The “American Idol” contestants took on the songs of Taylor Swift on tonight’s show where the Top seven finalists Keyla Richardson, Brooks Rosser, Daniel Stallworth, Braden Rumfelt, Jordan McCullough, Hannah Harper and Chris Tungseth performed songs from the Grammy winner. At the end of the night, contestants Daniel Stallworth and Brooks Rosser were eliminated.
The Top seven also sang songs from California’s biggest artists including Maroon 5, Billie Eilish, Etta James and Bonnie Raitt.
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CHRIS TUNGSETH, BRADEN RUMFELT, HANNAH HARPER, KEYLA RICHARDSON, JORDAN MCCULLOUGH
For judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood, the night had its challenges but they praised the contestants for giving their interpretations of Swift’s songs which included “Lover” by Keyla Richardson and “Cardigan” from Braden Rumsfelt.
Luke Bryan pulled double duty with judging and also performing his new single “Country and She Knows It,” live for the first time on the show. He was most surprised with Daniel’s elimination.
“Daniel was a surprise to me,” he said to TVMusic Network and a small group of reporters after the show. “I really loved what Daniel did the whole year. It’s tough when you get to five. I thought the show overall was one of the better ones of the year with just how the kids showed up and were running gunning for one another and you could tell they’re in the hunt to try and win this thing.”
Overall, the country superstar loved the choice of Taylor Swift songs as a theme.
“It was an awesome tip to the hat of Taylor’s career in music,” he said. “It’s always really fun to see what songs the kids choose and how they interpret…especially how guy interpret female songs. The show is always creative on nights like this when you have themes.”
Guest judge and certified “Swiftie” Nikki Glasser was this week’s guest judge and received nothing but praise from the judges for her critiques of the Idol hopefuls.
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Carrie loved the show’s two themes as well.
“I loved that we had two different themes for them to choose from. It allowed us to see more of what they can do as potential artists. More sides of them.”
On Brooks and Daniel, who went home, Lionel Richie reminds all of the hopefuls that tonight isn’t the end of of the road for them and advices them to enjoy their careers from here on out.
“Enjoy it,” he said. “You’re never going to be comfortable with it so after this.”
Next week the show comes full circle as original Idol judges Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul return to the show as mentors with Abdul heading the the table as guest judge on the May 4 episode of “American Idol.” The show celebrates the Idol class of 2006 to mark its 20th anniversary that promises the return of some famous alumni. That year garnered Katharine McPhee, Chris Daughtry and winner Taylor Hicks.
Carrie, who won when Paula and Randy were judges, is looking forward to the nostalgia [of them being back].
“I look forward to the nostalgia,” she said. “I’ve kept in touch with Randy over the years He’s helped us out. She’s just so plugged into the music world so whenever we needed different things. I bounced ideas off of him. They’ve been in the business for so long, so they have a lot of wisdom to impact onto our Top 5.”
Get the most American Idol news in our American Idol category page, for show recaps, contestant interviews, judges comments and more.
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