The Top 5 artists on Season 22 of “American Idol” each performed two “Disney Night” songs on Sunday, May 12, as viewers voted live coast-to-coast for their favorites. (Read our minute-by-minute recap.) Ultimately, after millions of votes were cast, host Ryan Seacrest announced that the pair of singers who were eliminated prior to next week’s season finale were Triston Harper and Emmy Russell. And fans, as you’d expect, are outraged — just read the comments below.
Throughout the competition, Triston crooned songs like “Cover Me Up” (Auditions round), “By Your Grace” (Showstopper round), “God’s Country” (Top 24 round), “H-O-P-E” & “‘Til You Can’t” (Top 20 round), “Heartbreak Hotel” (Top 14 round), “Beautiful Crazy” (Top 12 round), “She’s Country” (Top 10 round), “Sand in My Boots” (Top 8 round), “T-R-O-U-B-L-E” & “Easy on Me” (Top 7 round), and “Almost There” & “Life Is a Highway” (Top 5 round). The 15-year-old high school student from McIntosh, AL was the youngest person still on the show.
Following Triston’s Top 5 performance of “Life Is A Highway,” judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie had nothing but love for the teenage artist. Luke predicted he’ll be “on a highway in a tour bus one of these days,” Lionel congratulated him because he “took this all the way,” and Katy called it one of his “best vocal performances so far” because he gave it “grit and soul.”
The trio of singers who heard good news on Sunday night were, in no particular order: Will Moseley, Abi Carter and Jack Blocker. Next up, each of these Top 3 contestants will perform on Sunday, May 19 in the highly anticipated Season 22 finale, where they’ll be joined by celebs like Jon Bon Jovi, Cody Johnson, Wynnona Judd, New Kids on the Block and CeCe Winans.
Since ABC earned the rights to air “American Idol” in 2018, the winners have consisted of Maddie Poppe (Season 16), Laine Hardy (Season 17), Just Sam (Season 18), Chayce Beckham (Season 19), Noah Thompson (Season 20) and Iam Tongi (Season 21). Who will be next person to join the show’s iconic winners list?
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