American Idol 2023 Episode 15 Recap: America Votes For The Top 10 Live

LIONEL RICHIE, KATY PERRY, LUKE BRYAN on American Idol
Photographed: Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, Luke Bryan (ABC/Eric McCandless)

Tonight on American Idol 2023, the Top 12 finalists will become the Top 10. We’re only one more episode away from getting into the single digits of contestants. The journey has somehow felt both very short and very long. According to the official American Idol 21 press for this episode, America will vote live to pick the Top 10. We’ll see two people go home as we inch very close to the American Idol 21 finale. 

Additionally, Monday’s episode will end with three more contestants going home. to take us to the Top 7. This week is also the last week of two episodes a week. We’ll only have three more episodes left in the season and they will air once a week (on Sunday) for the next three weeks. 

This American Idol 2023 episode is the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame night. Former American Idol finalist Adam Lambert returns to mentor the Idol hopefuls and perform live. He will help them pick their rock songs while giving them advice on arrangements and singing techniques. 

Adam Lambert is one of the most successful American Idol contestants of all time, so it’s going to be exciting to see him perform live and help guide the contestants. I’m also excited to see what songs these Top 12 end up choosing as their rock songs.

Let’s get into this Top 10 American Idol 21 recap.

The Performances

What songs will they pick? Tyson Venegas is the first to perform and be mentored by Adam. Adam suggests that he sing some Steve Wonder. He said it matches his personality and energy. He sings “For Once In My Life.” You can vote for Tyson by texting 1 to 21523 or by voting at AmericanIdol.com/vote or on the American Idol app.  The judges give him a standing ovation and the crowd goes wild.

Luke Bryan says that the magic came naturally to him. Lionel Richie compliments him on his choreography. He says he was “on fire.” Katy Perry says that he’s just being himself and says just like Zachariah Smith. She jokes that they will do a duel. Warren Peay talks about his new engagement with his girlfriend. He chooses to sing “House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals. You can vote for Warren by texting 2 to 21523 or by voting at AmericanIdol.com/vote or on the American Idol app. Lionel tells him that he loves his performance. Katy says he brings authenticity. Luke says the gritty part of his voice is where he really shines. 

Haven Madison picks “Livin’ on a Player” by Bon Jovi. She has her father come to help her with the arrangement. You can vote for Haven by texting 3 to 21523 or by voting at AmericanIdol.com/vote or on the American Idol app. Katy says that she’s the next big pop star as far as this performance. Luke says that everything she’s putting out says massive star to him. Lionel says that he loves to see her confidence grow.  Lucy Love chooses to sing “All Night Long” by Lionel Richie to honor him. Adam says she was thinking too much at first during her practices. You can vote for Lucy by texting 4 to 21523 or by voting at AmericanIdol.com/vote or on the American Idol app. Luke says she puts her stamp on her performance. Katy says she has such an artistic syle. Lionel says that she did such a great job. She made his song, her song.

Oliver Steele is reimagining “Georgia on My Mind” by Ray Charles. You can vote for Oliver by texting 5 to 21523 or by voting at AmericanIdol.com/vote or on the American Idol app. Colin Stough is up next and sings “Midnight Rider” by Allman Brothers Band. You can vote for Colin by texting 6 to 21523 or by voting at AmericanIdol.com/vote or on the American Idol app. Katy says she loves it for him and he’s still in his growth stage. However, she says he sounded great. Luke tells him to feel the music and do what it tells him. He says him to get more comfortable. Lionel says that he needs to get nasty. 

Marybeth Byrd is singing “Dancing Queen” by ABBA. You can vote for Marybeth by texting 7 to 21523 or by voting at AmericanIdol.com/vote or on the American Idol app. Luke says she did a great job and made it her. Lionel says she delivered the goods. Katy congratulates her for being herself. She says she landed the song like a real queen. 

Adam Lambert sings “I Can’t Stand the Rain” off his album High Drama. 

We Ani is torn between two songs and Adam tells her to pick “Something’s Got A Hold On Me” by Etta James. You can vote for We Ani by texting 8 to 21523 or by voting at AmericanIdol.com/vote or on the American Idol app. Lionel says that’s how you bring nasty to the table. Katy says she did not come here to play. She turned into a competition.

Nutsa sings “The Show Must Go On” by Queen. You can vote for Nutsa by texting 9 to 21523 or by voting at AmericanIdol.com/vote or on the American Idol app. Katy says she doesn’t always have to do a big song like Adam said, but she will always by Nutsa. Luke says she fights every day and gives it her all. Lionel says she is a star and made it no matter where she places in the competition. Megan Danielle sings “Angel from Montgomery” by Bonnie Raitt.  You can vote for Megan by texting 10 to 21523 or by voting at AmericanIdol.com/vote or on the American Idol app.

Luke got emotional about her performance. He agrees with what Adam told her about her being the reason that American idol exists. Lionel says it’s a stellar performance. Katy says she brought it. Zachariah Smith sings “Don’t Bring Me Down” by Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). You can vote for Zachariah by texting 11 to 21523 or by voting at AmericanIdol.com/vote or on the American Idol app. Lionel says his delivery is amazing. Katy says there is no one like him. Lionel says they’re all killing it tonight. He says Zach did great. 

Iam Tongi is the final to perform before they announce the two singers being eliminated. He sings “Bring It On Home to Me” by Sam Cooke. Adam tells him to imagine he’s singing the song to someone because he’s going without his guitar now. You can vote for Iam by texting 12 to 21523 or by voting at AmericanIdol.com/vote or on the American Idol app. The judges don’t really get to talk because the crowd goes crazy. 

The Elimination

Who didn’t make the cut this time around? 

Warren makes the top 10.

We Ani makes the top 10.

Iam makes the top 10.

Megan Danielle makes the top 10.

Zachariah makes the top 10.

Haven Madison makes the top 10.

Colin makes the top 10.

Oliver makes the top 10.

Tyson makes the top 10.

Either Marybeth, Lucy, or Nutsa will make the top 10.

Marybeth makes the top 10.

The contestants eliminated are Nutsa and Lucy. 

Join us tomorrow for another American Idol 21 live recap. We’ll meet the top 7 and the judges will suggest their songs. Make sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all things American Idol. 

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