American Idol 2023 Episode 16 Recap: Alanis Morissette & Ed Sheeran Join the Judges Table

American Idol 2023 Episode 16 Recap: Alanis Morissette & Ed Sheeran Join the Judges Table

"American Idol" just made history by rocking two continents! With Katy Perry and Lionel Richie performing in England, Luke Bryan is joined by the incomparable Alanis Morissette (who will ​​also serve as this week's mentor) and the ever-charming Ed Sheeran to judge in Katy and Lionel's place. The Top 8 takes on the iconic tunes of Alanis and Ed as each contestant puts their own spin on these legendary tracks, solo and in duets respectively. As America cast their votes, anticipation hung in the air as our beloved host Ryan Seacrest unveiled the LIVE results, unveiling the Top 5. 

The night started off with a SURPRISE message from Lionel Richie and Katy Perry amidst the magnificent halls of Windsor Castle in England, where the grand coordination of King Charles III is taking place. Out of the blue, King Charles III and Camilla made a surprise appearance, leaving the crowd awe-struck. Katy and Lionel continued to check in throughout the episode to offer their thoughts watching from afar.

Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, King Charles III, and Camilla gracing us with a thrilling live message!

Which legendary Alanis tracks were chosen and who paired up to take on which Sheeran songs? Let's review:

  • • Warren Peay breathed new life into the classic song "All I Really Want" by Alanis Morissette with his impressive guitar skills and vocals.
  • • Zachariah Smith utilized breathtaking dynamics in his rendition of "Ironic" by Alanis Morissette.
  • • Oliver Steele and Iam Tongi's duet of Ed Sheeran's "Photograph" harmoniously intertwined their captivating voices and skillful guitar strumming.
  • • Haven Madison took the stage by storm with her dynamic performance of the iconic hit "You Learn" by Alanis Morissette.
  • • Warren Peay and Wé Ani's soulful duet of "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran left the audience in awe of their stunning performance.
  • • Colin Stough infused a charming country flair to the iconic anthem "Hand In My Pocket" by Alanis Morissette.
  • •  Guest judge and mentor Alanis Morissette radiated energy with her powerful and soul-stirring performance of "Thank You".
  • • Zachariah Smith and Haven Madison wove a captivating tapestry of harmony and emotion, delivering a breathtaking duet of Ed Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud".
  • • Megan Danielle eloquently expressed her own enchanting love story through her performance of "Head Over Feet" by Alanis Morissette.
  • •  Guest judge Ed Sheeran danced on stage with his "Eyes Closed" completely immersed in the music, allowing every note and beat to flow through his body and translate into his performance. 
  • • Iam Tongi delivered a beautiful performance of  "Guardians" by Alanis Morissette as a heartfelt tribute to his mother.
  • • Wé Ani roughened up the edges, as advised, to unleash a raw and electrifying rendition of Alanis Morissette's "Uninvited".
  • • Megan Danielle and Colin Stough joined forces, flawlessly intertwining their voices to create a soul stirring cover of Ed Sheeran's "Dive".
  • • Oliver Steele unleashed an explosive and impassioned rendition of Alanis Morissette's "You Oughta Know".

After a night of excellent performances, it's time for the results to be read. Unfortunately, the time came for Warren Peay, Haven Madison, and Oliver Steele to bid farewell to the illustrious "American Idol" stage.

This season's Top 8 await the results.

Prepare to be enchanted as our Top 5, accompanied by guest mentor Sofia Carson, breathe new life into beloved Disney songs, sprinkling an extra dose of magic into an already extraordinary competition. Make sure you don't miss a moment of the excitement! Tune in and unleash your voting power LIVE COAST-TO-COAST SUNDAY at 8e/5p on ABC. 

Follow "American Idol" (#americanidol) on TikTokInstagramTwitter and Facebook.

American IdolNews & BlogsUpdatesAmerican Idol 2023 Episode 16 Recap: Alanis Morissette & Ed Sheeran Join the Judges Table