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American Idol's journey toward crowning its next singing sensation continued Sunday night as the Top 10 contestants paid tribute to legendary female artists. Following last week's double elimination nights that saw Amanda Barise, Ché, Desmond Roberts, and Filo sent home, the pressure intensified with two more eliminations looming by episode's end.
Country music powerhouse Miranda Lambert joined as guest mentor, offering valuable guidance to the remaining hopefuls as they tackled songs from music's most iconic women.
From Adele to Fleetwood Mac, Beyoncé to Reba McEntire, the night showcased diverse musical influences while testing each contestant's ability to make these celebrated classics their own. With the finale drawing closer and the stakes higher than ever, the performers needed more than just vocal talent, they needed to leave lasting impressions on both judges and voting viewers.
What happened in this episode of American Idol?
The evening began with John Foster's rendition of Bonnie Raitt's "Something to Talk About," where Miranda's coaching on stage presence clearly paid dividends. American Idol judge Carrie Underwood referred to him as the candidate they've seen grow the most during the show because of his performance, which demonstrated a discernible increase in audience connection.
Kolbi Jordan surprised viewers with Fleetwood Mac's "The Chain" – an unexpected selection that showcased her showmanship despite Miranda's concerns about vocal restraint. The judges praised her energetic performance as one of her most entertaining this season.
"You scared ME to death! You had that gangster look," Lionel Richie commented on her performance.
Josh King followed with Adele's "Rolling in the Deep," incorporating piano and harmonica elements despite Miranda's advice to simplify. While the judges appreciated his enthusiasm, his scattered approach left something to be desired.
After a performance from American Idol mentor Miranda Lambert, Breanna Nix delivered Adele's "Water Under the Bridge" with the attitude Miranda had encouraged during rehearsals. Lionel Richie gave her praise for transforming such a classic Adele song into her own.
Canaan James Hill ventured beyond his gospel comfort zone with Carrie Underwood's "Love Wins," earning a standing ovation despite stumbling over a few lyrics. Luke Bryan commended his risk-taking while Lionel praised his storytelling abilities.
Thunderstorm Artis impressed with Adele's "When We Were Young," showcasing previously unseen piano skills. Luke Bryan declared it his favorite Thunderstorm performance of the season, admitting he had initially questioned whether the contestant could compete at this level.
Slater Nalley chose Reba McEntire's "Whoever's In New England," implementing Miranda's suggestion to raise the final note by a key, a change the judges celebrated enthusiastically.
Final performances that brought powerful moments
Following reigning Idol winner Abi Carter's guest appearance, Jamal Roberts performed Carrie Underwood's "Undo It," incorporating Miranda's feedback on pacing his vocal runs, though he too struggled with lyrics at points.
Young American Idol contestant Mattie Pruitt delivered an emotional rendition of Miranda Lambert's own "The House That Built Me," heeding the mentor's advice to perform with her guitar. Carrie Underwood simply called the performance brilliant.
Closing the night, Gabby Samone's powerful interpretation of Beyoncé's "I Was Here" left the judges nearly speechless.
"I have two words. Wow and vote," Carrie commented.
And Luke Bryan even suggested that she is the reason the show exists, cementing her frontrunner status as the competition narrows.
With the American Idol Top 8 yet to be revealed, two more contestants face elimination as American Idol's 23rd season approaches its climactic conclusion. The night's celebration of female musical icons provided the perfect showcase for these rising talents to demonstrate their versatility, growth, and star potential.
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American Idol Season 23 airs Sundays and Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and streams the next day on Hulu.
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