‘American Idol’ Top 12 Results: Live Season 21 Judges Saves Revealed
Less than 24 hours after kicking six contestants to the curb, American Idol gave eight more singers the boot on Monday, finalizing the season’s Top 12 as we (apparently) race towards the finale as quickly as humanly possible.
Here’s how the chaos went down: The 20 singers who performed on Sunday returned to the stage to find out whether America had voted them into the Top 12. Depending on their fate, the contestant either sang for America’s votes ahead of Sunday’s show or they sang for the judges’ mercy, hoping to snag two spots specifically reserved for their whims.
And let me tell you, there were some surprises. Several contestants who knocked it out of the park — er, studio — on Sunday found themselves seated uncomfortably in the danger zone tonight. And there were some eliminated contestants I wouldn’t hesitate to swap out for some who were voted into the Top 12.
So, which 12 singers are still in the competition after Monday’s dramatic two-hour event? Which eight have reached the end of their Idol journeys? And did the judges save the right endangered contestants?
Read on for a breakdown of Season 21’s Top 12, along with video of the songs they performed on Monday (if available). When you’re done, vote in our polls for the most surprising eliminations and, of course, which 10 singers you’d like to see back this weekend.
SAFE: Wé Ani Image Credit: ABC screenshot Honestly, I’m surprised it took someone this long for someone in Season 21 to perform “This Is Me” from The Greatest Showman. Overdone as the empowering ballad may be, I’m glad it was chosen by Ani, whose powerhouse vocals proved America right for giving her the first slot in the Top 12.
ELIMINATED: Michael Williams Image Credit: ABC screenshot The first contestant to sing for their life (“and don’t f–k it up!”) was Williams, who attempted to earn the judges’ favor with a perfectly fine cover of JVKE’s “Golden Hour.” It was a little pitchy in certain places, but you can’t blame the guy for being nervous. Imagine having to sing in front of millions of Americans who didn’t vote for you!
ELIMINATED: Hannah Nicolaisen Image Credit: ABC screenshot Nicolaisen was the second singer sent to the danger zone after delivering a defiant take on Lorde’s “Royals.” Her nerves definitely kept her from giving us the full Nicolaisen experience, but at least Ryan Seacrest was good enough to point out how difficult it must be for someone to have to sing after learning they’re at risk of being eliminated.
SAFE: Warren Peay Image Credit: ABC screenshot Any 3 Doors Down song would qualify as a choice — a good one, believe it or not. Peay performed the heck out of “It’s Not My Time” (sans cowboy hat!), demonstrating an ease and a confidence that will likely keep him in the competition for weeks to come.
ELIMINATED: Matt Wilson Image Credit: ABC screenshot Was anyone else a little surprised to see Wilson in the danger zone? His performance didn’t blow me away last night, but I got the impression that he was something of a fan favorite. Well, you learn something new every day, I guess. Anyway, his second serving of Giveon’s “For Tonight” was definitely more polished and professional than it was the first time around, and Wilson was no less charming than usual. Sadly, it wasn’t enough to keep him in the game.
ELIMINATED: Paige Anne Image Credit: ABC screenshot It’s already been a rollercoaster of a season for Anne, and that ride continued on Monday when she sang Pink’s “I Am Here” in the hopes of not getting eliminated for the second time. Real talk: I thought it was one of the strongest redemption songs of the night. Unlike the others, Anne’s nerves propelled her performance, rather than hindering it. Some of those notes were just… damn. I thought she stood a genuine shot at earning one of the judges’ saves. Color me wrong.
ELIMINATED: Nailyah Serenity Image Credit: ABC screenshot America, what were you smoking not putting Serenity into the Top 12? I’ve loved her from the jump, and I assumed she was a slam dunk after last night’s strong showing. Needless to say, Sia’s “I’m Still Breathing” was a perfect song choice for her unexpected circumstance tonight. As a Serenity stan, I would have preferred some of those high notes to have been a little cleaner, but I’m not going to be too critical of anyone singing under that kind of pressure. I’ll miss her.
SAFE: Haven Madison Image Credit: ABC screenshot One of the smartest moves of the night was Madison giving America another taste of her radio-ready original song “15.” I’m still not fully sold on her, especially after last night’s performance, but I might be willing to drink the Kool-Aid after hearing this jam one more time. At the very least, we’ve got a future Kids’ Choice Award winner on our hands here.
ELIMINATED: Mariah Faith Image Credit: ABC screenshot The Steeldrivers’ “If It Hadn’t Been For Love” provided the musical backdrop for Faith’s shot at a second chance after failing to secure enough of America’s votes. And no one can say that this woman did not give her absolute all. The rasp was in full effect as she demonstrated her impressive range on this gritty jam. A true talent, and she will be missed.
SAFE: Tyson Venegas Image Credit: ABC screenshot This kid wowed the crap out of me with his audition, and if I’m being honest, I’ve been waiting for that version of Venegas to show up ever since. Friends, he finally came back on Monday, nailing Elton John’s “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me.”
SAFE: Colin Stough Image Credit: ABC screenshot One of the most delightfully unexpected moments of the night came courtesy of Stough, who celebrated his Top 12 admittance with a stripped-down cover of Robyn’s “Dancing On My Own.” There was something so real about it, so raw. What can I say? I loved it like Stough loves his mama.
ELIMINATED: Kaeyra Image Credit: ABC screenshot Again I must ask, America, what were you smoking not putting this one-of-a-kind artist into the Top 12? Kaeyra’s no-nonsense performance of “If I Were Your Woman” felt like a big middle finger to every fool who didn’t vote for her. The vocals, the look, the attitude — she’s truly the total package. I don’t get anyone who doesn’t get her. I hope Idol gave Kaeyra the foot in the door that she needed, because I see major career potential there.
SAFE: MaryBeth Byrd Image Credit: ABC screenshot Byrd, who continues to surprise me, followed up last night’s strong showing with a beautiful performance of Jason Isbell’s “Cover Me Up.” Perfect, poised, polished.
SAFE: Iam Tongi Image Credit: ABC screenshot If there was one person whose place in the Top 12 I never doubted, it was Tongi, who followed that unsurprising announcement with a thrilling performance of Lionel Richie’s “Stuck on You.” It wasn’t, like, roller coaster thrilling, but the joy on Richie’s face said it all. Tongi’s really going to win this whole thing, isn’t he?
ELIMINATED: Olivia Soli Image Credit: ABC screenshot Now this is how you convince America to give you a second chance! After finding herself in the danger zone, Soli still delivered a Top 12-worthy performance of Ariana Grande’s “God Is A Woman.” There were moments when it sounded like Soli was simply channeling Grande’s vocals as if by magic. Just not magical enough to convince the judges to keep her around.
SAFE: Oliver Steele Image Credit: ABC screenshot OK, this one was also really fun: After getting the good news that America is straight-up in love with him, Steele treated his adoring public to a bouncy cover of Shania Twain’s “You’re Still the One.” Between this and Stough’s take on Robyn, I’m sensing a pattern tonight — and I like it!
SAVED BY JUDGES: Lucy Love Image Credit: ABC screenshot I was bummed — but not entirely surprised — to see Love in danger tonight. And I’ll be gosh-darned if she didn’t absolutely nail Imagine Dragons’ “Radioactive.” The energy! The runs! The showmanship! Did I just become an Imagine Dragons fan? Is this the power that Love’s voice holds? Not for nothing, but Imagine Dragons really needed a win this week after its frontman’s wife filed for divorce, and I think Love’s performance was that win. Thrilled that the judges saved her!
SAFE: Zachariah Smith Image Credit: ABC screenshot Smith was another shoe-in this week, and I’m not disappointed in the least. I’ll be damned, this cheese ball is really growing on me! I’ve always appreciated his rock-god vocals, which sounded incredible on Toto’s “Hold the Line” tonight, but I’m also finally vibing with his schtick. He’s just really exciting to watch.
SAFE: Megan Danielle Image Credit: ABC screenshot The final contestant voted into the Top 12 by the viewers at home, Danielle paid homage to her inspiration Lauren Daigle with a powerful performance of “Thank God I Do.” Danielle is another contestant I think I’ve been appreciating but ultimately underestimating. I’m now seeing finale potential there.
SAVED BY JUDGES: Nutsa Image Credit: ABC screenshot “Can you imagine the pressure? … It is Nutsa.” Following that actual sentence spoken by Seacrest, Nutsa stepped up to the microphone, singing one of the ultimate Broadway ballads in the hopes of earning a second chance from the judges. Honestly, can you think of a bigger way to end this show than with Nutsa putting her entire damn self into “And I Am Telling You I’m Not I’m Going” from freakin’ Dreamgirls? I am officially nuts for Nutsa. That was dynamite, and I’m so glad we’ll be seeing more of her. var pd_tags = new Array;pd_tags["12177710-src"]="poll-oembed-simple"; var pd_tags = new Array;pd_tags["12177707-src"]="poll-oembed-simple";
Source: TVLine
