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We’ve almost reached the end of the road of this season of “American Idol.”
Before host Ryan Seacrest announced which three of the remaining top five contestants earned enough votes to go on to next week’s finale, the final five gave it their all on the show’s annual Disney night Sunday, singing their hearts out for judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan as fans voted at home during the live coast-to-coast broadcast.
The competition’s been fierce, with the judges remarking several times how this season’s crop of contestants is the best they’ve seen yet. One singer earned an apparent comparison to music legend Michael Jackson from Richie, and another earned a prediction from Perry, who came dressed as Elastigirl from “The Incredibles,” that it may be his destiny to win the show.
Here’s what happened:
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Wé Ani
Wé Ani, a 24-year-old performer from Harlem, New York, kicked off the show by belting out the Frozen II song “Into the Unknown” in a glamorous blue gown.
“What a way to start the show!” Richie exclaimed. “You look like a star. You sound like a star. You act like a star… You did a fantastic job.”
Perry proved she was ready to bring the Disney puns, something that’s become her Disney night tradition.
“I’m just going to get it out of the way because you deserve it: That was incredible,” she said. “You’re a superhero of vocals.”
When Bryan complimented Perry’s commitment to the bit, which also included her best attempt at an Elastigirl voice, she replied: “I’m like Daniel Day-Lewis. Thank you.”
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Ani returned to the stage to sing “The Climb” from “Hannah Montana: The Movie.”
Bryan said she “once again… delivered perfectly.”
Richie said Ani has the ability to make the audience feel whatever song she sings.
“It was all about the climb, this whole ‘American Idol’ journey,” Perry added. “This is the top… It was superb. You are just a master of your craft now.”
Zachariah Smith
Zachariah Smith, a 20-year-old father and grill cook from Amory, Mississippi, rocked out to “I Just Can’t Wait To Be King” from “The Lion King.”
Smith finished off the song in true rockstar fashion, by spinning around and striking a pose that showed off a sequined lion design on the back of his shirt.
“You actually may become king,” Perry said. “That was incredible.”
Smith kept up the energy for his second performance, for which he sang “Life Is a Highway” from “Cars.”
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“Is that Michael Zachariah? … You are the entertainer’s entertainer,” Richie said, appearing to compare Smith to a budding Jackson. “I love when you bring the fire to the stage.”
“When that chorus opened up, it was like you were doing 100 miles per hour,” Perry added, also praising the heartfelt card Smith read to his mom for Mother’s Day.
Bryan simply had no words. “I can’t tell you anything else,” he said. “I’m out of stuff.”
Colin Stough
Colin Stough, an 18-year-old HVAC technician from Amory, Mississippi, let loose to the “Cars” song “Real Gone.”
“The comfort zone was perfect,” Richie said. “Your confidence was sitting right out here where we could all see it.”
“You came out looking like an electric guitar,” Perry told the contestant, whom the judges have encouraged to loosen up onstage. “You took that risk. You finally did exactly what we’ve been wanting… Keep doing it, Colin.”
Stough returned for “Nobody Knows” from the 1977 film “Pete’s Dragon,” standing still and keeping the audience captivated with his singing and guitar-playing.
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“It was like you could hear a pin drop,” Perry said. “You are growing before our very eyes.”
Bryan said Stough is “accepting all the challenges” while staying true to his strengths.
“You do an amazing job at holding the room,” he continued. “Sometimes it takes people years to develop that craft.”
“We can’t teach you stage presence. You either have it or you don’t,” Richie said. “You walk out on stage, you step into your life. That’s all you can ask for in your career.”
Megan Danielle
Megan Danielle, a 21-year-old server and Christian signer from Douglasville, Georgia, gave a soaring rendition of “You Can’t Stop the Girl” from 2019’s “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil.”
“Do you have any idea how much you’ve grown?” Richie marveled. “That was a stellar performance… The voice has gone to another level.”
Perry came in with another incredible pun.
“This is the most you’ve ever stretched your vocals,” she said. “You were competing with all of the big ones this time.”
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Danielle later performed “Carried Me With You” from “Onward,” earning a standing ovation from the judges.
Bryan called Danielle’s voice “so effortless, so natural.”
“God gave it to you when you were born,” he continued. “I just love your voice. I’ve loved it from day one… It just tells your story every time you sing.”
“There’s a light that you switched,” Perry added. “When God calls on people, a lot of people go, ‘Why me?,’ but I think you just need to accept it: You are the one.”
Iam Tongi
Iam Tongi, an 18-year-old from Kahuku, Hawaii, gave a simple, elegant performance of “Lava” from the 2014 short film of the same name.
“A superhero mom once said your identity is your most valuable possession,” Perry said. “This is so true for you. You know exactly who you are.”
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Tongi later closed out the show with a tender performance of “Father and Son” from “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.”
“This is magical for you, because this is a time when all the stars aligned,” Richie said. “It’s really happening.”
Perry hinted she thinks Tongi may go on to win the whole show.
“I believe it’s written in the stars,” she said. “I don’t believe in coincidences. I know that you’re Iam, but when I see your name, I see ‘I am the next ‘American Idol.’ “
Who went home?
With over 3 million more votes cast than at this point in the competition last year, Stough, Danielle and Tongi made the top three, meaning Ani and Smith were cut.
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