The top seven contestants from “American Idol” Season 22 played double duty tonight, giving two amazing performances that tested both their choreographic skills and vocal range.
The Idol candidates, who were coached by 1, 2, Step hitmaker Ciara, were challenged to sing one dance song and one Adele hit to help them break into the top five. .
Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan surprised us multiple times (for better or worse) throughout the two-hour live episode.
While singers Abbi Carter and McKenna Faith Breinholt put on a performance that showed their determination to stay in the competition, Emmy Russell baffled the judges – even though they are consummate professionals. Still, it gets positive reviews — the most literal dance song of the past decade.
Here’s what happened in episode 16, what each contestant sang, and who was sent home.
What happened last week?Watch Emmy Russell move Katy Perry to tears with Loretta Lynn’s cover
Katy Perry says Abi Carter’s performance made her “scared to work”
During rehearsal, Ciara declared that she would help Abi “add some sauce” to her performance.
She did not disappoint.
For dance songs, the 21-year-old singer-songwriter wore a bold red jumpsuit with cutouts and performed a rendition of Fall Out Boy’s “My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light ‘Em Up).” ”
With flames shooting up behind her and into the air around her, Abi gave her most unexpected performance yet. Which performer does Perry describe as “angelic” each week? She can’t come in front of the microphone now. (Well, until she returned later in the show to deliver a stunning, and so “angelic” performance of Adele’s “Hello.”)
The California native not only delivered her vocals well, but also wowed the judges with her smooth rescue of an unsecured mic pack early in the song.
“Where was this energy? Where was this physicality?” Perry exclaimed. “Why was I saving it for almost the last show? Can I even do that?” She added, “Seeing that performance made me scared for my job.”
“You handled it like a pro,” Brian said of the mic pack issue. “We thought you were just playing the piano and singing.”
Emmy Russell dropped the ball on a dance song, but mustered up the confidence to take on Adele
Long before she took to the stage, Emmy Russell was eager to try out some dance moves.
Her take on 2014’s upbeat hit “Shut Up and Dance” got off to a great start, with her voice perfect for a Walk the Moon cover. As the pop song reached its climax, it looked as if Emmy (and her sparkly dress) would rise from her seat to conclude the performance with a bang. Instead, she remained glued to her chair and continued tickling her ivories happily.
Instead of dropping the microphone, she dropped the ball.
“Were you going to get up and walk around?” Perry asked, confused by the apparent lack of choreography, explaining that she was “waiting” for the moment when Emmy would step away from her instrument. After Emmy explained her insecurities, Perry recovered from her shock and she praised her blossoming confidence.
The rest of the judges followed suit, avoiding critical feedback and instead praising Emmy’s growth and singing talent.
Emmy, who then performed Adele’s “Water Under the Bridge,” seemed more confident in herself, staying center stage with a microphone and no instruments.
“You actually conquered your demons because you wouldn’t look us in the eye before,” Richie said. “You’re standing in your own light, and that’s pretty cool.”
Who was eliminated from “American Idol”?
Another platinum ticket winner got dirty.
Julia Gagnon (songs: B-52’s “Roam”, Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain”) and McKenna Breinholt (songs: Katy Perry’s “ET”, Adele’s “Make You”)・Feel My Love”) unfortunately did not participate. We have enough votes to remain in this week’s contest.
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