Season 23 of American Idol is headed to the happiest place on earth. On Sunday’s episode, the 24 remaining contestants will battle it out at Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawaii. Be sure to tune in 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)
Slater Nalley Gives Jelly Roll "Goosebumps" With Breathtaking "Over the Rainbow"
Slater Nalley certainly knows how to pluck at the heartstrings. The Atlanta high schooler just brought a rasp to “Over the Rainbow” that we’ve never seen before. “I got goosebumps,” Jelly Roll could be heard saying in the audience.
“I don’t remember you having all of that growl,” Lionel Richie said. “I just think you’ve actually developed into a first-class artist, singer.”
Carrie Underwood raved over the 18-year-old’s musical future. “I truly, honestly think that you have the talent and the voice that in, like, 10 years, it will be like, ‘This is one of the finest voices that we’ve ever had in country music,’” the country superstar said.
Luke Bryan also sees good things on the horizon, telling Nalley, “You’re going to get to do music for a long, long time, and it’s really fun.”
Isaiah Misailegalu Gets
They don’t call him “Samoan Silk” for nothing. Isaiah Misailegalu lived up to his nickname with a velvety cover of Hawaiian country-reggae sensation Maoli’s “You Can Have It All.”
“What you have in your voice is magic,” Lionel Richie marveled.
Both Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan offered glowing reviews as well. However, the highest praise came from Maoili frontman Glenn Awong himself. The Hawaiian singer-songwriter floored Misailegalu when he strode toward him from backstage, where he had watched the entire performance.
“I thought you were amazing. Absolutely amazing,” Awong said. “Keep doing your thing.”
This is the kind of music Isaiah needs to do more of that was insanely good 👏🔥#AmericanIdol
— Wyatt 🛸👽 (@Wyatt_fann)
Breanna Nix "Rises" to The Occasion With Powerful Lauren Daigle Performance
Texas stay-at-home mom Breanna Nix brought the old-school Southern Baptist revival vibes to Hawaii. The 25-year-old belted Christian artist Lauren Daigle’s “Still Rolling Stones.”
“We joined you in your moment,” judge Carrie Underwood said. “That beautiful, big voice just overtaking everybody… so much power, so much heart behind it.”
Luke Bryan praised Nix’s confidence, comparing her performance to watching Adele “in her zone.”
“I’m loving the way you just came out onstage, put your foot down, and killed it,” Lionel Richie said.
Yes, Breanna could win this, omg she’s sooo good!! #AmericanIdol
— Lisa (@lisamarieLML)
Mikey Is "A Very Old, Young, Seasoned Pro" With "Adorn" Cover
MKY brings a rich East Los Angeles musical dynasty to the American Idol set. And he continued making his family proud tonight. Sporting fierce black leather pants, MKY served up soul with his cover of “Adorn” by Miguel.
Lionel Richie called the 25-year-old “a very old, young, seasoned pro,” declaring the performance “right on the mark.”
“I did not know you could sing that high, boo,” an awestruck Carrie Underwood said. “That was smooth. Well done.”
Luke Bryan added, “You owned that moment.”
Okkkkk falsetto @mky
— Hill (@danigirl416)
Keep making ELA proud 🇲🇽#AmericanIdol
Gabby Samone Makes Carrie Underwood Feel "All The Things" With Stunning Celine Dion Cover
After last week’s powerful performance of Nina Simone’s “Four Women,” Gabby Samone proved she isn’t afraid to take on the soaring ballads. Perhaps trying to one-up herself, she went with the Queen of Power Ballads this week. Not everyone can do Celine Dion, but Samone just dazzled with “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now.”
“I felt all the things,” judge Carrie Underwood said. “Your voice is so powerful, but you have so many nuances in it.”
The “Before He Cheats” songstress called Samone’s performance “a treat for our ears.”
A stunned Lionel Richie said, “You just sang a Celine Dion song and Gab-orized it, and that’s hard to do. You delivered it so well.”
Gabby is the best of the night so far. #AmericanIdol
— Beth (@Beth_Girl2)
Victor Solomon "Outdances" Luke Bryan
Five years after nearly winning The Voice, Victor Solomon is trying his luck at American Idol. The 26-year-old from Peoria, Illinois, took the Aulani stage decked out in full cowboy attire as he sang “That’s My Kind of Night,” made famous by Idol’s own Luke Bryan. He even threw in a few of the country star’s signature hip thrusts for good measure.
“I gotta retire the song, Lionel,” Bryan joked. “I could’ve guessed someone doing my song, 24 people doing it, but I wouldn’t have guessed you, and that’s what made it special.”
Offering high praise, the “Play It Again” singer said, “You can truly outdance me. I’m super honored. You did a great job.”
Lionel Richie added, “Every time, you walk out, you invent a new person.”
The spin Victor put in that song!! Loveeeee! #AmericanIdol
— Katelyn Reese (@katkatmarie14)