Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Canaan James Hill with Ryan Seacrest after the former’s performance in the Top 24 round on American Idol. (ABC Photo)

Four singers will depart American Idol Sunday night.

But the biggest cut comes Monday when six members of the Top 20 head home in what should be a drama-filled episode.

Fan voting after Sunday’s show will determined 10 spots in the Top 14, to be revealed Monday.

All the at-risk singers will perform before the judges make four wild card picks to complete the Top 14.

Who should advance based on what we’ve heard so far?

Here are my picks. And understand, this could change based on what we see and hear during Sunday’s three-hour Top 20 show.

Breanna Nix
Jamal Roberts
Slater Nalley
Thunderstorm Artis

They excelled in the Top 24 round while several other front-runners stumbled. Slater’s going deep into the competition; Thunderstorm should be. Jamal will need to continue to impress. Breanna, once an underdog, is looking more like a front-runner every time she takes the stage.

Canaan James Hill
Drew Ryn
Mattie Pruitt
Victor Solomon

They didn’t quite live up to my lofty expectations in the Top 24 round. But they’ve been so good, so often, there’s no way they should go home. Drew was a bit off her mark and still delivered one of Monday’s strongest performances.

Gabby Samone
John Foster

As a male country singer, John should have no fear of elimination. He’s performed well enough that he deserves to be worry free. Same for Gabby. I’m hoping she outlasts some of the more shouty female vocalists.

Kyana Fanene
Zaylie Windosr

Some variety in the Top 14, please. Seriously, Idol has found plenty of singers who can blow us away with their power. We need some singers who can make us tear up with emotion too. And this duo is capable.

Amanda Barise
MKY

They’ve been the most impressive among everyone else, but I could be convinced that someone else deserves these spots. MKY needs to make sure his vocals are as on-point as his style. Amanda needs to be sure to sing to us, not shout at us.

That would mean the elimination of …

Baylee Littrell
Che Chesterman
Desmond Roberts
Filo
Grayson Torrence

Isaiah Misailegalu
Josh King
Kolbi Jordan
Olivier Bergeron
Penny Samar

To this point, the other platinum ticket recipients — Filo and Kolbi — have delivered too much sauce, too many vocal acrobatics and not enough substance. It’ll be interesting to watch how the judges react if they aren’t voted into the Top 10.

Drew Ryn soaks in the crowd’s reaction after her Top 24 performance on American Idol. (ABC Photo)