We’ve seen American Idol contestants have to leave the competition early on because of illness, and Trent Harmon almost ended up one of those unfortunate singers. He learned during Hollywood Week that he had mono, and he looked absolutely miserable, but somehow he managed to struggle through it. A good thing too, since he went on to become an American Idol 2016 finalist!
Trent Harmon is yet another American Idol season 15 competitor who tried his hand out at competing on The Voice first. Trent didn’t make it past the blind auditions on The Voice, but so far his run on American Idol has been much more successful. We’re sure the cows back at home on his family’s farm miss his singing, but entertaining a cheering human audience is much more rewarding! (Read more on Trent’s backstory on his Top 24 profile page.)
Audition: For his first performance in front of the American Idol judges, Trent gave a beautiful performance of “Unaware” by Allen Stone. After his very country presentation before he started singing, the celebrity panel was quite shocked by his smooth R&B stylings. Trent nervously asked if it was okay, swearing that he wasn’t fishing for a compliment. Jennifer Lopez told him he didn’t have to fish, because she was about to give it to him! She told him she was “so blown away” by him. Harry Connick Jr. told Trent it was “bar none, my favorite audition since we’ve started” and that is high praise indeed!
Hollywood Week Lines of 8 Solos: Hollywood Week proved to be a bit of a hellish time for Trent Harmon when he found out right before the first solo round that he had mono. He looked totally miserable, and we were a bit concerned he might have to bow out of the competition. However, Trent was determined not to give in to his sickness. His rendition of “Lay Me Down” by Sam Smith was a tad bit wobbly in places, but we were impressed that he still managed to pull off a really great performance. So were the American Idol judges, apparently, since they passed him through to the Group Round.
Hollywood Week Group Round: For the first time in American Idol history, Trent Harmon found himself as a group of just one person for the Group Round. Doctors told him he was just too contagious to be working closely face to face with any other singers. So Trent had no one but himself to rely on for this stage of the competition. Once again, there were a few weak moments in Trent’s performance of “Rather Be” by Clean Bandit, but he also hit some really tremendous notes. Keith Urban joked that he didn’t think it was just the mono keeping the other singers away, he didn’t think anyone else wanted to get near his talent. Harry Connick Jr. told Trent he has an “extraordinary gift.”
Hollywood Week Solo Round: We don’t have video of Trent’s second (well, third) solo in Hollywood Week, but we’re betting he was still feeling pretty crappy. Thankfully, it still didn’t keep him from impressing the judges enough to soar through to the Showcase Round.
Showcase Round & Final Judgement: For his Showcase solo, Trent Harmon barely had the strength to even go out on stage. He wasn’t even sure if he would be able to sing at all. Defying his illness, however, Trent gave a beautiful performance of “Tiny Dancer” by Elton John. He might have looked like he was about to pass out, but he sounded really terrific. Keith Urban told Trent that him showing such spirit while being so sick was actually beneficial to him. After telling Trent to stay away from them, LOL, the judges told him he’d made the Top 24.
Top 24 Semi-Finals Solo Round: Looking much better at his Top 24 solo, Trent captivated the audience and the judges with his sweet rendition of “What Are You Listening To” by Chris Stapleton. J-Lo told Trent that she just really loved him, and when he sings, it just gets to her heart. Harry told Trent that he has a tremendous voice, but it didn’t quite keep him on the edge of his seat like previous performances. Keith Urban, however, loved the song choice and Trent sang it really well.
Top 24 Semi-Finals Duet Round: In his Top 24 duet, Trent Harmon was paired up with former American Idol sweetheart Jordin Sparks. The two of them gave an absolutely delightful performance of “To Love Somebody” by Barry and Robin Gibb. The audience seemed to totally love it, and the American Idol judges seemed to think it was a great match. Keith thought Jordin pulled things out of Trent he hadn’t even heard yet. J-Lo told Trent it was a great showcase for him. Harry loved the song, and when he heard Trent sing it, he thought it would be a great song for him to record after Idol!
Will Trent Harmon make it through the next cut to be part of the American Idol 2016 Top 10? We’ll bring you all the latest American Idol spoilers on the next round of the competition as they happen!