Competition is fierce this season american idol.
Jury members Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie faced tough decisions on Monday night’s episode of the singing competition series, the breathtaking round finale.
By the end of the episode, the judges had shockingly sent home the two platinum ticket holders – Kaylin Hedges and Cam Amen. With only one spot in the top 24 and contestants Matt Wilson, Colin Stough and Iam Tongi who had developed a strong friendship, the judges called them as a group for the final decision.
Each contestant brought something different to the table with their performances. Dedicating his career to his late father, Tongi made the jury cry with his performance of “The Sound of Silence”.
“Your show song was a great choice. It quieted the room,” said the 38-year-old “Teenage Dream” singer. “It gave more depth, more color, more layers to who you are.”
While Wilson dazzled the judges with his performance of “Forever”, Stough showed his inner superstar with his performance of “Cold”.
When the final decision came, Perry first revealed that Tongi was in the starting 24. Immediately his fellow contestants got up from their seats and gave him a big hug. While Wilson and Stough were going to thank the jurors for the opportunity, they were told to hold the opportunity.
“Controversial plot,” said the “California Gurls” singer.
“As judges, we like to change that every season,” he continued. “We have so much talent this season that we don’t think we’re in the top 24… we think we’re in the top 26.”
On Sunday’s episode, top 26 contestant Nutsa Buzaladze apologized to Perry after a week of hard-hitting duets where she was told to sleep through rehearsal and show her “more grace.”
“I wanted to tell the story from my side and I felt so bad that I froze. I didn’t want to bring in negative energy, so I didn’t say anything,” she said. “I didn’t speak up because I didn’t want to cry on stage. I was devastated after I left the stage. That’s why I wanted to apologize for that.”
Perry said, “That’s great. That’s awesome. And Nutsa, by grace I mean being determined, ambitious, angry, and strong, but also being okay with grace. I’m really into you because I know what it’s like to be a strong woman…to be strong.” wanting and never breaking and feeling like nothing can get to me but that’s not real.”
“You are a real person with a big heart and a big talent,” he concluded.
Next up, the top 26 head to Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, for Sunday’s episode airing at 8pm ET on ABC.