The top 3 contestants have been named for this season of American Idol: Caleb Lee Hutchinson, Gabby Barrett, and Maddie Poppe. opened up the show with a welcome for the live show that was broadcasted nationwide. The judges were welcomed and Seacrest stated, “Our very own royalty has arrived.” He told the audience that voting could begin immediately until 9am Eastern tomorrow morning.” Seacrest also stated that all three of the finalists have singles that are available for streaming or download.
Caleb was up first and talked to Bobby Bones who was the mentor for this episode and talked about how he has lost a whopping 85 pounds since auditioning for the show at the beginning of the season. Caleb stated that this was due to some deaths that happened in the family and also talked about the dog tags that he wears that belonged to his great uncle who passed his senior year of high school. His great uncle was the person who first supported his dreams and bought him his first electric guitar and PA system. Caleb sang “Johnny Cash Heart” along with playing his trusty guitar. He actually started the song too soon but quickly recovered. Lionel Richie told Caleb, “Welcome to the business my friend” but Judge Katy Perry told Caleb that this was the weakest performance that she had ever seen. Luke Bryan told him that he looked a bit nervous and tight up on stage.
Gabby Barrett was the next contestant to perform and spoke with Bobby Bones prior to the performance. She talked about if she doesn’t win the competition she still wants to move to Nashville to pursue music. Gabby sang “Rivers Deep” which kept the crowd clapping and showcased her high vocal range but minimal choreography despite a fan that gave her a windblown look towards the end of the song. Katy Perry told her, “I loved what you did at the end with your voice taking it up a notch.” Luke Bryan told Gabby that she looked a bit unsure of the song but that she seemed to become more comfortable towards the end of the song. Lionel Richie told Gabby to select songs from the “stage back” which means to select a song that will do well on stage first and foremost.
The last contestant was Maddie Poppe and she told Bobby Bones, “I want to make something of this after this” when asked what she would do if she won the competition. Maddie sang “Going Going Gone” which featured her on guitar along with her smoky and alternative sounding voice. Judge Luke Bryan told her, “You felt the most comfortable that we have seen so far…I can relax watching you.” Lionel Richie told her that she was in the sales business now and agreed with Luke that she looked the most comfortable so far. Katy Perry told her, “American Idol is like a bubble. We are trying to prepare you for the A-game and the big league…I think that you are a real star.” about how the new singles are harder to know and that she was actually very nervous to sing it tonight.
Round One officially ended and the judges agreed that it was a difficult round and a bit of a disaster overall. Round Two consisted of each contestant singing their most successful song that they had already done on the show. Caleb started out with “Don’t Close Your Eyes” by Keith Whitley which was a slower song choice that showcased his true country tone and rich vocals. Lionel Richie told him, “Your voice is your stamp of approval my friend” and all of the judges stated that he looked more comfortable on stage this time around.
Gabby came out and sang “Little Red Wagon” by Miranda Lambert and brought the same energy that she did the first time she sang it in a previous episode. Katy Perry told her that she is capable of listening to criticism and growing each week. The judges were a bit disappointed that she didn’t include a hair flip like she did the first time around but Gabby promised to do so in the next song. Seacrest told her, “That was signature you” when talking about her performance compared to her first song of the night tonight.
Maddie Poppe sang “Don’t Ever Let Your Children Grow Up” which is an original song that she wrote. She was flanked by her guitar and allowed her voice to easily sing this song that she obviously knows so well. Lionel Richie told her that singing was a business in where you have to like everything that you do on the stage and that Maddie looked very comfortable. Katy Perry told her that she did well and that “at least America knows that you are authentic as heck.”
Some former contestants then joined this first part of the season finale by singing their original songs. Harper Grace sang “Yard Sale”, Jonny Brenns sang “Blue Jeans”, Michelle Sussett sang “I’m A Dreamer” and Catie Turner sang “21st Century Machine”.
The show then showed footage from each of the final 3 contestant’s trips back to their hometowns. Caleb Lee Hutchinson flew back to Dallas, Georgia and had a full day of press and live events where he got a lot of encouragement along with time with his family, rode in a parade honoring him, and sang in concert in front of a huge crowd. Caleb’s final song was “Folsom Prison Blues” by Johnny Cash. He was backed up by just a few other instruments and played his own guitar as usual. Lionel Richie told him, “Now you are in your wheelhouse”.
Gabby Bennett visited her hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where she was welcomed home by a screaming crowd. She spent time with family, was the star of a parade, and even got to sing a bit with her old gospel choir. She put on a concert as well and was overwhelmed with tears for most of the time that she was home. She sang Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” for her last song of the night. Journey’s own Steve Perry surprised Gabby by showing up after the song and told her that “it was the most amazing version that I have ever heard.”
Maddie Poppe headed home to Clarksville, Iowa and stopped by her old school and was greeted by some of her old classmates. The elementary students also serenaded her as well. Maddie spent some time with family along with a parade of her own. She then performed a concert in front of ten thousand people who were waiting for her. She sang “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac for her final song of the show along with playing her guitar. The judges agreed that Maddie did a great job overall and Katy Perry told her that she was voting for her as she pulled out her own phone to do so.
Seacrest told viewers that this is the last vote of the season. He stated, “Tomorrow night the winner will be named as we celebrate the season” along with many other special guests. Seacrest ended the show by saying, “It all comes down to you America. Who is the next American Idol?” The second part of the live finale will be Monday, May 21st at 9pm/8pm CST.
For the latest updates on American Idol, follow host Ryan Seacrest on . More on the news ahead of the finale: https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8457001/american-idol-ryan-seacrest-luke-bryan-katy-perry
