On Monday, after 25 million votes and over the course of two nail-biting, white-knuckling hours, this season's American Idol top 20 became the top 14. It was night of tough goodbyes, a few surprises, and, frankly, some bad optics. A typical Idol results show, then. Let's get into it.
So, here's what went down. Host Ryan Seacrest called each of the contestants' names, one by one, and informed them of their fates — after which those contestants performed either a "victory song" (if they'd been declared safe) or, if they were in the bottom 10, performed in the hopes of securing one of the night's four wild-card spots, which were decided by judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan.
Among the 10 singers who breezed through to the top 14 were some that could win this whole season: piano woman McKenna Faith Breinholt, country songbird Mia Matthews, "accidental Idol" Kayko, country singer-songwriters Will Mosely and Triston Harper, and Sunday's two best and most emotional performers, Abi Carter and Kaibrienne. So, no surprises there. The only three I hadn't been totally sure about were Jack Blocker (because he picked a silly song this week and sang in the death spot), Loretta Lynn's granddaughter Emmy Russell (because she's still coming into her own as a performer), and inconsistent Platinum Ticket recipient Julia Gagnon. But considering their overall bodies of work and the sympathetic edits they've received this season, their results did not shock me.
But then there was the bottom 10: Jordan Anthony, Jayna Elise, Nya, Roman Collins, Quintavious, Kennedy Reid, Jennifer Jeffries, Ajii, Odell Bunton Jr., and Mackenzie Sol. This was a bit more surprising. Jayna, Nya, and Roman had delivered some of Sunday's most dynamic performances and received some of the judges' most gushing praise. Both Jordan and Mackenzie — particularly Jordan, Katy's favorite of that night — had earned positive critiques and seemed likely to appeal to young girls (if young girls are even still watching Idol, that is). Odell was the much-hyped first Platinum Ticket recipient of the season.
And finally, Ajii had been pushed by producers and was the only contestant flying the flag in any way for classic rock (a genre that's usually popular with older Idol viewers, who presumably actually do still watch). When Ryan revealed that Ajii was in jeopardy, that result actually received the loudest and most outraged boos from the studio audience. "The audience is booing America's vote!" Katy gasped.
My partial theory is Roman and Quintavious, this season's two gospel belters, canceled each other out in the votes, and that the same thing probably happened with the two classic R&B divas, Nya and Jayna, and with the two heart-on-sleeve foreign heartthrobs, Australia's Jordan and England's Mackenzie. As for the rest of the at-risk group, I'd predicted that Jennifer, while probably Season 22's most interesting and authentic artist, would not connect with mainstream viewers, and that the usually fun and flashy Kennedy's drastic makeunder and diminished confidence, after receiving hate online, had ruined what made her so special.
It must have flustered these 10 kids to find out that instead of giving a celebratory performance and then sitting pretty for the rest of the night with their pals in the side-stage lounge, they'd be singing on the spot for their lives. Which four contestants succeeded and received wild-card reprieves? Read on.
Quintavious, "Make It Happen"
I bet Quintavious thought he'd safe this week, because I doubt he would've chosen this as his do-or-die fight song. The retro Mariah Carey bop might have worked at the Aulani resort, but not tonight; it didn't even showcase his phenomenal range, until the end when he attempted what Luke called that "break-the-church-glass" note at the end. Luke praised Quintavious for not getting rattled and for getting the episode's party started, but this felt like a farewell party to me.
Jordan Anthony, "Attention"
Jordan is not a mighty power-singer like of this season's other contenders, but he comes across as a believable, relevant, fully baked pop star, and this Charlie Puth song was a smart pick for him. Katy, still in shock that Jordan was up for elimination in the first place, called this his "best performance so far." I definitely didn't think it was better than Sunday's "When the Party's Over," but I thought it was solid enough to capture the judges' attention.
Kennedy Reid, "Something Bad"
I really wish Kennedy had shown up tonight rocking a full face of Trixie Mattel clown-paint and her biggest, fluffiest Dolly Parton wig, giving zero effs and flashing two acrylic-taloned middle fingers to America's haters. But that didn't happen. Her light was clearly still dimmed, and I felt bad for her. She came into this competition so bubbly and confident, but that Kennedy was long gone. She tried to bring back some of her old spark with this Miranda Lambert/Carrie Underwood cover and put up a valiant fight, but ultimately just came across as angry.
Jennifer Jeffries, "All I Want"
I was rooting for Jennifer, and I thought she had a strong chance of being saved by the judges, who have frequently declared her a budding superstar. This performance was a major improvement over Sunday's nervous "Grave Digger" cover — pretty and lilting, familiar to the viewers at home, and the perfect showcase for her instantly identifiable cry/crackle in her voice and previously unheard falsetto. If Jennifer had performed this Kodaline hit on Sunday, she might not have been in the bottom 10 at all.
Ajii, "Call Out My Name"
It was during top 24 week, when Ajii sang Tems's "Higher," that I first noticed his vocal similarities to the Weeknd, so I liked this song pick for him. And it sounded like a real fight song. I think Ajii's amped-up, nervous energy compromised his vocals slightly, but it was undeniable that he left everything on the stage. "You gave us exactly what we need for us to feel confident about you being in this competition," Katy told him — seemingly hinting that he'd be chosen for the top 14.
Nya, "Water"
After covering Ray Charles the night before, it was smart for Nya to go more modern with this Tyla tune. This was a vibrant and sexy performance, and like the 28-year-old Broadway pro that she is, Nya made it all look so easy. If she was sweating these results, she didn't it show. "Way to switch it up. You give great attitude. I just want America to rethink the situation," Lionel proclaimed.
Odell Bunton Jr., "Wait on You"
Normally I'd say that religious performances do well on this show, but in light of both Quintavious and Roman being in the bottom 10, I don't know if Odell was wise to pick that lane this week. Perhaps if he'd known he'd be singing against those two, he would have chosen differently. Luke even noted, "We've got so many singers in your category," backing up my theory about gospel singers splitting the vote. But Odell smashed this Elevation Worship song, proving why he'd earned that Platinum Ticket in the first place.
Mackenzie Sol, "False Alarms"
Like Jordan, Mackenzie always comes across as a real pop phenom. And if the judges thought there was room for only Mackenzie or Jordan in the top 14, then Mackenzie edged out Jordan with this passionate Laurence cover. Katy called him "a tornado of energy" and praised him for "showing up," but when Mackenzie stated with a shrug, "I just wanted to be me and tell my story through that song, and I think I've done that," it seemed like he didn't expect to be saved and had accepted his fate.
Jayna Elise, "All I Wanted"
After this Paramore tour de force, America should be downright embarrassed for not voting Jayna right into the next round. And American Idol should be embarrassed for not putting her thought last year. What stunning vocalist she is, and what a fighter. Of everyone who sang tonight, I think it was Jayna who wanted it the most. Lionel called this a "command performance."
Roman Collins, "It's a Man's Man's Man's World"
OK, if there was anyone who wanted this more — or deserved it more — than Jayna tonight, it was Roman. He is just a force. It's this man's world, and we just live in it. He gives himself over to the audience, to the song, and to God every time he is onstage, and I am still shocked that viewers didn't reward his efforts this week. "You have your own style. The world needs to keep hearing it," Luke told him.
OK, Kieran, dim the lights. The judges' wild-card picks were... Jayna Elise, Jordan Anthony, Nya, and Roman Collins. I couldn't really argue with any of those decisions, even though I was surprised that they didn't save Ajii after their misleading praise, especially because I thought they'd pay more attention the live audience's protests during his results announcement. And I personally would have kept Jennifer, but I have a feeling she'll do just fine in the real world. She doesn't need American Idol. (Side note: It was cringey when it seemed that Mackenzie had mixed up Odell and Roman, prematurely congratulating Odell when Katy revealed that the judges had decided to save the man who'd sing "Man's World." Oh, the magic of live television.)
Next Sunday, the top 14 will become the top 10. I can't imagine four more of these killer singers getting cut, but in the end, there can only be one winner. See you next week.
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