Brooks Rosser has been a fan and judge favorite early in the season on American Idol (ABC Photo)
American Idol contestants face another big cut this week as the show’s Top 30 becomes a Top 20.
That’s what will take place during the new ‘Ohana Round at a Disney resort in Hawaii.
And it sounds like the contestants, their families and industry insiders will have a say in who advances.
Who should advance?
Here’s my opinion, and I’m breaking it down by gals and guys because you know Idol is going to want a pretty even split among that Top 20.
THE GUYS
They should advance: Sheldon Riley, Jordan McCullough and Jesse Findling have been among the most impressive male singers. Shelon, with tons of singing show experience, might have turned in the best male vocal in Hollywood.
Julian Kalel has been the best of a very talented crop of singer-songwriter types. And Daniel Stallworth has not only been excellent, he seems to have the R&B lane all to himself.
That’s five, and I haven’t even mentioned Brooks Rosser and his wonderfully unique sound or Chris Tungseth, the last artist we met in the auditions and a guy I think is a heart-tugging performance away from becoming a show favorite.
On the bubble: The Season 24 cast includes a wildly talented group of male singer-songwriters that also include Jake Thistle, Lucas Leon and Braden Rumfelt. It’s hard to envision all of them advancing.
The same can be said of truly talented male vocalists, and that group would also include Bryant Thomas and Philmon Lee. Jake’s my preferred choice from the former group; Bryant from the latter.
Long shots: Kutter Bradley and Michael Garner. Both, I suspect, will need truly standout performances to survive the next round. At a sing-off winner, and one of the least experienced contestants, my guess is Michael faces the longest odds.
See also …
Guys who made the Top 30
Gals who made the Top 30
THE GALS
They should advance: Put Rae Boyd and Genevieve Heyward at the front of this list, because they turned in absolutely phenomenal performances in the episode that aired Monday.
There’s no way Idol is cutting Hannah Harper this early in the competition. Her viral audition and original song “String Cheese” might have earned her fan favorite status at this point.
And I continue to be intrigued by Abayomi, fearless at 16. Asked about her youth, she said in essence, “I might be young, but I can sing.” Unusual confidence coming from someone so young. Well founded confidence based on what we’ve heard from her so far.
Likely to advance: Keyla Richardson and Makiyah Mustiful seem to held the edge in a very talented and deep group of female R&B singers. Meanwhile, Carrie Underwood wants a female rocker, and Madison Moon fits the bill very nicely.
I’m hoping there’s room for some female singer-songwriters in the Top 20. Which would mean the likes of Kyndal Inskeep and Bella Emry.
In jeopardy: Idol showed its hand much more with the ladies than the guys in Hollywood. Every male headed to the Top 30 had at least part of his performance air. Not so with the ladies.
We didn’t hear from Kiera Howell, Brenna Brigman, Tianna Roberts, or Brianna Yancey.
Was Idol tipping its hand? I know this: Brenna’s a cappella version of “My Church” was one of my favorites from all the audition shows.
Put sing-off winner Chloe Lauren in this category too. As with Michael, singers who needed a sing-off to make the Top 30 face stiff odds of making the Top 20.
Gone: Not sure what happened with former Voice runner-up Jacquie Lee and Idol, but something did.
Idol has posted 29 performances photos for Sunday’s pre-taped show. The missing singer: Jacquie Lee. Idol has posted 29 casual photos of the Top 30 in Hawaii. The missing singer: Jacquie Lee.
For her part, Jacquie hasn’t mentioned the show on social media since a small snippet of her audition aired on the season premiere.
Genevieve Heyward turned in one of the standout performance in Hollywood Week on American Idol (ABC Photo)
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