“American Idol” is bringing another surprise in the form of a new member of the top 26!
On Tuesday’s episode, host Ryan Seacrest announced that a singer had dropped out of the competition, making space for judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie‘s “first alternate” to rejoin the show.
The spot went to 16-year-old Paige Anne, who was narrowly eliminated at the end of Hollywood Week after an intense sing-off with Megan Danielle.
“I said goodbye to ‘Idol’ and everything. Then I got invited back,” Anne said. “Everything happens for a reason.”
Seacrest did not reveal the identity of the contestant who quit the show, and only 25 singers were shown to make the top 26 in previous episodes.
Fans can vote for their favorite singers to stay in the competition on the show’s website, app or by texting their contestant number to 21523. Here’s how the second batch of top 26 performances went down.
Paige Anne makes triumphant ‘American Idol’ return
Anne took the stage for a soaring rendition of Miley Cyrus’ “Wrecking Ball” with plenty of impressive vocal runs.
The performance had the judges admitting they made a mistake by not letting the teen into the top 26 in the first place.
“I just don’t like being wrong. Does your mom pray? Oh, she prayed real hard,” Perry said. “You belong here.”
Bryan added that “every now and then you might just have a little luck in the music business, and, when you get that luck, then you have to show up and bring the goods.”
“That’s exactly what you did,” he said. “Way to seize the moment.”
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Richie said Anne proved the judges wrong in the best way. “I kept thinking, ‘Who do you think you are to make us feel like maybe we made a mistake?’ ” he said. “That was absolutely perfecto.”
If you agree the judges made a mistake and don’t want to see Anne leave the show again, text 15 to 21523.
Katy Perry gets first ever ‘boo’ for critiquing Nutsa
There’s a first time for everything on “Idol.”
Perry earned her first audience “boo” of her “Idol” judging career after giving some constructive criticism to Nutsa.
Though the contestant, from the country of Georgia, blew the judges away with a high-powered performance of “Paris (Ooh La La)” by Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Perry encouraged her to go for a less showy performance next time.
“Every time you take the stage, it’s like you glitter bomb the stage,” Perry said. “Listen, I think that one thing that I personally would like to see from you is not one piece of glitter the next time. I know that’s gonna be hard.”
Clearly, the crowd loves glitter, because they promptly booed Perry after her feedback. Bryan relished in his fellow judge getting heat from the audience for the first time.
“OK first time in six seasons, woohoo!” Perry said.
If you love Nutsa, with or without glitter, text 26 to 21523.
Elijah McCormick
McCormick started off the show on a high note by singing “Good Vibes” by Chris Janson.
“Were you having fun or what?” Richie exclaimed. “That’s the way to start the show off.”
To let McCormick bring more fun to the competition, text 14 to 21523.
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Mary Beth Byrd
Marybeth Byrd sang Lainey Wilson’s “Heart Like a Truck” to major praise from the judges.
“You are such a solid storyteller,” Perry said.
If to keep Byrd flying through the competition, text 16 to 21523.
Wé Ani
Wé Ani showed off her powerful voice to “Edge of Midnight (Midnight Sky Remix)” by Miley Cyrus ft. Stevie Nicks.
“You either have a stage presence or you don’t. You, my dear, are star quality,” Richie said. “I’m in love with what you do.”
If you’re also in love with Wé Ani, text 17 to 21523.
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Michael Williams
Williams dedicated his heartfelt performance of “Tuesdays” by Jake Scott to his parents, who were in the audience celebrating their wedding anniversary.
“I had chill bumps all over,” Perry said “People all over America are falling in love with you…. We are lucking to have you on ‘Idol’ … you’re going to be a star with or without us.”
If you’re falling in love with Williams, text 18 to 21523.
Dawson Wayne
Wayne showed an edgier side of his personality and voice singing “COPYCAT” by Billie Eilish.
“I still love your voice really in that sweet sensitive range,” Bryan said. “But this is a new version of Dawson. It was a solid performance.”
Perry said she knows what it’s like to take an artistic risk.
“When you said ‘We all take that artistic risk,’ and I was like ‘My whole fourth album,’ ” she said. “And you have to do that, especially when you are an authentic artist. It was a dice roll, and I locked in finally when we got back to that moment where you really controlled the room with your voice.”
To let Wayne keep taking risks in the competition, text 19 to 21523.
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Hannah Nicolaisen
Nicolaisen, who announced on the show she’s recently engaged, sang “Glitter in the Air” by P!nk.
“You picked the right song,” Perry said. “You held it, and you did such justice.”
Bryan also complimented the volleyball player’s growth throughout the competition.
To keep Nicolaisen serving great performances on “Idol,” text 20 to 21523.
Megan Danielle
Danielle slayed “The Chain” by Fleetwood Mac.
“You’re such a powerhouse singer,” Perry said. “It comes up so effortlessly and beautifully.”
To keep Danielle’s dynamic voice in the competition, text 21 to 21523.
Malik Heard
Heard brought his own charm to “Ain’t It Fun” by Paramore.
“By far in my opinion the best performance we’ve seen you do,” Bryan said, to which Richie added: “On fire! That’s that stage presence 101.”
To have Heard keep raising the bar on “Idol,” text 22 to 21523.
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Oliva Soli
Soli proved she’s a vocal frontrunner in the competition with “Emotions” by Mariah Carey.
The performance was so good, Richie said it gave him “what the heck face.”
“You got to vote, because talent like this should not walk off the stage and say goodnight,” Richie said. “You have a career, my dear, regardless of whatever number it comes out to be.”
To follow Richie’s advice, text 23 to 21523.
Colin Stough
The country crooner gave a rocking rendition of “Midnight Train to Memphis” by The Steeldrivers.
“Alright my fish out of water, we like you,” Perry said. “If you really just start to fake until you make it and then shake and bake it, it’s gonna come out perfectly seasoned.”
To keep Stough cooking in the competition, text 24 to 21523.
Tyson Venegas
Venegas worked the crowd hard while showing off his smooth vocals to “It Will Rain” by Bruno Mars.
“You’re a tremendous talent and you can sing circles around all of us,” Perry told the teen.
To keep Venegas in the competition, text 25 to 21523.
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