'American Idol' recap: Judges dole out criticism (and hugs), two contestants are voted off
"American Idol" Season 22 is heating up, and so is the judges' criticism as the competition comes down to the Top 10.
As the 12 remaining contestants fought to stay in the competition Monday night, Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie leveled the "Idol" hopefuls, including one of the season's frontrunners, with feedback less glowing than usual. Perhaps this was all part of an effort to challenge the young singers to "not let off the gas yet," as Bryan said.
Pressure creates diamonds, right?
Mentor Meghan Trainor helped a dozen finalists hone their Billboard #1 hits performances that would hopefully convince viewers they deserve to be in the Top 10. Two contestants opted for Taylor Swift tracks, and what do you know, ABC also aired commercials for her latest album, "The Tortured Poets Department." Coincidence? Perhaps.
Here's what happened in Episode 13 during the Top 12 performances – and who was sent home.
What happened last night? Nya, Jordan Anthony are eliminated during the Top 12 reveal
David Archuleta returns to 'American Idol' 16 years after competing on Season 7
"Idol" Season 7 runner-up David Archuleta, 33, came back to the show that helped launch his career 16 years later to perform his latest single, "Hell Together."
Afterward, he explained, "I grew up very much in my faith and religion, very devout. I came out of the closet a couple years ago. It was very hard to balance faith and coming out. It was too much, and so I stepped away and I announced it."
"I didn't hear from my mom for a few days. So I was like, 'Oh, I pissed my mom off.' Because she was very devout, too. And then she texted me a few days later, and she said, 'I stepped away from the church as well," he revealed. "She said, 'I don't want to be somewhere where my children don't feel loved and accepted. And if you're going to hell, we're all going to hell with you."
Archuleta, who was a teen when he finished second to David Cook in 2008, was raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 2021, he came out as a member of the LGBTQ community.
Abi Carter receives her first negative feedback for 'All Too Well'
For Abi Carter, it seemed as if she'd set the bar too high for herself this season.
The platinum ticket recipient – whom Bryan said "may be the winner of 'American Idol'" upon hearing her cover of Billie Eilish's "What Was I Made For?" during auditions – took to the piano (again) with a bold Taylor Swift cover: "All Too Well" (Abi's Version).
The 21-year-old singer, appropriately wearing a red dress in honor of Swift's "Red" album, didn't need the whole 10-minute version of the song to impress. She brought her signature "angelic" (Katy Perry's word) voice, and her singing soared above the melody as she emotionally belted out Swift's lyrics about a past relationship that went south.
But it wasn't quite enough for the judges.
Bryan looked around and noted he felt like they'd never left yesterday's taping. He was experiencing déjà vu seeing Abi in a long dress at the piano again after Sunday's performance of Elton John's "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road."
"Last night was one of your most shining moments," he said, adding that he felt it wasn't as strong as the previous night. "Don't get too comfortable being at the piano," he warned, telling Abi to "start working the room."
Richie's feedback was also less glowing than usual, and he said he was ready to get a "double boo" after Bryan's criticism. On the other hand, Perry encouraged Abi to "keep playing that ace" and "just give us angelic every time."
Roman Collins gets a hug from Katy Perry for his 'Roar' cover
Roman Collins was the latest brave soul this season who dared to sing a Perry song in front of the pop star. It seemed to pay off though.
The 24-year-old worship leader, who has sailed through the season with his onstage charisma and vocal range that could blow the roof of a venue, showed a different side to himself by starting at the piano. He gave the 2013 pop single a unique jazz club-like remix and kept things dialed back until he let loose taking the mic out to the catwalk and giving the song his signature church choir treatment.
As he wrapped the performance behind the judges' desk, Perry offered Roman a handshake for doing her song justice. He instead wrapped her in for a hug.
"You have never failed to take it over the top," Richie said. "Your roaring was amazing."
Perry revealed that the fellow Southern Californian is a favorite of her parents. "They text me about you," she told Roman. "They're praying for you, too."
'I look them up on Instagram': Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan spill show secrets
Kayko breaks out of his shell, earns a group hug from the judges
Sam "Kayko" Kelly-Cohen, the king of the singer/songwriter performances from behind a piano or guitar, stunned the judges with a huge rock rendition of Gotye's 2011 earworm "Somebody That I Used to Know."
He brought the dramatics, from his eyeliner to his bouncing and skipping around stage as if he were Jared Leto.
Kayko had the judges on his feet early on in his performance, and the trio didn't hesitate to rush forward and engulf him in a bear hug as he sang his final notes.
"Wow, wow, wow!" was all Richie could say. Impressive for a guy who was an "accident," an accompanist who wasn't intending to audition himself.
Who was eliminated from 'American Idol'?
Despite their dazzling performances, Roman Collins and Jayna Elise (who weaved magic with her rendition of Rihanna's "Diamonds") were sent home Monday night.
Social media calls out 'racist' voters after Roman, Jayna Elise are sent home
The backlash was swift after Seacrest announced Roman and Jayna Elise would be going home.
"And that was the finale for me. Jayna AND Roman out? These TALENTED contestants are being voted out black to black, every episode," wrote X user @melbrown00, pointing to the fact that after Nya, Roman and Jayna's eliminations this week, there are zero Black contestants remaining in the competition.
Also, last Monday, Quintavious and platinum ticket winner Odell Bunton Jr. were voted off.
"There are 4 singers (3 of em white) who can BARELY sing still in the top 10 when Jayna & Roman go home??? I'm not saying the viewers are racist - (I'm) saying the voters are," @DannyManus posted on X.
"the minorities last??? hate this!!" @Hi_imJuliaokbye wrote on X. "Roman and Jayna are the most talented singers this season."
Who's in the 'American Idol' 2024 Top 10?
Abi Carter
Mckenna Breinholt
Will Moseley
Sam "Kayko" Kelly-Cohen
Kaibrienne "KB" Richins
Mia Matthews
Jack Blocker
Emmy Russell
Triston Harper
Julia Gagnon
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'American Idol' recap: David Archuleta performs, two singers voted off
