Allen Stone, shown with American Idol judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan, will be a celebrity mentor for the Top 26 round. (ABC Photo)
American Idol’s Top 26 will perform Monday and Tuesday in hopes of securing a spot in the Top 20.
Here’s a look at the lineup for the two nights.
And, remember, fan voting will at least help determine who advances.
American Idol hasn’t revealed a lot about that to date.
But last year, all 20 contestants who advanced did so based on fan votes; there were no wild card choices for the judges.
The performances were all pre-recorded in Hawaii, with Allen Stone serving as mentor for the first group, Noah Cyrus for the second.
Last season, 10 from each group advanced. If Idol continues with that format, three contestants from each night will be cut.
Favorites about the first group should include Iam Tongi, Elise Kristine, Haven Madison and Matt Wislon.
Tongi, with his unique sound, has been one of the show’s most impressive performers to date. Elise is flat-out one of the best singers Idol found for Season 21.
Meanwhile, Matt and singer-singwriter Haven have justified the show’s decision to have them in the running for America’s platinum ticket.
Frankly, the competition appears more fierce on night two, when the lineup includes platinum ticket recipients Tyson Venegas and Elijah McCormick and country favorite Colin Stough.
In addition, all five former The Voice standouts who made the Top 26 compete that night, including We Ani, Marybeth Byrd, Megan Danielle, Malik Heard and Michael Williams.
Unless they falter badly, all three of the ladies deserve to advance. They been among the most impressive performers on American Idol this season.
The list below includes song choices where available for the Top 26. Those come courtesy of The Idol Pad.
Check back for live song by song grades during both of American Idol’s Top 26 episodes.
Sunday, April 16
Elise Kristine, 19, Issaquah, Wash., “Holding Out For A Hero” by Bonnie Tyler
Emma Busse, 20, Vancouver, Canada, “Lay Me Down” by Sam Smith
Haven Madison, 17, Clarkesville, Tenn., “The Middle” by Zedd, Maren Morris, & Grey
Iam Tongi, 18, Kahuku, Hawaii, “Don’t Let Go” by SpawnBreezie
Kaeyra, 21, Algonquin, Illinois, “Don’t Let Go (Love)” by En Vogue
Lucy Love, 28, Holly Grove, Ark., “What’s Love Got To Do With It?” by Tina Turner
Mariah Faith, 22, Conway, S.C., “You Should Probably Leave” by Chris Stapleton
Matt Wilson, 21, Buffalo, NY, “Speechless” by Dan + Shay
Nailyah Serenity, 23, Charlotte, NC, “Lovin’ You” by Minnie Riperton
Oliver Steele, 25, Mount Juliet, Tenn., “Better Together” by Jack Johnson
PJAE, 24, Lawton, Okla., “Golden” by Jill Scott
Warren Peay, 24, Bamberg, SC, “Set Fire To The Rain” by Adele
Zachariah Smith. 20, Armory, Mississippi, “Lucille” by Little Richard
Monday, April 17
Colin Stough, 18, Armory, Mississippi
Dawson Wayne, 21, San Antonio, Texas, “Copycat” by Billie Eilish
Elijah McCormick, 21, Raeford, N.C.
Hannah Nicolaisen, 24, Houston, Texas
Malik Heard, 26, Dallas, Texas, “Ain’t It Fun?” by Paramore
Marybeth Byrd, 21, Armorel, Ark., “Heart Like A Truck” by Lainey Wilson
Megan Danielle, 21, Douglasville, Ga., “The Chain” by Fleetwood Mac
Michael Williams, 21, Mason, Ohio, “Tuesdays” by Jake Scott
Nutsa, 26, Tbilisi, Georgia, “Paris (Ooh La La)” by Grace Potter & The Nocturnals
Olivia Soli, 21, Los Angeles, Calif., “Emotions” by Mariah Carey
Paige Anne, 16, Idaho Falls, Idaho, “Wrecking Ball” by Miley Cyrus
Tyson Venegas, 17, Vancouver, Canada, “It Will Rain” by Bruno Mars
We Ani, 24, Harlem, NY, “Edge Of Seventeen” by Stevie Nicks
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