After a grueling Hollywood Week, the final 51 are narrowed down to 24
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After a grueling process, were down to 51 farewellAmerican Idolcontenders.
The night before, each contestant performed in a (presumablythe longest) concert.
Credit: Michael Becker/Fox
Stephany Negrete, who kicked off last nights show, also started off final judgments.
For her performance, she took on Girl On Fire.
The judges move her forward.
For the concert, she chose Barracuda, clearly feeling a connection to Heart.
She points to God…or someone in the rafters.
Did you know thatMichelle Mariesleeps in the kitchen with her sister?
I SWEAR I DIDNT, and now I feel like an awful person for rooting against her.
At a minimum, she deserves a top 24 spot on that performance alone.
I did not think that my inauguralIdoljudgment tears would come at Michelle Maries downfall.
She chooses Like Im Gonna Lose You as her final choice, which is way risky.
For me, its not enough to move forward, even if she did have an incredible first-round audition.
MacKenzie Bourgis the first guy of the night to get his verdict.
Well see how he fares with his final performance.
He woos me all the teen girls with Cant Help Falling in Love.
Mark my words MacKenzie will be a force.
A quirky, unique force.
And then theresTrent Harmonwho completely dominated the final round of Hollywood Week with a killer performance of Tiny Dancer.
Next up areJenna Renae, James VIII, Kory Wheeler,andAdam Lasher.
Big wins across the board.
But the big cuts havent even started.
Heres the thing I dont even know what shes doing.
Jeneve is NOT everyones cup of tea.
She might not even be tea.
Shes like off-the-grid special syrup.
CJ Johnsonfollows Jeneve with a performance of Parachute.
She performs New York State of Mind, in a crushed purple-velvet MASTERPIECE.
The combo of her raspy voice and fiddle playing gives me chills.
She moves on to the top 24, like the red-headed ninja she is.
And then theresLee Jean,who is like a tiny little Ed Sheeran.
Jennifer didnotfind it charming though and chides him on his move, calling him immature.
But its not enough to knock him out of the running.
He moves on to the top 24.
The jury is still out on his BFF Sara though.
She just wants to be herself.
No one ever became famous for being normal.
Ask Kim K about it.
He goes for the unexpected again and chooses Its Gonna Be Me.
I am 100 percent here for it.
Harry calls him out for being inconsistent, but apparently in a good way?
Im thinking its because he chooses things like Phantom of the Opera and turns up looking likeDanny Phantomsometimes.
Hes a super talented guy, but at this stage, isnt everyone a super talented guy?
With absolutely no desire to gyrate,Thomas Stringfellowis worried about the top 24.
But hes more worried about his recent break up.
He dedicates Story of My Life to anyone who has had a heartbreak.
Its a little screechy, but in that trendy way that Millennials love.
He doesnt need to worry about heartbreak because skinny guys with giant scarves areinright now.
The judges agree, and he moves forward.
Sonika Vaidcomes up next.
Sonika has a great voice, but shes quickly becoming the big-ballad girl.
I want to see Sonika take off and do something unexpected.
She has only had a full voice for about a third of Hollywood Week.
Olivia Roxcomes up next with Love Somebody.
Maybe Ivecompletelyforgotten Olivia Rox, but she doesnt sound anything like what I remember.
I still feel like shes still trying a bit too hard to be what the judges want.
I just want her to be herself and not overcompensate so much.
Emily Brookefollows Olivia Rox.
For her final performance, she goes after Carrie Underwoods So Small, but it doesnt sound like Carrie.
It sounds like Emily, and thats a big compliment.
Emily made it to this round last year before being eliminated.
She makes it through to the final 24.
You know who didnt make it to the top 24?
But its not the same fate for Brenda K. Starrs daughter,Gianna Isabella.
She decides to take on her moms song, I Still Believe for her final performance.
reckon it’s Gianna took too much direction from her mom.
Rickey Minor wasnothaving it, so he shuts Brenda K. down.
The judges put her through, and she ugly cries.
Brenda K. Starr has never been happier.
NEXT: LaPorsha vs. the world
The coolest weird girl,Jenn Blosil, faces judgment next.
Its a miracle that Jenn even made it to Final Judgment not because shes untalented.
Shes just…in her own little world.
And shes super unique, evidenced by her choice of The Hanging Tree for her final performance.
Its incredibly special, and the judges notice.
She makes it to the top 24.
Unlike Jenn,Christian Eason,Ariel Sprague,Kelsie Watts, andShevonne Philidordo not make it forward.
But then theresTristan McIntosh, who almost seems like shes been bred to winAmerican Idol.
Picking Faith Hills Stronger, she gives another powerful performance.
But were reunited with Tristan and her mom, and thats when we learn thatof courseshe made it through.
And then there were four:Jordan Man Bun Sasser,LaPorsha Renae,Kacye Haynes, andLindita.
The performance is strong but doesnt win Keith over.
Kacye goes for Hold On, Were Going Home.
Its a tricky song to sing because its not really a singers song.
Kacye pushes through it anyway, but theres still only one spot left for a guy.
Unfortunately for Kacye, that spot is not for him.
Its for Man Bun Sasser.
LaPorsha and Lindita are next.
LaPorsha is that powerhouse who crushed Creep during her audition.
Lindita lost 150 pounds for her audition.
Its a tough showdown, especially when you hear their final performances.
Lindita does a really fun take on Bang Bang.
And its that kind of attitude that gets you in the top 24.
Lindita goes home while LaPorsha moves forward.
She whispers to Lindita, You keep singin.
And I dont even know why I cant stop crying.
