Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Hannah Harper in Hawaii on American Idol. (ABC Photo)

The first half of American Idol’s Top 20 performs Monday night.

And for the first time this season, fans will be weighing in.

Heck, Idol will even launch social media voting for the first time ever.

The show will cut from a Top 20 to a Top 14 this round.

Idol hasn’t revealed exactly how that will happen. But in Season 23, the top five vote-getters from each of the Top 20 shows advanced.

Then the Idol judges rounded out the Top 14 by selecting four more artists to move on.

My rankings of the performers singing Monday night follows.

See also …
How to vote on American Idol
Song by song grades for the ‘Ohana Round
Song by song grades for the first night in Hollywood
Song by song grades for the second night in Hollywood

1. Hannah Harper, 25, Willow Springs, Missouri: A viral audition. More than 6 million views on her Monday night performance of “Go Rest High on That Mountain.” Hannah’s surely going on to the Top 14. If she keeps on performing like she did on Monday’s show, she’s likely to be in the finale.

2. Genevieve Heyward, 26, Lake Geneva, Wis.: She lands here because she’s been brilliant the last two rounds, rocking out in Hollywood, then sitting behind the keys and singing a ballad in the ‘Ohana Round. Glad Idol has stopped calling her “Pickle Girl.” Genevieve’s more than a gimmick.

3. Kyndal Inskeep, 29, Fishers, Indiana: She got a platinum ticket thanks to an original song (“Woman of Me”) that moved hearts. She’s got a special voice to and other great original I’m sure would impress. Including a song called “Honest” with more than 18 million views on Spotify alone.

4. Brooks Rosser, 22, Bel Air, Md.: That special voice is going to keep him on the Idol stage a while longer. But eventually he’s going to need to get a bit more comfortable on stage and a bit more comfortable answering questions from Ryan Seacrest.

5. Daniel Stallworth, 27, Moss Point, Mississippi: He’s a great singer. He’s a great performer. And I’m a little stunned that he hasn’t gotten more airtime. I’m pretty sure he will back up those statements I made come Monday night when Idol stops playing favorites and airs everyone’s perforances.

6. Makiyah Mustiful, 24, Pine Bluff, Ark.: Makiyah’s version of “Stand Up” ended the Top 30 show in great fashion. Fans, practice spelling her first name. Because that’s how you’re going to vote and I don’t know how particular Idol is going to be when it comes time to count votes.

7. Jesse Findling, 19, Long Island, N.Y.: Jesse was the first singer we met on Season 24 and if I based these rankings solely on popularity, I’m guessing he might land a bit higher. He’s been consistently excellent vocally. He lands this low because the immense pool of talent on Season 24.

8. Jake Thistle, 21, Paramus, N.J.: He’s one of my favorites from a deep group of male singer-songwriters on Season 24. He reminded me of Springsteen in Hollwyood, then impressed with an original in the Top 30 round.

9. Braden Rumfelt, 22, Murphy, N.C.: If I was one of those male singer-songwriters, I’d look to pluck heartstrings, Kyndal style, in order to stand out. My hunch is Braden needs a standout performance to advance.

10. Kutter Bradley, 22, Florence, Ala.: Kutter’s been a solid male country performer on Idol, but hasn’t yet delivered a truly memorable moment. Like with Braden, my hunch is that he’ll need to do that to make the Top 14.

Genevieve Heyward performs during the Top 30 round on American Idol. (ABC Photo)