of this,
I'm going to be a singer.
- Hannah secures her
place in the top 24,
but will the stars align
for our next "Idol" hopeful,
astrologer, Nailyah Serenity?
- I feel like throughout this
competition, one of the things
that the judges have
noticed about me
is how confident I am.
- You got it, girl.
- You just...
Your whole approach was, like,
I'm fixing
to stop traffic with this.
I'm going to make
people watch me.
And that's what
this business is.
- That's something
that was built because
I've been raised
by a single mother.
So it's always been
us against the world.
There's my mommy!
- Hey, mama!
- Well, you raised her right.
- In this Showstopper
performance,
I wanted to make
sure that I tapped
into that vulnerable side.
That little girl
in me that I don't
necessarily show all the time.
♪ Long ago ♪
♪ And oh so far away ♪
Oh, my God, it's a huge
moment because this is what
I've lived for my entire life.
I know that this
dream will make up
for any sleepless nights
that my mother had.
I'm doing this for my family.
I'm the Golden Ticket for them.
- Now my question
to you is, someone that
looks above for answers,
did you look at today?
♪ Don't you remember you
told me you loved me, baby? ♪
♪ You said you'll be coming
back this way again, baby ♪
- What did the stars say?
- The stars said
that this is supposed to be
a really good time for
my career and that maybe,
just maybe, I was supposed
to be going to the top 24.
- Does "American Idol"
have, like,
an astrology chart or something?
It was that specific?
- ♪ Baby, baby, baby,
baby, oh baby ♪
♪ I love you ♪
♪ Oh, I really, really ♪
♪ Don't you remember you told
me you loved me, baby ♪
♪ You said you'll be coming
back this way again ♪
♪ Baby, ooh ♪
♪ Baby, ooh, ooh ♪
- Wow!
- She's never done that.
- I've never heard her do that.
- I've never heard that note.
I've never heard that note.
- ♪ Really ♪
♪ Do ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
- What?
- Whoo!
What?
That's so cute.
- I am so proud of her.
Just the opportunity
for her to be here.
- I really hope this
got me the top 24.
- I'm knowing this got
her into the top 24.
- What you showed us for
Showstoppers
was incredible.
- Thanks.
- It was divine.
We didn't even know that
you had those notes.
- I didn't even
know where that was.
- Wow.
- And the funny thing is
is that, I mean,
I was surprised you had
another ace up your sleeve.
Like, like, like,
why aren't you just
throwing aces the whole time?
- I don't know.
- Seriously.
- Welcome to the top 24.
Ah!
Thank you guys so much.
Can I hug you?
- Oh, you can hug me.
- Thank you so much.
- Mommy, I'm going to top 24!
- Yay. Yay!
- Oh, God, she's crying.
Aw!
I got in.
That was my little...
That was my little dance-move.
- I'm stuck.
I need help up.
- OK, I got you.
- All right. Thanks.
Congratulations, top 24.
- Thank you for
everything you've done.
Thank you for all
the sacrificing.
I appreciate you.
And I will not disappoint.
We're going to go get it, OK?
- You are my superstar.
- I love you.
- I love you, congratulations.
- Top 24!
- Yes, top 24!
- Ay!
- Welcome back to "Idol,"
where Trey Louis is on edge
after a few shocking
eliminations.
- I'm going home.
- Are you really?
- I'm done.
- I'm feeling confused
about some of the people
that went home today.
You know, it's a competition,
that's what we're here for.
We're here to either go
forward or get kicked out.
I prepared myself for it,
you know?
I knew that more than half of us
were going home,
just a lot of surprises.
- Big Trey.
- Well, hello you
beautiful people.
Trey from the Fay.
- Little toasty in here,
I like it.
- Trey from the Fay.
- How y'all doing?
- We're good.
Long day, tough day,
confusing day...
We doubt ourselves all day.
- Yeah.
- And I'm sure you
guys stand out there
and scratch heads, but...
- It's what a competition is.
- Did you enjoy this time?
What was your perspective?
Do you feel like you
got anything out of it?
- Oh, I got everything
out of it, Katy.
I had a real hard time
outside of high school,
trying to find out
what I'm going to be,
what I'm going to do.
And music never even
crossed my mind.
- Man, you're singing from
just the perfect spot.
You let it come
out of your heart.
- I hope you can just lead.
You do me like that favor?
- For myself, for my school,
for you, you got it.
- Thank you.
- Yes, ma'am.
What "American Idol"
showed me was what I want
to do for the rest of my life.
It's definitely sent
me on a career path
that I'm going to enjoy.
- Well, here's what
I think we're all pretty
positive about, you are
the winner
of "American Idol"
in personality.
- And entertainment.
- Here's 21-year-old,
Trey Louis!
- OK, now. Come on.
Oh!
Here comes the mattress
sales man, here we go.
- Oh, yeah.
- How we do, Los Angeles?
Y'all ready for a good old
Texas boy, party going, baby.
Let's go.
- Yes, baby.
- Look at his damn shirt.
- I tell you what...
- His shirt is amazing.
- ♪ Light the fuse
and run now brother ♪
♪ 'Cause you ain't got
a lot of time ♪
♪ Don't you act
surprised when it ♪
♪ All goes to hell,
now we all die ♪
♪ Baby, you can
stand tall enough ♪
♪ To look the devil
eye-to-eye ♪
For Showstopper round, I'm
doing a pretty hard rock song.
It's an incredibly
hard song to sing,
but I'm taking a risk 'cause
I know I'm going to at least
go out there and put on a show.
♪ Bells will ring ♪
♪ The flames will fly ♪
♪ Two thousand years of fury,
and the big, black sky ♪
- You're a great singer.
I think you're clipping along,
doing good, doing good,
doing good, and you had
a pretty big bump
in the road on Showstopper.
- Mm-hmm. Yes.
♪ The wind will roar ♪
- Come on, now.
- ♪ The rains will fall ♪
That was my first
time in front of a band.
I'm pretty proud of myself,
but the performance vocal-wise
was definitely not my best.
- Oh, come on.
- ♪ Or will the lightning
get us all ♪
- He's just yelling right there.
- ♪ Thunder ♪
Oh.
- He had the attitude.
- Yeah.
You're the guy.
The guy's guy.
And you're everybody's buddy.
And that is a amazing quality.
And when you partner up more
years of taking that big voice
and growing it and
put that personality
that you have with it,
it's a lot of great stuff
you have in there.
- Thank you, Luke.
- You were really, really
close on this round,
but I must tell you,
you're not in our top 24.
You're very, very close.
- It's tight.
Super tight competition, man.
- It's tight, buddy.
You're a great kid.
You're a great guy.
We love you.
- We love you.
- Honestly, every time
you would walk out... All right!
- Let's go, baby!
- Bring it home.
We start laughing and
we knew what was coming.
- Okay, Trey!
- You got that personality,
no matter what you're behind,
you're going to be
able to sell it.
- That's right.
- You're in show
business forever.
Don't worry.
- Yeah. Oh, yeah.
- But we love you, buddy.
- Yes, sir. Thank you.
- Trey from the Fay.
- I love you, man.
- Good seeing you.
- Love you, Katy.
- Love you too.
- You guys are icons.
I just grew up
listening to you guys
and I'm here hugging y'all.
- I know, man.
- Y'all are awesome.
Thank you so much.
Absolutely.
- You know us.
- Thank y'all so much.
- We love you.
- Good job, bud.
- Thank you, Luke.
- Trey, your unforgettable.
- Love you, Katy.
- Love you.
Honestly, I'm upset
I didn't make it.
But, you know, I played on
a stage for the first time.
So I've gained
a lot of experience.
And I found myself.
I know who I want to be.
I know what I want to do.
I want to be Trey Louis.
I really found my
personality here.
One that I lost
after the sh**ting.
And I found it again here.
And I'm going to
carry it with me.
- ♪ Leaving everything I am ♪
- That's what I'm talkin' about!
This is not the last you're
going to see of Trey Louis.
- ♪ When I go ♪
- Back with you on "Idol,"
where the Final Judgment
has taken its toll...
- ♪ I walk upon the river
like it's easier than land ♪
- With the field being
cut by more than half.
- You did not make our top 24.
- Now, only one spot remains
in the top 24...
- It's been a really tough day.
- And it's all come down
to this unlikely trio...
Iam Tongi, Matt Wilson,
and Colin Stough.
- ♪ Oh, I said I could write ♪
- The judges want
to see all of you.
- ♪ From the harness
of our goals ♪
- Three early standouts
whose paths first crossed
at our New Orleans auditions.
Each one of them
inspired to chase
the "Idol" dream by a loved one.
- If my mom would've
never signed me up,
I definitely wouldn't audition.
She's kind of always been
my rock through life.
And she wanted me to do
this, so I figured it
was time for me to give back.
- I don't think I'd be here
if it wasn't for my wife.
She really is the one
who brought it out of me.
This opportunity means that
maybe I can make a better life
for me and my wife.
- I'ma give this my all.
My dad always pushed me
to do better.
You know, this is my time
to make my dad proud.
That's the reason why
I do music, is for my dad.
- The three horsemen.
- Howdy, howdy.
- What is this unlikely
friendship called?
Uh, love.
- They family, you know.
- That's what it is.
- They family.
- Aren't you guys...
Didn't you guys all
audition in New Orleans?
- Yeah.
- Really, huh?
- Yeah, we were friends...
- Been bros since we got here.
- Since auditions, man.
- That's amazing.
And how has it been
waiting all day?
- It's nerve wracking.
- Nerve wracking.
- Shed some tears.
- Really?
- Yeah.
- We're good, though.
- It's been a long day.
We've got three of you...
and a lot of talent.
Matt, you got everything
that you were looking for.
- I feel like it's such an
honor and such a privilege
to be here, like,
I didn't even think that
I'd make it through my audition.
- He has so much
talent and I just
want the world to see that.
- Just goes to show, like,
sometimes, we might not
be able to believe in
ourselves, but you know,
there's some people that
see things we don't see.
And I think that's
why I'm here, man. For sure.
- This guy's one
of my favorites.
- What's up, everybody?
- Now he is singing because
he believes in himself.
- Right.
- You're just soaring.
You're soaring now.
- Going into the
Showstopper round,
I really wanted
to show the judges
that with all of the
incredible feedback
they gave me,
like, I really just
wanted to prove them right.
- All right.
- He is one of the
reasons why I love
doing this show this season.
- Exactly.
♪ 1, 2, 3, 4,
it's you and me ♪
♪ Moving at the speed
of light into eternity ♪
♪ Tonight is the night ♪
♪ To join me in the middle
of ecstasy ♪
♪ Feel the melody and
the rhythm of the music ♪
♪ Around you, around you ♪
♪ It's like I waited my whole
life for this one night ♪
♪ It's gonna be me,
you and the dance floor ♪
♪ 'Cause we've only got one
night, double your pleasure ♪
♪ Double your fun, hey ♪
♪ It's like I waited my whole
life for this one night ♪
♪ It's going to be me,
you and the dance-floor ♪
- Got a great vibe.
- ♪ 'Cause we only ♪
♪ Got one night, double your
pleasure, double your fun ♪
♪ And dance forever,
ever, ever, forever ♪
♪ Ever, ever,
forever, ever, ever ♪
♪ Forever on the dance ♪
♪ Forever, ever, ever,
forever, ever, ever, forever ♪
♪ Oh, whoa
ever on the dance floor ♪
- Yeah!
Smooth as glass.
Hey!
- You did so good!
- Thank you, baby.
Oh, my God.
- Oh, my gosh,
I'm so proud of you!
- Thank you.
Going into Final Judgment,
I do feel like...
Kind of like a peace in me
because I felt like I've...
I left it all on that stage.
- No one's going to have to
drag you or push you anymore.
It's a spark that
can never go out.
It's a hope that's
been reinstated.
It's so beautiful to see.
Please, thank your wife.
- Yeah.
- I will. I always will.
- Colin, 18, so young.
Finding your footing.
- My first audition,
I'm not really
a big emotional kind of guy.
You know, but, you know,
you go from telling
yourself all day,
every day, that, you know,
oh, you're not good enough,
you're not good enough,
you're not good enough,
and then you go in there and...
- You're going on!
- That kid was born
to be a star.
- Yeah.
I'm happy.
- What "American Idol" is about.
- That was an experience
of a lifetime, dude.
Man, this performance...
It'll mean everything for me.
One thing I'm doing is
I'm taking my guitar away,
just so I can show the judges
that I have a little bit
of stage presence.
Can this Mississippi boy
get a yeehaw?
- Yeehaw!
- Whoo!
That's what I like to hear.
- This might be
a moment for him.
- Time to float like a butterfly
and sting like a bee, man.
♪ And, oh, girl, you know
you left this hole ♪
- There it is.
- ♪ Right here
in the middle of my soul ♪
♪ Oh ♪
♪ Why you got to be so cold? ♪
♪ I just gotta know, baby ♪
♪ Tell me why you're cold ♪
♪ Oh ♪
♪ Why you gotta be so cold? ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ Tell me why you're cold ♪
♪ Why you got to be so cold? ♪
♪ Oh, yeah ♪
Thank y'all so much.
Thank y'all.
Thank y'all.
- I think you came into this
as an HVAC maintenance guy,
and now you actually
kind of look the part.
- Appreciate it.
- I think we believe you.
You look the artist.
You really do.
And I hope that that is,
you know,
the gift that you've received
throughout this whole journey.
- Thank you.
Iam?
You...
are a beautiful human.
- Thank you.
- And when you first opened
your mouth...
- Your dad is very proud.
- Thank you so much.
- I mean, what
a fantastic song to pick.
- Thank you.
- And you're making
these grown men cry.
I didn't sleep all night.
The growth that,
you know, we've seen you have
this whole time
has been incredible.
- My dad had spent his holiday
paycheck to buy me the guitar.
I made a promise that
I was gonna use it
at every performance.
It's kind of bust up, so...
- Well, we'll have
that... we'll have it working
as quick as this show can,
I promise you.
- I got it fixed.
Now I think I'm ready.
After, like, he passed away,
there was no one to push me,
but "American Idol" has been,
like, pushing me to be better.
For the Showstopper round,
I'm singing "Sound of Silence."
This round,
I'm kind of taking a risk.
A lot of you are doing
more upbeat songs,
but I grew up on classics.
- Here is Iam Tongi!
- This is the hard part.
- But, you know,
I guess nothing is promised.
- This performance
is gonna be my one chance
to make it to top 24.
- Here is Iam Tongi!
- This is the hard part.
- This performance
is gonna be my one chance
to make it to top 24.
♪ Hello darkness,
my old friend ♪
♪ I've come to talk
with you again ♪
♪ Because a vision
softly creeping ♪
♪ Left its seeds
while I was sleeping ♪
♪ And the vision
that was planted in my brain ♪
- Oh, that last scene.
- Yeah, I love...
- ♪ Still remains ♪
♪ Within the sound of silence ♪
- A couple of years ago,
Iam's dad got sick,
and he had to go
through dialysis,
and I think from there,
he realized
that his days were limited.
A few months
before he passed away,
we started recording a lot
more videos,
which is something Iam
turns to a lot
and plays while he sleeps
and puts him to sleep.
- ♪ In restless dreams,
I walked alone ♪
♪ Narrow streets
of cobblestone ♪
♪ 'Neath the halo
of a street lamp ♪
- Oh, everything we want.
- ♪ I turned my collar
to the cold and damp ♪
♪ When my eyes were stabbed
by the flash of a neon light ♪
- ♪ That split the night ♪
♪ And touched the sound
of silence ♪
♪ And in the naked light,
I saw ♪
♪ 10,000 people, maybe more ♪
- Oh, wow.
That's beautiful.
- ♪ People writing songs ♪
♪ That voices never shared ♪
♪ And no one dared ♪
♪ Disturb the sound
of silence ♪
♪ The sound of silence ♪
♪ The sound of silence ♪
- Oh, great job.
- Wow, I'm gonna cry.
- Thank you guys so much.
- Come on!
- I love my mom.
- When Iam's dad passed away,
he didn't wanna sing anymore.
He kept saying that
every time he sings,
he could hear
his dad backing up.
But after talking to him
and sharing with him
that it's a beautiful thing
that he could hear his dad.
- I knew we were in trouble
when Katy put that ugly face up.
You know?
- He has come so far,
and I'm proud of him.
- And I know his dad
is super proud.
- Iam, your show-stopping song
was a brilliant pick.
It made the room go silent.
It gave more depth, more color,
more layers to who you are.
There's only one more spot
in the top 24.
Iam...
welcome to the top 24.
- ♪ So this is acceptance ♪
♪ Some days are gonna feel ♪
- Oh, man.
- Dude, you deserve it, man.
- You deserve it, bro.
- You did great, man.
- Colin, Matt.
- Proud of you, brother.
- It's been
a pleasure being here.
- It's been a pleasure, guys.
- What?
- Hold.
- Not... whoa.
Whoa, whoa.
- Plot twist.
- Hold on, let me hold
my horses real quick.
Hold on.
- Us judges... we like
to change it up
every season.
We have so much talent
this season,
we don't think there's a top 24.
We think there's a top 26.
- Oh!
- Come on, bro!
- You guys are in the top 26!
- Whoo!
- All right!
Congratulations, you guys.
- Oh, my God.
- You better share
some of these hugs, man.
Come on.
- We loved it.
- Congratulations, man.
- We were just telling
each other
we don't want any of us to leave
'cause we're like family now.
Right?
- Oh!
- Well, you know what?
You'll always be that.
- Always be family.
- Always.
- Congratulations, guys.
- Thank you so much.
- Thank you, Katy.
- All right.
- Oh, my God, bro.
- That was wonderful.
- Whoo!
- Congratulations.
Let's go!
- Oh, my God, bro.
- That's the
greatest story ever.
- We're here.
- Come on, bro!
Yo, I cannot believe!
- Oh, yeah.
I knew it.
I knew it.
- Well, I guess we have
a top 26 now.
- But congratulations.
- ♪ But this is not the end ♪
- I love our jobs.
- I do.
- It's been a good day, kids.
- Congratulations...
Congratulations,
congratulations.
♪ We made it ♪
♪ We made it, we made it,
we made it ♪
- Congratulations on surviving.
You will now be singing
for America's vote.
- So for the next performance,
we're gonna go
from freezing cold
to the incredible beach
of Aulani, a Disney Resort
and spa in Ko Olina, Hawaii.
- There's more.
You guys are so talented
this season,
top 24 wouldn't do it.
So you're our top 24.
There's our top 26.
- We never had a top 26.
- Now, Iam, will
you sing us out?
- If anyone could get
us ready, it's Iam.
- Oh, yes.
- Come on!
- I want a flower necklace.
- It's called a lei.
- It's called a lei, bro.
Come on, man.
♪ Somewhere over the rainbow ♪
♪ Way up high ♪
- Oh!
- ♪ The dreams
that you dreamed ♪
♪ Once in a lullaby ♪
♪ Oh, someday I wish
upon a star ♪
♪ Wake up where the clouds
are far behind ♪
♪ Me ♪
♪ Somewhere over the rainbow ♪
♪ Way up high ♪
- See you in Aulani!
- So see you in Aulani.
- Next time, it's
a two-night event.
- Nailed it.
- Our top 26 take the stage...
- Oh, my God.
- And sing
for your votes from Aulani,
a Disney resort and spa
in Ko Olina, Hawaii,
with superstar mentors
Alan Stone and Noah Cyrus.
- Girl!
No, that is insane.
- More high-voltage
performances...
- Can you hold a crowd
like this?
- From our most electric
talent ever.
- You have stardust
all over you.
- I'm just so proud that he
didn't give up on his dreams.
- And the power
will be in your hands.
- You are crazy talented.
- Here is Iam Tongi!
- This is the hard part.
- This performance
is gonna be my one chance
to make it to top 24.
♪ Hello darkness,
my old friend ♪
♪ I've come to talk
with you again ♪
♪ Because a vision
softly creeping ♪
♪ Left its seeds
while I was sleeping ♪
♪ And the vision
that was planted in my brain ♪
- Oh, that last scene.
- Yeah, I love...
- ♪ Still remains ♪
♪ Within the sound of silence ♪
- A couple of years ago,
Iam's dad got sick,
and he had to go
through dialysis,
and I think from there,
he realized
that his days were limited.
A few months
before he passed away,
we started recording a lot
more videos,
which is something Iam
turns to a lot
and plays while he sleeps
and puts him to sleep.
- ♪ In restless dreams,
I walked alone ♪
♪ Narrow streets
of cobblestone ♪
♪ 'Neath the halo
of a street lamp ♪
- Oh, everything we want.
- ♪ I turned my collar
to the cold and damp ♪
♪ When my eyes were stabbed
by the flash of a neon light ♪
- ♪ That split the night ♪
♪ And touched the sound
of silence ♪
♪ And in the naked light,
I saw ♪
♪ 10,000 people, maybe more ♪
- Oh, wow.
That's beautiful.
- ♪ People writing songs ♪
♪ That voices never shared ♪
♪ And no one dared ♪
♪ Disturb the sound
of silence ♪
♪ The sound of silence ♪
♪ The sound of silence ♪
- Oh, great job.
- Wow, I'm gonna cry.
- Thank you guys so much.
- Come on!
- I love my mom.
- When Iam's dad passed away,
he didn't wanna sing anymore.
He kept saying that
every time he sings,
he could hear
his dad backing up.
But after talking to him
and sharing with him
that it's a beautiful thing
that he could hear his dad.
- I knew we were in trouble
when Katy put that ugly face up.
You know?
- He has come so far,
and I'm proud of him.
- And I know his dad
is super proud.
- Iam, your show-stopping song
was a brilliant pick.
It made the room go silent.
It gave more depth, more color,
more layers to who you are.
There's only one more spot
in the top 24.
Iam...
welcome to the top 24.
- ♪ So this is acceptance ♪
♪ Some days are gonna feel ♪
- Oh, man.
- Dude, you deserve it, man.
- You deserve it, bro.
- You did great, man.
- Colin, Matt.
- Proud of you, brother.
- It's been
a pleasure being here.
- It's been a pleasure, guys.
- What?
- Hold.
- Not... whoa.
Whoa, whoa.
- Plot twist.
- Hold on, let me hold
my horses real quick.
Hold on.
- Us judges... we like
to change it up
every season.
We have so much talent
this season,
we don't think there's a top 24.
We think there's a top 26.
- Oh!
- Come on, bro!
- You guys are in the top 26!
- Whoo!
- All right!
Congratulations, you guys.
- Oh, my God.
- You better share
some of these hugs, man.
Come on.
- We loved it.
- Congratulations, man.
- We were just telling
each other
we don't want any of us to leave
'cause we're like family now.
Right?
- Oh!
- Well, you know what?
You'll always be that.
- Always be family.
- Always.
- Congratulations, guys.
- Thank you so much.
- Thank you, Katy.
- All right.
- Oh, my God, bro.
- That was wonderful.
- Whoo!
- Congratulations.
Let's go!
- Oh, my God, bro.
- That's the
greatest story ever.
- We're here.
- Come on, bro!
Yo, I cannot believe!
- Oh, yeah.
I knew it.
I knew it.
- Well, I guess we have
a top 26 now.
- But congratulations.
- ♪ But this is not the end ♪
- I love our jobs.
- I do.
- It's been a good day, kids.
- Congratulations...
Congratulations,
congratulations.
♪ We made it ♪
♪ We made it, we made it,
we made it ♪
- Congratulations on surviving.
You will now be singing
for America's vote.
- So for the next performance,
we're gonna go
from freezing cold
to the incredible beach
of Aulani, a Disney Resort
and spa in Ko Olina, Hawaii.
- There's more.
You guys are so talented
this season,
top 24 wouldn't do it.
So you're our top 24.
There's our top 26.
- We never had a top 26.
- Now, Iam, will
you sing us out?
- If anyone could get
us ready, it's Iam.
- Oh, yes.
- Come on!
- I want a flower necklace.
- It's called a lei.
- It's called a lei, bro.
Come on, man.
♪ Somewhere over the rainbow ♪
♪ Way up high ♪
- Oh!
- ♪ The dreams
that you dreamed ♪
♪ Once in a lullaby ♪
♪ Oh, someday I wish
upon a star ♪
♪ Wake up where the clouds
are far behind ♪
♪ Me ♪
♪ Somewhere over the rainbow ♪
♪ Way up high ♪
- See you in Aulani!
- So see you in Aulani.
- Next time, it's
a two-night event.
- Nailed it.
- Our top 26 take the stage...
- Oh, my God.
- And sing
for your votes from Aulani,
a Disney resort and spa
in Ko Olina, Hawaii,
with superstar mentors
Alan Stone and Noah Cyrus.
- Girl!
No, that is insane.
- More high-voltage
performances...
- Can you hold a crowd
like this?
- From our most electric
talent ever.
- You have stardust
all over you.
- I'm just so proud that he
didn't give up on his dreams.
- And the power
will be in your hands.
- You are crazy talented.
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21x10 - 609 (Showstopper/Final Judgement Part 2)
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It started as an addition to the Idol format that was based on Pop Idol from British television, in which the programme's first series, which was won by Will Young, ended over four months before the show began, as it later became one of the most successful shows in the history of American television.
It started as an addition to the Idol format that was based on Pop Idol from British television, in which the programme's first series, which was won by Will Young, ended over four months before the show began, as it later became one of the most successful shows in the history of American television.