‘American Idol’: Josh King is Sent Home as Top 7 Revealed in Judges’ Songs Contest
“American Idol” continued its live coast- to-coast shows as the Top 7 were voted in by America’s vote that sent one contestant home and saving another to round out to the Top 7. The Top 8, Breanna Nix, Gabby Samone, John Foster, Josh King, Jamal Roberts, Mattie Pruitt, Slater Nalley, and Thunderstorm Artis, had their songs chosen for them by the judges in the fan favorite episode called Judges’ Song Contest.
Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan each picked a song for the contestants to choose, the artist then picked one of the song to sing and after guess which judge the song, earning the judge a point. The judge with the most songs picked wins and that winning judge gets to save one of the two contestants with the lowest vote.
The tally of the night was Lionel and Luke were tied with three wins a piece, while Carrie only had two. It was a playful sore spot for Carrie, who was surprised, answering jokingly, “I don’t lose on ‘American Idol,’ but she stated that in the end, she didn’t have to choose who would go home.
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In the end, Josh King was eliminated and Mattie Pruitt was saved. Moving on to The American Idol Top 7 were Breanna Nix, Gabby Samone, John Foster, Jamal Roberts, Mattie Pruitt, Slater Nalley, and Thunderstorm Artis.
Also the contestants had their first ever group performances singing the songs of Lionel, Carrie, and Luke.
For Josh King, who was sent home after the Nation-wide vote, performed “Home” by Michael Buble, a song chosen for him by Lionel, was easy as Buble is one of his favorite artists. It’s always a requested song for him. He was grateful that he finished in the Top Eight and was surprised he made it as far in the competition than he did.
“I came into this to make connections,” King told TVMusic Network and People backstage after the show. “I wanted to meet people just like me in similar situations. I wanted to make friends. I wanted to be a part of the experience and said ‘I did this.’ You know what I did this. Eight was a good number to go out on.”
AMERICAN IDOL – “812 (Top 14 Reveal)” – The Top 14 are revealed as the finalists return to the stage with powerful, emotional live performances from Hollywood. MONDAY, APRIL 21 (8:00-10:01 p.m. EDT) on ABC. (Disney/Eric McCandless)
RYAN SEACREST, JOSH KING
The North Carolina native took time to thank the fans who voted for and supported him throughout his journey. “I want to thank them for getting me this far. You know, I was a little bit polarizing. When you look online…half the people were against me and the other half were for me. I didn’t think I was going to make it this far because of that. But you know what, the people who did support me to get me this far, I’m thankful for them, just for believing in me when I didn’t really believe in myself.”
It’s two weeks before the finale and next week is a two night fan favorite event on Sunday, May 11 and Monday, May 12 with Disney Night. The Top 5 is revealed live with mentor Lin-Manuel Miranda on Sunday, May 11 and Monday, May 12. Lin-Manuel will mentor the hopefuls from Disneyland Resort. On Monday, May 12 the live vote will determine the Top 3 who will perform for America’s vote in the season finale. Also American Idol Season 21 winner Iam Tongi will perform “Hawaiian Rollercoaster Ride” from the new “Lilo & Stitch” movie on Monday, May 12 on ABC. Next day on Hulu. “Lilo & Stitch” is in theaters May 23.
