ABC/Josh Vertucci
American Idol 2019 delivered its top 4 results tonight, along with the top 6 performances and a recap on whether or not the judges decided to save a 5th singer. The episode aired live across the country, on the ABC network, and, tonight, the contestants performed inspirational songs as well as Woodstock-themed music. It was up to the voters to decide who would make it through tonight, as the show aired live from coast to coast.
Now let’s get into the live spoilers on the winners, along with a recap of tonight’s show. Read on below for the live updates.
Madison Vandenburg was the first contestant to perform and she opened up the show with a Janis Joplin song, rocking out on the guitar. The judges loved her set and Katy Perry told Vandenburg that she wants her to “win this thing” and commended her on her excellent guitar skills.
Laine Hardy was up next, singing a Joe Cocker song, also playing the guitar along with his performance. He’s a fan-favorite this season and was previously a contestant on last season as well. Clearly, he’s made it further this season. Judge Luke Bryan said that Hardy keeps picking songs that are perfect for him. He said that Hardy’s voice has a “certain sweet spot” and Lionel Richie complimented Hardy on his snazzy blazers that he wears each week.
TONIGHT’s setlist on @AmericanIdol. 8pm ET/5pm PT
Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon was the next performer taking the stage and he performed the gospel song “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”. At the end of his performance, his boyfriend was shown cheering him on from the crowd. In response to Harmon’s performance, Katy Perry exclaimed, “Hallelujah!” She also said that Harmon has the same birthday as the late music icon John Lennon and said she thinks he’s “chosen”.
Laci Kaye Booth then took the stage to perform for America’s votes, decked out in fringe, inspired by the Woodstock era. Her family cheered her on from their seats as Booth faced the judges. Perry said that the voting is getting tight and that she wants to see more movement from Booth but commends her on her unique, sultry voice. Lionel Richie said that she needs to remember to acknowledge the crowd during her performances as well.
Backstage with Ryan Seacrest, Booth admitted that she could have moved a bit more on stage.
It’s time! Your Top 6 are taking the stage tonight to perform some Woodstock classics and then their Show Stopping songs! It’s going to be a great night! 🎶🎤🎶 #AmericanIdol
Alejandra Aranda then performed a song called “White Rabbit”. Judge Lionel Richie started giving Aranda some advice on stage presence and the judges continued to gush over him, as always. Since his first audition on the show this season, Aranda’s singing has gone viral and he has been a front-runner.
Before the next performance, host Ryan Seacrest brought a fan from the audience up on stage and his name was Will Ryan. Seacrest called Ryan the show’s most enthusiastic fan. Ryan, who was very energetic and full of personality, got huge hugs from Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan. Judge Katy Perry gave him a cautious hug and joked about being afraid.
When you have a live show with superfans in the audience, anything can happen! #AmericanIdol
Then, Wade Cota took the stage to sing “With a Little Help From My Friends” by Joe Cocker. Richie got up and started pacing in excitement after the performance, saying that Cota “knocked it out of the park”. Katy Perry said it was the best performance she had seen tonight and Luke Bryan talked about a woman from the audience “losing her mind” over Cota’s singing.
Blown away by the amazing reviews from the judges, Cota said he felt a bit sick and started eating some peanuts.
Former Idol runner-up Gabby Barrett then hit the stage to perform her song “I Hope”, giving the performers a break in between the performance segments of tonight’s show. Barrett, like Katy Perry, is newly engaged to her former Idol competitor Cade Foehner, so Perry couldn’t help but run up to her on stage and give her a hug. Barrett also announced that she recently signed with a label.
We love this love song: #AmericanIdol contestants Gabby Barrett and Cade Foehner are engaged! 💍 t.co/xPsLVNUxw1
Lauren Daigle, who is a music artist that recently picked up Billboard Music Awards, along with other accolades, stopped in to help coach each of the remaining contestants for their second half of tonight’s show. Madison Vandenburg was up first again and she admitted that she was worried about hitting some of the notes. For her performance, Vandenburg took on a Celine Dion song called “I Surrender”.
Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie said that they could feel the emotion in her performance and “the cry”. Richie said that her vocals are “far beyond” her age.
Alejandro Aranda then performed an original song of his, after also spending time with Daigle. His plan was to play purely on acoustic, in an unconventional “showstopping” performance. Daigle called Aranda’s songwriting “stunning”.
We are so happy to welcome @Lauren_Daigle back to Idol. She will be a phenomenal mentor to our contestants! 🙌🙌 #AmericanIdol
Daigle described Laci Kaye Booth’s voice as having so much “texture” when the two rehearsed together. Booth was the next performer and she executed a rendition of the song “Open Arms”. Richie said that Booth was in her element and know how to control her vocals. Katy Perry said that she and Luke Bryan became emotional at the end of Booth’s performance.
Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon performed a song from West Side Story called “Somewhere” and he said that Daigle’s assistance was very helpful. Perry said that she was locked into every note Harmon sang, while Bryan commended him as well. Bryan also said that Harmon did start off his set a bit unsure but then grew into the performance.
“Through the Valley” was the next song to be performed and Wade Cota was carrying out the performance. Cota said that he’s had some issues, messing up during live performances and Daigle told him to “give yourself the freedom to fail”.
And for tonight’s final performance, Laine Hardy took the stage to sing “Johnny Be Good”. Daigle encouraged Hardy to dance while on stage. The judges couldn’t help but to get out of their seats and dance to the performance as Hardy also showed off some moves.
After a commercial break, the votes were in and the results for the top 4 were announced. Madison Vandenburg was the first singer to be revealed in the top 4, followed by Laine Hardy. Alejandro Aranda was then revealed to be moving forward, which meant there was only one spot left. And, the final person to make it into the top 4 was … Wade Cota, who looked shocked, as did judge Katy Perry.
The judges had the opportunity for one save and they could choose to not use it. This was the last night they could use their one save and they decided to save … Laci Kaye Booth. This meant that Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon was the only singer eliminated tonight. And, the show is down to the top 5, rather than the top 4.