“American Idol” reduces the competition – fast. On Sunday night, the show eliminated eight singers and revealed the top-16. On Monday night, “Idol” presenter Ryan Seacrest announced that singer Wyatt Pike had to withdraw from the competition, but that the show wished him the best. And then “Idol” revealed its top 12.
Here is an outline of the singers who made the top 12.
Casey Bishop
Casey Bishop was the first singer to make the top 12 on Monday night. The previous evening, during the top 16 round, Idol judges told Bishop that she had delivered her best performance of the competition. The 16-year-old Florida rock singer performed ‘Black Hole Sun’ by Soundgarden, and it had all three judges on their feet.
“You can sing anything you want,” Bryan said Sunday night. “I never know why you chose rock, but it’s your thing and you can sing.”
“It’s fascinating to look at you because you start out as this fairy princess and end up being close to Joplin,” Richie added. “I like what you do.”
Deshawn Goncalves
Deshawn Goncalves was the second singer to make it to the top 12. The 19-year-old singer from Ohio performed ‘Feeling Good’ by Nina Simone on Sunday night and the judges call it his best performance to date.
“It’s so inspiring for us as judges to watch your growth, because that’s why we sit in these chairs to watch it all start to come together, and you put it all together,” Bryan said.
Cassandra Coleman
Cassandra Coleman, a 24-year-old singer from Tennessee, moves to the top 12. During the top 16 round Sunday night, Coleman was visibly emotional after performing ‘Wicked Game’ by Chris Isaak.
Although the judges told her that she could show more confidence when they performed, all three praised her performance and gave her a standing ovation.
“There’s ‘American Idol,’ and then there’s life after ‘American Idol,'” Perry said. “And I think you both will get it.”
Caleb Kennedy
Country singer Caleb Kennedy, one of the younger singers in the “Idol” competition, moves to the top-12. Although he is only 16, the South Carolina singer has never shown nerves or doubts during the competition. That was also the case after he performed Chris Stapleton’s ‘Midnight Train to Memphis’ on Sunday night.
“Being 16 and really keeping up with who you are and not being manipulated by everything that goes on … it’s very difficult for a 16-year-old to do,” Bryan said. ‘You’re driving a big truck on the road you want to drive. Good work.”
Ava Augustus
At 15, Ava August is the youngest singer in the “American Idol” competition – and she moves to the top 12.
On Sunday night, August performed a 2018 song by singer-songwriter Anne Marie – a stark contrast to her performance of the Joni Mitchell classic “Both Sides Now” last week. Both Perry and Bryan said they enjoyed the “elegance” of August’s performance last week, and that Sunday night’s performance reminded them that she’s only 15 years old.
“Do not forget that classic is always cool,” Perry said. “And you’re classic.”
But even though the judges were not the biggest fans of the song choice, they reiterated that August is a strong contender for the competition.
“I’m going to declare you 15 and dangerous,” Richie said. I am very, very, very proud of you. ‘
Chayce Beckham
Since auditioning for “American Idol,” Chayce Beckham has been a favorite – Perry even called him a “top 5” contestant. Now Beckham goes to the top 12 and gets closer to making the prediction come true.
The 24-year-old singer from Apple Valley, California, performed ‘Waiting in Vain’ by Bob Marley on Sunday night and impressed the judges with his authenticity.
“For whatever reason, it’s not about glamor and brilliance with you, you’re just a real guy and America fell in love with you,” Richie said after the performance. “And I’m so happy for you.”
Alyssa Wray
Alyssa Wray, a 19-year-old singer from the small town of Perryville, Kentucky, moves to the top 12. Wray has been a notable contestant since her ‘American Idol’ audition, but after her performance of ‘Killing Me Softly’ “Sunday night she received even higher praise from the judges.
“You’re an artist in my eyes for the first time today,” Katy Perry told Wray, adding that she appreciates Wray’s authentic approach to the song.
Willie Spence
Willie Spence moves to the top 12. The 21-year-old singer from Georgia received a standing ovation from all three Idol judges after performing Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain” on Sunday night. He became emotional when he received praise from the judges.
“I can not even stand still,” Lionel Richie said Sunday night. ‘What we just saw was that God took control of you, because there is no possible way to think about it. … It was a brilliant show. ”
“Every note was thoughtful,” Perry added. “It was as if God was working through you and it was nice to see you step in.”
Grace Kinstler
Grace Kinstler, a 20-year-old Chicago singer, moves into the top-12. Kinstler received a standing ovation from Lionel Richie on Sunday night after performing Sia’s ‘Elastic Heart’.
“You’re a force to be reckoned with,” Richie told the Berklee College of Music student. ‘You love your performance, but at the same time you can entice us to your achievement. You can close your eyes and we will still hold on to you. This is called a fantastic presentation. ”
Hunter Metts
Hunter Metts made the top 12. The 22-year-old singer from Tennessee performed ‘I Skinny Love’ by Bon Iver on Sunday night and praised his ‘immediately identifiable voice’ – a trait that, according to the judges, helped the singer throughout the year. competition.
“No one in the world sounds like you,” Bryan said Sunday night.
“It’s called immediate identity,” Richie added. Can I close my eyes and know who is singing? It’s you. ”
Madison Watkins
Madison Watkins was rescued by the Idol judges to go to the top-12. Watkins performed Sara Bareilles’ ‘Gravity’ on Sunday night – a slower song than she usually did during the competition – and the judges received high praise.
“You really surprised me,” Perry told the 25-year-old Arkansas singer. ‘I was closed on the first few notes. … You showed me an incredibly serious side of artist, musician, singer. It was the best you’ve ever heard. ”
Beane
During Beane’s audition for ‘American Idol’, the judges most of the time wondered if the 23-year-old singer from Boston’s theatrical voice was suitable for the ‘American Idol’ stage. Now, thanks to a frugal vote from the judges, Beane reached the top 12. The singer constantly impressed the judges with his unique style and way of entertaining.