Iam Tongi and Nutsa pose for a photo after the Top 12 reveal show on American Idol (ABC Photo)
Right now, American Idol has a Top 12.
By next week this time, American Idol will have a Top 7.
That’s right, we’ll say goodbye to five more contestants on Sunday and Monday nights as live voting begins and cuts are made at the end of each show.
Sunday will be Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Night, with former Idol standout Adam Lambert mentoring the contestants.
Monday will be Judges Song Choice Night, with contestants performing a song suggested by Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie.
Here’s how I’m ranking the contestants heading into those two shows.
1. Wé Ani: She looks, acts and sounds like a pro on stage, which will surprise no one who saw her finish third on The Voice in 2016. She’s clearly gotten better since then. She’s also shown great versatility, even singing an original at one point. To my ears and eyes, she’s been the most impressive contestant to date.
2. Iam Tongi: No versatility needed here. All he needs to do is stand center stage, play the guitar his dad gave him, sing in that lovely tone of his and pick the right songs. Putting on island flair on “Stuck on You” was a brilliant choice. Iam’s the frontrunner right now.
3. Marybeth Byrd: I don’t recall her sounding this great on The Voice, where she finished Top 8 back in 2019. I love her tone. I love that natural cry in her voice. And the fact that she’s a country-leaning singer should help with Idol’s male-leaning voters.
4. Tyson Venegas: He’s the only remaining platinum ticket winner and the best male vocalist still on the show. He’s been outstanding in the last two rounds. But he plays piano, not guitar. And he’d rather sing Bruno Mars than Morgan Wallen. So he likely has no chance of winning.
Warren Peay, Marybeth Byrd and Zachariah Smith pose for a photo after American Idol’s Top 12 reveal show. (ABC Photo)
5. Warren Peay: With his soulful country sound and that rasp in his voice, I think Warren is a sneaky good dark horse. Remember, this is the guy who successfully flipped Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain.” And I loved the way he worked the stage and interacted with the audience on Top 20 night.
6. Megan Danielle: She doesn’t seem quite as charismatic or confident at the two former Voice contestants above her on this list. But combine that sweet country voice with a country-style gospel song, and you’ve got a winning combination, post-Idol if not on the show.
7. Colin Stough: He’s an enigma. I didn’t think his Top 26 or Top 20 performances were good enough to merit a spot in the Top 12. Then he turned around and delivered an impassioned cover of “Dancing on My Own” that was one of Monday’s best. Will I be shocked to see him finish better than this? Hell, no.
8. Nutsa: She followed Katy’s instructions on Top 20 week, standing behind a mic and belting. Not once, but twice. Now she should go nuts on stage, like she did on that remarkably fun “Paris (Ooh La La)” cover. No one left in the Top 12 can do that better than Nutsa.
Colin Stough, We Ani and Oliver Steele pose for the cameras after American Idol’s Top 12 reveal show. (ABC Photo)
9. Oliver Steele: I wasn’t crazy about his flip of Shania Twain’s “You’re Still the One” Monday night. And I’m not sure it would have earned him a save if he needed it. He was much more intriguing when he performed his original, “Too Soon,” Sunday night. Oh, and thank you so very much, Idol, for letting contestants perform originals!
10. Lucy Love: My advice to Lucy: Lose that scary death stare. We know you’re fearless and fierce. Smile for the cameras, then knock us silly with another of your killer performances. That’s what she did to earn a save Sunday night. Thing is, I think she’s going to have to be extra great on every performance to advance from this point on.
11. Haven Madison: She’s a great songwriter; we’ve already heard two of her originals. But she needs to stick to emotional, teen angst, singer-songwriter type song choices. As the judges would say, that’s her magic sauce. Not belting like Nutsa.
12. Zachariah Smith: No doubt, the dude knows how to entertain an audience. But he’s also gotten a bit too carried away on a couple of occasions, making the performance seem a wee bit like cheesy karaoke.
Tyson Venegas, Haven Madison, Warren Peay and We Ani, four members of the Top 12 on American Idol. (ABC Photo)
American Idol Colin Stough Haven Madison Iam Toni Lucy Love Marybeth Byrd Megan Danielle Nutsa Oliver Steele Tyson Venegas Warren Peay Wé Ani Zachariah Smith
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35 Comments
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Iam Tongi He is a star and no matter what will go on to be an entertainer.
Judges Song Choice Night means that the judges and producers will give the songs that benefit the Chosen Ones.
Other finalists will be given songs that don’t suit their genre/range.
Iam Tongi
The best
Nutsa go!❤
I love We’ Ani. She is fantastic. I hope she wins.
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NUTSA IS THE BEEST!❤❤❤❤🤩🤩🤩
I am tongi touchs my heart he has my vote
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Nutsa is the best! ❤️
FOR NUCA🇬🇪🍀❤️
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I Ian Tony as one of the most purest at heart voices that he sings with such passion that reminds me of Conway Twitty for example he can tell a story that he tells us from the heart he’s going to be one mega star I promise his dad has to be up in heaven smiling knowing you left this world a superstar behind to take over for him you go in God bless you and good luck
Nutsa your performance is brilliant
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fornutsa❤️