American Idol (season 16)

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American Idol
Season 16
American Idol S16 poster.jpg
Promotional poster
Hosted byRyan Seacrest
Judges
WinnerMaddie Poppe
Runner-upCaleb Lee Hutchinson
Country of originUnited States
No. of episodes19
Release
Original networkABC
Original releaseMarch 11 (2018-03-11) –
May 21, 2018 (2018-05-21)
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 15
Next →
Season 17
List of episodes

The sixteenth season of American Idol premiered on March 11, 2018, on the ABC television network. It is the show's first season to air on ABC, and after 15 years on Fox, Ryan Seacrest continued his role as the show's host, while Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie joined as judges. Maddie Poppe from Clarksville, Iowa won the season on May 21, 2018, while her boyfriend Caleb Lee Hutchinson was the runner-up,[1] and Gabby Barrett finished in third place. Poppe was the first female winner since Candice Glover in season twelve.[citation needed]

Background[]

In early 2017, Variety reported that FremantleMedia was in talks to revive the show for NBC or for its original network, Fox.[2] A dispute between Fremantle and Core Media Group derailed these plans.[3] Then, in May 2017, it was announced that ABC was making a bid to revive the program.[4] Later, ABC announced that it had acquired the rights to the series, and that American Idol would return for the 2017–18 television season.[5][6] On November 6, 2017, it was announced that the revival season would premiere on March 11, 2018.[7]

On July 20, 2017, it was announced on Live with Kelly and Ryan, that Ryan Seacrest would be returning as the host for the revival season.[8] On May 16, 2017, Katy Perry was the first judge to be announced by ABC.[9] On September 24, 2017, Luke Bryan was the second judge to be announced for the revival season.[10] On September 29, 2017, Lionel Richie was the third and final judge to be announced.[11] On February 21, 2018, it was announced that iHeartRadio radio personality Bobby Bones would be the mentor for the Top 24 this season.[12]

On April 23, 2018, ABC announced that the April 29, May 6, and May 13 live shows of the season would air across all mainland U.S. time zones, a first for American Idol.[13] Radio Disney also broadcast its first season of American Idol Insider.[citation needed]

Regional auditions[]

In June 2017, it was announced that American Idol would begin two bus tours in 19 cities, later increased to 22, for audition starting August 17, 2017.[14][15] Those who passed their first audition would go in front of the producers where they would be selected to appear before the judges in different cities. Instead of focusing on a city in each aired episode as in previous seasons, this season each episode showed a compilations of auditions from different cities.[16]

Episodes City Date Venue
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 New York City, New York October 3–4, 2017 Madison Square Garden[17]
2, 4, 5 New Orleans, Louisiana October 14, 2017 Mardi Gras World[18]
1, 3, 4, 5 Nashville, Tennessee October 19–20, 2017 Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
2, 3, 5 Savannah, Georgia October 28–29, 2017 Kehoe Iron Works
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Los Angeles, California November 16–17, 2017 Hollywood and Highland Center[19]

During the live broadcast of the 2017 American Music Awards, three contestants who did not pass the audition in front of the judges were given one more chance to allow the public to vote for them.[20] The three candidates were Maris, Britney Holmes and Dominique Smith. The winner of the golden ticket to Hollywood was then revealed the following night on an episode of Dancing with the Stars. Lionel Richie appeared in the show announcing that the public vote was in favor of Britney Holmes, a 28-year-old vocal coach from Texas, who is headed to Hollywood as the first declared semifinalist of the season.[21]

Hollywood Week[]

Hollywood Week aired over two episodes on March 26 and April 1. It featured three rounds: Lines of 10, Group Round, and Solo Round. In the first round, each contestant sang individually, and after ten sang, they gathered in a line. Those who impressed the judges and the producers advanced to the next round where the contestants performed in groups of four or five, singing a song together.[22] The remaining auditionees who passed the group rounds performed their final solos to advance in the Showcase Round.

Showcase Round[]

The Showcase Round aired on April 2, which featured the top 50 performing for the judges and a live audience at Exchange LA, a nightclub in Los Angeles. The following day, the judges narrowed the number of contestants down from 50 to 24 in the Final Judgement. The top 24 contestants then moved on to perform solos and celebrity duets.[23][24][25]

The following is a list of the contestants who reached the Top 24 and the song they performed at the Showcase:

Color key:

  Female contestant
 
  Male contestant
Order Contestant Age Hometown Audition city Song[23][24][25]
1 Layla Spring 16 Marion County, Kentucky Nashville, Tennessee "Proud Mary"
2 Michael J. Woodard 20 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Los Angeles, California "You Oughta Know"
3 Gabby Barrett 17 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania New York City "Church Bells"
4 Michelle Sussett 22 Miami, Florida Los Angeles, California "24K Magic"
5 Dominique 26 Birmingham, Alabama New Orleans, Louisiana "Landslide"
6 Trevor McBane 22 Savanna, Oklahoma New Orleans, Louisiana "Wake Me Up"
7 Maddie Poppe 20 Clarksville, Iowa New York City "Me and Bobby McGee"
8 Ron Bultongez 21 Plano, Texas New York City "All I Want"
9 Alyssa Raghu 16 Orlando, Florida Los Angeles, California "Every Breath You Take"[26]
10 Catie Turner 17 Langhorne, Pennsylvania New York City "Bad Romance"
11 Jurnee 18 Denver, Colorado Savannah, Georgia "Never Enough"
12 Shannon O'Hara 17 Mooresville, North Carolina Savannah, Georgia "Unconditionally"
13 Kay Kay 18 Nashua, New Hampshire New York City "Brokenhearted"
14 Amelia Hammer Harris 26 Lexington, Kentucky Savannah, Georgia "Paint It Black"
15 Brandon Diaz 21 Ashburn, Virginia Los Angeles, California "Let's Get It On"
16 Adam Sanders (as Ada Vox) 24 San Antonio, Texas Savannah, Georgia "Creep"
17 Jonny Brenns 18 St. Augustine, Florida Savannah, Georgia "Lay Me Down"
18 Mara Justine 15 Galloway Township, New Jersey New York City "Something's Got a Hold on Me"
19 Caleb Lee Hutchinson 18 Dallas, Georgia Savannah, Georgia "I Was Wrong"
20 Garrett Jacobs 18 Bossier City, Louisiana New Orleans, Louisiana "Knock on Wood"
21 Cade Foehner 21 Shelbyville, Texas Savannah, Georgia "No Good"
22 Effie Passero 26 Modesto, California Los Angeles, California "The Dance"
23 Marcio Donaldson 28 Compton, California Los Angeles, California "If You Really Love Me"
24 Dennis Lorenzo 26 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania New York City "A Song for You"

Top 24[]

The Top 24 contestants were split into two groups of twelve. Prerecorded performances at the Academy in the Heart of LA of the first group aired on April 8 and the second group on April 15. On the following day each week, prerecorded performances of each contestant's duet aired, as did the judges' selection of seven contestants from each group to advance to the Top 14. Idol contestants were paired with celebrity singers as their duet partners. The artists who duetted with the Top 24 included: Banners, Aloe Blacc, Bishop Briggs, Cam, Colbie Caillat, Luis Fonsi, Andy Grammer, Lea Michele, Patrick Monahan, Rachel Platten, Bebe Rexha, Sugarland, and Allen Stone.[27]

Color key:

  Contestant was chosen by the judges to move on to the live shows
  Contestant was eliminated

Group 1[]

Date of airing[28][29] Order Contestant Song[30][31] Duet partner[31] Result
Sunday, April 8 1 Dominique "Ain't Nobody" N/A N/A
2 Layla Spring "A Broken Wing" N/A N/A
3 Catie Turner "Call Me" N/A N/A
4 Dennis Lorenzo "Rude" N/A N/A
5 Michelle Sussett "If I Were a Boy" N/A N/A
6 Michael J. Woodard "Golden Slumbers" N/A N/A
7 Trevor McBane "Way Down We Go" N/A N/A
8 Jonny Brenns "Georgia" N/A N/A
9 Kay Kay "Love on the Brain" N/A N/A
10 Brandon Diaz "Hello" N/A N/A
11 Gabby Barrett "My Church" N/A N/A
12 Cade Foehner "All Along the Watchtower" N/A N/A
Monday, April 9 1 Catie Turner "Good to Be Alive (Hallelujah)" Andy Grammer Advanced
2 Cade Foehner "Never Tear Us Apart" Bishop Briggs Advanced
3 Layla Spring "Stuck Like Glue" Sugarland Eliminated
4 Dominique "Wake Me Up" Aloe Blacc Eliminated
5 Brandon Diaz "Despacito" Luis Fonsi Eliminated
6 Kay Kay "Drive By" Patrick Monahan Eliminated
7 Trevor McBane "River" Bishop Briggs Eliminated
8 Michelle Sussett "I Can't Make You Love Me" Luis Fonsi Advanced
9 Jonny Brenns "Back Home" Andy Grammer Advanced
10 Dennis Lorenzo "Unaware" Allen Stone Advanced
11 Michael J. Woodard "Angel in Blue Jeans" Patrick Monahan Advanced
12 Gabby Barrett "Stay" Sugarland Advanced

Group 2[]

Date of airing[32][33] Order Contestant Song[34][35] Duet partner[35] Result
Sunday, April 15 1 Amelia Hammer Harris "Believer" N/A N/A
2 Garrett Jacobs "Treat You Better" N/A N/A
3 Maddie Poppe "Brand New Key" N/A N/A
4 Ada Vox "Feeling Good" N/A N/A
5 Caleb Lee Hutchinson "Die a Happy Man" N/A N/A
6 Effie Passero "Barracuda" N/A N/A
7 Alyssa Raghu "Stay" N/A N/A
8 Marcio Donaldson "Inseparable" N/A N/A
9 Mara Justine "Run to You" N/A N/A
10 Jurnee "Flashlight" N/A N/A
11 Shannon O'Hara "All I Ask" N/A N/A
12 Ron Bultongez "Dancing On My Own" N/A N/A
Monday, April 16 1 Caleb Lee Hutchinson "Meant to Be" Bebe Rexha Advanced
2 Ada Vox "Defying Gravity" Lea Michele Advanced
3 Maddie Poppe "Bubbly" Colbie Caillat Advanced
4 Ron Bultongez "Someone to You" Banners Eliminated
5 Amelia Hammer Harris "Me, Myself & I" Bebe Rexha Eliminated
6 Shannon O'Hara "Burning House" Cam Eliminated
7 Alyssa Raghu "Yellow" Banners Eliminated
8 Marcio Donaldson "What's Going On" Allen Stone Advanced
9 Jurnee "Run to You" Lea Michele Advanced
10 Garrett Jacobs "Lucky" Colbie Caillat Advanced
11 Mara Justine "Fight Song" Rachel Platten Advanced
12 Effie Passero "Diane" Cam Eliminated

Top 14 (April 22 and 23)[]

The Top 14 performances were taped on April 21, 2018, and aired on Sunday, April 22, followed with the live results on Monday, April 23.[citation needed]

Color key:

  Contestant received the top six highest number of votes and directly advanced to the Top 10
  Contestant was not chosen by the public and was left to perform again for the judges
  Contestant was immune from elimination and performed a "victory song"
  Contestant was chosen by the judges to advanced to the Top 10
  Contestant was eliminated
Date of airing Order Contestant Song[36] Result
Sunday, April 22 1 Caleb Lee Hutchinson "Midnight Train to Memphis" Advanced
2 Michelle Sussett "Friends" Not Chosen
3 Marcio Donaldson "It's a Miracle" Not Chosen
4 Mara Justine "This Is Me" Not Chosen
5 Garrett Jacobs "Raging Fire" Not Chosen
6 Ada Vox "The Show Must Go On" Not Chosen
7 Catie Turner "Take Me to Church" Advanced
8 Cade Foehner "Black Magic Woman" Advanced
9 Dennis Lorenzo "In My Blood" Not Chosen
10 Maddie Poppe "Homeward Bound" Advanced
11 Jurnee "Bang Bang" Not Chosen
12 Jonny Brenns "This Is Gospel" Not Chosen
13 Michael J. Woodard "Titanium" Advanced
14 Gabby Barrett "The Climb" Advanced
Monday, April 23 1 Maddie Poppe "Walk Like an Egyptian" Immune
2 Michelle Sussett "I'm a Dreamer" (original song) Judges' choice
3 Marcio Donaldson "Jealous" Eliminated
4 Cade Foehner "Bright Lights" Immune
5 Garrett Jacobs "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?" Eliminated
6 Gabby Barrett "Little Red Wagon" Immune
7 Dennis Lorenzo "This Woman's Work" Judges' choice
8 Jonny Brenns "Demons" Eliminated
9 Caleb Lee Hutchinson "Gettin' You Home" Immune
10 Mara Justine "Love on the Brain" Eliminated
11 Jurnee "Never Enough" Judges' choice
12 Michael J. Woodard "Believe In Yourself" Immune
13 Catie Turner "Havana" Immune
14 Ada Vox "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" Judges' choice

Live shows[]

Color key:

  Contestant was saved by America's vote
  Contestant was eliminated

Week 1 Top 10 – Disney Night (April 29)[]

The Top 10 performed Disney songs on Sunday, April 29, 2018. Idina Menzel served as a guest mentor.[37]

Order Contestant Song[38] Featured Film Result
1 Maddie Poppe "The Bare Necessities" The Jungle Book Safe
2 Jurnee "How Far I'll Go" Moana Safe
3 Cade Foehner "Kiss the Girl" The Little Mermaid Safe
4 Ada Vox "Circle of Life" The Lion King Eliminated
5 Michelle Sussett "Remember Me" Coco Eliminated
6 Gabby Barrett "Colors of the Wind" Pocahontas Safe
7 Michael J. Woodard "Beauty and the Beast" Beauty and the Beast Safe
8 Caleb Lee Hutchinson "You've Got a Friend in Me" Toy Story Safe
9 Catie Turner "Once Upon a Dream" Sleeping Beauty Safe
10 Dennis Lorenzo "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" The Lion King Eliminated
Non-competition performance
Order Performers Song Featured Film
15.1 Katy Perry and the Top 10 "When You Wish Upon a Star" Pinocchio

Week 2: Top 7 – Prince/Birth Year Night (May 6)[]

The Top 7 performed tribute performances to the late Prince and songs from their birth years.[39] Nick Jonas served as a guest mentor.

Contestant Order Prince Song Order Birth Year Song Result
Jurnee 1 "Kiss" 11 "Back at One" Eliminated
Gabby Barrett 10 "How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore?" 2 "I Hope You Dance" Safe
Michael J. Woodard 3 "I Would Die 4 U" 8 "My Heart Will Go On" Safe
Cade Foehner 9 "Jungle Love" 4 "Who Will Save Your Soul" Safe
Catie Turner 12 "Manic Monday" 5 "Oops!... I Did It Again" Eliminated
Caleb Lee Hutchinson 14 "When Doves Cry" 6 "Amazed" Safe
Maddie Poppe 7 "Nothing Compares 2 U" 13 "If It Makes You Happy" Safe

Week 3: Top 5 – Carrie Underwood/Mothers' Day Dedications (May 13)[]

The Top 5 performed songs by Carrie Underwood and songs dedicated to their mothers. Underwood served as mentor for the week and performed with the contestants.

Contestant Order Carrie Underwood Song Order Mother's Day Song Result
Michael J. Woodard 1 "Flat on the Floor" 8 "Still I Rise" Eliminated
Gabby Barrett 2 "Last Name" 6 "I Have Nothing" Safe
Cade Foehner 3 "Undo It" 7 "Simple Man" Eliminated
Caleb Lee Hutchinson 4 "So Small" 9 "Stars in Alabama" Safe
Maddie Poppe 5 "I Told You So" 10 "God Only Knows" Safe
Non-competition performances
Order Performer(s) Song
17.1 Carrie Underwood and the Top 5 "See You Again"
17.2 Carrie Underwood "Cry Pretty"

Week 4: Finale – Winner's Song/Reprise Song/Hometown Dedication (May 20 and 21)[]

The Top 3 performed their winner’s song, a reprise of their favorite performance of the season and a song dedicated to their hometowns, which they visited. Bobby Bones returned as mentor this week.

Color key:

  Contestant won the season
  Contestant finished as the runner-up
  Contestant finished in 3rd place
Contestant Order Winner's Song Order Reprise Song Order Hometown Dedication Result
Caleb Lee Hutchinson 1 "Johnny Cash Heart" 4 "Don't Close Your Eyes" 7 "Folsom Prison Blues" Runner-up
Gabby Barrett 2 "Rivers Deep" 5 "Little Red Wagon" 8 "Don't Stop Believin'" 3rd Place
Maddie Poppe 3 "Going Going Gone" (original song) 6 "Don't Ever Let Your Children Grow Up" (original song) 9 "Landslide" Winner
Non-competition performances
Order Performer(s) Song [40]
18.1 Harper Grace "Yard Sale" (original song)
18.2 Jonny Brenns "Blue Jeans" (original song)
18.3 Michelle Sussett "I'm a Dreamer" (original song)
18.4 Catie Turner "21st Century Machine" (original song)
19.1 Lionel Richie with the Top 10 "All Night Long (All Night)"
19.2 Nick Jonas and DJ Mustard "Anywhere"
19.3 Nick Jonas with Jurnee "Jealous"
19.4 Luke Bryan "Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset"
19.5 Luke Bryan with Gabby Barrett "Most People Are Good"
19.6 Gary Clark Jr. with Cade Foehner & Dennis Lorenzo "Bright Lights"
19.7 Kermit the Frog with Maddie Poppe "Rainbow Connection"
19.8 Darius Rucker with Caleb Lee Hutchinson "Wagon Wheel"
19.9 Bebe Rexha with the Top 3 "Meant to Be"
19.10 Layla Spring and her sister Dyxie with LeAnn Rimes "Blue"
19.11 Katy Perry with Catie Turner "Part of Me"
19.12 Yolanda Adams with Michael J. Woodard "What the World Needs Now Is Love"
19.13 Caleb Lee Hutchinson and Maddie Poppe "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World"
19.14 Patti LaBelle with Ada Vox "Lady Marmalade"
19.15 Maddie Poppe "Going Going Gone"

Elimination chart[]

Color key:

  Female contestant
  Male contestant
  Winner
  Runner-up
  Third place
  Did not perform
  Not chosen by the public
  Saved by the public
  Saved by the judges
  Immune from elimination
  Eliminated
Results per stage
Place Contestant Top 24 (Gr. 1) Top 24 (Gr. 2) Top 14 Wildcard Top 10 Top 7 Top 5 Finale
4/9 4/16 4/22 4/23 4/29 5/6 5/13 5/21
1 Maddie Poppe N/A Safe Safe Immune Safe Safe Safe Winner
2 Caleb Lee Hutchinson N/A Safe Safe Immune Safe Safe Safe Runner-up
3 Gabby Barrett Safe N/A Safe Immune Safe Safe Safe 3rd place
4–5 Cade Foehner Safe N/A Safe Immune Safe Safe Eliminated
Michael J. Woodard Safe N/A Safe Immune Safe Safe
6–7 Jurnee N/A Safe Not Chosen Safe Safe Eliminated
Catie Turner Safe N/A Safe Immune Safe
8–10 Dennis Lorenzo Safe N/A Not Chosen Safe Eliminated
Michelle Sussett Safe N/A Not Chosen Safe
Ada Vox N/A Safe Not Chosen Safe
11–14 Jonny Brenns Safe N/A Not Chosen Eliminated
Marcio Donaldson N/A Safe Not Chosen
Garrett Jacobs N/A Safe Not Chosen
Mara Justine N/A Safe Not Chosen
15–24 Ron Bultongez N/A Eliminated
Amelia Hammer Harris N/A
Shannon O'Hara N/A
Effie Passero N/A
Alyssa Raghu N/A
Kay Kay Alexis Eliminated
Brandon Diaz
Trevor McBane
Dominique Posey
Layla Spring

Top 10 contestants[]

Maddie Poppe
  • Maddie Poppe (born December 5, 1997) is from Clarksville, Iowa.[41] Poppe's father Trent was a member of his bluegrass band for a while and had performed throughout with other local bands. She first started singing at sixth grade when her sister encouraged her to perform a duet at her high school.[42] She was also a member of her school band, the choir and studied musical theatre in class. She was a former graphic design student at Iowa Central Community College before transferring to Hawkeye Community College to study digital mass media in 2017.[43] She performed at many venues in Clarksville and had performed at RAGBRAI in 2014.[44] She won a golden ticket at the New York City auditions after performing "Rainbow Connection" which impressed the judges. In Hollywood Week, she sang "Dreams" by Brandi Carlile in her first solo and performed her original song "Don't Ever Let Your Children Grow Up" as her final solo performance. She advanced in the Top 24 after performing "Me and Bobby McGee" in the Showcase Round. During the course of the season, she played ukulele, guitar and keyboard. She was announced as the winner on May 21. Her debut single "Going, Going Gone" ranked at the US Billboard Digital Songs.
Caleb Lee Hutchinson
Gabby Barrett
  • Gabby Barrett (born March 5, 2000) is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[46] Barrett started singing at the age of nine. She was a member of a local gospel choir for two years and an active member of the Pittsburgh community.[47] The grandparents of her father and general manager Blase, are songwriters for Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett. She had performed more than 100 concerts at different venues around her hometown such as the children's hospital for benefit events and opening acts for Keith Urban, Cole Swindell, Daya and Toby Keith.[48] Barrett, who endured bullying at her high school Serra Catholic in McKeesport, organized a benefit concert tour, visiting area Pittsburgh schools for anti-bullying in 2017. She auditioned at Nashville, intending to perform her audition song but the judges suggested her to sing a church song instead before giving her the ticket after she sang "His Eye Is on the Sparrow". She sang Aretha Franklin's "Ain't No Way" in her final solo performance to advance in the Showcase Round where she then sang "Church Bells" by Carrie Underwood, one of her initial audition songs, to join the Top 24. Barrett finished in third place on May 21.
Cade Foehner
  • Cade Foehner (born July 24, 1996) is from Shelbyville, Texas.[46] Foehner was the lead guitarist for Johnson's Lost Crowes and won the Dallas International Guitar Festival as best guitarist at the age of 17.[49] He was a member of a worship group at his local church. He studied Biblical theology at Liberty University.[50] He earned a golden ticket from the judges after singing The Black Crowes' "She Talks to Angels" in his audition at New Orleans. In the Hollywood round, he performed "The Thrill Is Gone" by B.B. King as his first solo and "Feel It Still" by Portugal. The Man in the final solo round. He sang Kaleo's "No Good" to advance in the semifinals during Showcase Week. Foehner was one of the two finalists eliminated on May 13, tied at fourth place.
  • Michael J. Woodard (born October 6, 1997) was a bowling alley attendant from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[46] Woodard's first experience in music was singing "A Little Candle" at a Christmas pageant. When he was eight, he auditioned for a children's play at his local performing arts school. He was the winner of The Hub's Majors & Minors where Idol alumni Jennifer Hudson, Jordin Sparks and Adam Lambert appeared as guest mentors with partnership of RCA Music Group as his prize.[51] In 2016, he moved to Los Angeles after accepting a degree at Musicians Institute. For his audition, he sang "Make It Rain" to the judges. He then progressed to the Showcase Round after performing "Maybe This Time". He also sang Alanis Morissette's "You Oughta Know" to advance in the Top 24. Woodard was one of the two finalists eliminated on May 13, tied at fourth place.
  • Jurnee (born May 11, 1999) is a waitress from Denver, Colorado.[41] She started singing when she was two years old and began writing her own music at seven years old. After being dismissed at the final round of Hollywood Week since 2016, she came out as a lesbian in which her family was extremely supportive to her. Her partner was a soldier in the United States Army who was recently deployed this year.[52] She performed for corporate and wedding events with the local Moses Jone Band.[53] She returned to the competition at the Savannah auditions and performed "Rise Up" by Andra Day to the judges. She also sang Demi Lovato's "You Don't Do It for Me Anymore" for her first solo performance and Ariana Grande's "One Last Time" to advance in Showcase Week during the Hollywood rounds. She made it to the semifinals after singing "Never Enough". She was one of the two finalists eliminated on May 6, tied at sixth place.
  • Catie Turner (born February 14, 2000) was a student from Langhorne, Pennsylvania.[46] She was currently studying at Neshaminy High School.[54] Turner's first experience in music started when she sang The Beatles' "Yellow Submarine" to her mother. At 15 years old after she learned to play guitar and began songwriting, she tried out for Idol back in 2016 but was turned down by the producers before the sixteenth season reboot was announced. She auditioned in New York City and sang her original song "21st Century Machine" to the judges. She also sang The Beatles' "Come Together" and another original song during the solo rounds of Hollywood Week. She sang "Bad Romance" by Lady Gaga in the Showcase Round to earn a spot in the Top 24. She was one of the two finalists eliminated on May 6, tied at sixth place.
  • Dennis Lorenzo (born April 4, 1991) is from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[46] His first experience in music was attending the screening of "The Lion King" with his parents following the murder of his father at the age of five. When he was 16, his grandparents bought him an acoustic guitar to start his music career.[55] He was once homeless before settling to Los Angeles and married to his girlfriend with their first daughter.[56] For his audition, he sang "Unaware". He sang two songs in Hollywood Week: "Thinking Out Loud" in the first solo round and "Home" by Daughtry in his final solo performance. He passed Showcase Week by performing "A Song for You" and advanced in the semifinals. He was one of the first three finalists eliminated on April 29.
  • Michelle Sussett (born August 2, 1996) is from Miami, Florida.[46] Born in Venezuela, she learned to sing at four years old and was a member of the local children's choir before moving to Miami at the age of eighteen during the oppression at Caracas in 2014.[57] She won $5,000 at the Ultimate Miami Voice competition. She previously auditioned for The Voice and America's Got Talent. After she passed the audition in Los Angeles, she sang "I'm Coming Out" by Diana Ross in Hollywood Week. She also sang "24K Magic" by Bruno Mars and made it the Top 24. She was one of the first three finalists eliminated on April 29.
  • Ada Vox (born November 18, 1993) whose birth name was Adam Sanders was a drag queen from San Antonio, Texas.[41] He recently appeared in the twelfth season and was cut in the Top 50 round before the semifinals. As Ada, she sang "The House of the Rising Sun" at the Savannah auditions. After passing Hollywood week, she sang "Creep" by Radiohead to make it into the semifinals. She was one of the first three finalists eliminated on April 29.

Reception[]

Ratings[]

Viewership and ratings per episode of American Idol
No. Title Air date Timeslot (ET) Rating/share
(18–49)
Viewers
(millions)
DVR
(18–49)
DVR viewers
(millions)
Total
(18–49)
Total viewers
(millions)
1 "Auditions, Part 1" March 11, 2018 Sunday 8:00 p.m. 2.3/8 10.48[58] 0.4 1.35 2.7 11.84[59]
2 "Auditions, Part 2" March 12, 2018 Monday 8:00 p.m. 1.8/7 8.41[60] 0.4 1.36 2.2 9.77[61]
3 "Auditions, Part 3" March 18, 2018 Sunday 8:00 p.m. 1.8/6 7.81[62] 0.4 1.38 2.2 9.19[61]
4 "Auditions, Part 4" March 19, 2018 Monday 8:00 p.m. 1.6/6 7.68[63] 0.5 1.94 2.1 9.59[64]
5 "Auditions, Part 5" March 25, 2018 Sunday 8:00 p.m. 1.7/6 7.51[65] 0.5 N/A 2.2[64] N/A
6 "Hollywood Week, Part 1" March 26, 2018 Monday 8:00 p.m. 1.7/6 7.80[66] 0.3 1.33 2.0 9.14[67]
7 "Hollywood Week, Part 2" April 1, 2018 Sunday 8:00 p.m. 1.6/6 7.48[68] 0.5 1.42 2.1 8.90[67]
8 "Showcase Round & Final Judgment" April 2, 2018 Monday 8:00 p.m. 1.4/5 7.16[69] 0.4 1.53 1.8 8.69[70]
9 "Top 24 Solos, Part 1" April 8, 2018 Sunday 8:00 p.m. 1.5/6 7.23[71] 0.4 1.32 1.8 8.55[70]
10 "Top 24 Celebrity Duets, Part 1" April 9, 2018 Monday 8:00 p.m. 1.6/6 7.72[72] 0.3 1.39 1.9 9.11[73]
11 "Top 24 Solos, Part 2" April 15, 2018 Sunday 8:00 p.m. 1.3/5 6.35[74] 0.4 1.28 1.7 7.63[73]
12 "Top 24 Celebrity Duets, Part 2" April 16, 2018 Monday 8:00 p.m. 1.4/5 6.97[75] 0.2 1.15 1.6 8.12[76]
13 "Top 14 Perform" April 22, 2018 Sunday 8:00 p.m. 1.5/6 7.46[77] 0.3 1.24 1.8 8.71[76]
14 "Top 10 Reveal" April 23, 2018 Monday 8:00 p.m. 1.4/5 7.61[78] 0.2 1.14 1.6 8.77[79]
15 "Top 10 Perform: Disney Night" April 29, 2018 Sunday 8:00 p.m. 1.9/7 8.77[80] 0.5 1.18 2.4 9.95[79][81]
16 "Top 7 Perform" May 6, 2018 1.8/7 8.65[82] N/A N/A N/A N/A
17 "Top 5 Perform" May 13, 2018 1.7/7 8.53[83] 0.3 1.23 2.0 9.76[84]
18 "Performance Finals" May 20, 2018 1.3/5 7.47[85] N/A N/A N/A N/A
19 "Grand Finale" May 21, 2018 Monday 9:00 p.m. 1.6/6 8.63[86] 0.3 1.27 1.9 9.95[87]

Critical response[]

On the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, the premiere episode holds an approval rating of 70% based on 20 reviews, with an average rating of 6.51/10.[88] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the season a score of 60 out of 100 based on eight reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews."[89]

Concert tour[]

The top 7 finalists performed for the summer tour along with season 8 winner Kris Allen.

References[]

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