Recap: The Top 8 and Top 6 (Or Is It 7?) Are Revealed
The road to the finale of "American Idol" 2024 continues as the Top 10 becomes the Top 8 (Sunday) and Top 6 with a potential Judge's Save (Monday). Before judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie get the spotlight for their now annual song-choice contest, global Country star Shania Twain serves as mentor as the contestants sing songs from their birth years. And if that isn't exciting enough, Idol alums Just Sam, Scotty McCreery, Melinda Doolittle, Colton Dixon, and Danny Gokey all return to perform. Host Ryan Seacrest expertly navigates the live shows, let's navigate you through the recap!
2020 Winner Just Sam Returns to the Idol Stage
Shania Twain served as mentor to help contestants pick songs from their birth years, which surely caused some existential crises with the viewers at home. We also got to see 2020 Idol winner Just Sam finally get they're time on stage with a triumphant take on "One Moment In Time" by Whitney Houston. Why have one Idol winner return when you can have two? 2011 winner Scotty McCreery also hits the stage with his new song "Cab In a Solo".
And here are the performances from Sunday, April 28, 2024:
• Mia Matthews performed "No One Needs To Know" by Shania Twain
• Jack Blocker performed "Believe" by Cher
• McKenna Faith Breinholt performed "Iris" by the Goo Goo Dolls
• KAYKO performed "Teenage Dirtbag" by Wheatus
• Emmy Russell performed "All The Small Things" by blink-182
• Triston Harper performed "She's Country" by Jason Aldean
• Abi Carter performed "Clocks" by Coldplay
• Julia Gagnon performed "Here I Am" by Bryan Adams
• Will Moseley performed "Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde" by Travis Tritt
• Kaibrienne performed "Here Without You" by 3 Doors Down
• Roman Collins performed "You're All I Need To Get By" by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
• Jayna Elise performed "I Have Nothing" by Whitney Houston
Eliminations
These contestants were eliminated from the competition:
• KAYKO
• Mia Matthews
Colton Dixon, Melinda Doolittle and Danny Gokey team together in tribute to Mandisa
The tradition of the judge with the most songs picked getting the opportunity to save one of the contestants continues! In addition, the Top 8 also join forces to sing one of the hits from each judge - Emmy and Jack sing "Hello" by Lionel Richie, Triston and Will perform "What Makes You Country" by Luke Bryan, and Abi, Julia, Kaibrienne, and McKenna take on "Wide Awake" by Katy Perry.
Additionally, alums Colton Dixon, Melinda Doolittle, and Danny Gokey team up to pay tribute to friend and fellow alum Mandisa by singing "Shackles" by Mary Mary (which she performed on her season in 2006).
And here are the performances from Judge's Song Contest - Monday, April 29, 2024:
• Will Moseley performs "Folsom Prison Blues" by Johnny Cash
• Kaibrienne performs "traitor" by Olivia Rodrigo
• McKenna Faith Breinholt performs "Everywhere I Go" by Lissie
• Jack Blocker performs "Always On My Mind" by Willie Nelson
• Abi Carter performs "Bring Me To Life" by Evanescence
• Julia Gagnon performs "Over The Rainbow" by Judy Garland
• Triston Harper performs "Sand In My Boots" by Morgan Wallen
• Emmy Russell performs "Coal Miner's Daughter" by Loretta Lynn
Eliminations
These contestants were up for elimination:
• Kalibrienne
• McKenna Faith Breinholt
As the back-to-back winner of the Judge's Song Contest, Katy gets the power to save one of the two contestants up for elimination, turning the Top 6 into a Top 7. McKenna gets the save, meaning Kalibrienne will be leaving the competition.
Scotty McCreery Performs His Latest Song "Cab in a Solo"
SUNDAY "American Idol" is LIVE COAST-TO-COAST 8e/5p on ABC! The Top 7 finalists take on iconic hits from beloved 16-time GRAMMY® winner and bestselling artist Adele, as America votes live for the Top 5. Also, Meghan Trainor returns to perform her new single, "Been Like This."
Watch "American Idol" on ABC and Stream on Hulu!