American Idol 2024 is now down to only eight contestants. That’s a big drop from the hundreds who started Season 22. This Monday American Idol episode ends in one more elimination, taking us to the Top 7. America votes for six contestants to continue and judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Katy Perry save one of the bottom two. This American Idol 2024 episode focuses a lot on the judges’ decisions and opinions.
Not only do they save one contestant from elimination, but they help determine the fate of the final eight Idol hopefuls. It’s the Judge’s Song Contest night. This means the judges submit three song choices.
Then the contestants select one of the submitted songs to sing. The judges earn points and bragging rights if the contestants pick their songs (which are anonymously submitted to the contestants). The episode also includes a tribute to Mandisa, who recently passed away.
On Sunday’s episode, host Ryan Seacrest mentioned that Mandisa’s tribute involved those close to the late singer returning to the Idol stage for it. She appeared on the fifth season of American Idol, so we may see former contestants from that season and contestants from other seasons.
American Idol Top 8 Perform
The show starts with a big promotion of the battle of the three judges battling for the most Judge’s song picks.
Will Moseley picks ‘Folsom Prison Blues” by Johnny Cash to sing.
Will thinks Lionel picked the song. Lionel pretends that he didn’t select it, but it was him. Lionel says he killed it. Katy says it was his best performance so far. She talks about the crowd giving him energy back. Luke says he keeps getting better as a
Text 11 to 21523 to vote for Will. You can vote on the American Idol app or AmericanIdol.com/vote.
Kaibrienne decided to sing “Traitor” by Olivia Rodrigo.
Text 10 to 21523 to vote for Kaibrienne. You can vote on the American Idol app or AmericanIdol.com/vote.
Kaibrienne guesses originally that Luke picked the song, but changed her mind to Katy. She decides to stick with her guess. It was Katy who picked the song.
Katy says her performance was amazing and heartfelt. Luke thought they were feeling her emotions. Lionel says she was speaking from the heart with her interpretation.
Tonight includes a tribute to the judges’ performances by the contestants.
Jack Blocker and Emmy Russell perform “Hello” by Lionel Richie.
Lionel hugs them from their performance. He says they made it their own and are a brilliant combination. He says it was the best they performed.
Mckenna Faith Breinholt picks the song “Everywhere I Go” by Lissie to sing.
Text 12 to 21523 to vote for McKenna. You can vote on the American Idol app or AmericanIdol.com/vote.
She guesses Lionel but it was Katy who picked the song. She says the song is so powerful and her voice helps people feel and heal. Luke says she brings the room into her. He tells her that everyone stops when she performs to watch her.
Jack Blocker sings “Always on My Mind” by Willie Nelson.
Text 20 to 21523 to vote for Jack. You can vote on the American Idol app or AmericanIdol.com/vote.
Katy starts crying listening to his performance. He also thinks Lionel picked the song, but again, it was Katy who picked the song. She says it was so emotional because she feels he is fully realized. Luke is glad he picked Katy’s song. He says his winning internally and growth category. Lionel says he’s blazing a new trail in his life.
Triston Harper and Will Moseley sing Luke Bryan’s “What Makes You Country.”
He loves their performance.
Abi Carter picks “Bring Me To Life” by Evanescence.
Text 8 to 21523 to vote for Abi. You can vote on the American Idol app or AmericanIdol.com/vote.
Luke finally gets on the board by picking Abi’s song. Luke thinks he created a monster. He thinks she took it to another level. Lionel says she was so professional and on it. He says it was amazing. Katy says she kicked down a box she put her in and gave best performance of the night so far.
Julia Gagnon sings “Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz.
Text 4 to 21523 to vote for Julia. You can vote on the American Idol app or AmericanIdol.com/vote.
Julia guesses Katy but Luke picked the song again. Luke says there is no song she can’t sing. He says she captured anything she wanted to be. Lionel says she killed the song. Katy says she approaches it delicately and intimately.
American Idol alumni Melinda Doolittle, Danny Gokey, and Colton Dixon pay tribute to Mandisa by singing “Shackles (Praise You)” by Mary Mary.
Abi Carter, McKenna Faith Brienholt, Kaibrienne, and Julia Gagnon sing “Wide Awake” by Katy Perry.
Katy praises them for their girl power and says they sound so good on it.
Triston Harper sings “Sand in My Boots” by Morgan Wallen.
Text 24 to 21523 to vote for Triston. You can vote on the American Idol app or AmericanIdol.com/vote.
Lionel is the one who picked the song. Lionel says he has grown up in front of them. Katy says he can sing anything and stay humble and kind. Luke says he did a good job. He says it’s his favorite show of the season (I agree).
Emmy Russell picks “Coal Miner’s Daughter’ by Loretta Lynn.
Text 17 to 21523 to vote for Emmy. You can vote on the American Idol app or AmericanIdol.com/vote.
Katy chose to the song. she tells her she can do anything as Emmy Russell.
Katy is the winner of the song pick contest between the judges.
Elimination
Julia is safe.
Emmy is safe.
Will is safe.
Jack is safe.
Triston is safe.
Abi is safe.
McKenna and Kaibrienne are in danger of going home. They’re the bottom two. Katy as the winner of the song contest gets to save one. She talks it over with Luke and Lionel.
Katy decides to save McKenna.
Kaibrienne has been eliminated.
Join us on Sunday, then again on Monday, for more American Idol 2024 recaps. We’ll see who America votes into the next round. We’re only three weeks away from the finale, so each episode is a can’t-miss event. Make sure to add us on Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter) for more American Idol spoilers, recaps, exclusives, news, and much more.