ABC/Eric LiebowitzThe first seven contestants who’ll be competing for America’s vote were revealed on Sunday night’s episode of American Idol — and we also saw the first dramatic elimination, complete with empty stools and Ryan Seacrest asking for the lights to be dimmed.
During the episode, ten of the remaining 20 contestants sang duets with a rotating lineup of famous musicians. Bumbly, Shawn Robinson and Kate Barnette were all sent home following their duets with, respectively, Shaggy, Elle King, and Pat Benatar with her husband and guitar player, Neil Giraldo.
The contestants who’ll compete for America’s vote next week are Walker Burroughs, Riley Thompson, Uché, Madison VanDenburg, Ashley Hess, Laci Kaye Booth, and Laine Hardy.
Laine was the final performer of the night, singing The Band‘s song “The Weight” with Elle King. He was also the final contestant announced as one of the remaining seven: Katy Perry told him, “You’ve come a long way…you’re going through.”
Walker and Ashley Hess both sang with Jason Mraz and both performances were good, but Ashley impressed a bit more by reworking Jason’s smash “I’m Yours” for the piano, rather than the guitar. Walker and Jason’s duet on “Have It All” sounded like they’d been singing together for years.
Riley and Laci both sang with country star Brett Young. Again, both were good, but Laci’s emotional duet with Brett on his hit “Mercy” was the better performance. “I thought I was watching something on the Grammys,” gushed Katy. “I don’t wanna play favorites but, I’m just sayin’.” Katy also raved over Riley’s duet with Brett on his hit “Like I Loved You”: “Our jaws were on the floor,” she said.
Madison sang “We Belong” with Pat Benatar and held her own against the ’80s pop/rock legend’s still-powerful voice. Katy told Madison, “Your voice is a Ferrari, and never be scared to show off your Ferrari.”
Uché and Bumbly both sang with Shaggy. Bumbly’s rendition of “Angel” was technically perfect, but the judges ultimately chose Uché’s energetic performance of “I Need Your Love.”
Oddly, Elle King was the only one of the guest stars who didn’t perform any of her own songs. In addition to singing “The Weight” with Laine, she sang Creedence Clearwater Revival‘s “Proud Mary” with Shawn Robinson. That performance contained the only major mistake of the night; Shawn came in too early on a verse, and he and Elle ended up having to repeat it.
The 10 contestants who didn’t perform on Sunday will perform Monday night at 8 p.m. with Chris Isaak, Lukas Graham, lovelytheband, Cynthia Erivo, Ben Harper, and Julia Michaels.
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