American Idol’s Top 7 of Jack Blocker, Emmy Russell, Julia Gagnon, Abi Carter, Will Moseley, Triston Harper and McKenna Faith Breinholt. (ABC Photo)
American Idol cuts back to just one episode this week, Sunday night at 8 p.m.
But we’ll still get to watch two performances from each of the remaining contestants.
That’s because the Idols will tackle two themes this week — songs by Adele, and songs that make you want to dance with the help of guest mentor Ciara.
Two singers head home at the end of the night, leaving us with a Top 5.
So be sure to vote for your favorite(s) during the show. You can vote up to 10 times each via text, the Idol app and the Idol website.
Here’s how I’m ranking the Top 7 heading into that show.
The number in parenthesis indicates where the singer ranked a week ago.
Idol voters eliminated the singers I had at number four (Kabrienne), number six (Mia Matthews) and number eight (Kayko) heading into the Top 10 show.
See also …
Song by song grades for the Top 8
Song by song grades for the Top 10
Hey, Idol, can we talk about these themes?
Kabrienne: ‘Just the beginning’
1. Will Moseley (2), 23, Hazelhurst, Ga.: Last week, I said Will was playing it too safe, with his vocals and performances. Hopefully, that Will is gone for good. Because the Will who showed up Sunday and Monday looked a whole lot more like an Idol champ. “Folsom Prison Blues” on Monday’s show might have been his best performance yet.
2. Abi Carter (3), 21, Indio, Calif.: Abi had dazzled us with vocals sitting behind her piano. Monday, she shattered any myth that she was one-dimensional, working the stage during a stunning, absolutely stunning, Evanescence cover. And judging from the paltry stream totals, Idol fans are missing out. Abi has released a wonderful new feel-good single called “It’s All Love.” Do yourself a favor and check it out.
3. Triston Harper (3), 15, McIntosh, Ala.: I’ve heard the judges advice and I disagree. Fewer hip shakes and better vocals are what we need from Triston. He’s five performances removed from the great vocal on his original song “H-O-P-E.” And in the past two episodes, he fell behind the rest of the cast vocally. But he’s an incredibly likeable guy, and he’s shown the ability, even at 15, to turn in championship caliber performances.
4. McKenna Faith Breinholt (7), 25, Gilbert, Ariz.: Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. She needed a save to make the Top 7. She’s the most likely contestant to leave this week. But she was back in full, rich voice after being ill the week before, and it was a lovely treat for the ears. My only gripe about Monday’s brilliant episode of Idol was that we didn’t get a heartfelt duet featuring McKenna’s smoky vocals and Kaibrienne’s rasp. Perhaps post-Idol, ladies?
5. Julia Gagnon (5), 21, Cumberland, Maine: Sometimes I’m baffled by the advice from the Idol judges. Katy wants to hear more intimate moments from Julia. That’s her advice to the best belter on the show, to a young woman who should be playing up her vocal dynamics to set her apart from the rest of the field? This viewer wants to hear less “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and more “Something in Orange” from Julia.
6. Jack Blocker (10), 25, Dallas, Texas: Anyone who’s listened to Jack’s folk-oriented original music should not have been surprised by his brilliant cover of Willie Nelson’s “Always on My Mind” Monday night. It was his best performance yet and a sign that he’s gaining momentum. Oh, and if you haven’t heard that original music, you should. As for this week on Idol, the themes might pose an obstacle for Jack.
7. Emmy Russell (9), 24, Nashville, Tenn.: I keep reading comments from Idol viewers saying Emmy has an unfair advantage because she’s Loretta Lynn’s granddaughter. Her “Coal Miner’s Daughter” cover was riveting. One of the best performances of the year on Idol. And, to me, it was riveting because of Emmy’s lovely, heartfelt vocal and her tasteful changes to the song. Not because of her grandmother.
Abi Carter American Idol Emmy Russell Jack Blocker Julia Gagnon McKenna Faith Breinholt Triston Harper Will Moseley
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13 Comments
I don’t care I will vote for Triston. I love his voice.
As long as it’s not emmy I don’t care who wins.
I’m real tired of Katie.the looks and eye rolls she gives. Very Rude.
Will Mosley should take the #1 spot. He looks and sounds like he has been playing arenas for years, but he has only been doing this for about 4 years.
Will and tristen should be top 2 winners
Emmy #1
Jack #2
Yes.. totally agree with you! 🙂
I just adore Triston, his story and his voice is very unique. He just loves music and his Momma. I am hooked.
Triston or Will all the way. Emily at the bottom of my choices.
Tristen Harper 100% he is very entertaining with a Wonderful…..amazing Voice. He is absolutely the purest young man with a God given talented voice
Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard recently competed on The Masked Singer.
https://www.mjsbigblog.com/how-clay-aiken-ruben-studdard-feel-about-their-masked-singer-journey.htm
I will be voting for Kristen. I think he should win
You mean Triston 🙂