American Idol 2023 is only moving fast from now until the finale. This means we have less than a month to go from 20 contestants to only three. Idol only airs on Sundays and Mondays. This means there are only about nine episodes left (including tonight’s episode) and lots more eliminations coming our way. The Sunday episode had some brutal cuts with six people going home to bring us to the Top 20. Then America had less than 12 hours to cast their votes for their favorite American Idol 21 contestants.
In the next two hours, we’ll see eight more eliminations and twelve contestants perform to make it to the Top 10 next week. Eight is a lot of contestants, so it’s very hard to predict who will get the votes to stay in the competition. Nevertheless, we’re excited about more great performances. Additionally, according to the American Idol official press release, ten of the top 12 contestants with the highest votes will continue on to the next round, and then the judges’ Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan will pick two to save from elimination.
Strap in for an exciting and heartbreaking night of eliminations and performances.
The Performances
Which of the Top 20 will make it to the Top 12? Let’s find out.
We Ani is called first to learn her fate. She has made it into the Top 12! She sings “This Is Me” from The Greatest Showman. Michael Williams is the next to learn if he continues on in the competition. Unfortunately, he has not been voted into the Top 12 and must sing for his life. He sings “Golden Hour” by Jvke. Katy said that the people who didn’t vote for him were jealous and that the song he chose was a cool current one. Hannah Nicolaisen has not made the top 12. She will sing “Royals” by Lorde for the judges’ pick. Lionel told her that she picked the right song and the right energy. He called her a star. Warren Peay has made the Top 12. He sings “Not My Time” by 3 Doors Down.
Mariah Faith joins Ryan Seacrest next. She didn’t make the Top 12. She sings The Steeldrivers’ “If It Hadn’t Been For Love.” Luke said that she had a great song choice tonight. Haven Madison is in the Top 12. She sings her original song “15” again. Nailyah Serenity is up next to find out her fate. She is not in the Top 12 but gets to sing for the judges’ pick. She sings “Alive” by Sia. Paige Anne has to sing for the judges’ pick. She sings P!nk’s “I Am Here.” Lionel told her “that’s the way to come back.”
Matt Wilson finds out that he is in the danger zone. He sings ‘For Tonight” by Giveon again. Tyson Venegas has made the Top 20. He sings “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” by Elton John. Colin Stough has made the Top 12. He sings “Dancing on My Own” by Robyn. Marybeth Byrd finds out that she is in the Top 12. She sings “Cover Me Up” by Jason Isbell.
Kaeyra finds out that she is not in the Top 12. She sings “If I Were Your Woman” by Gladys Knight & the Pip. Oliver Steele has made the Top 12. He sings “You’re Still the One” by Shania Twain. Oliver Soli is not in the Top 12. She sings Ariana Grande’s “God Is A Woman.” Luke said she has one of the greatest voices he’s heard over his six years on this show. He said Katy and him can’t believe she didn’t make the Top 12.
Iam Tongi is in the Top 12. He sings “Stuck On You” by Lionel Richie. Zachariah Smith joins Ryan to find out his fate in the competition. He is in the Top 12. He sings “Hold the Line” by Toto. Lucy Love is the next to find out if she made the Top 12. She has not made the Top 12. She sings “Radioactive” by Imagine Dragons for her spot in the Top 12.
This means either Nutsa or Megan Danielle will be in the Top 12. The other will join the other ten contestants to sing for the final two spots. Megan Danielle made the Top 12, and Nutsa must sing for survival. Megan is singing “Thank God I Do” by Lauren Daigle. Nutsa sings “And I Am Tell You I’m Not Going” from DreamGirls.
The Judges’ Picks
Which two contestants will the judges save and why? The judges decide to pick Lucy Love and Nutsa to make it into the Top 12.
The Eliminations
Who will be the unfortunate 8 sent home? Kaeyra, Matt Wilson, Paige Anne, Michael Williams, Nailyah Serenity, Mariah Faith, Hannah Nicolaisen, and Olivia Soli are the eight contestants sent home tonight.
Join us again next Sunday and Monday to see the Top 12 become the Top 10, and then the Top 7. Keep up with all things American Idol 2023 by following us on Facebook and Twitter.