♪ Mm-mm ♪
♪ Mm-mm-mm, mm-mm ♪
♪ Mm-mm ♪
Ryan: Tonight, "American Idol"
reaches a crossroads in the competition.
Luke: Who makes it through to America's vote?
Lionel: [ Groans ] Carrie: We have to cut from 30 to 20.
It's hard.
It's time. Let's do it.
♪ So rise up ♪
A brand-new round.
Luke: The 'ohana round is all about family.
I dedicate this song to you, Papa.
This song's for my mama, my daddy, my son,
My grandpa.
Contestant: My lovely mother.
I can't look at her too long or I will immediately cry.
Carrie: I think it's harder to perform in front of your family.
It's, like, a different kind of pressure.
♪♪
Expect unforgettable voices... ♪ Hands ♪
...emotion laid bare.
Keyla: Every time I see my boy while I'm singing,
man, it gives me an extra boost.
I love you, boy!
But this time, the judgment goes beyond our panel.
Three groups will be charged
with making some critical decisions --
the Idol themselves...
'ohana -- their family...
and a panel of top music influencers
and pop culture tastemakers.
The song is not big enough for that voice.
I absolutely loved her tone.
I know she has it and I wanted to see it so bad.
I think she nailed it.
♪ Rise up ♪
Each group will vote for the performance
that moved them most,
earning the winners a platinum ticket
that takes them straight to America's vote.
Ryan: Let's hear it one more time for the platinum ticket winners.
[ Cheers and applause ]
Then the judges decide who earns
the final spots in the top 20.
My favorite is over here.
You better. I will fight for her.
You better get her right now.
Contestant: It gets to you
that your journey could come to an end.
Whose lives will change forever?
From Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawaii,
this is "American Idol."
♪ Rise up ♪
♪ Oh-oh ♪
♪ Oh-oh-oh ♪
[ Cheers and applause ]
♪♪
[ Shell horn blows ]
Man: Please give a warm welcome to my friend, Mr. Lionel Richie!
[ Cheers and applause ]
Let's keep it going for Ms. Carrie Underwood!
[ Cheers and applause ]
Mr. Luke Bryan!
[ Cheers and applause ]
Man #2: Luke!
[ Shell horn blows ]
Kama: Music is one of the most important parts
of Hawaiian culture, and our 'ohana -- our families.
Our 'ohana surround us with love
in good times and bad times.
But you know what?
There is no greater gift that you can give to our 'ohana
than the gift of song.
[ Shell horn blows ]
Enjoy, everyone. Aloha.
[ Cheers and applause ]
It's not a bad day at the office.
-Come on in. -Yes, sir.
Jordan: My name is Jordan McCullough.
I'm 27 and I'm from Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
It's mesmerizing to watch you.
Oh, my God.
We are in Hawaii. What is that?
We're going from pine trees to palm trees.
Okay? This is different.
All right, y'all, close your eyes now.
It was only one show we came here for tonight.
[ Laughs ]
I would not be sitting here today
if it wasn't for my entire family --
Mom, Dad, Grandma, uncles, cousins --
to show up to places that I needed to perform or sing at.
Now I get to live my dream.
Yeah. Um...
Wow. That's cra--
Jesus.
[ Chuckles ]
Dang it. [ Sniffles ]
Man, it's gonna mean so much to look out and see my family,
my mom and dad there.
Uh, tonight, I dedicate this song as a tribute to my family.
When I think of this song, I think of protection.
I think of love and care.
And so here's "Grandma's Hands."
Oh, my God. It's a great song.
[ Intro plays ]
♪♪
Man: Whoo!
♪ Grandma's hands clapped in church on Sunday morning ♪
♪ Grandma's hands played a tambourine so well ♪
♪ Grandma's hands used to issue out a warning ♪
♪ She'd say, "Baby, Grandma understand ♪
That's right!
♪ That you really loved that man ♪
♪ Put yourself in Jesus' hands" ♪
♪ Grandma hands ♪
♪ Hey, yeah ♪
Can we take it up a little higher, band?
Hey!
♪ Whoo-ooh-ooh, whoa-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-a ♪
♪ Grandma's hands used to hand me ♪ I gotta get up.
♪ A piece of candy ♪
♪ Grandma's hands ♪
♪ Boy, they really, really came in handy ♪
♪ She'd said, "Mattie, don't you whip that boy ♪
♪ What you want to spank him for? ♪
♪ If I get to heaven, I'll be looking for ♪
[ Vocalizing ]
♪ Grandma's ♪
[ Vocalizing ]
♪ Hands ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
[ Vocalizing ]
[ Music ends, cheers and applause ]
Woman: Yeah, Jordan!
[ Laughs ] Where did he come from?
I don't know.
That's not a bad way to get things started.
I don't know what happened to you in Hawaii,
but let the congregation say "amen."
Together: Amen!
You delivered. That was fantastic. Jordan: Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank y'all.
[ Cheers and applause ]
Love you!
What can you say after that?
He killed!
My man got the Holy Ghost up in here, brother.
He ain't left no crumb. Not one.
Not a singular crumb. Not one crumb.
Not nothing.
He never ceases to amaze.
There's no stage that's too big for him.
Just...
So the hopefuls are excited for Jordan.
But the voting for our three platinum tickets
won't begin until all of the top 30 have performed.
One of these platinum tickets will be decided
by our highly esteemed panel of industry experts,
who have a combined 150 million followers.
First up, Cheryl Porter,
world-renowned voice coach and Broadway superstar.
♪ Mi ma mi ma mu ♪
Sasha Farber,
four-time "Dancing with the Stars" finalist
and international choreographer.
Loren Gray has made a name
for herself with her online notoriety and worldwide reach.
Anthony Gargiula is known for his crazy countertop riffs
and viral kitchen collabs.
And with her finger on the pulse of the music industry
for over two decades,
Rolling Stone co-editor- in-chief Shirley Halperin.
"Y'all Access" host and country music aficionado Kelly Sutton
is a global media personality.
And TikTok power couple Terry and Kaniyia
are beloved for their unfiltered reaction videos
and infectious energy.
I think the industry experts are gonna be
incredibly impressed at the talent
that we have in our top 30.
Yeah!
We only get one platinum ticket to give away,
so let's see if we all agree.
♪ Give a little piece of your soul ♪
I don't know how I'm gonna vote.
Like, everyone's... Yeah. Me either.
One person going home from this group,
let alone 10 people, is just, like...
And it's heartbreaking. It's really sad.
I'm wearing my heart on my chest.
Yeah.
We have Mary Jo and Chloe duking it out.
Luke: Who wants to go first?
Chloe: Hollywood Week, I had to do sing-offs.
That was hard for me.
Oh, my God, you did so good!
Chloe, you're in our top 30.
What?! You're in our top 30!
30!
I feel pressure for this cut 'cause I can't stop here.
I've already made it to this point.
Hey, buddy.
Hey. Hi, Mama.
I miss you.
When I think about 'ohana, I think about Kifton.
And when I get home, we're gonna play with all your trucks. Yeah.
I miss him. I just miss him.
I wish he could be here to see all of this.
I don't know.
[ Cheers and applause ]
Go, Chloe.
Today I'm gonna sing "Hello" by Adele.
I'm dedicating this to my son.
Kifton: Mm.
♪♪
You got it. You got it.
You got this!
♪ Hello ♪
♪ It's me ♪
♪ I was wondering if after all these years ♪
♪ You'd like to meet ♪
♪ To go over everything ♪
♪ I've forgotten how it felt ♪
♪ Before the world fell at our feet ♪
♪ There's such a difference ♪
♪ Between us ♪
♪ And a million miles ♪
♪ Hello from the other... ♪
♪ Hello from the... ♪
♪ Oth-- ♪
Keep going, keep going.
Come on. Come on. Come on, come on, come on. Keep going.
She's gotta start controlling her emotions.
♪♪
Chloe: I'm dedicating this to my son.
♪ And a million miles ♪
♪ Hello from the other -- ♪
♪ Hello from the -- ♪
♪ Oth-- ♪
Keep going, keep going, keep going, keep going.
Luke: Come on. Come on. Come on, come on, come on, come on.
♪ At least I can say that I've tried ♪
♪ To tell you I'm sorry for breaking your heart ♪
♪ But it don't matter ♪
♪ It clearly doesn't tear you apart ♪
♪ Anymore ♪
[ Light applause ]
♪ Anymore ♪
Lionel: Yeah. You're all right.
[ Music ends, cheers and applause ]
You're all right. Oh, my gosh.
Carrie: Um... You're all right.
You're here because we love your voice.
It is not about the little things
that can go wrong during the performance.
It really is how you shove it aside and finish strong. That's right.
Lionel: That's it. Because you got back on that horse
and took off real quick. There you go.
Way to finish strong.
There you go. Come on.
♪ Is the only thing I wanna say ♪
I think I just got lost in myself a little bit.
You were so good! Oh!
-Baby, congratulations. -Thank you.
Cheryl: Baby, you did that comeback, honey!
Thank you. I'm so glad I got to meet y'all. Anthony: Yeah.
You should be proud of yourself. Yay. Yay.
Yes. Thank you. You should be proud of yourself.
Thank you. Man: Here we go. Stand by.
Let's clear all around. Thank you so much.
Performing for all these people
that can really make a difference in my life,
It's, uh -- It's pretty nerve-racking.
Check, check. One, two. Yeah. Good.
I'm looking forward to this guy. Yeah, yeah.
He can sing.
What's up, everybody? My name's Lucas Leon.
I'm 18, and I'm gonna be singing
"The House That Built Me" by Miranda Lambert.
My parents are here tonight,
and, uh, they're who really built me.
This one goes out to my family.
[ Intro plays ]
♪ I know they say, "You can't go home again" ♪
♪ Oh, I just had to come back one last time ♪
♪ Ma'am, I know you don't know me from Adam ♪
♪ But these handprints on the front steps are mine ♪
♪ I thought if I could touch this place or feel it ♪
♪ This brokenness inside me might start healing ♪
♪ You leave home and you move on and you do the best you can ♪
♪ I got lost in this old world and forgot ♪
♪ Who I am ♪
♪♪
♪ I thought if I could touch this place or feel it ♪
♪ This brokenness inside me might start healing, yeah ♪
♪ Out here, it's like I'm someone else ♪
♪ I thought that maybe I could find myself ♪
♪ If I could just come in, I swear I'll leave ♪
♪ Won't take nothing but a memory ♪
♪ From the house that ♪
♪ Built meeee ♪
[ Laughs ] That was neat.
♪ From the house that ♪
♪ Built me ♪
Cheryl: Oh, my God!
Lionel: There you go.
[ Music ends, cheers and applause ]
That was something else!
Nice little touch at the end.
Now, that was something.
That's a true vocalist.
I mean, you're so in control of your instrument.
It's kind of mind-blowing. Thank you very much.
And you have a really beautiful,
just soft, sweet spot in your voice
that I feel like just draws everybody in.
So I would love to hear more of that.
Yes, ma'am. Thank you. There you go.
That was amazing. Amazing. Incredible.
That song is just --
It's such a sweet song, and it means so much.
And yeah, it was -- It was beautiful.
Just knowing that his parents are here hearing it,
it was just really special.
I know. Again. [ Laughs ]
Man: All right, folks. Here we go.
Let's have you lock 'em, please. Stand by.
[ Cheers and applause ]
What's up, guys? My name is Keyla Richardson.
I'm singing "A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri,
dedicating it to my lovely son.
I want to let him know, no matter how grown he gets,
I'm gonna love him forever.
And every day, we're getting one step closer
to where we want to be.
[ Applause ]
[ Intro plays ]
♪♪
♪ Heart beats fast ♪
♪ Colors and promises ♪
♪ All of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow ♪
♪ One step closer ♪
Yeah!
♪ I have died every day waiting for you ♪
♪ Darling, don't be afraid ♪
♪ I have loved you for a thousand years ♪
Sing it then!
♪ I'll love you for thousand more ♪
[ Vocalizing ]
♪ One step cloooooser ♪
♪ I have died every day waiting for you ♪
Here she comes! ♪ Darling, don't be afraid ♪
♪ 'Cause I have loved you for a ♪
♪ Thousand years ♪
♪ I'll love you for a thousand more ♪
♪ And all along, I believed that ♪
♪ I would find you ♪
Watch out! Watch out!
♪ Time has brought your heart to me ♪
♪ And I have loved you for a thousand years ♪
♪ I'll love you for a thousand moooore ♪
[ Cheers and applause ]
Come on!
[ Cheers and applause continue ]
Come on, people!
Bravo!
To have the gift of watching you and getting to watch him --
Like, when I'm onstage and my boys are out there,
I don't know what they're doing.
And I feel like I just got a glimpse
of what they might be doing when I'm onstage. Lionel: Wow.
And it just made my mama heart so happy.
Your talent is limitless.
Wow. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you guys. Wow.
[ Cheers and applause ]
Wow.
Keyla: Every time I see him and lay eyes on him
while I'm singing on that stage, man, it gives me an extra boost.
If God willing, I hope I make it to the top 20.
This is too hard!
Cory: It's difficult.
People have really stepped it up to, you know, superstar level.
Woman: Everyone is amazing!
Staci: Sometimes before you can watch someone fly,
you have to let them hit rock bottom.
♪♪
[ Sniffles ]
Hello, everybody. My name is Braden Rumfelt.
I'm 22 years old and I'm from Murphy, North Carolina.
♪ I was standing ♪
♪ By my window ♪
♪ On a cold and cloudy day ♪
When I was a baby,
my dad would sit musical instruments at the bottom
of our cribs, and he felt like, you know,
that was gonna give us, like, these abilities, right?
Which it might have. Who knows?
♪ Will the circle be unbroken? ♪
Growing up in a family where it's cool to sing, you know,
that's gotten me to this point.
If it weren't for them, I wouldn't be here,
much less going to Hawaii.
For you to get here is, um...
it's powerful.
You let your light shine before the world.
Braden: ♪ In the sky, Lord, in the sky ♪
[ Music ends ]
[ Cheers and applause ]
[ Intro plays ]
♪ Some people live for the fortune ♪
♪ Some people live just for the fame ♪
Okay. All right. Whoo-hoo!
♪ Some people think ♪
♪ That the physical things ♪
♪ Define what's within ♪
♪ And I've been there before ♪
Sing it, buddy.
♪ And that life's a bore ♪
♪ So full of the superficial ♪
♪ And some people want it all ♪
♪ But I don't want nothing at all ♪
♪ If it ain't you, baby ♪
♪ If I ain't got you, baby ♪
♪ Some people want diamond rings ♪
♪ Some just want everything ♪
♪ But everything means nothing ♪
♪ If I ain't got yooou ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ Ohhh, oh-oh-oh ♪
♪ Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh ♪ Sing it!
♪ If I ain't got you, you, you ♪
♪ Some people want it all ♪
♪ But I don't want nothing at all ♪
Sing! Bring it on!
♪ If it ain't you, baby ♪
♪ If I ain't got you, baby ♪
♪ Some people want diamond rings ♪
♪ Some just want everything ♪
♪ But everything means nothing ♪
♪ If I ain't got ♪
♪ Yooooou ♪
-Whoa! -Whoa!
All right. Nice. Nice.
I ain't mad at you. I ain't mad at you.
-Yeah! -Bring it on.
[ Cheers and applause ] Man: Let's go!
The kid's singing.
I feel like I just had the biggest smile
on my face the whole time.
Your voice is just velvety and big.
You've got a lot of power in there,
and in all the right places.
Thank you. It's good to see you all again.
Real good.
[ Cheers and applause ]
Love you, boy! I love you, buddy.
You know what? Like, seeing his family and the connection is --
That's exactly what I wanted to see with that.
I thought he had really great control and power to his voice,
but he hit a couple of rough notes.
Man: Here we go.
Hannah: Performing in front of the editor of Rolling Stone?
Geez Louise. There's so many other eyes on us
who get a say in our future.
It's a little frightening.
Cheryl: Oh, come on, barefoot.
[ Cheers and applause ]
I'm Hannah Harper from southeast Missouri,
and I'm gonna sing a country classic
that my grandpa used to sing to honor his musical legacy.
I'm really excited about the 'ohana round
to have the chance to honor my grandpa.
He was a patriarch.
So many branches of talented people that came from him.
He played music until the day he died.
Pawpaw Lew: Good music that we can all relate to as a family
and we all play together at it. Everybody likes it.
Bluegrass and gospel --
That's what keeps us together.
Hannah: The legacy that he left
was such a strong impression on my life.
I want to do the same for my kids.
I wish my grandpa was here to hear it.
My grandma's gonna be here,
and she's gonna be so thrilled
'cause it was his favorite song.
[ Intro plays ]
♪ I know your life ♪
♪ On Earth was troubled ♪
♪ And only you ♪
♪ Could know the pain ♪
[ Breathes sharply ]
♪ You weren't afraid ♪
♪ To face the devil ♪
♪ You were no stranger ♪
♪ To the rain ♪
♪ Go rest high on that mountain ♪
♪ Son, your work on Earth is done ♪
♪ Go to heaven a-shouting ♪
♪ Love for the Father ♪
♪ And the Son ♪
Yeah.
♪ Go rest high ♪ Sing!
♪ On that mountain ♪
I love her tone.
♪ Son, your work on Earth is done ♪
♪ Go to heaven a-shouting ♪
♪ Love for the Father ♪
♪ And the Son ♪
Yeah! Whoo!
♪ Ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh ♪
[ Music ends, cheers and applause ]
Gosh, there are so many parallels
with your voice and Dolly
and just -- It's just so beautifully country.
But just remember that key that you got to at the end
and really live in that space
'cause your voice really opened up there.
You've got the goods and that was -- Thank you.
Your voice is so beautiful to me.
Appreciate it. Thank you.
She's got that straight, authentic mountain voice, boy.
You can definitely see that she was missing something
'cause she usually plays the guitar. Woman: Yeah, yeah.
But I don't know. I think she really delivered it
and she felt like she was herself.
Oh, my God. I mean, obviously everybody can sing 'cause they're here.
Yeah, right. But there's gonna only be a handful
that can make it to that "star quality," you know? Yeah.
Kelly: Say that again. Sasha: No.
What did you just -- No, what did you say?
It was important.
I said, "Would you go for the best singer
or would you go for someone who you know would sell tickets,
has a look, and has a boast?"
These are the questions we have to ask ourselves.
♪♪
[ Singsongy voice ] Hi, guys.
[ Normal voice ] My name is Genevieve Heyward.
Today I will be singing "Your Song" by Elton John.
Um, I picked this song today because the last time
that my father was in Hawaii, he was on leave from Vietnam.
Lionel: Oh! Wow. Give it up for my dad.
Thank you for your service, Dad.
Anthony: Wow. Yeah.
Genevieve: If I could give you the world, I would.
But for right now, I'm just gonna start with a song.
-Oh, baby. -Aww.
[ Intro plays ]
♪ It's a little bit funny ♪
♪ This feeling inside ♪
♪ I'm not one of those ♪
♪ Who can easily hide ♪
♪ I don't have much money ♪
♪ But, boy, if I did ♪
♪ I'd buy a big house where ♪
♪ We both could live ♪
♪ If I was a sculptor ♪
♪ But then again, no ♪
♪ Or a man who makes potions ♪
♪ In a traveling show ♪
♪ I, I ♪
♪ I know it's not much ♪
Wow.
♪ But it's the best I can do ♪
♪ My gift is my song ♪
♪ And this one's for you ♪
♪ Oh, whoa-oh ♪
♪ And you can tell everybody ♪
♪ That this is your song ♪
♪ It may be quite simple ♪ but ♪
♪ Now that it's done ♪
♪ hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind ♪
♪ That I put down in woooords ♪
-Sing it! -Whoo!
Wow. Wow. Wow. ♪ How wonderful life is ♪
♪ While you're in the world ♪
Wow.
Whoo-hoo!
[ Cheers and applause ]
-Amazing. -Baby!
What a voice.
Identity is hard
when you sing such an iconic song like Elton's.
But for you to hang on and keep in control of that is amazing.
Way to come out here and...
box, all right?
Thank you guys.
[ Cheers and applause ] Whoo!
I loved her. Listen, I always go for the rocker girls.
And she nailed it.
Um, I really liked her energy.
I loved her grit.
Genevieve; I, like, honestly am, like, not an emotional person,
but, like, I thought about my mom and dad and just, like,
how they've literally been there for me since day one.
Well, honey, it's okay.
Woman: Whoo!
Those parents are having to be extra parental today.
Oh, my God!
Hi, everyone.
My name is Abayomi Lewis,
and I will be singing "Rise Up" by Andra Day.
I'm doing this song for my mother.
She is a single parent and life
is not easy, being a single parent.
She has taught me to rise up against all things
that I'm dealing with,
and it inspires me.
I know I can rise up.
♪ We will rise ♪
♪ We will rise, we will rise ♪
♪ Oh, oh-oh-oh-oh ♪
♪ Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh, oh, oh ♪
♪ We'll rise ♪
♪ Yeah, we'll rise up ♪
♪ Rise like the day ♪
♪ I'll rise up ♪ There you go!
♪ Rise unafraid ♪
♪ I'll rise up ♪
♪ And I'll do it a thousand times again ♪
♪ For you ♪
Come on, girl.
♪ You ♪
Woman: Come on! Sing it!
♪ For you ♪
♪ We will rise ♪
[ Cheers and applause ]
Thank you.
Oh!
Goosies? Come on!
She's freaking 16, and she's like a Disney star.
You know what I mean? Yeah.
And for a singer to have, like, that big belt
and a beautiful head voice like that is so rare.
Man: Yes.
♪ If the tide takes California ♪
♪ I'm so glad I got to hold ya ♪
My family has always been by my side
throughout my entire music journey,
so it's really exciting to do this 'ohana round.
♪ Till forever falls apart ♪
My parents have always sacrificed so much time
and everything for this,
and it means so much to me that they're here right now
and doing all of this. It really means a lot.
♪ If the tide takes California ♪
♪ I'm so glad I got to know ya ♪
♪ And if the sky falls from heaven above ♪
♪ Oh, I know I had the best time ♪
♪ Falling into loooove ♪
♪ And for a while, you were all mine ♪
♪ I'd spend a lifetime giving you my heart ♪
♪ I swear that I'll be yours forever ♪
♪ I'll be yours forever ♪
♪ Till forever falls apart ♪
Anthony: Oh, Lord!
Baby, sing!
Wow. Perfect!
Thank you so much.
[ Cheers and applause ]
Breath of fresh air.
How many are we getting rid of tonight?
So there's 30. And we have to get down to 20.
Oh, 10. Oh. Uh! Yeah.
Man: Here we go, folks. Stand by.
Bryant: I'm worried. There's a lot of talented people
that are in this group.
Man: Let's please give it up for Bryant Thomas!
[ Cheers and applause ]
Bryant: I can't point a finger at anyone
I don't think is gonna make it to the top 20,
which makes it so scary.
This next song goes out to all the people
that we've had to leave behind in order to pursue our dreams.
For this round, I'll be singing "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac.
This song is kind of about change.
I just recently moved to South Florida
in the pursuit of love.
I hardly see anyone now. I kind of lost my family.
It's just one of those seasons of life.
Hey, bud. You know, I'm super-proud of you.
Thank you.
I know how you've been dreaming
about this your whole life.
Having you here, just getting to spend the time...
♪ Silence in the writing ♪♪
[ Voice breaking ] I miss you.
I miss you.
I miss being home.
I love you with all my heart.
I love you, too.
♪♪
[ Applause ]
[ Intro plays ]
♪ Well, I've been afraid of changing ♪
♪ 'Cause I've built my life around you ♪
Wait. The range drop. Luke: G.
♪ But time makes you bolder ♪
♪ Even children get older ♪
♪ And I'm getting older, too ♪
♪ Oh, oh-oh-oh ♪
♪ So take my love ♪
♪ And take it down ♪
♪ Climb a mountain and turn around ♪
♪ And if you see my reflection in the ♪
♪ Snoooow-covered hills ♪
♪ Maybe the landslide will bring it down ♪
♪ Oh-oh-oh, the landslide brought me ♪
♪ Dooown ♪
[ Music ends, cheers and applause ]
Thank you guys.
-Wow. Wow! -Wow.
Cheryl: Wow.
Luke: Bryant, well, before you sing,
I know talking to your family
and telling them how much you love them is emotional.
But we still got to remember, "I got a song to deliver.
And I got to make sure I'm knocking this thing
out start to finish."
Now, you're one of my favorite voices,
but it got a little screamy a little bit.
So just curb down some of that over-raspy, gravelly stuff.
Thank you so much.
[ Cheers and applause ]
I was trying my hardest to get through this song,
and that just wasn't what the judges
were looking for this round.
He was trying real hard. And he doesn't need to. Yeah.
Bryant: I'm glad my dad got to see it 'cause it might have been
my last performance with "Idol," so...
♪♪
Ryan: Welcome back to "Idol's" 'ohana round,
where Rae is hoping to make it to America's vote.
I was looking in the camera and I was like,
"This is so giving 'Love Island' confessional."
Woman: It is.
Hi, everyone!
My name is Rae.
I'm gonna be singing "I'll Be There" by the Jackson 5.
-Whoo! -Yes!
Rae: I wanted to dedicate this song to my sister --
my heart, my soul, everything.
My sister Jamie is one
of the most important people in my life.
She's the only person that really understands me
and what I'm going through.
I just love you so much. And this is for you --
my promise to you that I'll always be there for you.
Lionel: So sweet.
A sister's love.
Ain't nothing like a sister's love, now.
Rae: ♪ You and I must make a pact ♪
♪ We must bring salvation back ♪
Okay.
♪ Where there is love ♪
♪ I'll be there ♪
Oh, my gosh!
♪ I'll reach out my hand to you ♪
Come on, girl.
♪ I'll have faith in all you do ♪
You better sing the song then!
♪ Where there is love ♪
♪ I'll be there ♪
Whoo! ♪ Oh, oh-oh, ohh ♪
♪ I'll be there to comfort you ♪
♪ Build my world of dreams around you ♪
♪ I'm so glad I found you, baby ♪
What is going on?
♪ I'll be there with a love so strong ♪
♪ I'll be your strength ♪
♪ You know, I keep hoooolding on ♪
♪ I'll be there ♪
Sing it, girl!
Sing it, girl.
♪ I'll be there ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
[ Applause ]
♪ I'll be therrrrrrre ♪
[ Music ends, cheers and applause ]
With that end, too. There it goes.
Cheryl: Sing it, baby.
I think America's gonna be there.
Cheryl: Come on. Surely. I think so.
You always just command the stage so perfectly. Whew!
Such confidence. And I'll tell you,
you are one of our exceptional voices that we have.
It's just really awesome to watch you be able
to tell your sister how much you love her.
And you are a serious contender. Oh!
That was a great performance. Whoo!
Thank you so much.
I love my sister so much.
And just seeing her just gave me --
All the nerves went away.
She came out hand brakes off, no stops.
Just went in. And I loved it.
Love it. So good. Loved it.
[ Cheers and applause ]
Jake: Thank you guys so much.
I'm Jake Thistle from New Jersey,
and I'm playing a song called "Sleep on Me,"
which is an original.
It was really important for me to play an original
during this round 'cause my parents and my family,
they've always been really supportive of me writing songs.
When I was really young,
a family friend played guitar,
and he gave me one because I was a toddler and it made noise.
[ Singing indistinctly ]
I started gigging when I was 9 years old,
and my parents drove me to every gig
until I could get my license.
It meant a lot to have that foundation.
They're not here physically with me in Hawaii,
but my parents do know that I'm dedicating this song to them.
It's gonna be really special.
♪ These hours aren't meant for conversation time ♪
Wow. Confident. Yep.
♪ It's too soon for tomorrow ♪
♪ And too late for tonight ♪
♪ That's why I'm shaking and pacing ♪
♪ Like I've forgot my lines ♪
♪ But I wrote the show ♪
♪ And I've lived the lies ♪
Wow.
♪ The sky looks so vacant ♪
♪ On these kind of nights ♪
♪ It's gone when you're placing ♪
♪ Your cautious hand in mine ♪
♪ Forever maintaining ♪ All right.
♪ The illusion that we ♪
♪ Are gonna be all right ♪
♪ So sleep on me ♪
♪ Sleep on me ♪
♪ One day I'm gonna get it right ♪
♪ Sleep on me, sleep on ♪
♪ I'm a "make it up to you" kind of guy ♪
♪ Trying to be, trying to be ♪
♪ Someone who you like ♪
♪ Oh, sleep on me, sleep on ♪
♪ I'm a stranger by design ♪
Lionel: Hey.
Wow.
Thank you so much. I appreciate it. Thank you.
I felt like I was at his show.
Alright, Jake, so, you know you took a big chance.
Keep those vocals just as you started out
at the beginning -- strong.
Keep it all the way through.
But as a songwriter to a songwriter,
you did well.
Thank you so much. Really kind of you guys.
Thank you.
[ Cheers and applause ]
You could hear him in a studio and, like...
Lock him right there.
It's like watching young Bruce Springsteen.
There you go. Paul Simon.
There you go. Bob Dylan.
I don't know.
♪ Sleep on me, sleep on me ♪
♪ Nah nah nah nah nah nah ♪
Catchy, I liked it.
♪♪
[ Cheers and applause ]
Brooks: How are you?
I'm Brooks. I'm from Bel Air, Maryland.
I'm gonna be singing "Everywhere, Everything"
because family is everywhere and they mean everything.
Carrie: Aww. Lionel: Yeah.
♪♪
I love this song.
♪ Hmm ♪
♪ Two bodies riddled with scars from our preteens ♪
♪ Intertwine in a car's dirty backseat ♪
♪ Stare at a drive-in screen now ♪
♪ It's been a long year ♪
♪ And all of our book's pages dog-eared ♪
♪ We write out the ends on our palms, dear ♪
♪ Then forget to read ♪
♪ The sun was collapsing ♪
♪ Till the seas rose ♪
♪ And the buildings came crashing ♪
♪ Everywhere, everything ♪
♪ I wanna love you till we're food for the worms to eat ♪
♪ Till our fingers decompose ♪
♪ Keep my hands in yours ♪
Yes!
♪ Drive slowly ♪
♪ We know every route in this county ♪
♪ Maybe that ain't such a bad thing ♪
♪ I'll tell you where not to speed ♪
♪ Everywhere, everything ♪
♪ I wanna love you till we're food for the worms to eat ♪
♪ Till our fingers decompose ♪
♪ Keep my hands in yours ♪
[ Cheers and applause ]
Cheryl: What in the world?!
What just happened?
Carrie: Oh, Brooks.
Every time you open your mouth and sing, I want more.
I feel like we've seen you already,
like, kind of stepping in,
getting a little more confidence in yourself.
Just keep leaning into that. Thank you.
And it's so fun to watch. And it's so fun to listen to.
Thank you so much.
Way to go.
[ Cheers and applause ]
Like, "Thanks. Thanks. Bye."
Like...
I'm obsessed with him.
So unassuming. And I watched this crowd over here.
They weren't expecting that to come...
What kind of alien,
unexpected, crazy voice was that?
Wait, where did that voice come from?
Kaniyia: I've never heard tone like that.
Ryan: Welcome back.
As our 'ohana round continues,
Lionel checks in on the families...
I love watching this boy, I don't --
It's just agonizing as parents.
...who might be struggling with tonight's decision
to award one platinum ticket.
I don't know what y'all are going through,
but hang in there, y'all.
Woman: I know. They're all doing so incredible.
Yeah, everyone's doing amazing.
♪ Faithfully ♪
Chills, I have chills.
[ Cheers and applause ]
♪ Faithfully ♪
You better bring it. You better bring it.
Thank you so much. Lionel: Great. Big voice. Love you.
Well, we are keeping tabs on everybody
on that piece of paper. Yeah, yeah.
So we're gonna vote based on our notes.
We're very serious.
I'll tell you, it's very difficult.
And the second platinum ticket decision belongs to
the industry experts.
The truth is, everybody deserves a shot.
The talent is so high
that everyone literally deserves this.
But who are we gonna give it to?
♪ It ain't about how fast I get there ♪
♪ It ain't about what's waiting on the other side ♪
♪ It is the climb ♪
[ Cheers and applause ]
The third platinum ticket will be chosen
by the Idols themselves.
I just see exceptional talent and I just don't know
how I'm gonna narrow that down at all.
I don't -- I don't know.
♪ When everything's meant to be broken ♪
♪ I just want you to know who I am ♪
♪ I just want you to know ♪
Whoo. ♪ Who I am ♪
♪♪
[ Cheers and applause ]
Luke: So good.
Jesse: It feels insane to be in the top 30.
There's a lot of pressure knowing
that 10 people are gonna go home.
One, two. Yeah. Sounds good.
My dad, for this round,
suggested "Photograph" by Ed Sheeran.
Ed Sheeran has always been one of my favorite singers.
He had a stutter when he was younger
and he's been super open about it.
It's crazy. It's like the perfect song.
I relate to it in so many ways.
I'm dedicating this song t-t-t-t-t-to my grandpa.
Um, he passed away six years ago,
but he was a photographer and he spent so much of his life
capturing the most important moments of other people's lives.
Oh, grandpa. Grandpa's very silly.
I just felt like I could really be myself around him
and we could laugh with each other.
[ Giggles ]
Even though he can't be here taking pictures of me,
uh, I know he's watching right now.
Looking back at photos of him reminds me of the love
that my whole family shared with him.
I'm gonna be thinking about him
and just reminding the world how great he was.
♪♪
♪ Loving can hurt ♪
♪ Loving can hurt sometimes ♪
♪ It is the only thing that I know ♪
♪ It is the only thing that makes us feel alive ♪
♪ Mmm ♪
♪ We keep this love in a photograph ♪
♪ We make these memories for ourselves ♪
♪ When our eyes are never closing ♪
♪ Hearts are never broken ♪
♪ Time's forever frozen still ♪
♪ So you can keep me ♪
♪ Inside the pocket of your ripped jeans ♪
♪ Holding me closer till our eyes meet ♪
♪ You won't ever be alone ♪
♪ Wait for me to come home ♪
♪ When I'm away ♪
♪ I will remember how you kissed me ♪
♪ Under the lamppost back on 6th street ♪
♪ Hearing you whisper through the phone ♪
♪ Wait for me to come home ♪
[ Cheers and applause ]
Thanks, guys.
Ah. I mean...
it's honest and it's real and it's believable
and it's just beautiful.
Thank you so much.
Thank you, guys.
Dude, insane, insane vocal.
I love listening to them talk about it.
He was so consistent, start to finish.
He went viral already and I can --
I can see why, you know?
You can tell when somebody is humble,
the way he's standing up there.
I think that matters a lot.
It now comes down to who cuts through.
Yeah.
♪♪
Hello. Hello, everyone.
My name is Sheldon Riley and I'm from Australia.
I just want to quickly say
how beautiful it is to me to see you --
your family here for this God-given talent over this side.
I know what the sacrifice is to be here.
Unfortunately, I don't have family here with me today.
Um, I actually haven't had family with me
in a long time on this music journey of mine.
Um...sorry.
You got us! You got us!
Sorry, sorry. Um, sometimes in life,
when you are not handed the right cards
and put in the right family with the right people,
um, you have to build your own family and your own home.
And that's what 'ohana is to me.
So, uh, I'm really grateful to be here.
And thank you for having me.
And, uh, thank you for being my little family here with me.
So, yeah.
I'm singing "To Build a Home" by Patrick Watson.
It's about building that home for yourself,
that place where you don't feel alone.
I think a big reason why I've come to "American Idol"
is that I've found that for myself.
I've built my own 'ohana.
So it feels like the perfect song
to celebrate everyone that's made that happen.
♪ There is a house built out of stone ♪
♪ Oh, this is a place ♪
♪ Where I, I don't feel alone ♪
♪ Oh, this is a place ♪
♪ Where I ♪
♪ Where I feel at home ♪
♪ Ooh ♪
♪ Oh ♪
♪ The ti-- ♪
♪ Ooh ♪
♪ Oh ♪
♪♪
♪ Oh ♪
Come on, Sheldon.
♪ Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh ♪
♪ Mmm, yeah ♪
♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh ♪
♪ And I, I, I ♪
♪ Oh, I've built ♪
Yes.
♪ A home ♪
♪ For you ♪
♪ For me, yeah ♪
♪ And now ♪
♪ It's time ♪
♪ To leave, yeah ♪
♪ Yeah, yeah ♪
♪ Baby, oh ♪
♪ It's time ♪
[ Cheers and applause ]
I'd build a house.
No.
♪ I'd build a home ♪
[ Cheers and applause ]
Wow.
I'm so sorry.
You good? Yeah. I'm good. I'm good.
You have so much talent and range
and power in your vocals.
I feel like your brain just gets in the way.
I feel like you're kind of building up some walls
in front of us every time you sing.
But you don't need to do that because you're enough.
Thank you. Hear, hear.
That was some words of wisdom right there.
Sheldon: It's just gonna be a mind game
I have to kind of work through.
I don't know, the industry's been really nasty to me.
I've had to put walls up for a long time.
Um...
I think that what is gonna come out of
this experience for him,
he'll actually find himself.
Carrie: Yeah.
Kelly: Carrie, that was good. Cheryl: You better preach.
That was so good. That was -- That was deep.
Man: Alright, folks, here we go. Stand by.
♪♪
My name is Julián Kalel.
I'm 19 years old from El Paso, Texas,
and I wrote this song called "Surrender."
I auditioned with this song for my very, very first audition.
My family was there.
Feels like it was only yesterday that I was in that room
with those judges.
When I wrote the song "Surrender,"
I was really, really down.
So I went to my dad and he told me that anxiety,
the fear, whatever is out of your control,
let it stay out of your control.
It's not worth your fear.
He was the one that said, "Surrender.
Surrender those feelings."
Not only were we able to help him reach lighter place,
it actually turned into a song.
♪ I don't know why ♪
To see him arrive on this stage,
this is everything that we've prayed for.
I just want to dedicate this song to you, Papa.
Thank you for always being by my side
through my absolute worst and my best.
And I love you.
Love you, mijo.
He kissed the cross.
They always do that.
♪♪
♪ There's a hole in my chest ♪
♪ Knock me down, lay me to rest ♪
♪ Drown my thoughts with kerosene ♪
♪ Bring my fears to my sleep ♪
Oh, wow.
♪ Tired of fighting, tired of keeping up inside ♪
♪ Now I'm a couple ties in ♪
♪ Memories are flooding back ♪
♪ So I surrender ♪
Oh!
♪ If it's war that I waged, I'll raise a flag ♪
♪ My fate is in his hands ♪
♪ Oh, I'm tired as ever ♪
♪ So I'll let it go ♪
♪ My soul and all that's left ♪
♪ But I hope I pass your test ♪
♪ And I'll be gone without a sound ♪
♪ When my heart fails me ♪
♪ And I'm not around ♪
♪ Floating on the past I used to cry ♪
♪ Something stops me ♪
♪ Guess I found this story's end ♪
♪ It's all clear now ♪
♪ The only feeling bigger than love is lost ♪
♪ So I surrender ♪
♪ If it's war that I waged, I'll raise a flag ♪
♪ My fate is in his hand ♪
♪ You know I'm tired as ever ♪
♪ I'm tired as ever ♪
♪ Oh, I surrender ♪
[ Cheers and applause ]
That's an artist. That is an artist.
Bravo! Bravissimo!
Luke: You're so solid.
I mean, I've heard you do that song before.
And the fact that you've written that song,
just even some of the changes in the chord progression
are so mature and far beyond your age.
Thank you so much. And you just got the star magic.
One of my favorite performances of the night.
Yeah. Lionel: Love you.
Thank you so much. Thank you.
To get the opportunity to even play that song
on a stage like this,
I'm just glad that I never gave up.
It's come full circle. For him to share it with his sister,
just made it all -- all the more special.
It just makes me so, so thankful
to be loved by my parents and my family.
And I'm just so grateful.
Takes me back to the construction days.
Back it up!
My name is Kutter Bradley.
I'm from Florence, Alabama.
Florence, Alabama. I know where you're from.
I used to be a welder and a machinist,
so I went to college for that.
I've worked many jobs, from carpentry,
welding to construction.
But music, ever since I did music,
something was just poking at me.
Like, "I got to see how far I can take it."
I'll be singing some Jason Aldean,
"Amarillo Sky," and the reason I picked that song is
because it's a song about hard work,
dedicating it to my parents right here,
because they -- they showed me what hard work is.
And, uh, it's rubbed off on me
because, uh, I'm hard working for my dreams right now, so...
-That's right. -That's right.
[ Up-tempo country music plays ]
This is that up-tempo I was hoping for.
I love it.
♪ He gets up before the dawn ♪
♪ Packs a lunch and a thermos full of coffee ♪
♪ It's another day in the dusty haze ♪
♪ Burning rays are wearing down his body ♪
♪ Diesel's worth the price of gold ♪
♪ It's the cheapest thing he's ever sold ♪
Come on now!
♪ He's still holding on ♪
♪ Just takes the tractor another round ♪
♪ Pulls a plow across the ground ♪
♪ Sends up another prayer ♪
♪ Says Lord, I never complain ♪
♪ I never ask why ♪
♪ Please don't let my dreams run dry ♪
♪ Underneath ♪
♪ Underneath this Amarillo sky ♪
Whoo!
Sing the song!
♪ He takes the tractor another round ♪
♪ Another round, another round ♪
♪ And he takes the tractor, another round ♪
♪ Another round ♪
Come on, son!
♪ Says, I never complain ♪
♪ I never ask why ♪
♪ Please don't let my dreams run dry ♪
♪ Underneath ♪
♪ Underneath this Amarillo ♪
♪ Sky ♪
[ Cheers and applause ]
Thank y'all.
Great song choice for you.
And I tell you, rockin' overalls in Hawaii,
I tell you what, that's pretty, pretty amazing.
You really impressed me with where you went vocally,
I enjoyed it.
Great job.
Thank you so much. Thank y'all.
Taking the guitar, playing it,
slinging it around and then going out to the audience,
I was like, "Okay. I see you, I see you."
Somebody crushing down there?
Yes!
Hey, Carrie's crushing, too.
I said -- No.
I see where you're coming from.
And you are correct, ma'am.
Ryna: With the added pressure of not only the judges,
but also the industry experts deciding their fate,
the weight of the moment is getting to some.
The industry experts are gonna be voting for us,
which is scary.
What was missing was a little bit of confidence.
You could tell she's one of the younger performers.
She doesn't have the experience.
There will absolutely be more pressure.
I thought she was a superstar.
Anthony: I agree.
Boom!
That is still wrong.
Bella: It's super scary to know
that they're gonna be watching and judging.
Sasha: It looked like she was a little bored?
No.
What are you talking about?
That was storytelling.
I wish you would have looked over here,
but I thought she brought the power to the song.
That was beautiful.
The way she said it
sounds better than you saying it.
Michael: Definitely gotta bring my "A" game.
I gotta, you know, I gotta do something.
Woman: You got it, Mike.
Uh...
♪ If you got a chance, take it ♪
♪ Take it while you got a chance ♪
♪ You've got a dream, chase it ♪
♪ 'Cause a dream won't chase you back ♪
♪ If you're gonna love somebody ♪
♪ Hold 'em as long and as strong ♪
♪ And as close as you can ♪
♪ Until you can't ♪
He's just a baby.
It just felt like it was -- Something was a little off.
Maybe it wasn't his best performance.
I was seeing, like, a country Bieber
with the, you know, the little hair flip.
Yeah. Yes!
-That's spot on. -That's exactly right.
Shirley, the co-editor in chief of Rolling Stone,
is gonna be here.
I am, like... ♪ Freaking out ♪
Hi, everyone.
My name is Kyndal,
and today I'm actually singing a song that I wrote.
It's called "Woman of Me." I wrote it for my mom.
I can't look at her too long or I will immediately cry.
My mom is my favorite person in the whole entire world.
She has been a backbone and just a rock in my life.
But growing up, we had a tendency to clash.
I was a pretty rebellious kid.
Like, I started hanging around with the wrong people.
I dropped out of school,
moved all the way to the other side of the country in L.A.
I needed to go and explore the world
and learn and fall flat on my face.
And I'm sure that,
like, I'm sure that really broke her heart, you know.
Whoa.
Staci: I think that sometimes
before you can watch someone fly,
you have to let them hit rock bottom.
And it was the hardest thing that I've ever done.
She was 18 years old, and she needed to go.
She needed to figure it out.
Kyndal: Having a mother that loved me enough to let me go,
but be standing there with open arms
when I ran back
is a gratitude I can't fully even express.
And so I tried with this song and I just...
I really want to honor her with this.
I really want her to understand just how special she is to me.
♪♪
♪ I'm a daughter of a God-fearing woman ♪
♪ Countless nights ♪
♪ She probably laid there awake ♪
♪ To her surprise, I did everything I shouldn't ♪
♪ Unaware both hearts would break ♪
♪ From time to time, there's a look in her eyes ♪
♪ She didn't think she did it right ♪
Oh, God.
♪ She was the light ♪
♪ When there was no light I could see ♪
♪ Gave me a reason to fight ♪
♪ She wiped my eyes ♪
♪ When the world turned its back on me ♪
♪ Taught me all my wrong from right ♪
♪ I couldn't fit all of my thanks in a bottle ♪
♪ It'd break before it drifted to sea ♪
♪ She was a girl before she was a woman ♪
♪ Now she's made a woman of me ♪
Oh! Very good!
♪ She wiped my eyes ♪
♪ When the world turned its back on me ♪
♪ Taught me all my wrong from right ♪
♪ I couldn't fit all of my thanks in a bottle ♪
♪ It'd break before it drifted to sea ♪
♪ She was a girl before she was a woman ♪
♪ Now she's made a woman ♪
♪ She's made a woman ♪
♪ She's made a woman of me ♪
[ Cheers and applause ]
Her songwriting is incredible.
Carrie: Oh, Kyndal.
I just want to hear more of your songs.
You're such a great storyteller... Thank you.
...and you have the voice to back it all up.
Wow. Thank you. So this was truly
a moment meant for you right now.
Thank you so much.
Thank you.
Perfect. No complaints. That's my American Idol.
I can't even...
I'm so proud of her.
I couldn't even look at my mom. Like, I knew I would cry.
But she was right there on my heart.
And I just, like, felt her.
And that was such a special moment.
I wish I could do it again and again and again.
Man: Let's give it up for Philmon Lee.
[ Cheers and applause ]
Philmon: What's up?
I'll be singing "All I Want" by Kodaline.
I'm dedicating it to my great grandmother.
Her name was Mama Rice to me,
but to everybody else, she was Nancy.
The song that he picked, it means a lot to the family.
Philmon: She was a huge supporter of me
and this was one of the songs...
This is one of the songs she loved for me to sing to her.
I sung it in hospice, unfortunately,
before she passed away.
So hopefully you all like it.
Alright, alright.
Wow. Yeah.
You got this, baby.
♪♪
♪ All I want is nothing more ♪
♪ Than to hear you knocking at my door ♪
♪ 'Cause if I could see your face once more ♪
♪ I could die a happy man, I'm sure ♪
♪ But if you loved me ♪
♪ Why did you leave me ♪
♪ Take my body ♪
♪ All I want is ♪
♪ And all I need is ♪
♪ To find somebody ♪
♪ I'll find somebody ♪
♪ Like you ♪
♪ If you loved me ♪
♪ Why did you leave me? ♪
♪ Take my body ♪
♪ All I want is ♪
♪ And all I need is ♪
♪ To find somebody ♪
♪ I'll find somebody ♪
♪ Like you ♪
♪ Ooh ♪
[ Cheers and applause ]
I love you more! I love you more!
Wow. Wow.
You did him so proud there, buddy.
Powerful voice. And he's so sweet.
Yeah. He is. He's got that grit.
Teddy Swims, Chris Stapleton.
You just took us on a journey.
You brought us in when it was meant to feel intense.
And then on the soaring notes,
you kind of took us to this whole other place
where we could just kind of feel that swell.
That's a gift.
Great job, man. Great job. Thank you. Thank you so much.
I didn't realize his voice could go that high
for that long. Oh, my gosh.
Loren: To be able to take a song
that is usually taken in a completely different direction
and bring it here was magic.
[ Sniffles ] So proud of him.
I can't talk right now. I can't even breathe.
That was amazing.
To make it to the top 30, it feels, like, incredible.
♪ Ahhhhh ♪ Carrie: Whoo!
You are meant to be here. Thank you.
I'm just enjoying it and soaking it in every which way.
You're looking for me?
For the 'ohana round, I picked "Stand Up" by Cynthia Erivo.
I will dedicate this song today to my lovely mother
that's in the audience over here to the side.
My mom -- she has always stood up for me.
She has always paved the way for me.
Been there every step of the way.
I had Makiyah when I was in college, single mom.
And so there were times
where I didn't know how I was gonna do some things.
Makiyah: We would come home from school,
and then we would go to my grandparents' house
and eat dinner.
I didn't know then as a child,
that was solely because we didn't have food.
Leondra: Everybody hits rough spots, but I hit a rough one.
It was a really dark time.
Makiyah: For her to allow me to solely be a child
and have no worries,
she never let us see her suffer.
♪♪
When my mom hears me perform this song,
I hope she feels that I will always be here for her
through every step of the way same way she was there for me.
And that one day, this all will pay off.
♪ I've been walking ♪
♪ With my face turned to the sun ♪
Ooh-ooh.
Digging deep.
♪ Oh, I got eyes in the back of my head ♪
Oof!
♪ Just in case I have to run ♪
It's about to get dirty. It's about to get dirty.
Ooh.
♪ Watch the clouds roll back and the stars fill the night ♪
♪ That's when I'm gonna stand up ♪
♪ Take my people with me ♪
♪ Together we are going to a brand new ho-o-o-o-o-me ♪
♪ And I know what's around the bend ♪
♪ Might be hard to face 'cause I'm alone ♪
♪ And I just might fail ♪
♪ But Lord knows I tried ♪
♪ Sure as stars fill up the ♪
♪ Sky ♪
Alright. Come on.
♪ Take my people with me ♪
♪ Together we are going to a brand new home ♪
♪ Far across the river ♪
♪ Can you hear freedom calling ♪
♪ Calling me to answer ♪
♪ Gonna keep on keepin' on ♪
♪ I can feel it in my bones ♪
♪ Lord ♪
♪ I can feel it in my ♪
♪ Bones ♪
[ Cheers and applause ]
Cheryl: Sing the song, child!
You better sing it, baby.
Makiyah came here to kill.
It was so emotional.
It showed everybody what you can do.
It had southern moments.
It had southern gospel moments.
It had uplifting moments.
And, uh, really way to step out there
and show us a whole nother level of what you can do.
Thank you so much. Thank you.
Wow.
I left it all out there on the stage,
but I feel really good
and hopefully I get a platinum ticket tonight.
Anthony: What a way to close the show.
She took me to church. Cheryl: Honey.
She took me to church. I loved every second of it.
♪ Space for you ♪
Ryan: Coming up...
Kyndal: This is crazy.
...who will survive to sing for your vote?
Find out after the break.
Ruby: I really don't want to go home.
Ryan: Welcome back to "American Idol's" brand-new 'ohana round.
All 30 of our "Idol" hopefuls have performed.
And now it's time to whittle them down to the top 20
who get the chance to sing for America's vote.
I am nervous because everyone was impressive.
Sheldon: I don't know. You see a lot of voices out there.
I don't know. I don't know. But first...
There are three platinum tickets up for grabs.
And each one secures one of those spots.
But for the first time ever,
it's not the judges making the final call.
The first will be chosen by the industry tastemakers...
This is tough, y'all.
...the second by the 'ohana,
the family members.
Woman: A lot of powerhouses.
And the third platinum ticket by their peers,
our "Idol" hopefuls.
Kyndal: This is crazy.
Now, the 'ohana cannot vote for their own family members,
and the Idols cannot vote for themselves.
It's really about whose performance moved them the most.
Man: It is a gut-wrenching decision to have to make.
Whatever hit me in the heart, that's who I want.
It's difficult.
I mean, I think just people that really stepped it up to,
you know, superstar level.
Shirley: As someone who's watched the show for so many seasons,
who's written about it, who's covered it,
being on this side is -- it's really stressful.
See ya, baby.
This is literally the hardest thing
that I've ever done in my life,
to have someone's career in your hands.
But we're gonna make someone's night tonight.
Here we go. That's it.
Loren: Which is also something to look forward to.
We're making history up here, y'all.
Okay. This is an unprecedented
and first look at which contestants have the ability
to move other people.
So let's reveal the results
for our platinum ticket winners.
First, as chosen by their peers,
the Idol platinum ticket goes to...
...Jordan. Congratulations, Jordan.
Luke: You're incredible.
Carrie: I just had chills the whole time.
Take a look at that, Jordan, that is yours.
Congratulations.
Good job. Way to go.
♪♪
Ryan: Alright. The next platinum ticket chosen by 'ohana,
the family members, goes to...
...Brooks.
Congratulations, Brooks.
I have not heard a voice like this ever.
Luke: You see the look on his face?
He said, "What?" He was like, "Whoa."
You have earned this, my friend, Brooks.
Congratulations. Good job. Thank you.
What was that look on your face when we called your name?
Surprised. Surprised.
And finally, the industry platinum ticket goes to...
...Kyndal.
Lionel: You got artist written all over you,
and I'm loving every minute of it.
Congratulations, Kyndal.
That is yours right there.
Let's hear it one more time for the platinum ticket winners.
[ Cheers and applause ]
♪♪
With the three platinum ticket spots safely secured,
the judges must now choose the remaining 17 hopefuls...
It's not gonna be easy.
...to complete our top 20.
Who makes it through to America's vote?
[ Sighs ]
This is the worst part.
It's not that we're eliminating people
who can't sing.
Right. No. They're here.
We're now eliminating because they might fall
in the same category.
Like her?
Yeah.
Like her. I think she can go.
I really hope I did good enough to make it to the top 20.
I really don't want to go home.
What about this one?
Carrie: Not his best.
Julián: I'm very nervous right now,
to realize that your journey could come to an end.
Carrie: I feel like America's gonna love him.
I don't agree with you on that.
Well, you're wrong.
I'm definitely worried for this upcoming cut.
Carrie: Do we have our decision?
We got it. Let's do it.
Let's go tell him who's on to America votes.
Here we go.
It's time for the judges to reveal who will join
the platinum ticket holders in the top 20.
Well, this is the hardest part
of the whole thing.
And for anybody that doesn't make it through,
we love you guys.
And now the next person to go to America's vote...
...Philmon Lee.
[ Cheers and applause ]
That's my boy!
[ Laughs ]
Madison Moon.
[ Cheers and applause ]
You're one of my absolute favorites.
[ Laughs ]
Braden Rumfelt.
[ Cheers and applause ]
Jake Thistle.
[ Cheers and applause ]
Luke: You're so ready for this.
Jesse Findling.
I think you could go really far in this competition.
[ Cheers and applause ]
We did not take any of this lightly.
Okay, the next one to go on for America's vote
is Ruby Rae.
Ruby Rae!
16?
You are one of our dynamic singers in this competition.
Genevieve Heyward.
Hey!
[ Cheers and applause ]
Lucas Leon.
Yeah!
Pure, honest and very talented.
[ Cheers and applause ]
Our next name -- Hannah Harper.
[ Cheers and applause ]
You might be my favorite person
that's walked through those doors.
Chris Tungseth.
[ Cheers and applause ]
Julián Kalel.
[ Cheers and applause ]
Everything about you is just honest.
That is something that's needed.
Alright. Here are the final six names
going through to America's vote.
♪ Only time, time would tell them ♪
♪ 'Cause I know I'd prove them wrong ♪
Rae.
Yes!
♪ I was made to be a legend ♪
If you were thinking about winning,
just keep doing that.
♪ This is the moment ♪
Daniel Stallworth.
[ Cheers and applause ]
Daniel: I'm doing this for my students.
♪ This is my legacy ♪
Abayomi. ♪ My moment to rise ♪
♪ I was born to win ♪
She's special. She is special.
Kutter Bradley.
♪ I was born to win ♪
[ Cheers and applause ]
Two more slots.
Two more positions
and one of the two
going through to America's vote...
♪♪
...Makiyah.
♪ I'm going up levels ♪
♪ I got to the top ♪
♪ Keep going and I never stop ♪
Carrie: You are meant to be here.
[ Cheers and applause ]
We have one more spot into our top 20.
♪ This is the moment I've waited for all of my life ♪
And that spot goes to...
♪ This is my legacy ♪
♪ This is my moment to rise ♪
...Keyla Richardson.
♪ I was born to win ♪
♪ I was born ♪
You did great, Mom. Just for you, baby.
I love you, Juju.
So we say goodbye to Chloe, Sheldon,
Bryant and Michael, but...
Take a look, America.
This is your top 20 on "American Idol."
♪ I'm going up there ♪
The next time you see them,
they'll be performing for your vote, America,
at Disney's Aulani Resort and Spa in Ko Olina, Hawaii.
We will see you then. Good night, America.
♪ I was born to win ♪
Over the next two weeks,
our top 20 sing for your votes...
That was like "Star Is Born" kind of moment.
From the first note, it was like, "Zhoom."
...guided by superstar mentors,
Brad Paisley and Keke Palmer.
Keke: What you're doing is more than just singing.
You're embodying spirit through song.
Keke also brings her artistic excellence
to the judging panel.
Keke: You don't have to do what nobody do
because when you start singing, girl,
we were locked in.
The vote is in your hands, America.
Who becomes...
That was the greatest performance
I have ever seen on this stage.
...the next American Idol?