American Idol Season 18 – Meet the Top 21!
ABC is airing two American Idol season 18 clip shows titled ‘This Is Me” Both episodes, part 1 and 2, are described as “deep dives” into the lives of the Top 21. Ten artists were highlighted in episode 1 last week (April 12). The remaining singers were explored tonight (April 19).
Also tonight, in a special REMOTE REVEAL, Ryan Seacrest declared Grace Leer the winner of the faceoff vs Lauren Mascitti. Read on for more.
American Idol 2020 Spoilers – Top 20 (21) Contestant List
The remaining Top 20 singers featured tonight are: Aliana Jester, Cyniah Elise, Faith Becnel, Kimmy Gabriela, Dewayne Crocker , Dillon James, Jovin Webb, Louie Knight, Francisco Martin
Each segment featured a look at the contestants’ “Idol journey” so far, with commentary from family members. It’s a thing producers would have normally done during the competition. The episode also features unseen performances by several artists. More than last week!. Although, I had to cut my own video of Faith Becnel’s unseen performance. It seems it’s Katy who really believes in Faith’s talent. Maybe the producers, not so much.
UNSEEN Performances from the American Idol Top 21
We saw Francisco Martin sing “Alaska” by Maggie Rogers in front of the judges for his audition. But tonight, Idol reveals the singers SECOND audition song, “Use Somebody.” It was THAT performance that prompted Judge Katy Perry to declare Francisco Top 10 while Luke Bryan called Francisco Top 5.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHYvW479HtY
Additionally, Idol released “Lover,” the original song Francisco sang in Hollywood. That’s on top of Francisco’s VERY NERVOUS journey to the Top 20.
Watch Francisco sing his original song “Lover.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWztCouTYvA
Dwayne Crocker’s grandma is the biggest Lionel Richie Stan ever. The women in Dwayne’s life became super important to him aafter his dad abandoned the family. He’s so close to his great-grandmother, that he sang Bill Wither’s “Grandma’s Hands” for his Genre performance in Hollywood in her honor.
Watch Dwayne Crocker sing “Grandma’s Hands.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMnPsBxUrOA
Tonight, we see a little bit more of Faith Becnel. including an unseen performance of “Location” for the genre round in Hollywood. Faith has gotten very little screen time so far. And the show didn’t even bother to upload her “unseen” performance.
And Dillon James sang “Make You Feel My Love” by Bob Dylan for his audition song. But he also sang an original song “Gun Smoke” at his audition. His parents shared how the singer hid his talents. A 15 second “secret” recording of a performance they came across shocked them. They previously had not idea about his talent. When Dillon hit Los Angeles to pursue an acting career, he spiraled into a life of drugs and alcohol. But, eventually, he returned home to his family. He’s been clean and sober for 2 years.
Watch Dillon James sing his original song “Gun Smoke”
Aliana Jester’s dad rescued her from her religious mother, who was making life very difficult for the young teen. For her audition she sang “Who’s Loving You by Smokey Robinson. But she sang Stevie Winwood’s “Higher Love” as her second song. It’s an unseen performance for a good reason. It’s a little shouty? The Smokey Robinson cover was much better. In the clipm, Even her emotional support pop doesn’t seem happy.
Then, in Hollywood, Aliana took on Kelly Clarkson’s “Because of You,” seen here for the first time.
Watch Aliana Jester Sing “Higher Love” and “Because of You”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_Hqxw5vD3U
British native Louis Knight wowed the judges with an original song in his audition. But he also performed “315” by Bazzy, a performance not seen until now. Louis’ original “Change” was written in tribute to his friend Russell, who committed suicide a few years ago.
Watch Louis Knight perform Bazzy’s “315”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDgev1friow
Does Grace Leer or Lauren Mascitti Advance to the Top 20?
Grace Leer competed on American Juniors in 2003. She performs in a rootsy, country style. Lauren Mascitti dates a well-known country songwriter in Nashville. They were the last two singers in Hawaii to be told their fates. The judges sprung a big surprise on them. America would choose which of the two would advance. TONIGHT WE FIND OUT THE RESULTS of that vote.
Lauren and Grace are beaming in from their homes, awaiting the news from Ryan Seacrest. AMERICA HAS VOTED AND HERE WE GO.
The person taking the spot in the Top 20 is Grace Leer! Lauren Mascitti is ELIMINATED.
Even Ryan seemed a little nervous, revealing results from his living room. Most certainly and American Idol first! (And after this season, hopefully the last…)
Production managed to recreate a typical Idol elimination. Instead of the contestants standing on stage alongside Ryan as he revealed the results, everybody was in split screen as the tension mounted. It was only just a LITTLE BIT AWKWARD, when Ryan announced that Grace would advance.
The two gave each other virtual hugs and shouted I LOVE YOU! Lauren was very gracious in defeat. She might be thinking that it’s just as well, considering that coronavirus has left the rest of the season in semi-ruins. Take a look at the video below.
American Idol Will Finish the Season with Streaming “At Home” Competition
With the two part clip series, “This is Me” in the rear view mirror, the competition picks up again next week (April 26). A “Top 20 Sing” episode airs on April 26, followed by two “Live Coast to Coast Feed” shows on May 3 and 10. The finale airs on May 17.
All the remaining new shows will be streamed from the judges, cast and competitors’ homes to keep within coronavirus mitigation guidelines. Earlier this week, Ryan Seacrest and Luke Bryan spoke about what the “at home” episodes might look like. Check it out HERE. See the current American Idol season 18 schedule HERE. ABC Reality Chief Rob Mill shared his thoughts on how American Idol will proceed under challenging circumstances HERE.
