American Idol has revealed its Top 14 contestants after eliminating six hopefuls from the Season 22 competition during Monday night’s episode on ABC.
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American Idol automatically advanced 10 contestants into the Top 14 based on millions of home viewer votes that poured in during Sunday night’s special three-hour performance show.
The 10 highest vote-getters who made it into the Top 14 included Abi Carter, a 21-year-old musician from Indio, CA; Emmy Russell, a 25-year-old songwriter from Nashville, TN; Kaibrienne, a 20-year-old B&B host from Henefer, UT; Julia Gagnon, a 22-year-old college student from Cumberland, ME; and Kayko, a 23-year-old songwriter and producer from Fort Lauderdale, FL.
The other singers who glided into the Top 14 were Jack Blocker, a 25-year-old graphic designer from Dallas, TX; McKenna Faith Breinholt, a 25-year-old esthetician from Gilbert, AZ; Mia Matthews, a 19-year-old singer from Centre, AL; Triston Harper, a 15-year-old high school student from McIntosh, AL; and Will Moseley, a 23-year-old musician from Hazlehurst, GA.
Each of those performers got to sing a song in celebration of their advancement in the competition.
Abi sang “My Mind” by Yebba, Emmy performed an uber-personal original song titled “Skinny,” Kaibrienne belted out “Zombie” by The Cranberries, Julia took the stage with “Need a Favor” by Jelly Roll, and Kayko sang an original song titled “What If?”
Jack performed “Feeling Whitney” by Post Malone, McKenna sang “Tumbleweed” by Nowhere Man and a Whiskey Girl, Mia took the stage with “Burning House” by Cam, Triston performed “‘Til You Can’t” by Cody Johnson, and Will serenaded the audience with an original song titled “Gone for Good.”
The rest of the Top 20 singers had to compete to become one of four “Judge Picks” by each performing a song for American Idol judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan.
After hearing the 10 performances, Katy, Lionel and Luke announced their decision at the end of the two-hour broadcast.
The contestants who had to sing for survival on the show included Ajii, a 27-year-old who works in nursing home security from Brooklyn, NY; Jayna Elise, a 22-year-old performer from Washington, D.C.; Jennifer Jeffries, an 18-year-old college student from Starkville, MS; Jordan Anthony, a 19-year-old artist from Perth, Australia; and Kennedy Reid, a 23-year-old mortician from New Albany, IN.
The other singers who were in jeopardy of elimination were Mackenzie Sol, a 23-year-old content creator from Las Vegas, NV; Nya, a 28-year-old Broadway performer from Manhattan, NY; Odell Bunton Jr., a 29-year-old who works in airport security from Austin, TX; Quintavious, a 22-year-old vocal coach and worship leader from Franklin, TN; and Roman Collins, a 24-year-old worship leader from Long Beach, CA.
The four contestants whom American Idol’s judges saved were Jayna, Jordan, Nya, and Roman.
Jordan performed “Attention” by Charlie Puth, singing for his live in the competition.
“I am surprised,” Katy announced of America’s vote.
“I thought last night, if you had landed just a couple of notes, it would’ve been A+. Tonight, I think you were A+ or right around an A, but I’m loving this energy… I think that was your best performance so far.”
Jayna belted out “All I Wanted” by Paramore in the hope of securing one of the Judges’ Picks.
“I think the reaction speaks for itself,” Lionel said as the audience clapped and cheered loudly.
“First of all, you can take a high note and make it a whisper so elegantly and so flawless and so painless. You didn’t frown up, girl. I am telling you, that was a command performance! I loved it.”
Nya took the stage with a current hit, “Water” by Tyla.
“Way to switch it up!… You not only give great voice, but you give great attitude!” Lionel gushed of the singer.
“As far as I’m concerned, I am telling you, I just want America to rethink the situation because I think that was a star performance!”
And Roman performed “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World” by JAmes Brown.
“That song broke my top off! I guess it is a woman’s world!” Katy joked, covering up her chest. “It’s a family show.”
Luke added how Roman got everybody out of their seats and he has the ability “to blow the roof off” of a place with his style that is “so unique.”
Ajii, Jennifer, Kennedy, Mackenzie, Odell, and Quintavious were therefore eliminated from American Idol’s 22nd season.
When singing for survival, Ajii belted out “Call Out My Name” by The Weeknd.
“America is bold! The audience is booing America’s vote,” Katy declared.
“But we are not going to boo that performance because it was excellent!… Picking that song was really smart because you gave us vocals… exactly what we need to feel confident about having you in this competition.”
Jennifer sang “All I Want” by Kodaline.
“This is a big shocker to me, but I think with ‘Grave Digger’ last night, it wasn’t this big step out moment for you,” Luke shared.
“I think America probably voted that way… but that was one of my favorite performances, if not my favorite… No matter what happens, you’re going to go on to have some special stuff because your voice is so unique and so yours.”
Kennedy took the stage with “Somethin’ Bad” by Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert in the hope of staying on the show another week.
“That is the way to deal with ‘no,'” Lionel said.
“When America said, ‘No,’ you said, ‘I don’t think so.’ That was clear… and your attitude, your personality and the way you walked on that stage, you had all the confidence in the world and I am so proud of you.”
Mackenzie performed “False Alarms” by Lawrence featuring Jon Bellion.
“This whole season, you’ve been a tornado of energy, right?” Katy explained.
“And it’s all about controlling the tornado. I think tonight, you did that! You got it! It was amazing. I thought that the long falsetto note you hit was amazing… You laid it all down tonight. This is you, and you showed up.”
Odell wowed the audience with “Wait On You” by Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music.
“I can say to my pastor I’ve been going to church!” Luke shouted.
“It’s been spiritual enlightenment on American Idol! Great job, but we’ve got so many talented singers in your category that maybe the votes are being spread out amongst you guys… but it was truly moving and truly amazing.”
And Quintavious sang “Make It Happen” by Mariah Carey in attempt to be saved by the judges.
“I believe that was probably the best performance we’ve seen you do yet… We have votes tonight, and way to show up!” Luke said.
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.