American Idol eliminated Jayna Elise and Roman Collins on “Billboard No. 1 hits” night, which determined the Top 10 contestants for Season 22 during the two-hour episode that aired Monday night on ABC.
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Jayna, a 22-year-old performer from Washington, D.C., and Roman, a 24-year-old worship leader from Long Beach, CA, were eliminated from the American Idol competition based on the 20 million home viewer votes that poured in live while the Top 12 contestants performed Billboard No. 1 hits for American Idol judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan.
Pop singer Meghan Trainor served as the mentor for the Billboard Hits-themed week.
The night’s results were shocking considering Jayna and Roman had received stellar feedback from American Idol’s judges.
Jayna took the stage with “Diamonds” by Rihanna.
Katy thought the performance was “so you” and that Jayna had reached her “100 percent perfect formula” by being so measured and “controlled.”
Luke called it a “timeless, professional” performance that was “solid,” and he advised her not to step off the gas going forward.
Roman performed “Roar” by Katy.
Lionel commented on how Roman “never failed to take it over the top” and his performance was full of “soul and power.” Katy gushed about how it was “amazing” and how her parents adore — and pray for — the singer.
As for the Top 10 contestants’ performances, Abi Carter, a 21-year-old musician from Indio, CA, sang “All Too Well” by Taylor Swift.
Luke said Abi’s performance wasn’t “as shiny” as what she had delivered on Sunday night.
“I think you’re incredible, but don’t get too comfortable at the piano. I’d like to see you working the stage and giving us a lot of energy,” Luke said.
Jack Blocker, a 25-year-old graphic designer from Dallas, TX, performed “Blinding Nights” by The Weeknd.
Katy thought he “did it again” by using his brain and good strategy. Katy said he “keeps people guessing” and she’d like to hear him sing a cappella next time.
Julia Gagnon, a 22-year-old college student from Cumberland, ME, selected the song “Something in the Orange” by Zach Bryan.
Katy said it one of her favorite performances because of Julia’s dynamics and how the performance was “like a dance.” Luke also praised Julia for showing “all of your tricks.”
Kaibrienne, a 20-year-old B&B host from Henefer, UT, sang “Wrecking Ball” by Miley Cyrus.
Luke appreciated how Kaibrienne pushed herself outside of her comfort zone and explored bigger songs, and Katy urged her to “let it fly” and “keep it flying” onstage as the competition progresses.
Kayko, a 23-year-old songwriter and producer from Fort Lauderdale, FL, impressed with his own rock version of “Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye.
The judges ran onstage and hugged Kayko after his performance because his unique and risky rendition of the song “worked” and paid off.
Katy screamed about how Kayko was her new best friend, and Lionel repeated “wow” three times in astonishment.
McKenna Faith Breinholt, a 25-year-old esthetician from Gilbert, AZ, took the stage with “Cardigan” by Taylor Swift.
Luke insisted it was “so pro, so next level,” and Lionel thought McKenna sounded really sexy. It was also Katy’s “favorite.”
Mia Matthews, a 19-year-old singer from Centre, AL, performed “Over You” by Miranda Lambert.
Luke told Mia that she was giving “star power stuff,” and Katy added that her vocals have grown so much but she needs to move around the stage in order to “get to the very, very top.”
Triston Harper, a 15-year-old high school student from McIntosh, AL, sang “Beautiful Crazy” by Luke Combs.
Lionel thought it was great but warned Triston not to “lose your power” while singing.
Emmy Russell, a 25-year-old songwriter from Nashville, TN, took the stage with “Lose You to Love Me” by Selena Gomez.
Luke applauded Emmy for “shining,” and Katy said she liked that rendition of the song because it was “authentically” her and one of her best vocal performances yet.
And Will Moseley, a 23-year-old musician from Hazlehurst, GA, performed “Starting Over” by Christina Stapleton.
“It went from zero to 100 in less than two seconds… You have instant identity with your voice, and I love what you just did,” Lionel said.
Katy asked for “more” in his face, and Luke agreed that performing takes a little bit of acting.
About The Author:
Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.