“American Idol” reduces competition – fast. On Sunday night, the show eliminated eight singers and revealed the top 16. On Monday night, “Idol” presenter Ryan Seacrest announced that singer Wyatt Pike was to retire from the contest, but that the show wished him the best for the future. And then “Idol” revealed its top 12.
Here’s a rundown of the singers who made it to the top 12.
Casey Bishop
Casey Bishop was the first singer to make it into the top 12 on Monday night. The night before, during the top 16 round, “Idol” judges told Bishop that she had given her best performance of the match. The 16-year-old rock singer from Florida played Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun,” and it had all three judges on their feet.
“You can sing anything you want,” Bryan said Sunday night. “Why you chose rock, I’ll never know, but it’s your thing and you can sing.”
“It’s fascinating to watch you because you start out as this fairytale princess and then you get close to Joplin,” added Richie. “I love what you do.”
Deshawn Goncalves
Deshawn Goncalves was the second female singer to reach the top 12. The 19-year-old singer from Ohio played Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good” on Sunday night, and judges called it his best performance to date.
“Watching your growth is what’s so inspiring to us as judges, because that’s why we sit in these chairs, to see how it all starts to come together and you put it all together,” said Bryan.
Cassandra Coleman
Cassandra Coleman, a 24-year-old singer from Tennessee, moves up to the top 12. During the top 16 round on Sunday night, Coleman was visibly emotional after performing Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game”.
Although the judges told her she could show more confidence during the performance, all three praised her performance and gave her a standing ovation.
“There’s ‘American Idol’ and then there’s life after ‘American Idol,’” Perry said. “And I think you’re going to make it both.”
Caleb Kennedy
Country singer Caleb Kennedy, one of the younger singers in the “Idol” competition, moves up to the top 12. Although he is only 16, the South Carolina singer has never shown any nerves or doubts during the competition. That was also the case after he performed Chris Stapleton’s “Midnight Train to Memphis” on Sunday night.
“To be 16, and really be able to hold on to what you are and not be manipulated by everything that is going on around us … that’s very hard for a 16 year old to do” , Bryan said. ‘You drive a big ole truck down the path you want to go. Good job.”
Ava August
At the age of 15, Ava August is the youngest female singer in the “American Idol” competition – and she goes through to the top 12.
On Sunday night, August played a 2018 song by singer-songwriter Anne Marie – a stark contrast to her performance of the Joni Mitchell classic “Both Sides Now” the week before. Both Perry and Bryan said they enjoyed the “elegance” of August’s performance last week, and Sunday night’s performance reminded them that she is only 15 years old.
“Don’t forget that classic is always cool,” said Perry. “And you are classic.”
But even if the judges weren’t the biggest fans of the song choice, they reiterated that August is a strong contender in the competition.
“I’m going to declare you 15 and dangerous,” said Richie. I am very, very, very proud of you. ”
Chayce Beckham
Since his audition for ‘American Idol’, Chayce Beckham has been a favorite – Perry even called him a ‘top 5’ contestant. Now Beckham is moving up to the top 12 and getting closer to living up to that prediction.
The 24-year-old singer from Apple Valley, California, played Bob Marley’s “Waiting in Vain” Sunday night and impressed judges with his authenticity.
“For whatever reason, you’re not about glitz and glamor, you’re just a real man and America has fallen in love with you,” Richie said after the performance. “And I am so happy for you.”
Alyssa Wray
Alyssa Wray, a 19-year-old singer from the small town of Perryville, Kentucky, advances to the top 12. Wray has been a standout contestant since her ‘American Idol’ audition, but after her performance of ‘Killing Me Softly ”Sunday night she got even more praise from the judges.
“You are actually an artist for the first time today in my eyes,” Katy Perry told Wray, adding that she appreciated Wray’s authentic approach to the song.
Willie Spence
Willie Spence advances to the top 12. The 21-year-old Georgia singer received a standing ovation from all three “Idol” judges after performing Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain” Sunday night. He got emotional when he received praise from the judges.
“I can’t even stand still,” Lionel Richie said Sunday night. “What we just saw was that God took control of you because there is no way you can think about this. … It was a great achievement. ”
“Every note was thoughtful,” Perry added. “It was like God was working through you and it was beautiful to see you step into your power.”
Grace Kinstler
Grace Kinstler, a 20-year-old Chicago singer, advances to the top 12. Kinstler received a standing ovation from Lionel Richie on Sunday night after performing on Sia’s “Elastic Heart.”
“You are a force to be reckoned with,” Richie told the Berklee College of Music student. “You are so enthusiastic about your performance, but at the same time you have the opportunity to involve us in your performance. You can close your eyes and still keep our eyes on you. That’s called a fantastic presentation. ”
Hunter Metts
Hunter Metts has made it to the top 12. The 22-year-old Tennessee singer played Bon Iver’s “Skinny Love” Sunday night and praised his “instantly identifiable voice” – a trait that judges say has helped the singer all along. contest.
“No one in the world sounds like you,” Bryan said Sunday night.
“It’s called instant identity,” added Richie. ‘Can I close my eyes and know who is singing? That’s you.”
Madison Watkins
Madison Watkins was saved by the ‘Idol’ judges to advance to the top 12. Watkins sang Sara Bareilles’ ‘Gravity’ on Sunday night – a slower song than she normally played during the game – and received high praise from the jurors.
“You really surprised me,” Perry said to the 25-year-old Arkansas singer. ‘I was locked out of the first few notes. … You showed me an incredibly serious side of artist, musician, singer. That was the best thing you ever sounded. ”
Beane
Most of the time during Beane’s audition for “American Idol,” judges wondered if the 23-year-old Boston singer’s theatrical voice was right for the “American Idol” stage. Now, thanks to a vote of approval from the judges, Beane has made it to the top 12. The singer has continuously impressed the judges with his unique style and way of entertaining.