The Top 13 of “American Idol,” Season 13 were revealed in a fast-moving results show without the padding usually associated with results shows.
- After an opening montage showing highlights from the week, Ryan Seacrest got straight to the happy announcements. Joining the Top 10, and heading for the silver chairs, based on votes, were: Malaya Watson, Ben Briley, Emily Piriz, Alex Preston, Jessica Meuse, Dexter Roberts, Caleb Johnson, Majesty Rose. Then, there was a commercial break. Although he moved through the results very quickly, Ryan did have a moment where he stumbled after Caleb basically attacked him with a hug, but he pulled himself together quickly. This had judge Harry Connick Jr. laughing so loud that he had to explain why he’d been laughing: he said he’d never seen a quicker, more professional recovery. Say what you want about Ryan, but he does know how to run an unpredictable live show.
- In no particular order, Ryan reminded us, the next person in the Top 13 was M.K. Nobilette. And the final spot from America’s vote was… Sam Woolf. Ryan took a moment to talk to the vote-getters, asking them what they were feeling. M.K. was particularly gracious, saying that it would have been an honor to be sitting up there with any of the people who had sung during Rush Week.
- Judge Jennifer Lopez then explained what would happen. She said the judges would select five to sing, and then determine which three would become part of the Top 13. Harry emphasized, “They have to really compete.”
- Up first, Harry announced, was C.J. Harris. He sang, “Bring It on Home” by Sam Cooke with a very gospel-inflected feeling. There’ s a rawness to him and a genuineness that would be difficult to teach. The other refinements he may be lacking, he could learn. Harry called it “average” and said he didn’t feel the magic. He noted that both the band and him had screwed up the beginning of the song. Jennifer thought “the specialness of your voice and your soul still came through for me.” The final judge, Keith Urban, told him he needs to stay emotionally connected all the way through a performance.
- Next, Keith called up Jena Irene. She showed off her distinctive voice with a piece that she played at the keyboards. Keith said that was a good moment and liked that she kept going even when the audience cheered her. Ryan asked her how she felt about it, and she said, “I feel pretty good. I’m not going to lie.”
- Spencer Lloyd got a chance to sing next, playing guitar and backed by the band for his original song. The girls in the audience were going crazy for him as he turned in what was, honestly, a fairly ordinary performance. Jennifer told him the judges wanted to give him another chance but “I’m not sure that’s what we wanted America to see right now.” Apparently wanting to spare his feelings, she immediately tacked on the comment that he did a good job.
- Harry revealed the next singer to sing for her life was Bria Anai. She sang the James Brown song, “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World.” She threw in a lot of flourishes in an effort to show off. Her final note was a little odd, too, ending on a “Woo!” Harry thought she’d definitely sung for her life, but “it was all over the place” and that “you overshot the mark.”
- One more person would get a chance to sing for a Wild Card slot… Kristen O’Connor. She picked “Unconditionally” by Katy Perry and did a very ’80s-sounding arrangement, failing to reach the high notes. Please, judges, do not put her through. Surprisingly, Keith called it a “very good performance of that song.” Really? He thought she might have sung it just a bit higher.
- Ryan brought the five potential Wild Card recipients on the stage and tossed it to a commercial break, while the judges deliberated.
- Keith made the first announcement, saying they had agreed to put Jena Irene through. Then, Harry said that “you have to have a knockout performance… K.O., see? K.O.C. Kristen O’Connor.” Oh, bother. Finally, Jennifer announced the final one to make it was C.J. Harris. This meant it was the end for Bria Anai and Spencer Lloyd. Well, what do you know? The eye candy boy didn’t make it. And with that, the Top 13 of Season 13 were officially finalized.
