For the first time this season, contestants on American Idol are singing for the audience’s vote as the hit ABC show has moved into live rounds.
During Sunday’s episode, 12 of the top 24 performed at Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawaii for the opening night of its annual Disney week. It could be felt through the screen that after the emotional rollercoaster that was “Hollywood Week” – in which the field of aspiring stars was narrowed from 144 – those who were advanced by judges Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Carrie Underwood were breathing easier.
That included Mississippi native Jamal Roberts. Island life looked nice on the Meridian elementary school teacher as he took the stage refreshed and rocked out with his rendition of Jelly Roll’s “Liar.”
Jelly Roll, who’s been serving as an artist-in-residence on Idol season 23, was blown away by Roberts’ performance. The Grammy-nominated country singer even went as far as to say that the Mississippian sang it better than he did.
“It ain’t my song no more!” Jelly Roll said. “I would feel disrespecful to call it my song at this moment. This is now Jamal’s song.”
With the power moving out of the judge’s hands and into the fans’, the fate of each contestant is now based on live-voting. The judges are simply present at this point in the competition to provide verbal pats on the back and some advice when needed. No advice was needed after Roberts’ latest showing with each of the judges on their feet by the end and ready to commend.
“You took Mr. Roll’s song and beat it up! You exploded off the stage to the point that I had to compose myself,” Richie said to Roberts, whose powerful and skillfully controlled voice matches a gospel and soul style. “And if you had passed the collection plate, I would have given you all my money. No kidding, it was just amazing.”
“I can’t take my eyes off you when you’re doing your deal, and that’s what entertainment is all about,” Bryan said as Underwood added, “We can feel that. This crowd was blown away.”
The second half of the top 24 will perform Monday night at 8/7c on ABC, with the top 20 being revealed on Sunday, April 20. You can vote for your favorite contestants here.
Who’s in the ‘American Idol’ top 24?
- Canaan James Hill
- Gabby Samone
- Zaylie Windsor
- Mattie Pruitt
- Thunderstorm Artis
- Drew Ryn
- Ché
- Grayson Torrence
- Penny Samar
- Josh King
- MKY
- Victor Solomon
- Amanda Barise
- Kyana Fenene
- Slater Nalley
- Baylee Littrell
- John Foster
- Filo
- Kolbi Jordan
- Isaiah Misailegalu
- Olivier Bergeron
- Desmond Roberts
- Jamal Roberts
- Breanna Nix
