American Idol 2022 Recap: Top 14 Results, Wildcard Performances (Video)

(ABC/Eric McCandless) TRISTEN GRESSETT

The American Idol Top 20 will become a Top 14 on tonight’s LIVE results show. It’s the first live show of the season!  Ten singers will be chosen by America’s Vote, which took place after the Top 20 performed Sunday night. Judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan will choose 4 wildcards after a last chance performance.

American Idol 2022: Top 20 Poll Results and Predictions
American Idol 2022: Full Season 20 Schedule (Updated 4/15)

Ten seats make up the Victory Zone! 10 make up the DANGER ZONE. Everybody will sing tonight whether its in celebration, or to fight for a spot in the next round. 

Ava Maybee

Cuz I Love You by Lizzo – After the nationwide vote…Ava makes it into the Top 10! This song sits in her lower register and takes A LOT of BREATH! It’s a hard one to sing, but she’s pulling it off, especially as she sings the bridge and chorus.  Ava heads to the Victory Zone.

Christian Guardino

Creep by Radiohead – Christian is in the Top 1o! PLEASE don’t oversing this indie rock classic. And actually, he’s slowly building drama to a final big note. I would have prefered that he take it back down to finish, but that was a show. Christian picked the song because he relates to it. But defiantly! 

Cameron Whitcomb

If It Hadn’t Been for Love by Steeldrivers – CAMERON IS IN THE DANGER ZONE. Cameron won’t sing until after the break. The judges will probably not save him. He antics border on novelty. He can be entertaining to watch, but he’s not a great vocalist.  Plus, he does not take instruction well. Noah Thompson sings in a similar genre, and he’s a billion times better. Katy thinks the rejection calmed him down. She calls it his best vocal. “I want to throw you down a couple of flights of stairs,” she jokes. 

Allegra Miles 

Tainted by Allegra Miles – Oh no! Allegra is in the “danger zone.” SAVE HER JUDGES SHE’S SO GOOD. She’s taking a huge risk choosing to perform an original, and it pays off. She was spectacular last night. Her gorgeous tone is imbued with emotion tonight. There are pitch problems here and there. But she deserves to stay. Lionel says it’s obvious there’s an artist up there. “You were in control of that completely,” he says. 

Lady K

Bust Your Windows by Jazmine Sullivan – Hooray! Lady K is i the Top 14! Lady can relax right into this performance, because she’s safe safe safe. There are some pitch problems, but from now on, Lady needs to stick with R&B and jazz. The singer promises that she’s never busted windows, but left “evidence” on the windshield of an ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend’s car that he cheated. 

HunterGirl

Vice by Miranda Lambert – Of course HunterGirl is going straight to the Top 14. Hunter can’t go wrong covering a Miranda Lambert song. It’s a terrific rendition. I especially liked how she brought the song back down to a quiet note. Hunter shares that she and her mom saw Dolly Parton’s star on the Walk of Fame. Plus, she loves the Hollywood Target store. 

Katyrah Love 

Through the Fire by Chaka Khan – Not surprisingly, Katyrah is in the Danger Zone. Despite performing well last night, the judges response was lukewarm. I think she’s done, especially after performing this old fashioned song. Also, too many runs! Luke thanks her and delivers a bunch of word salad. “You look amazing tonight.” Like I said. She’s done. 

Cadence Baker

I’m Your Baby Tonight by Whitney Houston – OK. Ryan way to be really confusing and get her hopes up. She’s in the “danger zone.” And her desperation is palpable, as she repeats her impressive audition song. It’s not the way to go at this crucial moment. This time, she sounds so frenzied compared to the sultry jazzy version she performed with her father on guitar. I had such high hopes for her. Katy thinks she’s grown so much. Cadence waves to her dad in the audience.

Dan Marshall

Stuck on You by Lionel Richie – Yep. Male country singer gets a GREAT BIG PASS from the voters, despite his terrible singing. They just love them some country boys. And he’s the only straight up male country singer–Dan has an entire bro-country lane to himself.  A disappointing result. It also kills my prediction. I had Dan going home this week. Total suck-up pick if Dan had to sing for his life. He’s pitchy as eff. However, Lionel says that Dan “knocked it out of the park.” OK then. 

Leah Marlene

Wisher to the Well by Leah Marlene – Ryan is still trying to fake out contestants. Lame. Leah is reprising an original song that she performed for the judges in her audition. I don’t blame her for singing it again–it’s a cut on an album she dropped in February. Get those streams, Leah. Having said that, the band is really loud. I liked her scaled back audition version better. She is still my favorite, though!

Nicolina Bozzo

She Used to Be Mine by Sara Bareilles – Nicolina is in the Top 14! Yay. She looked so nervous as Ryan delivered the news. It’s a good choice for a reprise. This performance was one of her best. She obviously connects to this song in a strong way. 

Sage

Brown Eyed Lover by Allen Stone – Sage has to fight for a judges save, unsurprisingly. She needed to sing like this last night. She’s employing a great growl and her tone is coming through tonight. Not sure if its enough, however. Six are going home this week. Good for her bringing a new performance. Lionel says, “That’s the way to come out after bad news. You absolutely took charge. You owned the stage.” The judges concur she performed better tonight. Indeed.

Jay Copeland

Believer by Imagine Dragons – Oh wow. Platinum Ticket Holder Jay is IN THE DANGER ZONE. Don’t worry. The judges will save their guy. Jay is a good performer and has a good voice, but he doesn’t connect. That’s it. It’s like he’s singing in front of a mirror instead of an audience. He leaves me meh. Regardless, the judges aren’t going to admit the wrong guy got the special ticket. I’ll be shocked if he’s not a wildcard. The judges are on their feet. Luke calls the performance and song choice “tremendous.” Luke pretty much admits he’s safe. 

Noah Thompson

Cover Me Up by Jason Isbell – Happy birthday Noah! We’re making you wait until after the break to find out your fate. Good thing he’s in the Top 14. Great song pick from Noah. He’s not flipping a song this time, but Jason Isbell style Americana is the type of music he should record after Idol. I believe every word he sings. It’s a Lovely, lovely performance. 

Jacob Moran

Rise by Katy Perry – Jacob is in DANGER. His socials have been low. Another suck up song choice. But it will probably work. The judges like Jacob, even if America is lukewarm. He has a good shot at a wildcard spot. He seems a little rattled tonight, though. “I’ve retired that song,” says Katy. “You’re so talented. Technically you’re one of the most talented people here. You will rise.”

Elli Rowe

All I Want by Kodaline – Elli didn’t make it to the Top 10, now she sings for her life. Her song choices are always so good. Her tone is sweet and mesmerizing, and she doesn’t sing with a ton of range. But she makes the most of her beautiful head voice. Lionel says too many people are in her lane. He’s got a good point. “That’s the best performance I’ve seen. But is it enough. America will tell us.” Uh. No Lionel. Y’all will tell us. Not looking good for Elli.  

Emyrson Flora 

Love in the Dark by Adele – Emyrson is in the Top 14! The teen singer chooses to reprise an earlier performance. She nailed it before, and she’s nailing it again. Her phrasing is terrific. She deserved to move on. 

Mike Parker

Bed on Fire by Teddy Swims – Mike is in danger! He sings for a judges pick. He and Luke have a special connection. This is a good song choice. It’s the kind of soulful country he’ll probably sing out in the real world. And it’s his best performance of the season. He’s singing like he wants the Top 14 spot more than anything. Luke complimented the song choice. He’s shocked he didn’t make the Top 10. Luke indicates he’ll fight for Mike. 

Fritz and Tristen remain for one remaining spot. The two stand on stage together with Ryan. Fritz makes it through. Tristen has to sing for his life

Fritz Hager 

Golden by Harry Styles – The crowd is screaming for Fritz before he even sings.  Tristen had to know he was in trouble standing on stage with Fritz. He’s a star, a fan favorite and has a crack at going to the finale. He’s gained a ton of confidence over the season and is likable and full of energy and passion. Fritz isn’t going anywhere any time soon.

Tristen Grisette 

Are You Gonna Go My Way by Lenny Kravitz – Tristen closes the show with a raver. He’s working the stage like his life depended on it. And it kind of does! He’s keeping hope alive right here. Katy screams “Is that what’s called a subliminal message?” She calls him a rock star, no matter what happens. 

RESULTS

The judges choose their wildcards: In no particular order, Katy picks Allegra Miles! Yes! Lionel picks Jay Copeland. Of course. Luke picks Mike Parker. Luke won! And then Katy picks Tristen Gressett to round out the Top 14.

Next Sunday is the first Coast to Coast vote of the season. That means the show will air in the same time zone across the United States.  Then Monday is something called the “Judges Song Contest.” Eleven singers will remain…and I read the synopsis and still don’t understand what will happen. But gotta love the episode title, like a massive troll aimed at NBC 

Top 14

Ava Maybee
Christian Guardino
Lady K
HunterGirl
Dan Marshall
Leah Marlene
Nicolina Bozzo
Noah 
Thompson
Emyrson Flora
Fritz Hager
Allegra Miles – Wildcard
Jay Copeland – Wildcard
Mike Parker – Wildcard
Tristen Gressett – Wildcard

ELIMINATED

Cameron Whitcomb
Katyrah Love
Cadence Baker
Sage
Elli Rowe
Jacob Moran

 

 

About mj santilli 34830 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!