By the end of Monday’s American Idol, judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan will have picked a Top 24 for Season 22. (ABC Photo)
American Idol hopefuls head to Hollywood Week when the show returns Sunday night.
But we heard the judges warn Jayna Elise, a Season 21 contestant, that Hollywood Week had changed this year.
They weren’t kidding.
In fact, Idol has streamlined its Hollywood Week and final judgment episodes.
Those shows aired over two weeks and four nights in recenet seasons.
This spring, we’ll have a Top 24 by the time Monday night’s show ends.
And fans will start voting for their favorites when the Top 24 perform next Sunday (April 7) and Monday (April 8).
Hollywood Week will feature just one performance this season as each golden ticket recipient gets to perform in an area while the judges and other contestants look on.
That platinum ticket recipients — Abi Carter, Julia Gagnon and Odell Bunton — get to skip this round and advance directly to the Showstopper Round, which will be the focus of Monday’s episode.
With Hollywood Week about to begin, I thought it’d be a good idea to provide readers with a recap of the singers we’ve met so far.
Here are the guys. If there’s a link attached to the contestant’s name, it will take you to a profile with background info the show didn’t provide and information on any music the artist has already released. Head here for the ladies.
Ajii of American Idol Season 22
Ajii, 27, Brooklyn, N.Y., “Lose Control” by Teddy Swims: An intake employee at a nursing home, Ajii immediately impressed the judges with his deep, slightly raspy and emotion filled tone. Lionel called his audition “a beautiful, wonderful sight and sound to hear.”
Alto Moon of American Idol Season 22
Alto Moon, 27, Alpharetta, Ga., “Lemonz” (an original): Lionel praised him for “bringing the party to the stage.” But his audition was so chopped up, viewers really couldn’t appreciate it. This much is certain: Stage presence and confidence shouldn’t be a problem for Alto.
Blake Proehl of American Idol Season 22
Blake Proehl, 24, Charlotte, N.C., “In Case You Didn’t Know” by Brett Young: The son of former NFL star Ricky Proehl, Blake plays football too. He auditioned with his grandma by his side. Katy got goosebumps and labeled him Top 10 material.
Brant McCollough of American Idol Season 22
Brant McCollough, 16, Samson, Ala., “Fire Away” by Chris Stapleton: He was part of a talented teens clip featuring two young ladies. Luke proclaimed the county singer has a future.
CR Rislove of American Idol Season 22
CJ Rislove, 22, nomad, “The Astronaunt and the Rock Star” (an original): He’s the guy who travels the country in his renovated bus, dubbed The Jazz Wagon. Oh, and he released his audition song and 28 others around the time his audition aired.
Conall Gorman of American Idol Season 22
Conall Gorman, 19, Mountclair, N.J., “Backseat,” an original: He released the original the same week he performed it. Lionel called him 19, fearless and talented.”
D.W. Williams of American Idol Season 22
DJ williams, 18, Itta Bean, Miss., “Jealous” by Labrinth: He’s the camp counselor who sang “Moose Alpaca” with Katy, then impressed on his true audition song.
Dave Fio of American Idol Season 22
Dave Fio, 24, Taylor, Michigan, “Save Me” by Jelly Roll: He’s the guy who lost 65 pounds in 12 weeks after submitting his Idol video audition.
Dawson Slade of American Idol Season 22
Dawson Slade, 17, “I Hope You Dance” by LeeAnn Womack and “Somebody Else Will” by Justin Moore: He’s a young dad and didn’t get his golden ticket until impressing on the second song he sang for the judges.
Garrison Bennett of American Idol Season 22
Garrison Bennett, 18, Statesville, N.C., “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder: His cool demeanor and smooth vocals impressed the judges in the final audition episode.
Isaiah Case of American Idol Season 22
Isaiah Case, 22, Jacksonville, Ill., “What Could I Do” (an original): He’s the worship leader who performed an original country song, one he released on the same day as the Idol premiere.
Jack Blocker of American Idol Season 22
Jack Blocker, 25, Dallas, Texas, “I Was Wrong” (an original): He’s the guy who was called back into the audition room and sailed through to Hollywood at the advice of the Idol film crew after the judges initially said no. Jack’s released this song and lots of others, both solo and as part of a duo called Rightfield.
Jordan Anthony of American Idol Season 22
Jordan Anthony, 18, Perth Australia, “Forget Me” by Lewis Capaldi: One of a surprising number of Idol imports in Season 22, he previously made the finals of The Voice Australia.
Kimi of American Idol Season 22
Kimi, 25, Brooklyn, N.Y., “Heal” by Tom Odell: He’s the guy from Kosovo who left his family behind to pursue his dreams in the U.S. and delivered an emotional audition that ended with him calling his mother back home.
Mackenzie Sol of American Idol Season 22
Mackenzie Sol, 23, Las Vegas, Nevada, “Bring It On Home” by Sam Cooke: He’s from England, but now lives in the U.S. with him mom. He has a popular TikTok featuring singing videos and clips of him playing kitchen jokes on her. Katy called him potential Top 10.
Max Dasher of American Idol Season 22
Max Dasher, 18, Black Mountain, N.C., “Rock, Salt and Nails” by Utah Phillips: Katy complimented him on his “sparkle.” Luke gave him a lesson on how to walk like James Dean. And his sister also made the show.
Michael Rice of American Idol Season 22
Michael Rice, 26, England, “Because of You” by Kelly Clarkson: One of the male pop singers Idol imported for Season 22. He won BBC One’s “All Together Now” singing show in 2018.
Nick Connors of American Idol Season 22
Nick Connors, 22, Pasadena, Texas, “Easy On Me” by Adele: Katy called him potentially one of the show’s best singers and Luke complimented the “magic sauce” in his voice after he auditioned with an Adele song.
Noah Peters of American Idol Season 22
Noah Peters, 24, Benton, Tenn., “I Won’t Let Go” by Rascal Flatts: He’s a singing barber who says he’s dreamed of getting a golden ticket since he was a child. And got to give Season 21 finalist Colin Stough a trim during the audition.
Odell Bunton of American Idol Season 22
Odell Bunton Jr., 28, Dallas, Texas, “Bring it Home to Me” by Sam Cooke: The father of five got a standing ovation. Katy proclaimed him the best soul singer the judges had heard at the time he auditioned. He became the first platinum ticket recipient in Season 22.
Quintavious of American Idol Season 22
Quintavious, 21, Franklin, Tenn., “Alabaster Box” by CeCe Winans: He’s a vocal coach and worship leader who received a standing ovation from the judges. Katy called his performance “a whole baptism.”
Raegan Mills of American Idol Season 22
Reagan Mills, 24, Ennis, Tex., “Easy On Me” by Adele: A pastor’s son and worship director, he was joined in song by his mother on a gospel song, “Is My Living in Vain” by The Clark Sisters.
Ricky Moyer of American Idol Season 22
Ricky Moyer, 22, Philadelphia, Pa. “It Must Have Been Love” by Roxette: He kicked off the final audition episde by putting his own spin on the Roxette hit.
Roman Collins of American Idol Season 22
Roman Collins, 24, Long Beach, Calif., “Living for the City” by Stevie Wonder: He showed off a rich voice and a worship leader vibe. Luke loved that vibe; Lionel called him “a light.”
Kayko of American Idol Season 22
Sam Kelly-Cohen (Kayko), 23, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., “Time of Your Life (an original): He entered the audition room to play piano for friend Abby Blake, but wound up auditioning too. His audition song is one of many he’s released as either Kayko or Your Best Friend’s Favorite Band.
Spencer Wells of American Idol Season 22
Spencer Wells, 24, “Use Somebody” by Kings of Leon: He was montaged with another singer on the final audition episode, but the judges signaled touchdown when he finished.
Triston Harper of American Idol Season 22
Triston Harper, 15, McIntosh, Alabama, “Cover Me Up” by Jason Isbell: One of the show’s youngest, he impressed with powerful country voals. Katy loved the talent and authenticity he showed at such a young age.
Will Moseley of American Idol Season 22
Will Moseley, 23, of Hazelhurst, Ga., “Gone for Good” (an original): He’s the former college football player we met at the conclusion of the third audition episode, just as Lionel was leaving to catch a flight. And that original has already been released.
Ziggy of American Idol Season 22
Ziggy, 22, The Netherlands, “Million Reasons” by Lady Gaga: He entered the audition room wearing a big gold Ziggy necklace and sporting blue and pink hair. But this wasn’t a joke audition. In fact, Luke called it one of the best of the day.
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