- Tonight, our 21st birthday
is about to level up
for our most buzzed about
talent yet,
and you're calling the shots.
This is our brand-new home.
And this is "American Idol."
- ♪ I ain't worried 'bout it
right now ♪
♪ Keeping dreams alive,
1999, heroes ♪
- Looking good, guys.
Nice to see you.
Welcome to a very special
three-hour party
here on "America Idol."
In celebration
of our 21st season,
we have pulled out
all the stops,
and we're coming to you
from our new digs
here in Hollywood.
This is the same studio
where iconic shows
like "I Love Lucy"...
And "The Golden Girls"
were filmed,
and we're ready to add to that
storied pop culture legacy.
But first,
this crowd of 700 "Idol" fans
is ready to give it up for the
superstar tastemakers here,
your judges.
Say hello to them right now.
- ♪ Am I ready? ♪
♪ What you talking about? ♪
- Huge.
- Wow.
- Whoo!
- This is wild.
- Good evening.
- Hi.
- Say hello to Luke Bryan.
Let's say hello to Katy Perry.
Lionel Richie.
Whoa!
Go take your seats.
Let's do it.
- ♪ Am I ready? ♪
♪ You gon' figure it out ♪
♪ To be loved, to be loved ♪
♪ You found me, I was fed up
with the fantasy ♪
- Now that is the kind
of excitement we like.
Luke, you're not
doing a concert.
We're doing the TV show.
- Oh, I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
- We have got so much music
in store for you tonight,
with soul and Motown legend
Smokey Robinson
gracing the "Idol" stage
in just a bit.
Plus, country music's
most promising newcomers,
our very own Noah Thompson
and HunterGirl, are here
performing again together.
Our talent this year
is off the charts,
and the over 33 million votes
prove it.
That's over 8 million more
than last season's first vote.
Yeah!
- Incredible.
And we have got the results
from the two-night showdown,
and you're voting on who you
want to see in your top 12.
The voting window will open
at the end of the show.
Let's get to it, shall we?
We're starting with last
Sunday's group of finalists.
Three of them will be
heading home tonight.
These results are in
no particular order.
Contestants, good luck.
And here we go.
After the nationwide vote,
the first person
to earn a spot in your
top 20 is...
Zachariah Smith.
Congratulations.
- Whoo!
Being on "American Idol"
has been such a fun journey.
Yeah!
- Congratulations!
- Being in Hawaii was
absolutely amazing,
one of the best experiences
I have ever had.
- You're crazy, by the way.
You're crazy.
- However, when I came back,
we had
something that was completely
unexpected happen to the town.
- A destructive tornado
moved across the state
of Mississippi.
Pure destruction in Amory.
- ♪ I'm back at the start ♪
- It was such a scary situation.
My kids were screaming.
They were crying.
They were so scared.
- ♪ I'm not just fading away ♪
- My kids' dad's house took
some pretty good damage.
This is the aftereffect.
My daughter's room.
Her whole ceiling
just kind of caved in.
A lot of Amory is now gone.
People lost their homes.
They lost their businesses.
Our family business,
Bill's Hamburgers,
took a big hit.
It was very sad to see Bill's
in the way that it was.
After the tornado,
it was really, really cool
to see that bright spirit.
Everybody was
helping each other.
- ♪ Fall into me ♪
- It makes me very proud
to be from Amory.
- ♪ Everyone's broken ♪
- There is nothing more
beautiful than seeing people
help other people in need.
I feel like not only
am I doing "American Idol"
for me and my family, but now
this is for my entire city.
♪ Got to take a little time ♪
♪ A little time
to think things over ♪
♪ Better read
between the lines ♪
♪ In case I need it
when I'm older ♪
♪ Oh, in my life ♪
♪ There's been
heartache and pain ♪
♪ And I don't know
if I can face it again ♪
♪ Can't stop now,
I traveled so far ♪
♪ To change this lonely life ♪
♪ I want to know what love is ♪
♪ I want you to show me ♪
♪ I want to feel what love is ♪
♪ And I know ♪
♪ I know you can show me ♪
♪ Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah ♪
♪ I want to know what love is ♪
♪ I'm feeling so much love ♪
♪ Oh, I want to know ♪
♪ I want to know,
I want to know ♪
- What a great way
to start off our new digs.
Come on!
First of all,
let me just say this to you.
Zachariah,
you have not only grown,
but you've grown to the point
now where it's superstar time.
Perfect song.
Perfect presentation.
And from the crowd reaction,
you're on your way
to your career.
- Zachariah, I think you know
what love is now, fully.
I think you're feeling it,
and you're believing it.
And you're using it.
What you just went through
in your hometown
reminded you to live every
single day to your fullest.
And I don't think
you have any regrets.
I definitely think
it's a little hard
to be first, so I want
that, like, spontaneous flow
that you give us.
But I think
you're top 10 material,
and I hope
America sees that too.
- Wow!
Whoa!
- I mean, this is
a lot to take in.
There's pyro.
There's, like, streamers.
This room is huge.
I'm like, sensory overload here.
- Huge!
- Everyone looks so great
and sounds so great.
- Yeah, we all look like
our own avatars or something.
What I love about
all the songs you choose,
you put your stamp on them.
You have your own flair to them,
and that's why
America is loving you.
- There you go.
- Thank you, Luke.
- Zachariah, everybody.
Congratulations.
So what did it mean to you
to kick off tonight
with that first performance?
- You know what,
it's such an honor
to start here at our new home
with "American Idol."
I've dreamed of this
since I was a little boy.
That little boy would be
so proud, Ryan.
- Let's make this your home.
Congratulations
on a great performance.
Vote for Zachariah.
If you want to see him in your
top 12, you can vote 10 times
per contestant
per voting method.
Voting will open
at the end of the show
and remain open until
9:00 a. m. Eastern tomorrow.
Zachariah knows what love is.
Thank you, Zachariah.
All right, let's get
some more results right now.
After the nationwide vote,
the next person
to make it into your top 20
is Buffalo, New York's
Matt Wilson.
- Hi, Mr. Matt.
I miss you.
- We call him Mr. Matt,
but he's really
so many other things.
- Hey, Matthew. It's Mama.
Just want to tell you
how proud I am of you.
The kids miss you.
They love you.
They always say
that you inspire them.
- He sometimes pick us up
and then puts us over his head.
- Watching you on TV,
it's very special to me
to see you.
You know?
You used to tell me when
you were little that you wanted
to be on "American Idol,"
and I'm so happy
that you're putting your all
into this.
- Man, if it wasn't for you,
I wouldn't be able to do this.
- Mr. Matt's gonna win!
Good luck, Mr. Matt.
Good luck, Mr. Matt!
- I just hope
that what I'm doing here
just keeps on blessing people
and making people feel
like they could do anything too.
♪ I met you in the dark,
you lit me up ♪
♪ You made me feel
as though I was enough ♪
♪ I knew I loved you then,
but you'd never know ♪
♪ Because I played it cool when
I was scared of letting go ♪
♪ Then you smiled
over your shoulder ♪
♪ For a minute,
I was stone-cold sober ♪
♪ I pulled you
closer to my chest ♪
♪ Then you asked me
to stay over ♪
♪ I said, I already told you ♪
♪ I think that you should
get some rest ♪
♪ Say you won't let go ♪
♪ Oh, just say
you won't let go ♪
♪ Just say you won't let go ♪
♪ Oh, just say
you won't let go ♪
♪ I'm gonna love you
till my lungs give out ♪
♪ I promise till death we part,
like in our vows ♪
♪ I wrote this song for you ♪
♪ Now everybody knows ♪
♪ That it's just you and me
until we're gray and old ♪
♪ Whoa ♪
♪ Just say you won't let go ♪
♪ Oh, just say
you won't let go ♪
♪ Oh, just say
you won't let go ♪
♪ Ooh ♪
- Whoo!
Matt, it was so wonderful
just seeing
that joy that is just
so effervescent and contagious.
And watching you move
and use the stage,
like, we see people sing really
well but they're frozen.
So I really appreciate
people starting to just flow.
And you know, watching your
video, as you were crying,
I was just thinking, like,
the tears are healing you,
just like the smiles
are healing you,
so let both of those come.
- Thank you, Katy.
- Just watching you making
all of these transitions
into dancing and footwork...
I mean, from the first time
we saw you,
it was like you had a little
safe bubble around you.
But to watch you just come
alive and let your voice
soar with us
and just seeing you inspire
those children you work with
is what this show is all about.
Congratulations.
Great song choice for you.
- Thank you.
- A lot of people don't
really understand,
it's called show business.
What you gave us this time
was some attitude.
And what I'm loving the most,
in your vision,
I know you have your kids
and your family
firmly in the middle
of that moment.
Enjoy this ride, my friend.
You are absolutely on your way.
- Thank you.
- Congratulations, Matt.
Looking good up here.
- Thank you.
- I was watching those students
making faces at you
and wishing you well.
What would you like
to say to them?
- I'm so proud of you,
and everything
that Mr. Matt is doing,
I just want you to know
that I'm doing it for you.
And I know that, you know,
I'm being an inspiration
to you guys so that you can
achieve all the dreams
that you have inside of you.
- Now let's make
a funny face at them.
or via the app.
If you text your votes,
data and message rates
may apply.
Matt Wilson, everybody.
Mr. Matt.
- Matt, Matt, Matt.
- Thank you.
- Thank you, buddy.
It's good stuff, right?
The music has only just begun.
Hear more of your results
and your favorite voices
in America
when "Idol" comes back.
Keep it right here.
- Welcome back
to "American Idol."
Our homegrown talent has been
making waves all season long.
So far this season,
they've amassed
almost 1 billion video views,
a historic number.
Keep the conversation going
across your socials
for all of your "Idol"
favorites.
Now for someone
who's already made
an impression on you at home.
After the nationwide vote,
here we go.
The stars have aligned for...
Nailyah Serenity.
- Hey, y'all.
Welcome back to my channel.
My name is Nailyah Serenity.
So I have a channel online
that's mainly dedicated
to astrology.
Right now, we are here
to talk about... ooh, ooh...
Leo moon.
By the way, new hair, who dis?
Hey, y'all.
I first got into astrology
when my mom was talking
to a client in her salon.
My mom is a hairstylist, so I'm
what they call a shop baby.
I started reading
professionally at 16.
I feel super blessed to get to
help people through astrology.
- What kind of help would
you give to a Scorpio?
- Katy, she's a Scorpio.
It's like, when you look
in their eyes,
it's almost like
looking in a mirror.
Lionel was born a Gemini.
Geminis end up having
this kind of captivating look.
You can tell when he smiles,
it's like a "ta-da" type
situation.
And then Luke is a Cancer.
They're the nurturing sign,
and they're the mothers.
- Ooh, yeah.
- Normally, Cancers come off
very, like, fluffy.
But that is a Cancer thing.
- I learned a lot today.
- Yeah.
I feel like this amazing
"American Idol" opportunity
was certainly written
in the stars for me.
It just feels like
divine timing.
- ♪ There is no other
to compare to you ♪
♪ You got me blindly giving
all I have to you ♪
♪ You show me feelings
that I never find ♪
♪ But those feelings
ain't complete ♪
♪ When you're not here
all the time ♪
♪ Oh, baby love,
early in the morning ♪
♪ You come creeping
in my mind ♪
♪ Oh, baby love ♪
♪ Oh, baby love,
I wake up with a yearning ♪
♪ I'm burning for your touch,
oh, baby love ♪
♪ Listen, all I do is think
about you, baby love ♪
♪ And all I do is think
about you, baby love ♪
♪ I want your love ♪
♪ I need your love ♪
♪ I want your love ♪
♪ Oh ♪
♪ There is no other
to compare to you ♪
♪ You've got me blinded,
blinded, blinded ♪
♪ Giving all I have to you ♪
- ♪ Yearning for your touch ♪
- ♪ I'm burning ♪
- ♪ Burning for your touch ♪
- ♪ Burn ♪
- ♪ Burning for your touch,
oh, baby love ♪
- ♪ My baby love, my baby love,
my love ♪
- ♪ Burning for your touch ♪
- ♪ I'm burning ♪
- ♪ Burning for your touch ♪
- ♪ Oh ♪
- ♪ Burning for your touch,
oh, baby love ♪
- ♪ Baby love ♪
- Well, I'm no astrologer,
but I can spot a star
when I see one.
- There you go.
- Thank you.
- I love the way
you present everything
about your artistry,
your singing.
You always shine...
So many intriguing things
about the way you perform...
And certainly
well beyond your years.
It's pro, yeah.
Wow.
All I'm going to say
is we are afraid of you,
because if I had to
come on behind that,
I would go...
I'm a little sick.
I can't go out.
That was amazing, number one.
Number two, you deliver not only
in your deliberate presentation,
but the voice is right there.
- Thank you.
- Well done.
Well done.
- Thank you.
- Well done.
- She was giving.
- Isn't she?
- It was giving the whole time,
stanky stank face,
Whole stank.
Full stank.
But the point of it is
is that now
we're in the top 20 tonight.
Everyone knows how to sing.
But now is the point
where you start showing
us who you are as an artist.
And if you're kind of there,
you've got to carve it
even faster.
You are an artist
through and through,
and that's what's
going to separate
you and get you as far as
you want to go, I think.
- Thank you so much, Katy.
- Yeah, yeah, really great.
- Good job, Nailyah.
- Hi, hi.
- I saw your mom
watching that, too.
A proud moment for her,
as well, here in the studio.
- Yes.
Hi, Mother, how are you?
- Nailyah's "Idol" dream
is on the line.
It all comes down to your votes.
You can vote for her online
via the app or by texting.
Voting opens
at the end of the show.
Nailyah Serenity, everybody.
Thank you very much.
- Thank y'all.
So good.
- And let's keep rolling on
with more results.
The next person
singing for your votes
as a member
of the top 20 right now is...
Warren Peay.
Let's go, Warren Peay.
- Yeah, boy.
- Back home, when I'm not
singing or I'm not working,
I am very much a gardener.
I like to get my hands dirty.
There's something relaxing to
me about going out and digging
a spot for a new plant.
♪ Let's get lost
on some old back roads ♪
It's definitely tough at
times to work out in the yard
and keep plants alive.
Not everybody can do it,
and I've definitely
lost a few, myself.
But that's the thing...
Is you can't give up on it.
You got to keep going.
♪ I see God in everything ♪
It's the same with life
in general, I believe.
Sometimes you end up in a
place that's not good for you.
That's certainly what happened
to me some years back.
My relationship with drinking
started in high school,
doing it a little bit
on the weekends
to doing it every day.
After a while, I recognized that
I definitely had a problem.
♪ Let me go ♪
I learned that that wasn't
where I needed to be.
♪ I want to feel it all ♪
By the time I started
playing for the church,
I really started
to transition out of drinking.
All my efforts, you know,
were going into singing
and writing music.
I think that's when I really
realized that music was what
I wanted to make my career.
Truly, I never thought
I'd make it this far.
And now I'm also getting to
watch a career start to grow
through this "Idol" journey
and all I can do
is be incredibly thankful.
♪ So let me go ♪
♪ This whole world is hurting ♪
♪ It ain't like
you don't know ♪
♪ Tell me not to worry ♪
♪ It's all in your control ♪
♪ Right now,
my faith's being tested ♪
♪ It's got me on my knees ♪
♪ I look around
at all this mess, Lord ♪
♪ There's no doubt
what we need ♪
♪ We can use
a little up there ♪
- Come on, now.
- ♪ Down here ♪
♪ A little more up there
down here ♪
♪ We could all use
a lot more living ♪
♪ On Earth like
it is in heaven ♪
♪ Lord, help us
love our neighbor ♪
♪ Like we will on
streets of gold ♪
♪ Replace all
the pride and hatred ♪
♪ With some peace
down in our soul ♪
♪ Erase all the lines
of division ♪
♪ Help me shine more
like your son ♪
♪ I ain't asking you
to change your plans ♪
♪ Until your kingdom come ♪
♪ We can use a little
up there down here ♪
♪ A little more up there
down here ♪
♪ We could all use
a lot more living ♪
♪ On Earth like it is
in heaven ♪
♪ A little more up
there down here ♪
♪ A little more
of your love, so clear ♪
♪ We could all use
a lot more living ♪
♪ On Earth ♪
♪ Like it is in heaven ♪
- Yeah, man.
You know, your story,
there's a point in your life
when you discover that if
you just let go and let God...
- Amen.
- Everything else
falls into place.
- Amen to that.
- It's so beautiful
that God led you to us
here on "American Idol,"
and you're doing
such a great job.
- Thank you so much.
- Congratulations, man.
- Thank you.
- I like that you have
gone through the star wash,
and you are still Warren Peay.
I do notice that maybe you
got a little bit of a blow-out
on your beard, though.
Just a touch.
They did make me up
a little bit.
- It's fluffy, it's fluffy.
- I enjoyed it.
- But I love that
you're authentic,
and it's so great
to hear more of your story
and sharing that
with other people
because I've gone through
my own hard times
like that as well,
And so I felt like
we all just want
to be connected like this,
so thanks for being vulnerable.
- Absolutely.
Thank you so much.
- World-class song choice
for you,
and it's so nice to just sit
back and listen to you deliver
the message of a great song.
Just stay you,
and America will speak.
America is voting for you now,
so...
- Yes.
- Yeah, Ryan.
- Can I touch it?
Can I touch your beard?
- It's contagious,
I'll tell you right there.
There's been a run on beards
in Bamberg, South Carolina.
- There has.
- It was
very difficult to find this
because your friends and family
back home are all doing it.
- I certainly love my friends
and family back at home.
- They're supporting you.
- I thought it was just
the most precious thing ever.
- So did I.
I thought...
Vote for Warren tonight
if you want to see him
in the top 12 tomorrow night.
You can do so online
or via the app.
- Thank you so much.
- Also available to subscribers
of all wireless carriers.
Thank you, Warren Peay.
- Thank you.
- We are on our way to a break
here in our new studio.
More incredible performances...
- You look like you're
from "The Wizard of Oz."
Whoo!
More performances
from your top 20
when "Idol" returns,
right here from Hollywood.
Stay with us.
- All right,
you're back with us on "Idol."
We're bringing your results
from last week's votes
all show long,
and we've got nine finalists
over in the lounge,
still waiting to hear
if they've done enough to earn
a spot in your top 20.
After the vote,
the next person in is...
Kaeyra.
- Hi.
Hi.
I'm Polish, so I got to grow up
in Chicago, which has the
biggest Polish population
outside of Poland.
How do you do this?
Oh, my God.
What?
How do you do this?
My parents both
immigrated to America
when they were, like, early 20s.
Today, we're doing
Polish pierogi with potatoes.
This reminds me
of when I was a little girl,
cooking with you, growing up.
So I really got my
start in performing
at different events in the
Polish community in Chicago.
Definitely, I've grown a lot
since my first audition.
And now, when I walk on stage,
you know who I am.
You know that I belong there.
I'm glad that you're here
with me through it all.
My parents sacrificed
so much for me.
I'm kind of like
a part of their mission,
chasing that American dream,
being on "American Idol."
It, like, goes hand in hand.
- I'm very grateful to grow up
in the Polish community
and just, like, thank you
for coming here and giving me
this opportunity
because if they didn't,
I probably wouldn't be
on "American Idol" right now.
♪ Counting days,
counting days, since my love
♪ Up and got lost on me ♪
♪ Every breath that I've
been taking since you left ♪
♪ Feels like a waste on me ♪
♪ I've been told, I've been
told to get you off my mind ♪
♪ But I hope I never lose the
bruises that you left behind ♪
♪ Oh, my Lord, oh, my Lord ♪
♪ I need you by my side ♪
♪ There must be
something in the water ♪
♪ 'Cause every day
is getting colder ♪
♪ And if only
I could hold you ♪
♪ You'd keep my head
from going under ♪
♪ Oh, it's your love
I'm lost in, it's your love ♪
♪ I'm lost in ♪
♪ It's your love
I'm lost in, I'm tired ♪
♪ Of feeling so exhausted ♪
♪ It's your love I'm lost in,
your love I'm lost in ♪
♪ Even though
I'm nothing to you now ♪
♪ There must be something
in the water ♪
♪ 'Cause every day
is getting colder ♪
♪ And if only
I could hold you ♪
♪ You'd keep my head
from going under ♪
♪ There must be something
in the water ♪
Thank you so much.
- Yeah.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- Wow.
Okay, wow.
That arrangement choice
and that song for you
and your voice just
smacked me across the face.
- Wow.
- I mean, it was so...
It woke me up.
Like, at the beginning,
I was, like,
drifting a little bit,
and you're like, no, I will not
think about my grocery list.
Every season,
I always think about there's
a few artists that come to us,
and we're like, "Oh, my God.
"They're here for us?
"You really like us?
"Oh, you're really good
for this competition.
How are you not an artist yet?"
I think you're one of those.
So...
- Thank you. Thank you so much.
- A-plus, A-plus, A-plus.
- Thank you.
- I believe the way
you started on piano,
it was just like a breakout
moment in the making,
and then
when the band kicked in,
it was just really,
really powerful,
really, really professional.
It was a look that we
haven't seen you show us yet,
and that's what
it's all about... surprising us,
surprising the people
in the room,
surprising the people
you're competing against,
and surprising America,
and it was awesome.
I loved it.
I loved it.
- Thank you.
Thank you.
- What you have to understand,
and what I want
America to understand,
but more importantly,
the contestants.
You've already made it.
You have a career.
That's the most important
thing I want you to take away.
You have a career.
- Thank you so much.
Thank you.
- Thank you, Kaeyra.
So you went back to the piano,
first time
since the Vegas audition, right?
Why did you decide
to do that tonight?
- I don't know.
I just think it's like, we're
here at the amazing studio,
and I just wanted
to kind of show
how much I've grown
since the audition.
So I wanted to go back
behind the piano.
- We saw that growth.
If you love Kaeyra,
you'll get the chance
to show it when the vote
opens at the end of the show.
You'll have all the ways,
online, via the app,
or by texting.
Tomorrow,
another eight finalists
will be sent home,
so make sure you vote
for all your favorites.
Kaeyra, thank you very much.
- Thank you so much.
Thank you. Thank you.
- We will be right back
with more of your top 20
results right here from
Hollywood on "American Idol."
Stay with us.
- Back with you
here on "American Idol."
It is the top 20 show tonight
with your big results
and even bigger performances.
I'm just wondering what the
mood is like in the lounge.
Mariah, what's it like
to be watching tonight?
Is it intense?
- It's intense, but it's awesome
seeing my friends up there.
They're k*lling it on the
big stage, and that's nice.
- Well, your friends are now
going to see you up there.
You've made it to the top 20.
Congratulations.
My hometown is awesome.
It's like the definition
of Southern hospitality.
My mom's house is on
four acres of property.
When I was thinking
about moving out,
I definitely knew
I didn't want to go far,
so my house is in the backyard.
- ♪ Under the surface ♪
- I live in a tiny house
that we've been remodeling
for a couple of years.
It's the perfect
little scenario.
It's like she knows
I don't want to go far,
and she doesn't want me
to go far.
It's just so where I can have
my own little bit of space.
- ♪ We're going home ♪
So I call my family,
like, my little village
because my grandparents live
two minutes around the corner.
- Hi, family!
- We're really tight knit.
We do everything together.
I wouldn't have it
any other way.
- ♪ When I see your light shine,
I know I'm home ♪
- Being away from my family
is super hard.
I've never really been
away from them for too long,
so I'm super excited
because my Mimi and Papa
are going to be in the audience.
They kind of molded me
into the person I am.
- ♪ Some things are simple ♪
My grandparents, they've
never been to LA before.
I'm going to take them out
to, like, a fancy dinner,
and spoil them.
- Good luck, baby.
- It's kind of like one of
those full-circle moments
of being a little girl and
looking up to my grandparents,
and then now they'll kind of
be looking up to me.
♪ When your baby ♪
♪ Leaves you all alone ♪
♪ And nobody ♪
♪ Calls you on the phone ♪
♪ Don't you feel like crying? ♪
♪ Don't you feel
like crying? ♪
♪ Oh, nothing ♪
♪ Could be sadder ♪
♪ Than a glass of wine alone ♪
♪ Loneliness, loneliness ♪
♪ Such a waste of my time ♪
♪ Oh, yeah, yeah ♪
♪ You don't ever have
to walk alone ♪
♪ Oh, you see ♪
♪ Come on, take my hand.
♪ Baby,
won't you walk with me? ♪
Come on, baby.
Let's take a little walk.
♪ When you're waiting ♪
♪ For that voice to come ♪
♪ In the night ♪
♪ But there is no one ♪
♪ Don't you feel like crying? ♪
♪ Don't you feel
like crying? ♪
♪ Don't you feel like crying? ♪
♪ Cry ♪
♪ Crying ♪
♪ Baby, cry ♪
♪ To me ♪
- Thank you. Thank you.
- Well, now that my wife has
seen your living arrangements,
she's going to do that
for all of our children.
It's the perfect plan, man.
- And maybe me.
Yeah, maybe my...
I may be in the backyard.
Great singing.
Our soulful country singer.
It was a great,
great performance.
Love hearing your voice,
and I love the look.
- Thank you.
- I mean, old song,
new school presentation.
I'm loving it.
By the way,
I'm admiring the fact
that those bell bottoms,
I remember those back
in the day.
We won't talk...
I had an Afro to go with that,
but...
- Yes, sir.
- Great job. Great job.
- Thank you so much.
- I definitely appreciate
the vibe of just,
like, kind of it's a little
h*nky tonk, a little fun.
It's a bit of a country party.
When I hear you,
I think of you as, like,
a Bonnie Raitt type of artist.
- Ooh, yeah.
- Yeah.
- And she always pulls
at my heartstrings
but does also have
that fun moment.
So it's really about
striking the balance,
I think, with you going forward.
- Totally. Thank you so much.
- Good advice.
Good to see you tonight.
- Good to see you, too, Ryan.
- Mimi over there watching you.
What memory do you have
of watching "Dirty Dancing"
for the first time?
- Oh, my gosh.
I remember my Mimi
telling me my husband
should look like Patrick Swayze.
Yes, baby. Yes.
- And I didn't know
nothing about the movie.
I just knew the soundtrack.
'Cause it wasn't appropriate,
you know, so.
- All right, if Mariah Faith
is your favorite,
get ready to vote for her.
with all the 411
on how to do so.
Remember, the vote opens
at the end of the show.
It's a limit of 10 votes
per contestant, per method.
Thank you very much.
Good luck.
- Thank you. Thank you, guys.
- Coming up after this,
soul legend Smokey Robinson
takes the "Idol" stage...
- Hey!
- With a first listen
to his newest single.
Plus another of your top 20
performs for your votes.
It is "American Idol,"
and we will be right back
after this.
- That's before I signed.
Before I signed.
I mean,
the history this guy has.
- It's crazy.
- We're putting the results
on hold for a few
to welcome an industry icon
to the stage.
- Love him.
- He's won all the accolades
and is celebrating over 66 years
in the business of making music.
- Wow
- Performing his classic hit,
"I Second That Emotion"
and his new single,
"If We Don't Have Each Other,"
put your hands together for...
- Smokey Robinson!
- ♪ Maybe you'll want to give me
kisses sweet ♪
♪ But only for one night
with no repeat ♪
♪ I said no repeat ♪
♪ Maybe you'll go away
and never call ♪
♪ Taste of honey's
worse than none at all ♪
♪ Oh, little girl ♪
- ♪ In that case,
I don't want no part ♪
- ♪ Cause I do believe ♪
- ♪ That would only
break my heart ♪
- ♪ Oh, but if you
feel like loving me ♪
♪ Said if you've got
the notion ♪
♪ I second that emotion ♪
♪ Said if you feel like giving
me a lifetime of devotion ♪
♪ I second that emotion ♪
♪ Oh, oh ♪
♪ Wake up in the mornin' ♪
♪ And there's love
layin' there ♪
♪ Take up where we left off ♪
♪ Feel like staying there ♪
♪ Ah, ah, ah, ah-ee! ♪
♪ Can't imagine ever ♪
♪ Being without you ♪
♪ You know
you've got everything ♪
♪ I think I'll ever need ♪
♪ I love every little thing
about you, baby ♪
♪ Tell me what do we have? ♪
♪ If we don't have each other ♪
♪ We don't have anything ♪
♪ If we don't have each other ♪
♪ Tell me, tell me, tell me ♪
- ♪ What do we have? ♪
- ♪ Nothing, nothing ♪
♪ We don't have anything
at all, baby ♪
- ♪ We don't have anything ♪
- ♪ Without each other ♪
- ♪ If we don't have
each other ♪
- ♪ Nobody has ever
made me feel
♪ Like you do ♪
♪ Hey, ah-ah ♪
♪ I love it when you say
I make you feel ♪
♪ The same way too ♪
♪ Ooh, tell me ♪
♪ Tell me ♪
♪ What do we have? ♪
- ♪ Nothing, nothing,
nothing, nothing ♪
♪ We don't have
anything at all, baby ♪
- ♪ We don't have anything ♪
- ♪ Without each other ♪
♪ Tell me, tell me,
tell me, tell me ♪
- ♪ Tell me ♪
♪ Nothing at all ♪
♪ If we don't have each other ♪
♪ We don't have anything
at all, baby ♪
♪ We don't have anything ♪
♪ If we don't have each other ♪
- Yeah! Yeah!
- Smokey, so great to see you.
- Great to see you, man.
- You have been setting
the mood for so many decades.
Congratulations.
- Well, thank you very much,
man.
- His new album, "Gasms,"
drops April 28.
- April 28th. "Gasms."
- Yeah, man.
- Smokey Robinson, everybody.
- Good to be back.
- All right.
We'll see you soon.
The history of music
in this room.
- All right, let's settle
back in... more results.
The next member to make it
into our top 20,
following a music legend
on this stage,
after the nationwide vote is...
Iam Tongi.
- My life has changed a lot.
I'm just a kid from
a small town in Hawaii.
And to have people recognize me
is mind blowing.
But I don't know.
I still feel normal.
♪ All I want is nothing more ♪
To, like, have people from all
around the world message me...
♪ To hear you now ♪
This guy is... he said,
after your song, "Monsters,"
I had tears in my eyes.
Take care, and a big,
big hug from Germany.
Yes, sir.
It means the world to me when
people reach out and open up.
A lot of people have
said to me, like,
I never really grieved
my father.
But your audition
really made me cry.
Feels good to help people out.
And I not only help them,
but they help me
because I'm still grieving,
you know?
I mean, even still today,
I still grieve.
It's hard for me
to express myself.
And I can't really
explain things well.
But when I sing,
it's so easy to express myself.
- You're making
these grown men cry.
- I have people feel
what I'm feeling.
I'm just glad
that I'm not alone.
♪ I don't want to talk ♪
♪ About things
we've gone through ♪
♪ Though it's hurting me ♪
♪ Now it's history ♪
♪ I played all my cards ♪
♪ That's what
you've done too ♪
♪ Nothing more to say ♪
♪ No more ace to play ♪
♪ The winner takes it all ♪
♪ The loser's standing small ♪
♪ Besides the victory,
that's a destiny ♪
♪ I was in your arms ♪
♪ Thinking I'd be safe there ♪
♪ Figured it made sense ♪
♪ Building me a fence ♪
♪ The gods may toss the dice ♪
♪ The minds as cold as ice ♪
♪ Someone way down here ♪
♪ Loses someone dear ♪
♪ The winner takes it all ♪
♪ The winner takes it all ♪
♪ The winner takes it all ♪
- Wait. Wait.
Wait.
I had a lot to say.
But they actually
said it for me.
- I guess this is called
the Iam Tongi show now.
- Yeah, right?
- I mean, can you
believe what you've done?
You're 18.
Your voice is timeless.
What you're giving us
is transcending everything
and hitting
everyone in a certain spot.
Doesn't matter how
old or young they are.
- Thank you so much, Katy.
- Watching you become
a star feels like I'm
watching a Disney movie.
- I'm shaking right now.
- Really.
- Love you guys.
- God gave you the magic, buddy.
God gave you the magic.
- Thank you so much.
- And enjoy it.
Enjoy it.
- Iam Tongi, you know,
you have so much emotion.
There's so much heart
in your performance.
But you're also having fun.
You know, in rehearsal,
you're making jokes.
You're enjoying this,
aren't you?
- Tell jokes just to not
think about it every step.
- Take your mind off
of the competition.
Well, great job.
Thank you very much.
We got major cuts
coming tomorrow night.
So if you want Iam Tongi
to get a guaranteed spot,
make sure you vote for him.
Again, 10 votes per
contestant per voting method.
You can start when it opens
at the end of the show.
Thank you, Iam.
So we got six finalists,
but only three more spots
remain for this group.
Who will take the stage next?
More of your top 20 reveal
on the way right
here from Hollywood
on "American Idol."
We'll be right back.
- We are in the midst of our
three-hour top 20 reveal show.
And tonight you get to
vote again on who you
want to see make your top 12.
Tomorrow night we're live with
those results, and, of course,
a little drama.
10 finalists will make
it through on your vote.
And the remaining 10 will
sing for their lives to earn
one of the judges' two spots.
So more heart-pounding
performances on the horizon.
It all starts at 8:00,
7:00 Central,
right here tomorrow on ABC.
Now back to those results
for the top 20.
Next to make it in
as a member of that group
is Haven Madison.
We are Clarksville.
- I'm a junior in high school.
I get up.
I go to school, cheer practice.
My day to day is pretty normal.
Life completely flopped
upside down and fast.
- I'm a hallelujah yes, OK?
- Would three years ago
today me think
that I'm on "American Idol"?
No.
I didn't really know
how my school was
going to handle everything.
But they have been
so supportive.
I just want to thank
everybody for supporting me.
They planned a pep rally.
The pep rally felt like
a community saying "go."
- We're definitely proud
of Haven.
- And to have my whole school
be like, go do the dang thing,
and we support you no matter
what, was really, really cool.
Growing up with my dad
being in the industry,
I've had a taste.
I've seen people recognize him
and people see him.
And now I get recognized more
on the street than my dad.
And it is
the coolest thing ever.
- She's my little girl.
Off she goes.
Man, you couldn't be
more proud than I am.
- My dad believes in me.
He's my biggest supporter.
It's such a full-circle moment.
♪ Mean girls don't
remember what they said ♪
♪ Well, it's funny 'cause
I can't seem to forget ♪
♪ Their whispers
opened up the door ♪
♪ To a world called insecure ♪
♪ No, mean girls don't
remember what they said ♪
♪ Well, sticks and stones
may break my bones ♪
♪ But no one ever
warned me about words ♪
♪ I smile, and I pretend
it doesn't hurt ♪
♪ The older that I get,
it just gets worse ♪
♪ I need you to find me
and remind me that my worth ♪
♪ Is worth ♪
♪ So much more
than their words ♪
♪ 'Cause no one
ever warned me ♪
♪ Words, I smile, and I
pretend it doesn't hurt ♪
♪ The older that I get,
it just gets worse ♪
♪ It just gets worse ♪
♪ I need you to find me
and remind me ♪
♪ You find me and remind me ♪
♪ Come find me and remind me ♪
♪ What I'm worth ♪
- Well, Haven,
I feel like that song
was such a great song choice.
Because it sounds like something
you would have written.
And you're such an
incredible writer.
So you're bringing
your originals
or you're choosing, like,
really specific songs
that really represent you.
And I really appreciate
that about you.
You stepped on the stage,
and you presented yourself
on a whole nother level.
I don't know exactly
what it is because you
always had stardust.
But now it's, like, refined.
It's a refined sparkle
that's coming through.
- Thank you so much.
- Yeah, it seems to be the
going theme this season.
I mean, we have so
many kids like you
with that magic thing,
that stardust thing.
That song choice just
embodies, I think,
what we want to hear out of you.
And knowing that
you're going to go off
on this amazing career and
write those kind of songs,
it's really, really promising.
It was one of your best
performances I've seen you do.
Yeah.
- You know, we keep
using the word "kids."
But you all are
just seasoned pros.
You're not supposed to know
all of this at 17.
You understand that.
And so between your dad
and your school,
it's not where you are.
It's where you're going
that's going
to be so exciting to watch.
Congratulations.
- Haven Madison.
Yeah, how do you know
all this already?
Who are you?
- Well, I owe it all to my
parents, not just my dad.
While my mom can't sing, she's
the most encouraging and kind
woman I know.
- Thank you for that fantastic
performance on our stage.
You can vote for Haven tonight.
If you think she deserves
to be in the top 12,
Let your voice be heard.
Haven Madison, everybody.
Thank you very much.
- Thank you so much.
- Jason's crying,
Jason's laughing,
having a good time over there.
Only two spots are left
for Group One,
and the next one goes to,
Oliver Steele.
- It's still kind of hard to
process the fact that I'm here
and I've made it this far.
- All right, Dad, you did it!
- Going to have
to frame that one.
- If you keep singing like
you're singing to your father
every time,
you could win this thing.
- It's been absolutely amazing.
- That's my boy.
- But I've sacrificed quite
a bit being a musician.
My father has been
in the hospital
for the past four or five weeks.
At one point, he was unconscious
and not responsive,
and I was gone.
♪ That would be the same ♪
I'm happy to say that he is
out of the hospital now,
but he is on dialysis,
which is something
he has to do every single day.
And I'm unable to be there
for him right now for that.
It's just difficult,
but at the same time,
I just see this happiness
coming from him as I go
further in this competition.
I love you, Dad.
- Love you too.
- ♪ Just come home ♪
I definitely think that
I'm speaking to my dad
with my music.
I mean, he, he gave up
so much of his dream
and his life to help raise me.
♪ If you play,
I'll be the same ♪
I hope that one day,
I can give back
and say thank you for
everything he's done.
I just wish that my dad
was here physically,
but having his support has been
something I cherish
and I'm forever grateful for it.
♪ Just be here ♪
♪ You know that I'm ♪
♪ Trying not to do this wrong ♪
♪ But ever since
you came along ♪
♪ My head and my heart
are confused ♪
♪ Every time you talk, honey ♪
♪ You sound just like home ♪
♪ So, darling,
won't you let me know ♪
♪ Is it too soon? ♪
♪ Too soon to say I love you? ♪
♪ Too soon to tell you
I'm crazy about you ♪
♪ Without you,
I don't know what to do ♪
♪ Is it too soon
to say I love you? ♪
♪ Is it too soon? ♪
♪ Too soon to say I love you? ♪
♪ Too soon to tell you
I'm crazy about you ♪
♪ Without you ♪
♪ I'm crazy about you ♪
♪ Without you,
I don't know what to do ♪
♪ Is it too soon to say ♪
♪ I ♪
♪ Love you? ♪
- "Too Soon,"
written and performed
by Oliver Steele, right?
- Yes, sir.
- To stand up there at this
point of the competition,
and to be able
to play the guitar
and create the mood
with an original song
of yours, great job.
10 out of 10 on that one.
- Thank you.
- Yeah.
Yeah.
You know, songwriter, check,
vocalist, check,
stylist, check.
- Yeah.
- And more importantly,
let me teach you something.
Your dad sacrificed...
What you call sacrifice, no, he
was just being a great parent.
He was being a great dad.
And when you get your kids, you
will sacrifice too, all right?
Well, let me just
say this to you.
Your talent is on fire.
Enjoy this ride.
- Thank you, Lionel.
- Is that the first time
you sang an original?
- Yeah. It is.
- It was really great.
- Really good.
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
- Thank you.
- I think that...
I don't know why you
didn't show that earlier,
but I think you're
growing right now.
It wasn't recorded yet.
- It wasn't recorded yet?
OK, well, I'm so glad.
It was so great.
It showed off the artist
that you are.
And you know,
it's just incredible
to see your journey.
I know that you're doing
a lot of sacrifice,
and it's really hard to
be away from your father
right now and all that
you're going through,
like, we're so proud of
you and we're here for you.
And I think I can say that
even though you're struggling,
I think your father just
wants the best for you,
and I think you
are doing the best.
- Thank you.
- All right, everybody.
Thanks, buddy.
So you recently recorded it?
When did you write it,
and why did you write it?
- You know, I wrote that
a couple of years back.
I just sort of wanted to
capture that feeling of,
like, when you sort of, like,
catch feelings for someone
and start talking to them, and
then it is moving very fast,
and then you're like, is it
too soon to say that big word,
you know?
- It's never too soon.
It was beautiful.
Well done.
- We love you!
- We love you, man!
- We know your dad's watching
back home right now so proud.
If you, America,
are watching this,
you want to vote for Oliver,
you can start when voting opens
at the end of the show online,
via the app, or by texting.
Thank you very much.
- I love you, Ryan!
I love you!
- I love you so much.
Never too early, Luke.
Eight more finalists are
heading home tomorrow night,
so do your part.
Keep your favorites
in the competition.
Thank you very much
and good luck.
Thank you, buddy.
I've been meaning
to tell you too, Luke.
- All right,
let's check out the lounge.
Look at this.
The Idol dream now hangs
in the balance
for Elise Kristine,
Emma Busse, PJ, and Lucy Love.
One of them moves on
in the competition,
and three of them move on home.
What is going to happen?
We'll all find out
right after the break.
- Wow.
- All right.
Back with you here
on "American Idol."
All show long,
we've been revealing
the results from your votes
last week for your first group
of finalists.
It all comes down
to Elise Kristine,
Emma Busse, PJ, and Lucy Love,
each of them vying for one spot.
America has spoken.
Good luck to all of you.
After the nationwide vote,
that spot goes to...
Lucy Love.
You can get set onstage.
Which means
we have to say goodbye
to Elise, Emma, and PJ.
Thank you all so very much.
And now,
here's more on Lucy Love.
- I've been writing music
since I was in the sixth grade.
I had a journal
that I kept for years.
Today, I'll be singing
an original song
and it's called "Boulders."
"Boulders" is about addictions,
it's about poverty,
it's about all of the
heavy things, trials,
and tribulations in life.
I come from a very strong
and supportive family.
We didn't... just didn't
have anything growing up.
That's all.
I know about that.
I know about wearing
the same outfits
for two and three weeks.
I know about gluing
my shoes back,
clothes when they would tear up.
About a year ago, I was stuck
on the side of the road,
I had just ran out of gas,
so I grabbed the napkin out
of my arm rest,
a pen out of my door,
and I was just like, I had
the world on my shoulders,
feeling like 1,000 boulders.
It just started pouring out
and pouring out.
Since a child, I would weep
with a pain so deep,
wondering when it'll be over.
♪ On my shoulders ♪
You know, you're
gonna have weight,
you're gonna have things happen,
but you have to
literally keep going
because if you don't keep going,
you will never reach the end.
Everything in my life
is teaching me to fight.
I can't give up because my
kids are counting on me.
And nobody going to stop to
give you no head start.
Like, you got to...
You got to catch up.
Everybody got a story.
You just have to be that
survivor of your story.
♪ Yeah, yeah ♪
♪ Had the world
on my shoulder ♪
♪ Feeling like 1,000 boulders ♪
♪ Since a child, I would weep
with a pain so deep ♪
♪ Wondering when
it will be over ♪
♪ In the world is a loner ♪
♪ Feeling like
I matter to no one ♪
♪ Since beginning of time, I've
been feeling weighted down ♪
♪ Feeling like my
ending's getting closer ♪
♪ Carrying boulders ♪
♪ Carrying boulders ♪
♪ Oh, I'm carrying boulders ♪
♪ Boulders ♪
♪ On my shoulders ♪
♪ I don't know why I'm afraid ♪
♪ The wait is over ♪
♪ I ain't carrying
no boulders ♪
♪ On my shoulders ♪
♪ No boulders, yeah ♪
♪ No more shackles over me ♪
♪ Oh, Lord, I'm free, yeah ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ I'm down here, it's over ♪
♪ I'm getting,
I'm getting closer ♪
♪ And I won't be overcome ♪
♪ No more by boulders ♪
♪ Sing it again ♪
- Wait!
Wait!
Hey!
Wait a minute.
I've got something
I want to say.
I'm going to say it this time.
Did you write that?
- Wrote that.
- You wrote that.
- I wrote that.
- Lucy Love, you came
into this world invisible,
you will leave this life
as Lucy Love.
- Amen, amen, amen.
- Amen.
- The survivor of your story.
You're not going to
survive your story,
you're going to thrive,
and you're going to show,
and you're going to be a leader.
Just keep bringing us the
love, the Lucy kind of love.
- Absolutely.
- You know, I've been watching
you this whole competition,
and I just love the way
you attack it.
And tonight,
you captured my heart
tonight with your story.
And that song, you feel
your story in that song.
Way to show up tonight.
That was tremendous.
- So many great sides
to Lucy Love
that we get to see on this show.
What did it mean when you heard
your name a few minutes ago?
- All I could think was,
"Wow, another round down.
God is good."
- Attack!
- Thank you, America!
Thank y'all!
Thank you, judges.
- If you want her
to go even further,
you can vote for Lucy Love
all over again tonight.
You can find all
the details on how
Voting opens at the end
of the show,
so get ready to lock them in
when the time comes.
Lucy Love, ladies and gentlemen.
Thank you, Lucy.
We have only scratched the
surface of your top 20.
The second group of finalists
hear their results
and sing for your votes right
after this
on "American Idol."
- What was once
a mostly empty lounge
has now been filled again with
the second group of finalists.
They left it all on the stage
for your votes last week,
and ten of them will get the
chance to do it again tonight.
Let's get to those results.
Good luck to group two.
The next person to make it
into our top 20 tonight
right now is...
Hannah Nicolaisen.
- I'm incredibly proud
to be a female athlete.
I spend every day
thinking about volleyball.
There's something
really comfortable
about the sound of the ball,
the sound of the fans.
We would have two 2-hour
practices a day,
weightlifting and training.
Playing volleyball, I was
pushed to my physical limits.
Volleyball was my life.
And when I graduated,
it just felt like that stopped.
This was going to
be the first time
where I didn't have a plan.
But then you have to
figure out what's next.
I started to figure out
how to play music,
like, a month or two ago.
- So you're, like,
two months into this?
- Yeah.
Volleyball taught me to
enjoy being challenged.
Volleyball gave me
the same wave of emotions
that singing a great song
onstage can give me.
♪ Everybody thinks
that I'm crazy ♪
Again, I'm part of something
bigger than myself in a way
that I hadn't anticipated.
♪ Supernova ♪
When I walked off the court
for the last time,
it was bittersweet.
I knew I was
leaving that behind.
But I want to be a better singer
than I ever was
a volleyball player.
♪ My supernova ♪
♪ Can ♪
♪ Anybody ♪
♪ Find me ♪
♪ Somebody to love ♪
♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh ♪
♪ Each morning, I get up,
I die a little ♪
♪ Can't barely
stand on my feet ♪
♪ Take a look in the mirror
and cry ♪
♪ Lord,
what you're doing to me ♪
♪ I spent all my years
in believing you ♪
♪ But I just can't get
no relief ♪
♪ Lord, somebody, somebody ♪
♪ Somebody, somebody ♪
♪ Can anybody find me ♪
♪ Somebody to love? ♪
♪ Every day,
I try and I try and I try ♪
♪ But everybody wants
to put me down ♪
♪ They say I'm going crazy ♪
♪ Say I got a lot of water
in my brain ♪
♪ No common sense,
got nobody left to believe ♪
♪ Find me somebody to love ♪
♪ Find me ♪
Come on, y'all.
♪ Find me somebody to love ♪
♪ Somebody, somebody ♪
♪ Somebody, somebody ♪
♪ Somebody,
find me somebody to love ♪
♪ Can anybody find me ♪
♪ Somebody to ♪
♪ Love? ♪
- Wow!
Incredible.
- Could I say that maybe
the tomboy has turned into
a full-fledged
Jennifer Lawrence,
while still maintaining
her own authenticity.
That last note reminded me
that this is your path.
And hopefully,
you're just on a rocket ride.
- Yeah.
- Thank you.
- That smokiness thing
in your voice
has always been, like, in your
own lane in this competition.
So good for you for branching
out there and kind of taking
a swing and giving it a shot.
I was trying to do a volleyball
term, but it did not work.
But way to really show us
another dynamic that you have.
And it was a great performance.
- Well,
what I admire
the most about an athlete
is the fact that you have guts.
And what you put on that stage
is a demonstration
that you believe
in where you are,
mind and body in the same spot.
That's something you
have to have naturally.
And my dear,
you have that in spades.
- Thank you so much.
- I mean, look.
I'm just saying, it's, like,
no assist needed.
- There you go, Ryan.
- Yeah, you know,
the athlete in me...
Thank you very much, Hannah.
All right, to vote for Hannah
and all your favorites
at the end of the show,
You can also use the app or
text your all-important votes.
You have until 9:00 a. m.
Eastern tomorrow.
Thank you very much.
Well done.
- Thank you.
- We have got plenty more
on the way.
Another top 20 reveal
coming at you next.
And later, it's the return of
Noah Thompson and HunterGirl
right here on Idol.
We'll be right back.
- Welcome back
to "American Idol."
From the auditions
in Las Vegas, New Orleans,
and Nashville
to the lights of Hollywood
and the shores of Hawaii,
this season's talent
have sung their hearts out
all across the nation.
Your results tonight tell us
who has made an impact
and is still in it to win it.
Let's get to those results
once again.
The next person to make it
into the top 20
after the nationwide vote is...
Olivia Soli.
- My sister Sophia
and I got put in music school
at the same time.
- How do you feel about
performing in front
of, like, the big, big stage?
Like, that's a huge deal.
- I am extremely close
to my sister.
Ever since we were babies,
we've been attached at the hip.
We both learned
to play the piano.
And we've been on this music
journey together.
♪ Far away, far away ♪
- I honestly don't know
that many people
who have, like, such a close
relationship like we do.
- In 2019, my sister was in
a really bad ATV accident.
She doesn't have full
function of her right hand.
So that ended her piano journey.
I don't know what
I would have done
if I didn't have you here.
My whole entire career has
been shaped around being
your best friend
and you being there
with me the whole entire time.
- This is what is so amazing
is that you guys have
this very special bond
and this connection
between you.
- I just love you so much.
I'm here on "Idol" for her,
and I'm living out
both of our dreams.
- Oh.
I love you guys.
- I just want to continue
to keep making her proud.
♪ There's so much like
I'm left to live ♪
♪ And this fire's
burning still ♪
♪ When I watch you look at me ♪
♪ I think I could find a will ♪
♪ 'Cause I surrender
everything ♪
♪ To feel the chance
to live again ♪
♪ I reach to you ♪
♪ I know you can feel it too ♪
♪ I surrender ♪
♪ And every night
gets longer ♪
♪ And this fire's
getting stronger, baby ♪
♪ I swallow my pride,
and I feel alive ♪
♪ Can't you hear my call? ♪
♪ I surrender all ♪
♪ I reach to you ♪
♪ I know you can feel it too ♪
♪ We'll make it through ♪
♪ A thousand dreams
I still believe ♪
♪ Them all to me ♪
♪ I'll hold you in my arms
and never let go ♪
♪ I surrender ♪
Thank you.
- Wow, wow, wow.
- I mean, like, that's twice
you've done Celine
and brought the house down.
You're just challenging
yourself to, like,
just soar beyond the clouds.
And you did it again.
- Thank you, Luke.
- Olivia,
one thing you don't need
is a confidence boost, OK?
To have that much power
behind you,
and your voice is sitting on
top of that,
is incredible.
You should pat yourself on
the back for this as well.
- Thank you so much, Lionel.
Thank you.
- I'm so glad that America
got this one right.
They tend to get it right.
But I don't know
if America knows
a lot about who you are
as a person and your story.
And I was so glad to see that
connection with your sister.
It just made me
feel closer to you.
I have a sister, and I
just really related to you.
You should just sing
Celine Dion songs
the whole time.
Like, always play
the power card.
Someone is tuning in
for the very first time
tonight, watching you
and going, oh, my god.
So keep playing the power.
- Thank you, Katy.
Thank you.
- Power it out.
Congratulations.
- Thank you.
- If you want to keep the
momentum going for Olivia,
vote for her tonight online,
via the app, or by text.
Make sure you vote to keep
your favorites in the running
to be the next American Idol.
- Thank you, guys.
- The live results are
coming tomorrow night.
Olivia Soli.
Thank you very much, Olivia.
Are you at home still waiting
to hear your favorite?
Maybe they'll take
the stage next.
More edge of your seats results
after this
from Hollywood
on "American Idol."
We'll be right back.
- Back with you here on "Idol."
There's been nothing
predictable about this season,
except for the fact that the
talent in this year's class
is on another level.
You at home have
the hardest jobs of all,
trying to narrow it down.
Who else won you over last week?
Let's get to those results.
Good luck once again
to group two.
Next person in our top 20
after the nationwide vote is...
Marybeth Byrd.
- Mix 106.3, we are here
with Marybeth Byrd.
- We love you.
We hope you do well.
Hi, Marybeth!
- Oh, my gosh.
Y'all just made my whole day.
So sweet.
- Hi, Marybeth.
My question for you is
what inspired you
to start singing?
- You know, singing has always
been a safe haven for me.
I had a really difficult
stutter when I was little,
and the only thing
that worked was music.
Even my parents
didn't understand it.
They were like, she doesn't
stutter when she sings.
So that was where I felt
the most fully myself.
- You have made it.
- So did you ever think
you would make it this far?
- No. It's crazy.
On the outside, yes,
I'm confident and happy.
But you know, there's a lot of
things that go on internally.
I've always struggled
with anxiety.
It gets difficult
to not be in your own head.
I've shown myself
a lot of bravery
by just doing the darn thing.
♪ I don't mind ♪
- I think we've got time
for one more call.
- Hi. It's Adeline.
- Hi, Addy.
- Will you still babysit us
when you're famous?
- I will absolutely
still babysit.
♪ I want to say no,
but I always say yes ♪
♪ Dying on the inside
in my Sunday best ♪
♪ Mm-mm ♪
♪ Sick of being your
voice of reason ♪
♪ No ♪
♪ I want to go but you know
that I hate leaving ♪
♪ I tell you I'm sober
with a drink in my hand ♪
♪ Hit rock bottom,
saying it's God's plan ♪
♪ I'll take second place
just to let you win ♪
♪ Tired of apologizing
for your sins ♪
♪ Oh ♪
♪ Oh, oh ♪
♪ Even lie to God
under his own steeple ♪
♪ Guess you could call me
a people pleaser ♪
♪ Ooh ♪
♪ Is there anyone,
is there anyone out there? ♪
♪ Anyone who's just like me? ♪
♪ Have you ever felt,
have you ever felt like ♪
♪ You were stuck in a prison? ♪
♪ I'd give anything,
I'd give anything ♪
♪ To just be mine ♪
♪ Even lie to God
under his own steeple ♪
♪ Oh ♪
♪ Even lie to God
under his own steeple ♪
♪ Oh ♪
♪ Even lie to God
under his own steeple ♪
♪ Guess you could call me
a people ♪
♪ Pleaser ♪
- Oh, chillies.
Got the old chillies.
- You did some falsetto tonight
I have not heard from you.
You did some
storytelling tonight
I have not heard from you.
That was superstar material
right there.
- I don't know what
you said to yourself
in the mirror between Hawaii
and now, but it worked.
That's your original song.
It's so well written,
and it finally showed me
who Marybeth Byrd is
because Marybeth
is sweet and beautiful
and can sing.
But now she's a star.
- Yeah. Yeah.
- Thank you so much.
- I did not see that coming
down the track just then.
And it was a big, big moment
for you,
and there's one thing that is
so refreshing is we don't have
to change your name
or mess with your name
because Marybeth Byrd
sounds like a star, right?
- With a crowd pleaser tonight,
"People Pleaser,"
the meaning must be
so significant
that you get to debut
your own song.
What was that like for you?
- It means the world
because, you know,
I've lived my whole life
just trying
to please people all the time.
And I just needed
to let that out,
and it felt so dadgum good.
- It was great to watch.
Congratulations.
Thank you very much.
If you want to see Marybeth Byrd
in the top 12, you can vote
10 votes per contestant
per vote method.
Remember, voting opens
at the end of the show
and will remain open until
9:00 a. m. Eastern tomorrow.
Marybeth Byrd, everybody.
What a night.
Let's get to another result.
Making it into the top 20
after that nationwide vote,
right now is...
Michael Williams.
- ♪ Amazing grace, how sweet ♪
I remember watching "American
Idol" when I was a little kid.
And so I can't believe it.
I can't believe I'm here.
♪ Happy birthday to you ♪
Growing up, my parents
kept it a point to,
like, document my music.
So being on "American Idol,"
I've just tried
to keep the trend.
I'm just thinking about
this experience, you know,
how it's all going to play out.
What I'm going to say
to Katy Perry.
I'm Michael Williams.
I'm 21 years old,
and I'm from Mason, Ohio.
- Us too!
- Hey.
- Oh, hey.
- Hi.
- Uh... uh...
- Oh, no. Oh, no.
- I think you're
top 10 material.
- Wow.
Whoo!
I mean, I've really been
documenting my journey
because it's all going by
crazy fast.
Guys, look what we just found.
♪ I'm going through
changes now ♪
♪ Maybe it's too soon ♪
Seven hours till Hawaii.
Who's ready to hear
some singing?
"American Idol" is a
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
And I'm trying to,
like, take it in,
because I feel like
this is a dream
of mine that's coming true.
And I don't want
to miss anything.
I want to remember it all.
I could be the next
American Idol.
That's crazy.
What's up, guys?
I'm here on the "Idol"
live stage.
This is where the audience
is going to be.
Let's go.
I can't wait to perform.
Wish me luck.
Let's do this.
♪ You promised the world,
and I fell for it ♪
♪ I put you first,
and you adored it ♪
♪ Set fire to my forest ♪
♪ And you let it burn ♪
♪ Sang off-key to my chorus ♪
♪ Because it wasn't yours
♪ Mm ♪
♪ I saw the signs,
and I ignored it ♪
♪ Rose colored glasses
all distorted ♪
♪ Set fire to my purpose ♪
♪ And I let it burn ♪
♪ You got off on the hurting ♪
♪ 'Cause it wasn't yours,
oh, oh ♪
♪ We'd always go
into it blindly ♪
♪ I needed to lose you
to find me ♪
♪ This dancing was
k*lling me softly ♪
♪ I needed to hate you
to love me ♪
♪ To love, love,
to love, love, to love ♪
♪ I needed to lose you
to love me ♪
♪ To love, love,
to love, love, to love ♪
♪ I needed to lose you
to love me ♪
♪ To love, love ♪
♪ To love, love ♪
- ♪ Yeah ♪
- ♪ To love ♪
- ♪ I needed to lose you ♪
♪ I needed to lose you ♪
- ♪ I needed to lose you
to love me ♪
- ♪ This dancing was
k*lling me softly ♪
♪ I needed to lose you ♪
♪ To love me ♪
- First of all, where's Delilah,
and what'd she do to your hair?
- You don't like it, Katy?
- I do like it.
Actually, I got...
It's just a change.
Change is hard sometimes.
But change is necessary.
Because, you know what
you just stepped into,
is the artist version
of who you are.
And sometimes you gotta
cut your hair to do that.
I would know.
- Thank you, Katy.
- Yeah, I mean, you look
like a million dollars.
And you're just a great singer.
- Thank you.
- And a great song choice.
We have so much talent
this season.
So when you make it through,
I'm like,
oh, my God, he's here.
He's up there.
And then I'm like,
that's why you're here, baby.
You just crushed it.
You crushed that.
- Thank you so much, Luke.
- All right.
Everyone came here as singers.
Yes, you're singing,
but you're turning now into
real artists, stylists.
Real stylists.
- Wow, thank you.
Thank you.
- Good job, Michael.
Congratulations.
- Good to see you.
- Well done.
- Thank you so much.
- I will tell you this...
Backstage,
they do love your short haircut.
- Well, thank you.
- The producers are buzzing
about it.
- We're matching, a little bit.
- You can vote for Michael
right now.
If he is your next
"American Idol,"
you can vote online
via the app or by text.
Voting opens at the end
of the show.
Michael Williams, America.
Thanks, buddy.
- Thank you guys.
Thank you so much.
- So let's take a look
at the math.
Six more spots remain for
the nine talented vocalists
over in the lounge.
Let's find out who claims
the next spot in your top 20,
right after this
on "American Idol."
And Noah Thompson and HunterGirl
join forces here on the stage
when we come back.
Stay with us.
- You having fun?
- Having a blast, Ryan.
- Thank you.
- Having a blast.
- We're all having a good time.
Thanks for being with
us on "American Idol."
We're taking a break
from the action right now
to welcome back two artists
who are already busy
making waves in country music
since they were with us
last year.
She's your current runner-up
and he is your reigning
American Idol.
And they're teaming up on his
single, "One Day Tonight."
Please welcome HunterGirl
and Noah Thompson.
Yeah!
- ♪ Now and then
after work on Friday night ♪
♪ She'll lean in
to a bottle of wine ♪
♪ And I just sit and watch
her talk about forever ♪
♪ Gotta admit it might be
my favorite thing ever ♪
♪ When her eyes fill up
with stars ♪
♪ And her dreams
pour out her heart ♪
♪ She wants a wedding
in September ♪
♪ Saved up all winter ♪
♪ Spent our summers in
a fixer upper in Denver ♪
♪ Wants a girl and a boy ♪
♪ And an old dog
named Old Roy ♪
♪ Lord, I hope this old boy
can give her that life ♪
♪ So go home, girl ♪
♪ Pour a glass of wine ♪
♪ And dream out loud,
talk about one day tonight ♪
Please welcome HunterGirl,
everybody.
- What's up?
♪ He lights up like
a ten-foot Christmas tree ♪
♪ Dreaming up
how our holidays will be ♪
♪ Already knows
where we'll be in 30 years ♪
♪ Lord, I hope it's from
his lips to God's ears ♪
♪ She wants a honeymoon
in Vegas ♪
♪ Front yard hydrangeas ♪
♪ Already knows the places
we'll be taking vacations ♪
♪ Wants a boy and a girl
with my eyes and her curls ♪
♪ Lord, I hope this old boy
can give her that life ♪
- ♪ So go home, girl ♪
♪ Pour a glass of wine ♪
♪ And dream out loud,
talk about ♪
♪ One day tonight ♪
- ♪ Whoa ♪
- ♪ Oh ♪
- ♪ She knows she wants
a princess cut diamond ♪
♪ But she don't know
what's in my pocket hiding ♪
♪ She wants a wedding
in September ♪
♪ Saved up all winter ♪
♪ Spent our summers in
a fixer upper in Denver ♪
♪ She wants a girl and a boy ♪
♪ And an old dog
named Old Roy ♪
♪ Lord, I hope this old boy
can give her that life ♪
- ♪ So go home, girl ♪
♪ Pour a glass of wine ♪
♪ And dream out loud,
talk about ♪
♪ One day tonight ♪
- HunterGirl, Noah Thompson,
welcome back.
Good to see you.
Welcome back.
- Good to see ya.
- So how is it to be finished
with all this
and out in the real world, Noah?
- Feels good, man.
Feels real good.
- And you guys have been
working together, huh?
- Yeah, we went on tour
at the end of last year.
And I think we have
a show next week.
And it's just been awesome
getting to music.
- So the duet version
of that song
is available now for fans.
HunterGirl's single,
"Lonely Outta You," is out now.
Congratulations.
- Thank you.
- Any quick advice for
the top 20 to be?
- Man, y'all just keep doing
your thing and be yourself,
man.
It's all I can tell you.
You guys are k*lling it.
- And happy belated 21st.
- I appreciate it.
Thank you so much.
- Noah's EP, "Middle Of God
Knows Where," drops June 9th.
HunterGirl and Noah Thompson,
everybody.
Thank you so much.
Congratulations.
Good having you back.
- Thank y'all.
- Thank you.
- So next year that could
easily be any of the finalists
in the lounge right now.
Let's find out who
is into the top 20
after the nationwide vote.
This time it's good news for
Paige Anne.
- This is so cool.
Ever since I was really little,
I was watching "Idol"
on the couch.
I've always just wanted to be
like those people I see on TV.
And so I would sing
whenever I possibly could.
- ♪ You need to go
and find yourself ♪
I've been performing
at Idaho State Fair
for the longest time.
♪ Ramparts we watched ♪
I've been performing National
Anthems at various arenas
just to gain that
little bit of confidence
to try and get me to this point.
Being here right now,
I'm nervous again
because, I mean, "Idol" is such
an emotional roller coaster.
- We're not sending
50-50s through.
- No.
- Hey!
- You are not in our top 24.
- ♪ And we'll grow as we go ♪
- One of the top 26
decided to bow out.
- I got invited back.
- Maybe we made a mistake.
- Yeah.
- I'm just so grateful
to be here.
It's what I worked for,
for so long.
It's been my dream since
I was really young to become
the next American Idol
and so all I want to do
is go back in time and tell
myself in those hard moments,
"Look where you are now.
You're living your dream."
♪ Say something, I'm ♪
♪ Giving up on you ♪
♪ And I'll be the one ♪
♪ If you want me to ♪
♪ And I ♪
♪ Will stumble and fall ♪
♪ I'm still learning to love ♪
♪ Just starting to crawl ♪
♪ And I, oh, I ♪
♪ Will swallow my pride ♪
♪ You're the one that I love ♪
♪ And I'm saying goodbye ♪
♪ Goodbye ♪
♪ Goodbye ♪
♪ Say something,
I'm giving up on you ♪
♪ And I'm sorry
that I couldn't get to you ♪
♪ Anywhere,
I would've followed you ♪
♪ Say something ♪
♪ I'm giving up ♪
♪ On you ♪
- Well, I can't imagine
what you're going through
to get into our top 20.
Congratulations.
You earned it.
I mean, you've persevered
through all this
and you're here.
Enjoy it.
Thank you.
I've never cried onstage before.
This is so weird.
- I want you to know, this
is not a consolation prize.
This is God's plan for you.
Enjoy this ride.
By the way, is there
such a thing as a Z flat?
Because she was up
on Mars somewhere.
Those notes are just incredible.
Incredible.
- Thank you.
- Uh, so we get it wrong.
Guess what?
Jesus took the wheel.
- There you go.
- What's bigger than us has
decided already
your future.
I got to say, so far,
I think you're
our best vocalist in this age
category for sure, hands down.
- Wow.
- Thank you.
- Wow.
- Paige Anne, everybody.
Here.
- Thank you.
I should not be crying in
front of America, oh, my gosh.
- Congratulations on
that great performance.
It touched a lot of people,
I know.
or the "American Idol" app
when the voting opens
at the end of the show.
You can also text your votes.
Thank you.
- Thank you so much.
- Congratulations!
- Thank you, judges.
- Those slots are running out
in the top 20,
but hope remains alive for
everybody over in the lounge.
Who did you choose, America?
More results right after this
on "American Idol"
from Hollywood.
We'll be right back.
- Back with you here on "Idol."
Tonight, it's all about
who is in your top 20.
Tomorrow night,
we'll have live results for you
as we name your top 12.
Let's find out
who is still in the running.
Good luck in the lounge.
After the nationwide vote,
the next person to make it
into the top 20 is...
Nutsa.
- I have a videotape
where I'm saying
when I was 17 years old
that one lady asks me,
what's your dream?
And I was describing
this moment.
I'm like, pinching myself.
Because for me,
it was very hard journey.
When I was a kid,
my mother was a single mom.
I remember, um, she didn't
have money for food.
I love my mother so much.
Like watching her struggle
was like...
It was k*lling me
from the inside.
I wanted to take care of my mom
so much financially.
So I was in a lot of festivals,
some concerts.
I went to a couple
of competitions.
So there I won some money and
of course it was for the rent.
And that's like how I started
slowly, slowly helping her.
My dreams, even in that period
of my life, was Hollywood.
All my life.
- I love you.
My mom, she believes
in me so much.
And she keeps telling me,
"You remember you were telling
me that you would do this."
And I was like, yeah.
That's... that's beautiful.
To look now, like what
we've been through together,
everything was worth it.
♪ Don't leave me
in all this pain ♪
♪ Don't leave me
out in the rain ♪
♪ Come back
and bring back my smile ♪
♪ Come and take
these tears away ♪
♪ I need your arms
to hold me now ♪
♪ The nights are so unkind ♪
♪ Bring back those nights
when I had you beside me ♪
♪ Un-break my heart ♪
♪ Say you'll love me again ♪
♪ Undo this hurt you caused
when you walked out the door ♪
♪ And walked out of my life ♪
♪ Un-cry these tears ♪
♪ I cried so many nights ♪
♪ Un-break my heart ♪
♪ Don't leave me
in all this pain ♪
♪ Don't leave me out
in the rain ♪
♪ Bring back those nights
when I held you beside me ♪
♪ Un-break ♪
♪ My heart ♪
♪ Say you'll love me again ♪
♪ Undo this hurt you caused
when you walked out the door ♪
♪ And walked out of my life ♪
♪ Un-cry these tears ♪
♪ And I cried
so many, many nights ♪
♪ Un-break my ♪
♪ Heart ♪
Thank you so much.
- All right.
I am going to tell you,
you are the hardest
working person
I have ever met on this show.
You stepped into
that light tonight.
You are a force
to be reckoned with.
Congratulations.
- Thank you so much.
- OK, when I said, like,
no glitter,
what I meant was exactly
what you gave tonight.
- Oh, thank you so much.
- It was sophisticated.
You don't have to do it all,
you can do it all.
But you can also hold the room
by just being
your powerful Nutsa self.
- Nutsa!
- Thank you, Katy, so much.
- Nutsa!
I whispered to Katy, I was
like, she don't mess around.
You don't mess around.
And you came from
halfway across the world
and you got this far.
And you need to hold
your head up high.
You have earned every second.
- Thank you so much.
- Congratulations, Nutsa.
- Thank you so much.
- So they were telling me
when you first
sang that song
in the first rehearsal,
you got goosebumps.
What were you feeling?
You're also...
- Oh, sorry.
I would love to say, first
of all, thank you to America
for welcoming so warm
and for the love.
And this song is
really close to my heart.
So I was imagining everything
I've been through.
And it was really...
- Is your heart whole now?
- Uh.
- Working on it, OK.
- Working on it.
- Fill her heart.
Go nuts for Nutsa if you want
her to be in your top 12.
- Thank you so much.
I love you guys.
- You have the final say,
America.
You can make it happen
by voting for her online,
via the app, or by texting.
Voting opens at the end
of the show.
One more time, ladies
and gentlemen, Nutsa.
Thank you.
- Thank you so much.
There are only four more spots
in your top 20
and an insane amount of talent
left over there in the lounge.
More of your results
when we come back,
right here on "American Idol."
Do not move.
- You have been calling
the shots all night long
as we have named your top 20.
No doubt it is incredible and
a hard decision for you at home.
Let's get back to the big news
of the night right now.
After that nationwide vote,
making it into the top 20,
in this moment, still shining,
like his platinum ticket...
Tyson Venegas!
- Oh, what the heck?
What is this?
That's in my tummy there.
Oh, my goodness. Oh.
This is so sweet.
Oh, my God. This is so cute.
Oh, I love that one.
- Oh.
♪ Twinkle, twinkle
la, la, la ♪
- Oh my God.
- This is you in the car.
We would like, make you sing
all the time because...
Instead of letting you cry.
Oh, look, and you're wearing
a Billy Joel shirt.
- Oh, I remember that.
- This is the time when you
used to just find that stage
on that coffee table.
I was so nervous.
I thought you'd always
fall off that table,
but you didn't care.
Tyson, I'm proud of
how far you've come.
Like, as soon as you had
a mic on you,
you were doing that, which is
like, crazy because you went
from struggling to speak
and communicate,
and then like,
using music to help you.
And now look at you.
You're on "American Idol."
- ♪ But now I need a little ♪
♪ Give and take,
give and take ♪
♪ And I don't care
if it's just for now ♪
- You did it.
That's you.
- Thank you so much for
always believing in me.
I love you so much, Mama.
- Oh, my God. I love you more.
- ♪ I ain't political,
can't even vote yet ♪
♪ I'm the kind of guy who tries
to stop and smell the roses ♪
♪ Struggles getting harder,
we find them farther ♪
♪ The world's getting harder,
your sons and daughters ♪
♪ Won't get the same chance
that their mothers ♪
♪ And fathers had ♪
♪ It's going down
and it's going down fast ♪
♪ Direction we're heading is
wrong, Armageddon head on ♪
♪ Before it's all gone,
come on, we got to turn this ♪
♪ Around ♪
♪ We ain't gonna make it ♪
♪ It'll all be wasted ♪
♪ Throw it all away
if we don't make some changes ♪
♪ Now ♪
♪ Before it's too late ♪
♪ We need a 180 ♪
♪ Yeah, I'm young,
but I'm not dumb ♪
♪ I read history ♪
- I love it.
- ♪ I love how far we've come ♪
♪ After all we've done,
should have learned ♪
♪ A lesson from it ♪
♪ We're good at thoughts
and prayers ♪
♪ If you can stomach
a solution ♪
♪ The institutions
of this union ♪
♪ Can't even stop kids
from sh**ting other humans ♪
♪ That's messed up,
but guess what? ♪
♪ The rest of us can
still turn it around ♪
♪ Yes, we'll turn it around ♪
♪ We ain't gonna make it ♪
♪ It'll all be wasted ♪
♪ Throw it all away ♪
♪ If we don't make
some changes ♪
♪ Now ♪
♪ Before it's too late, we ♪
♪ Need a 180 ♪
- Wow.
- Oh, my God.
I know who you are now.
It was so cool.
It's so great when you
perform your own songs.
I know what you stand for.
I know what your values are.
I know what your perspective is.
I know where your heart is,
and therefore, I can fall deeper
in love with you, Tyson.
- Aw.
- So I think that was wonderful.
It was a great song,
great execution.
I think you're on your way
to being an artist.
- Thank you so much, Katy.
- Yeah.
- Thank you.
- I'm just so proud of everybody
that's done
their originals tonight.
Katy's right.
I mean, 17, right?
- Yeah. 17.
- You know, up here
on "American Idol,"
delivering messages for
the world, helping people.
And you do a marvelous job
at the piano,
the way you're able
to hold the room.
- Thank you so much, Luke.
Thank you.
- It's far beyond
your years talented.
- Yeah. Singer.
Songwriter.
- Yes.
- Let me tell you
how powerful that is.
A lot of times when singers
come into the business,
they need songwriters
to write for them.
And therefore,
you're at the mercy
of finding the right songs.
When you are
a singer-songwriter,
you can write your future.
- Yes.
- That was a damn good song.
- Oh, my God.
Thank you, Lionel.
Thank you, guys.
- That's coming from
somebody that knows
a thing or two about that.
Congratulations.
- Thank you.
- I know you're excited.
You met Smokey Robinson earlier?
- I did meet Smokey.
I met him in the back.
I was like, yo, it's Smokey.
- Soon,
people are gonna react like that
when they meet you.
Well done.
- Thank you.
- If you loved that performance
and you want to hear more from
Tyson, vote for him tonight.
Voting will open at
the end of the show
and will stay open until
9:00 a. m. Eastern tomorrow.
Tyson Venegas.
- Thank you so much.
- Thank you very much.
Another surprising performance
is on the way.
More of your top 20 results,
America, right after this.
- Back with you on "Idol."
All season long
you've been waiting
to be in the driver's seat.
And now it's all paying off.
Let's get to that next decision
after the nationwide vote.
Making it into our top 20 is...
Megan Danielle.
- Oh, my God.
♪ And all I remember ♪
Pretty much my whole life
I've just never thought that
I was pretty enough
or that I was talented enough
to do anything.
- What we've got to get
this girl to understand
is how spectacular you are.
- I might lose it. Sorry.
- Listen, I'm getting emotional
talking to you.
- When I was seven years old,
my parents actually
got a divorce.
My siblings and I actually
watched my dad
walking out of the house.
And that was the moment that
I knew my family was never
going to be the same again.
♪ Begged you to want me,
but you didn't want to ♪
I put a lot of blame on myself
for my dad leaving.
It made me feel
kind of worthless.
♪ Piece by piece ♪
Like I wasn't a good daughter
or, you know,
even a good sister.
I'm a big family person,
so, you know, this is hard.
♪ Piece by piece he filled the
holes that you burned in me ♪
Since my dad left,
it's been a lifelong struggle
for me to believe in me, and
believe that I am good enough.
- Oh, God, honey.
- Being on "Idol" has
definitely made me believe,
you know,
I'm supposed to be here.
And after every round
I feel like my confidence
just keeps going up and up.
I didn't ever think
I'd make it this far.
And now that I'm here, I'm like,
you know this is
a dream come true.
♪ Piece by piece ♪
♪ God, I'm on my knees again ♪
♪ God, I'm begging
please again, I need you ♪
♪ Oh, how I need you ♪
♪ And walking down
these desert roads ♪
♪ Water for my thirsty soul ♪
♪ I need you ♪
♪ Oh, how I need you, yeah ♪
♪ 'Cause your forgiveness ♪
♪ Is like sweet, sweet
honey on my lips ♪
♪ It's like the sound of
a symphony to my ears, yeah ♪
♪ It's like holy water
on my skin ♪
♪ I don't want to
abuse your grace ♪
♪ God, I need it every day ♪
♪ It's the only thing
that ever really ♪
♪ Makes me want to change ♪
♪ And I don't want
to abuse your grace ♪
♪ God, I need it every day ♪
♪ It's the only thing
that ever really ♪
♪ Makes me want to change ♪
♪ 'Cause your forgiveness ♪
♪ It's like sweet, sweet
honey on my lips, yeah ♪
♪ It's like holy water
on my skin ♪
♪ It's like
holy water on my skin ♪
♪ It's like holy water on ♪
♪ My skin ♪
Whoo!
- That was the best performance
I've seen you do this season.
- Right.
- What is so special
about you is
nobody sounds anything like you.
- Nope.
- You are in your lane.
And you can tell your stories
with your voice.
Great job.
- Thank you so much. Thank you.
- Uh, very simple.
That was just
a sold out performance.
OK?
I mean, it's so believable.
I could just listen
to song after song
after song after song.
- Thank you.
That means so much.
Thank you so much.
- Congratulations.
- Thank you.
- I agree with Luke.
It is the best delivery
you have given us all season.
There's a confidence
that's just settled in.
You are good enough.
You've always been good enough.
And I think that's what you'll
find in this competition.
- Thank you so much.
- Great job.
- Hey, hey.
to cast your votes
for Megan Danielle
and all your favorites.
That is the key to survival
in the top 12 tomorrow night.
You can vote up to 10 times per
contestant, per voting method.
Thank you very much.
Great job tonight.
- Thank you. Thank you.
- With the top 20 spots
dwindling,
another result
coming your way right now.
After the nationwide vote,
making it into the top 20 is...
Colin Stough.
- Man, I'm glad I'm here,
you know?
It still feels unbelievable,
really.
I'm on a plane.
Finna strikeout for LA.
I'll see y'all when I get there.
♪ Well, the railroads
are like a welcome mat ♪
Where I live Gattman,
you know, there's probably,
no joke, probably about
200, 300 people there.
Coming here, you know,
there is folks everywhere.
I'm experiencing a lot of stuff
for the first time,
you know, being here.
Like, you don't have to cut the
lights on in your hotel room,
or, you know.
Really, man, where I'm from,
you drive a truck,
go to the military,
or you work in a plant.
Ain't really no in between.
♪ Starting over ♪
Music was a dream
that I've always had.
I just never thought
I was capable of doing it.
- Who signed you up for "Idol"?
- My mom did.
- Oh, mama got ya, huh?
Yeah, she got me good.
- He's my only one,
and I am so proud of him.
- And then come on TV,
and I was like,
dang, man, these people
actually want to hear me.
- That kid was born
to be a star.
- I feel really grateful
Mama signed me up because
she knew in her head
I would never sign me up
for nothing like this,
just because I've never
had the confidence.
I love my mom!
It really has helped a lot.
I don't know,
I'm just blessed to be able
to have the opportunity
because it's, like,
so many doors are opening.
And you know, I just want
to be a name, you know?
I want to be a somebody.
♪ I didn't think
I was a bad guy ♪
♪ I knew that you were good ♪
♪ You were golden
on the inside ♪
♪ And you loved me
the best you could ♪
♪ What does that say about me? ♪
♪ I could do you like I did ♪
♪ That I can break
an angels wings ♪
♪ What does that say about me? ♪
♪ That I stood there
like a fence post ♪
♪ You drove off in your car ♪
♪ What does that say about me? ♪
♪ Now that I've broke ♪
♪ Your pretty heart ♪
♪ Your pretty heart ♪
♪ Well, I wish that
I could go back ♪
♪ Hang on to what I had ♪
♪ But it's all, babe ♪
♪ Been nothing but a dream ♪
♪ And what does that say
about me? ♪
♪ Now that I've broke ♪
♪ Your pretty heart ♪
♪ Your pretty heart ♪
♪ Your pretty heart ♪
So, um...
- I want every night,
when you walk out onstage
for the rest of your life,
your opening line is,
"I love my mama."
- I love my mama.
- Don't you ever, ever stop
saying that because your mama
got you into this mess...
And you are going
to get yourself
through this mess, OK?
You're doing a great job.
Just keep growing, all right?
Keep growing.
- Thank you.
I appreciate it.
- You're always going
to be so authentic
and staying true to your roots,
and we really appreciate
that on "American Idol."
I definitely... like, I want
to push you vocally
to give us a few more notes when
we get to hear you sing next
because I know
you have them in you,
and sometimes you just go back
into your shell,
but it's time to shine, Colin.
We are on the "American Idol"
top 20 stage.
- Come on!
- Man.
Yes, ma'am. Thank you.
- Come on!
- You're like becoming
my little science experiment...
- Because I know
every emotion going on
in your head because
I really grew up very similar
to the way you have.
And when I was giving you
the, like, you looked at me
and you connected with me,
and for like 10 seconds,
you turned on a little more
grit and charm,
and then you climbed back
inside of yourself.
You got to give it to us
all the time
for the rest of your life.
Give it to the people.
And you're... you're a big star.
I believe you're a big star.
But you got to understand
you are.
- Thank you so much.
- Colin Stough.
Colin Stough.
All right. Good job.
Luke, stand up,
show us the Colin Stough grit
you're looking for.
♪ Your pretty heart ♪
You just got to give it to us!
- Get into it.
- Congratulations.
Great performance tonight.
Colin wants to be
in your top 12,
but he needs your votes
to get there.
The vote will open in just
a few minutes, so make sure
you're ready to vote
using every method.
Colin Stough, America.
- Thank you so much.
- OK, buddy.
Good job.
- Thank you, America.
- Well, here we are.
There's one final spot
in your top 20.
Dawson Wayne, Elijah McCormick,
Malik Heard, and Wé Ani
are still waiting in agony
to find out who will take it.
That last result of the night
right after this
on "American Idol."
- You are back on "Idol"
where we can feel the tension
in the air here in the studio.
And we can see the bond.
It all comes down to Dawson,
Elijah, Malik, and Wé.
One of them is about to take
that final spot in the top 20
and continue working towards
being the next American Idol.
Good luck to all of you.
Here we go with
that final result.
After the nationwide vote,
the last person
in the top 20 tonight is...
Wé Ani.
Congratulations.
You did it.
A huge moment for Wé Ani.
Go get set onstage.
Thank you very much.
Let's hear it
for these contestants here.
Thank you so much for
sharing your talent with us.
Dawson, Malik, Elijah,
we're gonna miss you guys.
Great to get to know you.
And now before the show closes,
here's more on Wé.
Wé Ani, everybody!
- Thank you.
My journey on "American Idol"
has been absolutely amazing.
Hawaii was definitely
a huge highlight for me
because there was this
little girl in the audience
who was signing to her mom.
- And we are back here
on "American Idol."
- She was interpreting
everything that the judges
were saying, all of the songs.
It was amazing.
So I felt like I had
to come up and say hi.
- Thank you.
- Growing up, my little brother
lost his hearing
for a couple of years.
And in order for him
to communicate,
he needed to use sign language.
So I thought, hey, I want to
learn so he can talk to me.
People think "deaf," "music,"
don't go hand in hand,
but they absolutely do.
Music isn't just
a sonic experience.
The ASL community
has definitely had me
approach music very different.
I need to make sure
my facial expressions are big.
My body language needs to be
very exaggerated.
So it's never just
about the singing.
It's never just about
the actual instruments
that you're playing.
It's really about the entire
experience of you performing.
And I want to constantly
give that.
I want to become the next
"American Idol,"
please.
♪ This is the end ♪
♪ Hold your breath
and count to 10 ♪
♪ Feel the earth move
and then ♪
♪ Hear my heart burst ♪
♪ Again ♪
♪ Let the sky fall ♪
♪ When it crumbles ♪
♪ We will stand tall ♪
♪ And face it all together ♪
♪ Let the sky fall ♪
♪ When it crumbles ♪
♪ We will stand tall ♪
♪ And face it all
together at Skyfall ♪
♪ Where you go, I go ♪
♪ What you see, I see ♪
♪ I know I'd never be me ♪
♪ Without the security ♪
♪ Of your loving arms ♪
♪ Keeping me from harm ♪
♪ Put your hand in my hand ♪
♪ And we'll stand ♪
- ♪ Let the sky fall ♪
♪ When it crumbles ♪
♪ We will stand tall ♪
♪ We will stand ♪
♪ At Skyfall ♪
- Wait.
Oh, my God.
OK.
I'm just so shook right now.
Like, I mean, first of all,
I'm shook by the results.
And I'm also like...
That song is so dramatic.
There's so much drama going
through my body right now,
I need a nap.
But the truth is, America,
you guys have the votes.
You're the ones voting.
And if you're not voting,
you're not using your voice.
Your faves aren't safe.
So from now on, vote for who
you want to see in the top 12.
- I think Katy and I are in...
We're just processing the
whole show and the whole year.
And you're so deserving.
And it's just amazing what
you do night in and night out.
And you crush it every night.
And like I said, Katy,
we cannot bang home enough,
everybody vote.
Please go vote.
- This is a wild show.
This is a wild season.
- Let me start off by saying,
I love you.
When I say this, I mean you
completely destroyed me
when you first showed up
onstage.
And you had this voice
that was that big.
And then you went to a voice
that big.
And the amount of talent
that you have is undeniable.
I'm just so happy
to have you on the show.
The contestants all deserve to
be in the number one category.
You all are amazing.
Vote, vote, vote, everybody.
- Wé Ani, you have made it
into the top 20.
- Thanks.
- Congratulations.
- Thank you. Thank you.
- You were singing,
Lionel was feeling it.
You stood up and you put your
hands in the air
and light came from your palms.
It was...
- You could see it.
- Yes, it was one
of those moments.
- Oh.
- All right,
now the top 12 is on the line.
If you want her
to get a guaranteed spot,
you've got to vote online,
through the app, or via text,
Wé Ani, ladies and gentlemen.
Thank you very much.
- Yeah!
- Congratulations, Wé.
And with that,
your top 20 has been made.
And the voting is now open.
Here's a reminder of
the voting information
for each of your finalists.
Get to work at home and vote
for all of your favorites.
You have until 9:00 a. m.
Eastern tomorrow.
What a show.
Thank you,
Kris Pooley and the band.
Great wall-to-wall music.
To our amazing judges,
thank you very much.
And to you at home
for watching and voting.
We'll see you tomorrow night
for more incredible drama
when we name your top 12.
Until then, good night, America.
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21x13 - 612 (Top 20)
Watch/Buy Amazon
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.