Season 23 of American Idol is heating up, as Sunday’s episode brings us to Hollywood Week. Episode 7, fittingly titled “Showstopper,” is set to air at 8/7c on ABC.
You can keep up with all the performances and viral moments with American Songwriter’s Season 23 Live Blog below.
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(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Thunderstorm Artis Tones It Down With John Lennon's "Imagine," And Fans Are Loving It
If Thunderstorm Artis looks familiar to you, there’s a reason. Five years ago, the Hawaiian singer-songwriter finished third on season 18 of NBC’s The Voice. Now, he is making his case to become the next American Idol.
Artis’ choice to perform a stripped-down version of John Lennon’s “Imagine” was a bold one for Showstopper Week. But the risk seems to have paid off. “yyyyeeesssss…..soft & controlled can be a show stopper too!!!!” one viewer wrote on X/Twitter. “finally a voice we can actually hear the range of!!!!”
Wow @Thunder_artis IS PHENOMENAL. No one on idol is touching him. No matter how far he gets in this competition. #AmericanIdol
— Rockie (@Rockie_beezy)
Gabby Samone May Be Your Next 'American Idol'
Baltimore resident Gabby Samone commanded the crowd’s attention with a searing take on Nina Simone’s “Four Women.” The 22-year-old childcare specialist may have just sung her way into the season 23 frontrunner spot.
“GABBY ATE AND LEFT NO CRUMBS,” one viewer wrote on X/Twitter.
“Where can I vote for Gabby? She almost brought tears to my eyes,” another added.
It looks like Samone is another strong contender for the Top 24.
YOU BETTA SANG GABBY SAMONE!!!!!! Holy cow!!!!!! #AmericanIdol
— Hana Settles (@KobeOverLeBron1)
Slater Nalley Has 'American Idol' Viewers "Rocking and Swaying" With Hollywood Week Performance
Slater Nalley punched his ticket to Hollywood with an original, “Traces Of You.” The 17-year-old Atlanta singer-songwriter penned the heartbreaking tune for his English teacher’s son, who died eight years ago. Now that he has arrived in California, Nalley stepped out of his comfort zone with a cover. The Georgia teen had the crowd—and Luke Bryan—grooving with his swingy take on The Band’s “Ophelia.”
“[Slater] had me rockin and swaying in my chair,” one viewer wrote on X/Twitter. “Bravo!”
An Instagram user added, “Slater really made Ophelia sound like an original this guy is top 5 no doubt.”
You know us Georgia boys can move those hips! Way to get the crowd involved Slatter Nalley! #AmericanIdol pic.twitter.com/BtWBj4b5Js
— Luke Bryan (@lukebryan)
Amanda Barise Lights Up 'Idol' Stage With Powerful Chaka Khan Cover
There was nothing understated about Amanda Barise’s Showstoppers performance of Chaka Khan’s “Ain’t Nobody.” The 26-year-old New Yorker took the stage in a daring leopard-print ensemble and belted notes that easily reached the rafters of downtown Los Angeles’ Orpheum Theater.
Ahead of her American Idol audition, Barise said she was on a mission to prove that “underdogs can win.” And she brought all three judges to their feet with her performance of James Brown’s “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World” (which, coincidentally, Mattie Pruitt took on tonight.)
Amanda girl!!!!!! No underdog there! She’s got a voice of an angel! #AmericanIdol
— Katelyn Reese (@katkatmarie14)
“Top 5 right now!!” one Instagram user wrote of Barise. “Leave it all on stage!!!”
Carrie Underwood Is All Too Familiar With Kam'ron Smith's Hollywood Week Plight
While Kam’ron Smith brought the vocals to his version of Drake White’s “Make Me Look Good Again,” the 21-year-old from Rocky Mountain, Virginia, stumbled somewhat over the lyrics. But he managed to finish strong—which, in Carrie Underwood’s case, was all that mattered.
Kam’Ron brought the voice, the lyrics just took a little detour. But hey, even the greats have off moments. Shake it off and keep going! #AmericanIdol
— Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest)
During a recent episode of American Idol’s web series From Idol to Icon, the “Before He Cheats” songstress watched 20-year-old footage of herself flubbing the lyrics to Candi Staton’s “Young Hearts Run Free.”
“I did forget the words, but I feel like in that moment, it was more about how you jump back in,” she said.