The remaining American Idol 2019 Top 20 sing ALL STAR DUETS for the judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan tonight (April 8). American Idol history will be made as host Ryan Seacrest takes his FIRST sick day ever. Mentor Bobby Bones will step into his place.

At the end of the episode, SEVEN singers move on to the Top 14. Three are sent home. The Top 14 will be COMPLETE.

Spoilers below! NO SPOILER DISCUSSION ON THE LIVE BLOG. Keep spoiler talk under the spoilers posts. Giving stuff away will result in an instant banning.

When Does American Idol 2019 Start? Full Season 17 Schedule
American Idol 2019 Spoilers: Top 14 Contestant List
American Idol 2019 Spoilers: Top 20 Solo and Celebrity Song Choices

The singers are performing in the historic Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles.

American Idol 2019 Top 20 All Star Pairing PHOTO GALLERY

Even if Ryan Seacrest was too sick to host, at least we got a taped intro and a “THIS is American Idol” from him.

Alyssa Raghunadan & Julia Michaels – Issues by Julia Michaels – Alyssa is OBSESSED with Julia’s songs. The singer, who has been performing upbeat pop ditties lately, is ready to slow things down as the judges suggested. Julia calls Alyssa a “powerhouse” but feels that she needs to concentrate on what the song means. OK Alyssa, you proved you had some pop chops. Now show us why we loved you in the first place! Her tone is so pretty and perfect. She’s out singing Julia to be honest. Katie looks very proud of her “sauce.” She calls it a “fresh take” and “brave for being so free” on stage. Katy notes that she and Julia were feeding off of each other. Luke loved that she didn’t try to over do it. “Raghu you brought the sauce,” says Lionel. “You keep growing. 16 years old with this much talent and confidence.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgBilely28g

Eddie Island & Lukas Graham – 7 Years by Lukas Graham – GHAAA. I hate this song. It’s so corny. Eddie’s up to his old tricks, bringing a stuffed animal to rehearsal. Too cute by half. Lukas wonders if Eddie is hiding behind humor. The singer agrees that it’s time to “let it out.” Eddie is singing the less annoying parts and bringing fresh life to the song. Lukas always sounds like he’s taken a huge hit of helium before opening his mouth. Eddie CAN sing. I’m waiting for him to show some vulnerability. Not yet! He’s STILL screwing around on stage. The goofball habit is going to be hard to break. Luke thought the song choice was perfect, “great job…you were hitting the notes.” Lionel says, “You’ve managed to make every performance like you’re having the time of your life.” He compliments his range, “You can actually sing…take it to the next level.” Katie wants to bottle him up. “Whenever you come on stage I’m on another planet with you,” she says.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G55tvx_Cdgk

Wade Cota & LovelytheBand – Broken by Lovely the Band – Wade’s mom has diabetes and his goal is to take care of her financially from here on out. Wade sings mostly folk and Americana songs, but this time he’s tackling a popular pop song. He’s not quite suited to it. I’ve said it before, but I find the heavy gravel in his voice off putting. It’s like he needs to hock one up. Still, Wade does give the performance everything he’s got. He’s actually quite the showman here. Lionel says, “You have a voice to be reckoned with.” He notes the “choreography.” He’s happy that Wade is comfortable with himself. “That voice is identifiable.” Katie think’s he’s turning into a bonafide rock star. “You found who you were…you’ve tapped into some otherworldly energy.” That jacket he’s wearing? Yoinked from a random guy who was standing outside the studio. Guess the clothing allowance hadn’t kicked in yet. “Way to blossom right in front of our eyes,” says Luke. “Good job.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIEdrHnomMg

Ryan Hammond and Cynthia Erivo – Hold on I’m Comin’ by Sam and Dave – Ryan shares his story of weight loss with Cynthia. She asks him if it changed his voice. An interesting question. Living in a whole new body, he’s still re-discovering his voice. Ryan had never heard the song before. “I only listened to Christian music.” Oh boy. This is a completely different side of Ryan. Usually he’s belting a big meaningful ballad. But he’s a really soulful dude! I am enjoying this duet. It’s cool to see a looser, less serious side to Ryan’s personality. And Cynthia is a gem! Katy says, “I felt the spirit! Is that church, I really felt that a lot….you really held your own in that.” She adds, “Your voice is amazing on all levels.” Luke says, “Your voice will carry you so far…just add a little more swagger,” Katy asks him to demonstrate…and Luke does his famous hip swivel. Hm. I thought Ryan delivered. No extra swagger necessary. Lionel is impressed with the job he did, especially since he’d never heard the song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2UyqPc2Xl8

Evelyn Cormier & Chris Isaak – Wicked Game by Chris Isaak – Talk about a gimme–while Ryan was given a song he never heard in his LIFE Evelyn gets to reprise her audition song with the original artist. Hmph. Oh my God. I can’t get over her tone. Like she’s swallowing her own voice. This duet, however, is nicely understated. The song is intense, but in a low-burn kind of way. Oversinging could totally ruin the performance. Having said that, I can’t take my eyes of Chris. He’s mesmerizing. Oh. Evelyn wrote on her American Idol questionnaire that Isaak was her first pick for a celeb duet partner. “I got a front row seat to a very special event,” says Luke. Lionel says, “Chris is a stylist…what makes you unique, is that you are also a stylist.” He calls them both a “great great compliment.” Katy felt the performance was sophisticated, sultry and intimate, and that they embodied the feeling and emotion of the song. “I believed every word that you were singing,” she says, referring to an “it” factor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib6VAJbEBjg

Logan Johnson & Julia Michaels – What a Time by Julia Michaels & Niall Horan – Logan MAY have a little crush on Julia. He’s nervous because the feedback on his solo last week wasn’t great. “I really don’t want to mess up tonight,” he says. His tone is pretty, but too languid. He’s so tentative, he needs to SING OUT. Dynamics are your friend, Logan. Julia totally dominated him in this performance. Logan was a different person on stage vs the rehearsal, she says. Lionel felt he passed the test. “You did a great job at listening,” he says. “I was hanging on every word of that song,” says Katy. “Always take every opportunity you can for your vocals to push through…push a little more,” says Luke. What Luke said–THIS is what I’m sayin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0g8ZF03QO0

Raquel Trinidad & LovelytheBand – Tiny Dancer by Elton John – OH MY GOD RAQUEL HAS NEVER HEARD TINY DANCER HOW HOW HOW. “I get the jist that he’s a Tiny Dancer,” says Raquel, describing what she thinks the lyrics mean. Uhm. She’s getting a HORRIBLE edit here. He advises her to “let the runs run wild.” That is literally the worst advice ever. After all that–the performance is not a train wreck. A little weird–but not a disaster. Raquel is a very strange duck. She’s probably an interesting vocalist with the right song. Tiny Dancer is NOT the right song. The Lovely dude wasn’t much help. “I never heard you sing that well,” says Katy. “Whatever you have up your sleeves, bring them out.” Lionel advises her to look at the audience when she sings. “Your voice is very recognizable. You really showed us a new dimension to your voice,” says Luke.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmFg-5urTQE

Alejandro Aranda & Ben Harper – There Will be a Light by Ben Harper – Alejandro and Ben grew up one town apart. Consequently, the singer grew up listening to Ben’s music. Alejandro used to hang around Ben’s family music store. “I heard the kid, and I was in,” Ben says. It’s Alejandro’s first duet ever. He sings the high harmonies beautifully. He could learn a lot from Ben on how to phrase a song. Bobby comes on stage wearing a beanie. He looks ridiculous! Oh. Ben heard Alejandro for the first time in his family’s shop. Luke says, “Welcome to the Alejandro show. You’re so tasteful with your approach. You let music do all the talking.” Lionel says, “You’re in a a rare air group…you have a career.” Katy says, “I think you embody authenticity. Nothing is going to change you.” She adds, “You’re my emo homie.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27d1KxliEfk

Dimitrius Graham & Lukas Graham – Love Someone by Lukas Graham – “We’re family!” they joke about their identical surnames. Lukas claims that, like Dimitrius, he also grew up in a “rough” neighborhood. Sweden has rough neighborhoods? The duo’s voices blend and harmonize BEAUTIFULLY. This is a wonderful match. Literally, the best harmonic singing of the night. Dimitrius is digging into the song, not oversinging like he often does. “You hit those high notes!” says Lukas. “All because of him,” Dimitrius demures. “It was like one fabulous duet, perfectly executed…such control,” says Lionel. Katy calls it the best sounding duet she heard today. “I’m so proud you have taken our advice. You did not overdo it.” Luke says, “You’re one of the best singers I’ve ever heard.” He calls Dimitrius a “male Beyonce.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzsmjBUuNRA

Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon & Cynthia Erivo – Time after Time by Cyndi Lauper – Jeremiah thinks about which people in his life have been there for him–his friends are in the audience rooting for him. Time After Time is one of my favorite songs EVER. It’s a hard song to sing too. But this rendition is SUBLIME. Jeremiah and Cynthia have similar vocal tones–high pitched with a fast vibrato. They sound incredible together. OK. This performance is giving me goosebumps. Absolutely gorgeous. Jeremiah is STILL one of my favorites. “There’s something very special about him,” says Cynthia. “It was like your guyses souls were singing to each other,” says Katy. The last run showed the power of his voice. “A spiritual moment for me,” she says. Luke wanted to throw roses on the stage. “Incredible…you knocked it out of the park.” Lionel says, “That was glorious. We just witnessed a masterful performance.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whh-AMxImP8

RESULTS: The coaches take turns calling names! Evelyn, Dimitrius, Jeremiah, Alyssa, Wade, Eddie, Alejandro advance to the Top 14. And again, a front runner, Alejandro was called last. So much for suspense! And again, the singers left in line with him had to be crestfallen.