On Sunday, the American Idol top 24 headed to Hawaii to shoot what was basically a two-hour infomercial for Disney's Aulani Resort, and along the way half of them also performed on the Aulani stage, competing for America's votes for the first time this season.
Mentoring and guest-judging these 12 hopefuls was Tori Kelly — who Idol producers keep claiming as one of their own, despite the fact that they embarrassingly cut her before the live shows of Season 9 — and Tori clearly felt a kinship with her fellow would-be Idols. Tori seemed especially fond of fellow singer-songwriter McKenna Faith Breinholt, saying McKenna had "one of the voices that I can already picture on a record." But it was regular judge Lionel Richie who really gushed, actually comparing McKenna to one of the most celebrated and legendary singer-songwriters of all time.
McKenna covered Brandi Carlile's "The Story" Sunday, in what is known as the episode's the final "pimp spot," and there was quite an amazing and heartstring-tugging, tear-jerking personal story behind its dedication. Get out the Kleenex for this one.
On the Season 22 premiere, McKenna explained that she was adopted by a non-musical family, but when she sought out her birth mother's information four years ago, she learned that she'd inherited her talent from her bio-mom, Amy Ross-Lopez of the Arizona folk duo Nowhere Man and a Whiskey Girl. Sadly, Amy died in 2013 at age 40 from complications of systemic lupus, but McKenna got to know Amy by streaming her music. When McKenna's bio-relatives, who she'd met through FaceTime but not yet face-to-face, surprised her in person at her Idol audition, and McKenna then covered Nowhere Man and a Whiskey Girl's "Tumbleweed" while the late Amy's poor mother tried to hold it together, I could barely keep it together myself, and I am sure many other viewers were also in tears. It was a sweet way to honor the bio-mother McKenna never knew. But this week in Hawaii, McKenna honored the mother she'd known all her life — telling her from the stage, "Thank you for raising me to be the person I am today" — and it was just as touching.
"I'm dedicating ["The Story"] to my mom... um, the one that's going to be in the audience. I was made for her, for my [adoptive] mom, Lisa. I'm supposed to be my mom's. Like, I was supposed to be in their family. I was supposed to be adopted. And I feel like song represents that perfectly," McKenna explained to Tori during rehearsal. "I just want my mom to know how much I love her and how much I appreciate her for what she has done for me. That's the only thing I want her to take away from the next performance."
Th result was a stunning, tender take on Carlile's plaintive ballad, effectively showing all the colors and nuances of what Katy Perry called McKenna's "star voice" — from her distinctive low-end rasp, to her aching/breaking cry, to her elastic bend towards the highest notes. Katy said McKenna was "ready for the big time," and Luke Bryan said McKenna had "so many big-time singer-songwriter traits" that made her a "serious contender."
But then Lionel namechecked one of Carlile's own idols and genius collaborators, beginning with the major understatement "I'm going to pay you a major compliment," and then stating: "I had to close my eyes for a moment, and I said, 'That is probably the next-closest thing to Joni Mitchell.' ... There's something about singers who can tell a story without screaming, without runs. Just tell me the story and make us all feel it. You did it."
I wouldn't go so far to declare McKenna the next Joni; as Lionel himself acknowledged, "those are big shoes" to fill. But I wholeheartedly agree with all those "star" and "serious contender" and "big-time" comments from the judges. I believe McKenna's Idol story is just beginning. And I believe she made both Lisa and Amy very proud tonight.
So, McKenna is pretty much a lock for the top 20 now. But which of the other singers who competed Sunday will join her? Not many of Sunday's singers were at a McKenna level (and certainly not a Joni level), but a few of them showcased star voices and stories of their own.
Hailey Mia, "She's All I Wanna Be"
Tori, who was only 16 herself when she competed on Idol, noted that this inexperienced 16-year-old's biggest weakness was working the stage. I am sure that having to open Sunday's show, in what is known as the "death spot," was especially daunting for Hailey, and frankly, this sequencing set her up to fail. She did her best, she really tried, but she just couldn't bring the Tate McRae energy that this song required, despite Tori nicely telling her that she "leveled up" and "killed it." The regular judges were more honest, with Lionel saying the performance didn't have enough attitude, Katy saying it didn't have enough "sauce," and Luke diplomatically telling Hailey, "The enormity of the moment may have made you hold back just a little bit." I think Hawaii will be the last stop on Hailey's Idol journey.
Jordan Anthony, "Titanium"
This David Guetta/Sia hit is a big, big anthem, and Jordan said he had a special connection to it, because it reminded him of when he was bullied due to his weight when he was a child. I guess with that setup, I was just expecting... more. Jordan had his moments, when he climbed (or attempted to climb) to the power notes, but he didn't quite climb to the peak of his powers. However, Lionel and Katy loved his final run (Katy said it was "super-duper impressive" and gave her "wonk-eye"), and Luke appreciated the risky song choice. I think Katy gave Jordan sound advice when she pointed out that performances can "play different on TV," so if he makes it to the top 20, he needs to go bigger — or he'll go home.
Jayna Elise, "Confident"
There's little doubt that Jayne sang the heck out of this sassy Demi Lovato banger, but on Idol (talk about things playing different on TV from how they seem on a real-life concert stage!), confidence can often be misinterpreted as arrogance. I just don't know if this performance had the all-important, ever-elusive likability factor that draws votes. But Tori told Jayne she "looked like a rock star," Lionel said Jayna "took no prisoners," and Luke said, "There's so much identity in the notes that you choose." All of which was true. Whatever happens next, at least Jayna made it to Hawaii, which is further than she got last season, so kudos to her.
Julia Gagnon, "Rumour Has It"
Julia just got engaged — in fact, she and her new fiancé celebrated this milestone with a romantic ceremony on the Hawaiian sands — so I wasn't sure if she'd be in the right mindset to pull off Adele's nasty, sassy, stanky breakup song. Tori urged Julia "really commit to the emotion of the song... even if it's a little bit of acting," and Julia did have her moments. With her deep, resonant tone and incredible range, she occasionally gave me Alison Moyet vibes. But there a vacant, spooked look in her eyes and a woodenness to her movements that made her seem disconnected. I wondered if the judges warning her that she's done "too much" during her manic Showstoppers performance last week had caused her to overcorrect and now not do enough. But Julia brought it on home at the end during the song's breakdown, when Katy said the "last note reminded us why we gave you the Platinum Ticket." I think the fact that both Tori and Luke were practically begging America to vote for Julia was a bad sign, but we will see.
Kayko, "How to Live Without You"
For many contestants, doing an original song in the first week of public voting would be a foolish risk. But that's what Kayko does — he's yet to sing a cover this season — so he stayed on-brand. He decision to sing a ballad about his mom, who died unexpectedly in 2022 (and with whom he last visited Hawaii 10 years ago), was a big risk because he feared he might get too caught up in song's meaning and not deliver a technically perfect vocal. But Tori told him not worry, explaining, "You can be the best singer in the world, but a true artist is someone who can evoke that emotion." It turned out that both Kayko and Tori were right. This was a beautiful performance; even the catches and gulped-back sobs in Kayko's raw delivery worked in this context, so much so that the judges couldn't bring themselves any critique supposed imperfections. Lionel said the song sounds like a classic that "has been here forever," and Katy, who admitted she'd underestimated the quirky piano man "as just this punk/pop guy," praised Kayko's bravery, telling him: "I would not be able to sing that song."
Nya, "The Best"
Covering the almighty Tina Turner is no easy feat, but I assumed this diva, the oldest and most seasoned contestant of Season 22, could pull it off. But "The Best" did not showcase this diva at her best. Yes, her vocal was technically beyond reproach, but where was all that fire and bravado and sexiness we saw when she slayed her leggy, black-leathered "Get Ready" Showstoppers performance last week? I'm not sure if she was nervous because her fiancé was in the audience this time, but I expected more Tina-like charisma from her. Sadly, when Katy told Nya, "I just wish you all the success in the world," it sounded like a foreshadowing goodbye.
Blake Proehl, "Anyone"
This second-generation pro footballer is an all-American hero and loving grandson who's gotten a cute nice-guy edit this season. And now, with this week's song choice, he probably has the Beliebers on his side too. But the tune didn't showcase his range, he barely moved (Lionel joked he was a "prisoner" of this mic stand), and I was bored. I wasn't believing, or Beliebing, what Blake was singing. Katy pointed out Blake's nerves and warned him, "You're the only one standing in the way of you going to the next level." Luke told him, "I can tell you're still in the growth of becoming who you are as an artist." But Luke also called Blake a "boy next door," so let's face it... this guy is probably going to take a top 20 spot from someone who deserves it more. We see this happen almost every season, lamentably.
Abi Carter, "Oceans"
Doing a Christian song by Hillsong United seemed like a smart strategy to secure the conservative heartland vote (religious songs in general tend to go over well on show like Idol, America's Got Talent, and The Voice). But Abi probably could've sung a GG Allin song this week and still made it work and won America's hearts. After suffering from bronchitis all throughout Showstoppers week and really only making this far on the strength of her magical, Platinum-Ticketed first audition of "What Was I Made For," a full recovered Abi got to show was she was made of this week. Luke described this passionate performance "kind of an experience" and called Abi "definitely one of the frontrunners." Lionel told Abi, "You had us all holding our breath!" Tori was "shaking" and rooting so hard" for Abi as she told her, "It was your moment. ... You took it and killed it." And Katy even went so far to confess, "I don't know if I'm allowed to say it — but you're my favorite." I think America might agree with Katy.
Quintavious, "Something in the Water"
This was a weird segment, one that might really backfire on Quintavious. During rehearsal, he was waffling between Carrie Underwood's "Something in the Water" and Tori's own song "Hollow," and of course Tori "got excited" and urged him to sing the latter. She even dueted a bit of "Hollow" with Quintavious, and it sounded great. So, when Quintavious eventually hit the Aulani stage and sang Carrie's song instead, Tori was visibly disappointed, pouting and letting out a deflated, "Oh." I am sure Quintavious had his valid reasons for thinking "Something in the Water" was a better fit for his voice and vibe and didn't mean to insult his mentor, and Tori later claimed to respect him for sticking to his guns. But it was a bad look nonetheless. He did nail this vocal, though, so hopefully for his "big-time energy" (as Luke put it) and "church moment" (as Katy said) will be enough to keep him in voters' good graces.
Kaibrienne "KB" Richins, "Heaven"
I liked that KB belted her devoted dad's favorite song, and that she continued to lean into her classic rock side on Bryan Adams's power-ballad. I do think in this case, however, it would have behooved KB to stick to her guns and go against her mentor's advice. Tori urged KB to push herself and take the song up half a step, despite the shy teen fearing that this would strain her voice. It turned out that KB was right to worry. The higher-key arrangement never seemed to sit comfortably in her range, and the result was sometimes uncomfortable to my ears. KB mostly pulled it off, but even Tori noticed that she seemed "relieved" when it was all over. However, Lionel had "goosebumps from the start," Luke said KB had "star potential," and Katy told KB she had "one of our more unique voices." But then, Katy added with seeming concern, "I want to keep you!" As I've already pointed out, it's never a good sign when a judge begs viewers to vote. But hopefully Katy's pleas won't go ignored this week, because I want to keep KB too.
Will Moseley, "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay"
This wasn't biggest or most ambitious vocal showcase of the night. But — much like Hawaii's own Iam Tongi, who won Idol last season and was a guest performer this week — Will is such a natural, with what Lionel called the "signature voice" of a true "stylist," that he doesn't need to do much to make an impact. This laid-back Otis Redding cover was just so pro. Everything felt so easy and right. Tori sweetly told Will, "Your voice makes me feel safe," and this was both Luke and Katy's favorite performance of the night, with Luke calling Will a "big-time contender" and Katy telling Will, "It was like milk and meat loaf and apple pie. It was so American!" Well, this show is looking for American idol. And I could easily imagine Will becoming the series' next one.
So now, it is prediction time. Ten singers from this group will advance to the next round, and I think McKenna, Will, and Abi will be among them for sure, along with Kayko, KB, Jordan, and probably Blake. That means, if I'm predicting correctly, the most at-risk contestants will be Hailey, Jayna, Nya, Julia, and Quintavious, four of whom are of color — which will not be great optics for Idol, regardless of the reasons why.
But before we get to that potentially controversial result, on Monday's part two episode, the top 24's other dozen contenders — a perhaps even stronger group, with standouts like Triston Harper, Ajii, Platinum Ticket-holder Odell Bunton Jr., and my two favorites, KBlocks and Jennifer Jeffries — will take the Aulani stage. And no matter what transpires on that stage, with the lovable Jelly Roll serving as Monday's guest mentor and judge, it's sure to be must-see TV. See you then.
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