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“American Idol” contestants just got a royal, if sleepy, hello from Windsor Castle.
The ABC singing competition returned Sunday night for another live coast-to-coast broadcast in which the top 8 singers gave solo performances of Alanis Morissette classics as well as duets of Ed Sheeran hits.
Both Sheeran and Morissette served as guest judges during the episode in place of Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, who performed earlier that day at King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla‘s coronation concert in the United Kingdom.
Before the performances kicked off, Perry and Richie video-chatted into the broadcast from Windsor Castle to say hello to the contestants, Morissette, Sheeran and fellow mainstay judge Luke Bryan. They also brought in special guests from across the pond.
“I just wanted to check how long you’ll be using this room for?” Charles told Richie and Perry, as he ambled into the frame with his wife, Queen Consort Camilla.
Charles then thanked the judges for their “brilliant performance(s)” at the coronation concert, with Camilla adding that they were “absolutely fantastic.”
“Are we making too much noise?” Perry asked the royals.
“As soon as we finish, we’re coming to the party,” Richie added.
Charles, 74, and Camilla, 75, then wandered off the screen, perhaps to bed. The “Idol” live broadcast began at 1 a.m. in the United Kingdom, with Charles and Camilla’s appearance being taped an hour before due to time differences and party commitments, an “Idol” representative told USA TODAY.
Perry and Richie, however, stayed up to watch the whole thing live, though the judging was in the hands of Bryan, Morissette and Sheeran. Here’s what happened:
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Warren Peay
Warren Peay, a 24-year-old appliance repairman, kicked off the show with a gritty rendition of Morissette’s “All I Really Want.”
Morissette complimented “the gorgeousness of the dynamics building” in his performance.
“You just really brought that home,” she added. “This is a version I never imagined hearing in my whole career, so thank you for adding to it.”
Zachariah Smith
Zachariah Smith rocked out to Morissette’s “Ironic,” opting to save his signature energetic moves for certain moments throughout the song.
“There was this liquidity that I loved,” Morissette said of the grill cook’s performance.
“You really had some tender moments in there, really used the mic and used the dynamic,” Bryan added. “It was a really great performance, good job.”
Iam Tongi and Oliver Steele
Iam Tongi and Oliver Steele teamed up for a tender duet of Sheeran’s “Photograph,” which featured warm harmonies and the two vocalists both playing acoustic guitar.
Sheeran said he was impressed by how well the contestants’ voices complimented each other.
“That was so beautiful to listen to,” he added. “I got emotional listening to that.”
The performance also had Morissette in her feels. “Hearing men be vulnerable,” she said, “Be still, my beating heart.”
Haven Madison
Haven Madison stunned the judges with “You Learn” by Morissette.
“You have that inside-out music in your body thing, and I just want you to keep going if I have a say in it,” Morissette told the 17-year-old high schooler.
Sheeran added that he was “really impressed vocally.”
“It was nuts,” he continued. “Fantastic. Very captivating.”
Warren Peay and Wé Ani
Peay returned to the stage for an intimate duet of Sheeran’s “Perfect” with fellow vocal powerhouse Wé Ani.
“I love both of your voices, and I’m just really happy to be here,” Sheeran told the duo. “Thank you so much for doing it.”
Morissette praised how the pair began with “terrifying” intimacy and built to a powerful ending.
Colin Stough
Colin Stough, an 18-year-old HVAC technician, has been previously advised by the judges to loosen up on stage and get “nasty” with his performances.
Morissette seemed to help him with that, with the country crooner letting loose on her hit “Hand in My Pocket.”
“I did not see that coming. If nasty is this, then I loved nasty,” Morissette said. “Beautiful work.”
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“That’s really, really up my alley. I love how it rocked out at the end but also how you gave it a different spin at the beginning,” Sheeran added. “It was brilliant.”
“He’s just so damn cute, I don’t know what to do,” Bryan said. “You make people smile.”
Haven Madison and Zachariah Smith
Madison and Smith returned for a heartwarming duet of Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud.”
“When people cover my songs, they sing them better than I do,” Sheeran marveled. “You both are so talented.”
Bryan added: “I’m just watching you guys do star-like things.”
Megan Danielle
Megan Danielle, a 21-year-old server and Christian singer from Georgia, dedicated her performance of Morissette’s “Head Over Feet” to her boyfriend, who she says has helped her love herself more.
Morissette called Danielle’s talent “really soulful” and “gorgeous.”
“I genuinely forgot for about a second that I was on ‘American Idol,’ ” Sheeran added. “I felt like I was watching a classic singer from the ’60s.”
Iam Tongi
Tongi dedicated his performance of Morissette’s “Guardian” to his mother, who watched from the audience.
Morissette praised “the empathy” in Tongi’s voice, adding: “The planet, I believe, needs empathy now more than ever.”
Sheeran said Tongi did a “really beautiful job,” adding that the contestant “really connected.”
Wé Ani
Ani said she dedicated Morissette’s “Uninvited” to a boy from her life whom she declined to name because well, he was “uninvited.”
The 24-year-old performer from New York slayed the break-up hit. “Every area of every part of that song, it was just you directly communicating so beautifully,” Morissette told her. “It was chilling to behold you.”
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Bryan said he’s heard several “Idol” contestants sing that song over the years − but none as good as Ani.
“That was certainly the best I’ve ever heard it,” he said.
Megan Danielle and Colin Stough
Danielle and Stough gave a giggly, light-hearted duet of Sheeran’s “Dive.”
Sheeran admired the country combo, saying they “compliment each other so well.”
“I’m loving Ed’s songs through you each,” Morissette said. “It was really beautiful to watch you both make the joyful noise.”
Oliver Steele
Steele closed out the show by tapping into his angry side on Morissette’s rock classic “You Oughta Know,” saying his goal was to “wake people up.”
At the end of the song, Steele, who has rocked long hair throughout the competition, ripped off his beanie to reveal he shaved his head in honor of his dad who is struggling with his health.
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He earned a standing ovation from the judges and rave reviews.
“You really brought it,” Morissette said. “I barely know you, but I’m very proud of you.”
Bryan added: “Way to get in there and battle.”
Who went home?
With over 21 million votes cast, Madison, Peay and Steele ended up getting cut at the end of the night.
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