From Hollywood to Hawaii, my friends!
Also, probably some sobbing.
Half of our contestants are getting cut tonight!
AMERICAN IDOL – “208 (Showcase/Final Judgment)” – For the first time ever, “American Idol”‘s iconic showcase round hits the road, heading to Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawaii, where the showÕs Top 40 contestants take to the beach for incredible solo performances in front of a live audience and the superstar judge panel. Following the performances, itÕs an emotional roller coaster in paradise as the judges sit down with each contestant to reveal their fate, culminating with the showÕs Top 20 finalists. The search for AmericaÕs next superstar continues on The ABC Television Network, SUNDAY, MARCH 31 (8:00 – 11:00 p.m. EDT), streaming and on demand. (ABC/Karen Neal)LIONEL RICHIE, KATY PERRY, LUKE BRYAN.ABC/Karen Neal
Only 20 will survive!
First up is an old pro at this stressful walk:Alyssa Raghu.
Okay, and some decent singing, too.
ABC/Karen Neal
Its not my favorite of hers, but she owns this.
Plus a white jumpsuit?
Thats judges speak for shes in.
ABC/Karen Neal
The judges arent likely to fill the Top 20 with people who check the same boxes.
That issue comes up forMadison VandenburgandMyra Tran, both big belters.
Unfortunately, Myra picks How Far Ill Go from Moana.
Listen, I love this song, but its not the right pick for this moment.
The judges feel the same.
Madison gets a spot in the Top 20, but Myra gets sent home.
Song choice, people!
Its always about song choice.
Look atLogan Johnson, a teen heartthrob in the making.
He decides to sing Justin Biebers Sorry.
This dude is smart.
This dude is also in the Top 20.
Nate Walkerhasnt had the easiest road to the Top 40, what with his Group Round illness and all.
He needs to bring everything he has to this performance.
His fellow contestants are truly shocked, but also probably like thank God, lets be honest.
Call me old fashioned, but Im not here for these fakeouts.
I know, I know, we need DRAMA.
But, like, do we?
The fighting for your dream is the drama!
Anyway, we get the fakeout treatment withDimitrius Graham.
DIMITRIUS IS SO GOOD.
He sings Latch by Disclosure featuring Sam Smith and I want to live in it.
As if we could really be fooled with this guys fate: Hes clearly in the Top 20.
Not a great time to have an off night.
Drake is sent home!
Aw, you guys, look atKai the Singer.
Katy says it best: Shes transforming before our very eyes and ears!
Shes never looked more comfortable on stage than here, doing Alessia Caras Wild Things.
Unfortunately, her vocals dont quite match up with her performance.
She has work to do.
Goodbye, Kai the Singer!
Kai seemed like a tough no for the judges.
Do you know who is an easy yes?Laci Kaye Booth.
Has she had a bad performance yet?
I mean, this girl has to be flying into the Top 10, right?
Someone the judges are a little less sure about isNick Townsend.
He needed to be perfect and he wasnt.
This cut seems like the first big surprise of the night.
We run through a few other big cuts without much pomp and circumstance.
Next to take the long walk to the judges isWalker Burroughs.
I have one thing to say about Walker: Love his sock choice, confused by his song choice.
He performs Youngblood by 5 Seconds of Summer, but at the piano.
Its not his best, and even he knows it.
Like Ashley Hess, everything hes done up to this point has been completely on point.
He nabs the next spot.
Two other contestants feeling the joy as well:Evelyn CormierandKate Barnette.
The spots are dwindling and its clear that some favorites are going home.
Speaking of stage presence, can we talk aboutUche?
The dude rocks a fur jacket and leather pants IN HAWAII.
He also sings the hell out of Play That Funky Music, truly a weird sentence to write.
Is it better than the original?
There was no way Alejandro wasnt making it through to the Top 20.
He in no way seems like anAmerican Idolcontestant, but Im so glad hes here.
Never change,Idol!
The next contestant up is quite similar to Alejandro.
Also like Alejandro, it was a given hed be getting a spot in the Top 20.
Since this Final Judgment is such a marathon, its time to breeze through a few announcements.
Also leaving arePayton Taylor,Mica Giaconi, andIdalis.
None of these ladies got much screen time, so its not a huge surprise.
Sorry, thats how TV works!
With those four singers firmly in for the next round, were down to three spots.
Three, you guys.
Its exciting but also, Im tired!
Of all our Top 20, Wade is the most shocked to hear the news.
Believe in yourself, dude!
What an awkward position to put yourself in as a judge, but again, DRAMA.
The first pairing is our zanier contestants,Eddie IslandandMargie Mays.
Well, serious for him.
Its a risk, but it pays offEddie is moving forward.
In other news,Idolis still listing Eddies profession as Unofficial Nashville Mayor and I truly feel alive.
The final Final Judgment is between two country dudes:Tyler MitchellandLaine Hardy.
The problem here is that once they show both performances, its obvious where the judges are going.
There is only one choice here.
Im not totally clear on the rules, but I think he just wonAmerican Idol?
He also makes a huge push forward as a front runner for this entire thing.
We might all be ready to party with a Hardy soon.
Before we get to that though, our remaining contestants will be singing for lives.
I told you,Idolloves the drama!
