“Top 24 on ‘American Idol,’ Roll Tide, baby!”
Eight singers from Alabama made it to “American Idol’s” Hollywood stage this year, which has to be some kind of record. After Monday night’s episode, three remain.
The “Showstoppers” round on Monday continued the carnage begun in Sunday’s “Idol Arena” episode, which cut the field from 143 to 56. But things had a different feel, as the 56 were whittled down to the 24 who’ll move on to Hawaii in the coming episodes. The performances shown felt less like auditions, more like a chance for singers to prove they could handle more pressure and more sophisticated arrangements.
Here’s how the Alabama gang fared, starting with the winners.
Triston Harper: The 15-year-old from McIntosh wowed the judges again, hitting them with a strong take on Cody Johnson’s “By Your Grace.” Luke Bryan said “wow.” Katy Perry said, “You are so authentic and it just feels like no matter what we tell you today, you’re going to be okay, because you’re rock solid. No one’s shaking you.” Lionel Richie told him, “There’s nobody like you in this competition. This is your opportunity.” Said Harper: “Top 24 on ‘American Idol,’ Roll Tide, baby!”
Mia Matthews of Centre, Ala., smiles during the “Showstopper” performance that won her a spot in the Top 24 of “American Idol.” (Eric McCandless/ABC)Eric McCandless/Disney
Mia Matthews: In Sunday’s episode, the 19-year-old from Centre learned she would advance, while her younger sister Jacy would not. Viewers didn’t get a full look at her performance of Loretta Lynn’s “You Ain’t Woman Enough;” first they heard Bryan tell her, “We thought the Loretta Lynn moment was really powerful.” Then they got to hear her rip the lid off on the final chorus. Up until that moment, she seemed too shy to really cut loose, but this promised good things to come.
Singer K-Blocks of Montgomery, Ala., performs the Bishop Briggs song “River” during the “Showstoppers” episode of “American Idol.”Eric McCandless/Disney
K-Blocks: The singer from Montgomery emerged on Sunday as a wild card who hadn’t been seen in earlier audition episodes. She was even wilder on Monday, giving a rendition of Bishop Briggs’ “River” that had Richie on his feet shouting. “You made us pay attention to you,” he said.
ABC provided a photo of Justice Murphy’s performance during the “Showstoppers” round of “American Idol,” but the performance wasn’t shown in the episode.Eric McCandless/Disney
Justice Murphy: The Alabama State University student was shown in a quick montage of people being told their ‘Idol’ run had come to an end. Her showstopper performance wasn’t shown.
“American Idol” viewers caught a glimpse or two of Alabama singer Dustin Slade, left, during the show’s April 1 “Showstoppers” episode. But his performance wasn’t shown and he didn’t advance to the Top 24. At right is Georgia singer Will Moseley, who did.Eric McCandless/Disney
Dustin Slade: The 17-year-old Moulton native definitely made it to the Showstoppers round. He was glimpsed during the episode in the company of Georgia singer Will Moseley, who did make the final 24. But Slade’s Showstopper performance was not shown.
Ty’esha Lashay: The Monroeville native wasn’t showcased in the Idol Arena, but at the end of the show she could be seen among singers picked to move forward for the Showstoppers round. She did not make an appearance in the Showstoppers episode.
Brant McCollough: The high schooler from Samson, Ala., wasn’t featured, leaving it unclear whether he was cut during Sunday’s round or Monday’s.
New episodes of “American Idol” will air on ABC at 7 p.m. Central time on Sunday, April 7, and Monday, April 8. The day after they premiere, new episodes become available for streaming on Hulu.