Make sure you cancel all of your plans this evening because American Idol 2023 is doing a super-sized episode. It will be a three-hour-long episode instead of the usual two hours. This episode introduces us to the American Idol 21 Top 20. We’ll be forced to say farewell to six contestants tonight.
Likely, Ryan Seacrest will announce who has been saved and going on to perform tonight. Then that person performs and this pattern continues until six have been eliminated. If this seems like a lot of contestants going home, wait until tomorrow.
According to an American Idol 2023 press release, the Monday episode will end in the Top 12 being announced. This means that a whomping eight people will be eliminated in tomorrow’s episode.
We’re less than a month away from the American Idol 2023 finale. Therefore, things are going to accelerate to get us down to the finalist very soon. To take us from 20 to 12, we first need to see which six are eliminated.
Then we have to watch the remaining 20 perform to see who will get our votes to continue in the competition.
The Performances
Last week, the Top 26 had plenty of amazing performances, so let’s see if they continue to perform at that level of excellence. The first person to earn a spot in the top 20…Zachariah Smith.
Zachariah starts the show by singing “I Want To Know What Love Is” by Foreigner. You can text 6 to 21523 or vote on AmericanIdol.com/vote or the app to cast your votes for Zachariah. Lionel Richie said Zachariah’s performance was a good way to start the show. He said he had a perfect presentation. Katy Perry said that she thinks he’s Top 10 material. Luke Bryan said he loves that Zachariah puts his own stamps on every song. Matt Wilson is the next to learn that he made it into the Top 20. He sings “Say You Won’t Let Go” by James Arthur. You can text 3 to 21523 or vote on AmericanIdol.com/vote or the app to cast your votes for Matt. Katy said that she liked that he used the stage. Luke said it’s nice to see him come alive and it’s great to see him inspire the children (his students). Lionel said he was on his way and to enjoy the ride.
Nailyah Serenity is the next call to perform. She performs “Baby Love” by Mother’s Finest. You can text 10 to 21523 or vote on AmericanIdol.com/vote or the app to cast your votes for Nailyah. Luke told her that he loves the way she presents herself. He called her “a star.” Lionel said that her voice is “right there.” Katy said she was “giving.” She said that Nailyah is an artist through and through. Warren Peay is the next to perform as he makes it into the Top 20. He performs “Up There Down Here” by Zach Williams. You can text 9 to 21523 or vote on AmericanIdol.com/vote or the app to cast your votes for Warren. Lionel said he was glad God let Warren here. Katy said that she was glad he shared his story. Luke said that he needs to just stay him.
Kaeyra has made it to the top 20. She sings “Bruises” by Lewis Capaldi. You can text 4 to 21523 or vote on AmericanIdol.com/vote or the app to cast your votes for Kaeyra. Katy said that it smacked her in the face with the voice and arrangement. She gave her an A+. Luke said it was really powerful and professional. He said he loved it. Lionel said she already made it and has a career. Mariah Faith has already made the Top 20. She sings “Cry to Me” by Solomon Burke. You can text 7 to 21523 or vote on AmericanIdol.com/vote or the app to cast your votes for Mariah. Luke said it was a great performance and he loves her voice. Lionel said she did an old-school song in a new-school presentation. He said it was a great performance. Katy said it’s about striking the balance between fun moments and connecting with the soul, similar to Bonnie Rait.
Smokey Robinson is up next to perform. He starts by singing “I Second That Emotion” and then transitions to a new song called “If We Don’t Have Each Other.” His new album GASMS comes out on April 28.
Iam Tongi has made the Top 20. He sings “The Winner Takes It All” by ABBA. You can text 13 to 21523 or vote on AmericanIdol.com/vote or the app to cast your votes for Iam. Lionel said the crowd (that abrupts in big cheers) said it all. Katy said watching him become a star makes her feel like she’s watching a Disney movie. Luke said that God gave him the magic and to enjoy it. Haven Madison made it to the Top 20. She sings “Mean Girls” by Leanne Crawford. You can text 11 to 21523 or vote on AmericanIdol.com/vote or the app to cast your votes for Haven. Katy said she’s picking songs that sound like she wrote them. She said she has a “refined sparkle.” Luke said the song choice embodies the career that they want for her. He called it one of her best performances. Lionel said where she’s going is going to be exciting to watch.
Oliver Steele makes it to the Top 20. He sings “Too Soon,” which is an original song written by Oliver Steele. You can text 2 to 21523 or vote on AmericanIdol.com/vote or the app to cast your votes for Oliver. Lionel said his talent is on fire. Katy told him his original is really great. She said it really showed him as an artist. The final person in the Top 20 from the night one performances is…Lucy Love. She will be performing an original song called “Boulders.” You can text 12 to 21523 or vote on AmericanIdol.com/vote or the app to cast your votes for Lucy. Lione said in his own way that she has made a name for herself. Katy said that she was going to thrive. Luke said he loves the way she attacks things and he said she captured his heart tonight. He called her performance tremendous.
Now it’s time for the night two contestants and their results are coming up.
Hannah Nicolaisen makes it to the next round. She sings Queen’s “Somebody to Love.” You can text 20 to 21523 or vote on AmericanIdol.com/vote or the app to cast your votes for Hannah. Katy said hopefully she’s just on a rocket ride. Luke said to way to show another dynamic. He called it a great performance. Lionel said she believes in herself. Olivia Soli is the next performer for votes. She takes on “I Surrender” by Celine Dion. You can text 23 to 21523 or vote on AmericanIdol.com/vote or the app to cast your votes for Olivia. Luke said she’s challenging herself to soar above the crowd and keeps hitting it. Katy said always play the power card.
Marybeth Byrd has made it to the Top 20. She also sings an original song, and it is called “People Pleaser.” Lionel said that her performance was superstar material. Katy said her song is so well written and showed her who she is. She said she is a star. Luke said that her name sounds like a star, and he wasn’t expecting anything like she did tonight. You can text 16 to 21523 or vote on AmericanIdol.com/vote or the app to cast your votes for Marybeth. Michael Williams has made it to the next round. He will continue to try to make it into the Top 12. He sings “Lose You To Love Me” by Selena Gomez. Katy said he stepped into the artist’s version of himself. Luke said he crushed it. Lionel said he’s turning into a real artist and stylist. You can text 18 to 21523 or vote on AmericanIdol.com/vote or the app to cast your votes for Michael.
Noah Thompson and HunterGirl are performing next to perform “One Day Tonight.”
Paige Anne continues on in the Idol competition as part of the Top 20. She sings “Say Something” by A Great Big World. You can text 15 to 21523 or vote on AmericanIdol.com/vote or the app to cast your votes for Paige Anne. Luke told her that she persevered and to enjoy the ride. Lionel said her notes were incredible. Katy said she’s the best vocalist in this age category. Nutsa is the next to make it into the Top 20. She sings Toni Braxton’s “Un-break my Heart.” You can text 26 to 21523 or vote on AmericanIdol.com/vote or the app to cast your votes for Nutsa. Lionel called Nutsa the hardest-working person he ever met on the show. Katy said she can hold the room just with her powerful Nutsa self. Luke said she should be proud because she earned every moment.
Tyson Venegas has made it to the Top 20. He sings “180,” which is his original song. Katy said his song was so cool. She said it helped her fall deeper in love with him. Luke said he does a marvelous job at the piano. He said Tyson is talented beyond his years. Lionel said it “was a damn good song.” You can text 25 to 21523 or vote on AmericanIdol.com/vote or the app to cast your votes for Tyson. Megan Danielle also made it into the Top 20. She sings “Holy Water” by We The Kingdom. You can text 21 to 21523 or vote on AmericanIdol.com/vote or the app to cast your votes for Megan. Katy said that she’s good enough and she’s settled into confidence.
Colin Stough had made it into the Top 20. He sings “Pretty Heart” by Parker Mccollum. You can text 24 to 21523 or vote on AmericanIdol.com/vote or the app to cast your votes for Colin. Lionel said that he’s doing a great job and should keep going. Katy told him that it’s time to shine, so push himself a little more. Luke told him to give it to the people. He told Colin to understand that he’s a big star.
The final person to make it to the Top 20 tonight is…We Ani.
She sings “Skyfall” by Adele. You can text 17 to 21523 or vote on AmericanIdol.com/vote or the app to cast your votes for Tyson. Katy said she is shook. She warned the viewers to vote to save their favorites.
The Eliminations
Which six contestants will find themselves eliminated? Pjae, Emma Busse, and Elise Kristine are the first three eliminated tonight. Dawson Wayne, Malik Heard, and Elijah McCormick are eliminated.
Join us tomorrow for another live recap of American Idol 2023. We’ll meet the Top 12 Idol contestants. Add us on Facebook and Twitter for more American Idol recaps, spoilers, exclusives, news, and much more.