Dim the lights! American Idol celebrates Easter when the Top 20 are revealed on Sunday, April 20. Each contestant will perform a song of faith, but four unlucky hopefuls will be eliminated based on last week’s vote. Adding to the celebration, judges Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan take the stage as voting continues.
The “Songs of Faith” episode of American Idol airs live coast-to-coast at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The night will feature uplifting performances from Grammy winner CeCe Winans alongside Idol alum Roman Collins, American Idol‘s artist in residence Jelly Roll, acclaimed Christian artist Brandon Lake, and the Brown Four. Viewers can vote after the show, helping determine which finalists advance to the Top 14 on Monday, April 21. Follow along with our live blog below — and vote for your favorite in our poll once the entire Top 20 has performed!
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8 p.m. — Previously, on American Idol: The Top 24 finalists were divided into two groups of 12 and — for the first time — performed for America’s vote from Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa in Hawaii. At the end of Night 1, Slater Nalley, Jamal Roberts, and Breanna Nix won Gold Derby’s poll as your favorite performers. At the end of Night 2, Thunderstorm Artis, John Foster, and Mattie Pruitt were voted the top singers.
8:05 p.m. — Lionel opened up the show singing “Eternity” with the Top 24 singing backup. Next, Ryan wished everyone a “Happy Easter ” before the competition got started. One-at-a-time, the Top 20 were announced and performed their own inspirational anthem. See the order they were called below.
Canaan James Hill
Age: 17
Hometown: Dallas
Performance: “Better Days” by Le’Andria Johnson
Carrie’s comments: “You understood the assignment. This is definitely your wheelhouse.”
Lionel’s comments: “That was a performance to be remembered for a very long time.”
Luke’s comments: “I have not heard a voice like yours. Make it look a little harder, please.”
Drew Ryn
Age: 28
Hometown: Chino Valley, Ariz.
Performance: “Yellow” by Coldplay
Carrie’s comments: “I love that you took the theme and found something that was unconventional. Solid performance.”
Lionel’s comments: “You made that song so much yours. Your deliver was 100 percent you. I love what you just did.”
Luke’s comments: “You’re our diamond in the rough. You keep surprising us.”
Desmond Roberts
Age: 26
Hometown: Corona, Calif.
Performance: “Worship” by Jon Batiste
Carrie’s comments: “That song had a lot of switching gears. You sang the heck out of it.”
Lionel’s comments: “I don’t know what register you sing in, but if there’s a ‘Z flat’ — it was amazing.”
Luke’s comments: “I don’t know how I’m supposed to judge that. So many tools and tricks in your bag.”
Filo
Age: 23
Hometown: Dublin, Calif.
Performance: “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon & Garfunkel
Carrie’s comments: “You went from zero to a million in a short timeframe.”
Lionel’s comments: “You aced it. You took it from a whisper to a crescendo that was unbelievable.”
Luke’s comments: “That got back to your original audition. It felt theatrical in the right way.”
Josh King
Age: 24
Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.
Performance: “You Are So Beautiful” by Joe Cocker
Carrie’s comments: “I love that you displayed your sweet, soft side.”
Lionel’s comments: “Every breath we were hanging on.”
Luke’s comments: “We have a sneaky little devil in the room. You’ve got so many of the tools to really be something.”
8:45 p.m. — A break was taken from the competition so Luke could hop on stage and sing his tune, “Jesus ‘Bout My Kids.”
8:50 p.m. — After Luke’s performance, Ryan continued announcing this year’s Top 20.
Thunderstorm Artis
Age: 29
Hometown: Haleiwa, Hawaii
Performance: “Reckless Love” by Cory Asbury
Carrie’s comments: “You took it to a new level. We felt the conviction and the power through you.”
Lionel’s comments: “You showed up tonight in a very big place. We discovered something about you tonight. Stretch that out some more!”
Luke’s comments: “You gave us an energetic rock side. That felt like a Christian rock concert!”
Amanda Barise
Age: 27
Hometown: Manhattan, N.Y.
Performance: “If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys
Carrie’s comments: “Incredible arrangement. It took you out of the space of the great Alicia Keys and you made it your own.”
Lionel’s comments: “You went turned it into your song. You found somebody down inside. It was amazing.”
Luke’s comments: “That was your shining moment. Keep getting that confidence. You deserve it.”
John Foster
Age: 18
Hometown: Addis, La.
Performance: “Tell That Angel I Love Her” (original)
Carrie’s comments: “There’s something so wonderfully throwback about your voice. It’s something that’s lacking in country music today. You keep it very traditional.”
Lionel’s comments: “It was so believable. I heard every word of every part of your story. That’s what great music is about.”
Luke’s comments: “You’ve been a wildcard for me the whole time, but what you just did there removed all doubts in my mind that you deserve to be there.”
Mattie Pruitt
Age: 16
Hometown: Eagleville, Tenn.
Performance: “Rescue” by Lauren Daigle
Carrie’s comments: “You’ve got the goods. You are the youngest person in the competition and each week we’re going to watch you get the stage presence to match your voice.”
Lionel’s comments: “You have instant identity. Don’t lose that. You’ve got a signature voice.”
Luke’s comments: “You’re going through the star wash! That cry in your voice is so great — but make sure we hear every word.”
Olivier Bergeron
Age: 22
Hometown: Kedgwick, New-Brunswick
Performance: “Stay” by Rihanna
Carrie’s comments: “Every time you step on stage it’s like you’re singing for your life and we can feel that. In doing so, don’t lose the message in the song.”
Lionel’s comments: “You are intense! You are so focused on your sound and it pays off.”
Luke’s comments: “I love watching you grow and watching you experiment on this stage. Keep doing that.”
9:25 p.m. — Halfway through the announcement of the Top 20, Jelly Roll and Brandon Lake take the stage to sing “Hard Fought Hallelujah.” Then, the results keep rolling in.
Breanna Nix
Age: 25
Hometown: Denton, Texas
Performance: “Up to the Mountain” by Patty Griffin
Carrie’ comments: “If there’s one word I could use to describe your time here with us it’s ‘solid.’ Well done.”
Lionel’s comments: “You know what was wrong with that performance? Nothing.”
Luke’s comments: “I was captivated. Great job.”
Victor Solomon
Age: 26
Hometown: Peoria, Ill.
Performance: “For Every Mountain” by Kurt Carr
Carrie’s comments: “One big advantage you have is your stage presence. You immediately engage the audience and use the stage. It was refreshing to see you use the space.”
Lionel’s comments: “There is something about you that’s just electrifying. That was a great performance.”
Luke’s comments: “You get every aspect of entertainment. I love your approach.”
Baylee Littrell
Age: 22
Hometown: Alpharetta, Ga.
Performance: “Gone Without Goodbye” by Brian Littrell
Carrie’s comments: “Vocally that was one of your best performances so far. You have a nice powerful tone when you choose to turn it on.”
Lionel’s comments: “Put pressure on yourself. Scare yourself to death from this point on.”
Luke’s comments: “Lean in and annunciate. I want to learn as much as I can about you every time I watch you perform.”
Isaiah Misailegalu
Age: 17
Hometown: Las Vegas
Performance: “Give You Blue” by Allen Stone
Carrie’s comments: “You were having a good time with it so we were.”
Lionel’s comments: “Work that silk into some power. Switch it up! But I love the texture of that falsetto.”
Luke’s comments: “That was probably your most relaxed delivery. You didn’t miss a note.”
Gabby Samone
Age: 23
Hometown: Baltimore
Performance: “I Am Changing” from Dreamgirls
Carrie’s comments: “You are a superstar! That was incredible.”
Lionel’s comments: “You are a star! That was amazing what you did tonight.”
Luke’s comments: “That was a better breakout moment than your last breakout moment. You’re a star.”
Slater Nalley
Age: 18
Hometown: Atlanta
Performance: “Soulshine” by The Allman Brothers Band
Carrie’s comments: “You were at ease behind the guitar. Just keep doing you.”
Lionel’s comments: “You got her because you stayed in your lane and you’re solid.”
Luke’s comments: “You’ve already figured out who you are as an artist. Just let it blossom. It’s really inspiring.”
Zaylie Windsor
Age: 18
Hometown: Safford, Ariz.
Performance: “Silver Springs” by Fleetwood Mac
Carrie’s comments: “Song choice is going to be paramount for you. You have to be you, but what does the voting audience want?”
Lionel’s comments: “You have a unique voice and a unique sound. Your sound is appealing, just bring it to us some more.”
Luke’s comments: “You are dialed in with your artistry, but lean in with those big vocal songs.”
Jamal Roberts
Age: 27
Hometown: Meridian, Miss.
Performance: “Forever” by Jason Nelson
Carrie’s comments: “Your talent is as sparkly as your outfit. That was a joy to listen to and watch.”
Lionel’s comments: “That was some outrageous singing. I don’t know who possessed you, but if that’s the Holy Ghost, the Holy Ghost is gonna be with you.”
Luke’s comments: “You’ve just got the magic. What I love the most is that it’s current but it’s old-school too. You are slaying it.”
10:35 p.m. — Just two spots remain in the Top 20. To keep the suspense going, CeCe Winans and Roman Collins interrupt this program to bless us with a powerful performance of “Come Jesus Come.”
Then, the results continued…
Ché
Age: 28
Hometown: Essex, England
Performance: “Redemption Song” by Bob Marley and the Wailers
Carrie’s comments: “You’re a great vocalist and you did a great job.”
Lionel’s comments: “You delivered that song so well. Congratulations.”
Luke’s comments: “You’re one of my favorite voices I’ve ever heard. I’m so glad you flew all this way to share your talents with us.”
Kolbi Jordan
Age: 26
Hometown: Tulsa, Okla.
Performance: “Amazing Grace”
Carrie’s comments: “Thank you for that. That was amazing.”
Lionel’s comments: “Who knew we were going to create the church of American Idol. You have brought so much spirit, talk, and excitement to this show. God bless you!”
Luke’s comments: “Breathtaking. The whole deal was just…breathtaking.”
Eliminations
Based on America’s vote, these four artists were eliminated on Sunday, April 20:
Kyana Fanene
Age: 28
Hometown: San Leandro, Calif.
Grayson Torrence
Age: 21
Hometown: Providence Forge, Va.
MKY
Age: 25
Hometown: Los Angeles
Penny Samar
Age: 23
Hometown: Williamsport, Pa.
11 p.m. — To close out this three-hour celebration, Carrie took the stage to perform a special version of “How Great Thou Art!” — and to remind everyone why she’s one of the Idol OGs.
The Top 14 will be announced and perform on Monday, April 21.
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