21x11 - 610 (Top 26 at Disney's Aulani Resort in Hawaii Part #1)

[bunniefuu]

- Tonight get ready for
the most dramatic night

of your lives as the
first half of our top 26

wage w*r in a battle royale...

- Hey, Ryan?

- for your votes.

- Ryan?

Ryan, can you just
bring it down a skosh?

Trying to relax.

- Buckle up.

The island of Oahu
will never be the same.

The contestants
pour out their souls

all in front of a live
audience and our three judges,

who are mean and won't
let anyone have any fun.

- You better watch yourself
with that smart aleck

business, mister.

- And the judges whine and say,

"Oh, we have to relax.

"We're so tired.

"Nobody can make any
noise around us.

"Our job is so hard.

"Yeah, we don't have to do
anything anymore,

"because America's voting.

Oh, yeah."

- Ryan Jon Seacrest,
that is enough.

- "But then we still
have to say some... yeah,

because we like to talk and"...

- I told you we should
have hired a babysitter.

- He's had too much sugar.

We got to dial back
the Mickey shaved ice.

- And then the very talented,
amazing,

and tall Ryan Seacrest
comes out and says,

"From Aulani,
a Disney resort and spa,

this is "American Idol."

And the crowd... oh!

- ♪ I got my head
out the sunroof ♪

♪ I'm blasting
our favorite tunes ♪

- Good evening,
and welcome to "American Idol."

Thank you all.

Now, over the next two
nights, for their first time

this season, your top 26
perform for your votes

right here from our stage
at Aulani,

a Disney resort
and spa in Ko Olina, Hawaii.

Nonstop music is on its way,
but first show some big-time

love to our judges.

Ladies and gentlemen,
Luke Bryan,

Lionel Richie, and Katy Perry.

Looking very relaxed.
Good to see you guys.

This season, the talent
was so spectacular,

the judges decided to make
it extra fun for you at home.

So instead of a top 24,
you're voting on your top 26.

Tonight, you'll hear from the
first group of 13 finalists,

and tomorrow, the second
half get their shot.

Here is tonight's lineup.

Each one of them's singing
a song of their choice.

And to help take
their performances

to the next level,
we've got superstar

mentor and Grammy-nominated
artist Allen Stone.

- Here, here we go.

Eyes over here, please.
Perfect.

Right there.
Here we go.

- Does this look cute?
- Oh, cool.

Perfect.
Day one photo.

Are you guys ready for this?
Get together.

Here we go.
- Look here.

Look here.

- Oh, my God.

- Allen Stone.

What the heck?

Oh, my gosh.
I have no words.

I love Allen Stone so much.

- It's so good to meet all you.
I'm happy to be here.

I'm excited.

I'm here to see you
succeed and to see you win

and to see you realize your
dreams here at Aulani resort,

so if you have questions for
me, please, don't be afraid.

This is Uncle Al.

- It's so great to
have Allen Stone

back here on the "Idol" stage.

The contestants were in awe,
and he's

really made an impact with
each and every one of them.

He also has a very
special performance coming up

later on in the show.

Now kicking off
the music tonight

with some Bonnie Tyler,
it's Washington

native Elise Kristine.

Here we go.

- We're in Hawaii!

Oh, my gosh, we're in Hawaii.

It's gorgeous, it's beautiful,
it's everything

that you could ever dream.

I'm beyond stoked.
Hello.

- Pleasure to see you.
I'm good.

How are you?
- I'm good.

How are you?
- I'm great.

Excited to hear you sing.
- Thank you.

- Tell me the song you're doing.

- I'm doing
"Holding Out For A Hero."

- Oh!
- Yeah.

- By Bonnie Tyler.
- Mm-hmm.

- Sweet.

- ♪ Where have all
the good men gone ♪

♪ And where are all the gods ♪

- Your voice is awesome...

- Thank you!

- but it feels like there
could be some movement.

- Definitely.
I'm so stiff right now.

I don't know why.

I really need to, like...
- It's all right.

- Get into it.
- It's Uncle Al.

It's Uncle Al.
- Yeah.

I was definitely a little
nervous, but he's really sweet,

and he's really kind,
and he kind of

helped me feel a little
more comfortable,

which I'm super appreciative of.

- With a song like this,
you can't stand put.

You have to bring some
movement into it, but it has

to be calculated, it has
to be connected and rooted

in the song, and you have to
have fun with it.

♪ Be strong, and he's got to ♪

Like, be really choosy
with the movement.

- OK.

- And that might be a hard
emotion to express, right?

Because nerves can get in the
way, fear can get in the way.

You can use a little bit
even more of the stage too.

You kind of cut off,
like, a quarter of it.

Don't feel afraid to
go all the way over.

- OK.

- I'm really hoping that
she can ground herself

in the joy of performance.

And if she does,
then she's unstoppable.

Yes!

Come on, Elise!

♪ Where have all
the good men gone ♪

♪ And where are all the gods ♪

♪ Where's the
streetwise Hercules ♪

♪ To fight the rising odds ♪

♪ Isn't there a white
knight upon a fiery steed ♪

♪ Late at night,
I toss and I turn ♪

♪ And I dream of what I need ♪

♪ I need a hero ♪

♪ I'm holding out for a hero
till the end of the night ♪

♪ He's gotta be strong,
and he's gotta be fast ♪

♪ And he's gotta be
fresh from the fight ♪

♪ I need a hero ♪

♪ I'm holding out for a hero
till the morning light ♪

♪ He's gotta be sure,
and it's gotta be soon ♪

♪ And he's gotta be
larger than life ♪

♪ I need a hero ♪

♪ Up where the mountains
meet the heavens above ♪

♪ Out where the lightning
splits the sea ♪

♪ I can swear
there was someone ♪

♪ Somewhere watching me ♪

♪ Through the wind and
the chill and the rain ♪

♪ The storm and the flood ♪

♪ I can feel his approach ♪

♪ Like a fire in my blood ♪

♪ I need a hero ♪

♪ I need ♪

♪ A hero ♪

- Wow.

- Elise Kristine, everybody!

Way to set the tone tonight.
- Whoo.

Thank you.

- Let's go to the judges,
see what they thought.

Lionel?

- Well, that's the
way to start the show.

- Whoo!
Thank you.

- I mean, honestly.

- Thank you.

- To hang on to that
song with that band

playing the way they were
playing, you k*lled them.

You k*lled them.
- Thank you, Lionel.

Thank you.
- Way to go, bud.

- Uh, I didn't smell one
ounce of fear on you.

- I was so excited.
Oh, my gosh.

- I know.
We can feel that.

And that's what performers are.

They are fearless,
and you've got fangs,

and that was a fang-full song.

- Thank you.

- It was a real performance,
and you looked comfortable.

When we're up here comfortable
and smiling and being

a part of the experience...

- And having surprise face.
- Right.

We're like, oh.

We didn't know
she could do that.

So, great job.

- Thank you.
Thank you.

Thank you.

- Let's hear it
for Elise Kristine.

Thank you very much.
- Thank you.

If you love her,
you can vote for her right

now till 6:00 a. m. eastern
tomorrow online via the app

or by texting.

Remember,
it's a limit of 10 votes

per contestant per method.

- Oh, my god, bud.

You smashed it!

- Oh, thank you!

- You smashed it.
- Oh, my gosh.

Thank you.
- How'd you feel?

- Oh, exhilarating...
- Yeah?

- and freedom, and,
like, I'm shaking.

You k*lled it.

- I don't think that's
Bonnie Tyler song anymore.

That's yours.

- Whoo!

- All right,
more music right now.

He's chosen a song by
one of his musical heroes

and now is mentored by another.

Here's Oliver Steele's
time with Allen Stone.

- Oliver... he comes
in playing my song.

How are you, man?

- I'm going to kiss you.

Allen Stone is just
one of the most

soulful singers on the planet.

♪ You say that you care ♪

- There's no one else out there
like him that sounds like him

right now that does it
the way that he does.

He's one of my heroes.

♪ Stretch it any farther now ♪

♪ Ooh ♪

- To feel like what I'm
doing is impacting a younger

generation,
that's, like, the greatest

feeling that there is.

You are a real special talent.

That's... that's really awesome.

- That means a lot, man.

I mean... I'm sorry,
I'm still geeking out,

like, you talking to me.

- I'm singing
"Better Together" by Jack

Johnson in his native state.

♪ We're better together ♪

- Lean into that
movement a little bit,

that grind a little bit
more on that first chorus.

Create a space for people
to forget about the rest

of the world, right?

Pull the audience in
and allow them

to leave their worries, right?

- Being here is just a reminder

that anything is possible

when you work hard and you allow

yourself to explore
things that maybe

might scare you a little bit.

My goal is to just go out
there and be who I am on stage

and do what I do, and
hopefully I'll win people over.

♪ There's no combination
of words I could put ♪

♪ On the back of a postcard ♪

♪ And no song
that I could sing ♪

♪ But I can try
for your heart ♪

♪ Our dreams, they are
made out of real things ♪

♪ Like a shoebox of photographs
with sepia-toned loving ♪

♪ Love is the answer,
at least for most ♪

♪ Of the questions
in my heart ♪

♪ Like, why are we here,
and where do we go ♪

♪ And how come it's so hard ♪

♪ It's not always easy ♪

♪ And sometimes life
can be deceiving ♪

♪ But I'll tell you
one thing, it's always ♪

♪ Better when we're together ♪

♪ Yeah it's always better
when we're together ♪

♪ Yeah, just look at the
stars when we're together ♪

♪ Yeah it's always better
when we're together ♪

♪ Yeah it's always better
when we're together ♪

♪ There's not enough time ♪

♪ And no song I could sing ♪

♪ And no combination
of words I could say ♪

♪ But I will still
tell you one thing ♪

♪ We're better together ♪

♪ Whoa, yeah ♪

- Ohh. Ohh.

- ♪ Whoa, yeah ♪

♪ Look at the stars ♪

♪ We're better together

Thank you, Hawaii.

Thank you, Jack.

- That just put you
in the right mood

here in Hawaii, right?
- All right!

- All right,
let's go to the judges.

Katy, what'd you think?

- Well, Jack Johnson
is a Hawaiian favorite...

- He is.

- so way to know your audience.

I really particularly loved
when you brought it down

and it was just your voice,
and it

was the grit of your
voice standing on its own,

which it totally can.

And way to pick a cool
song that isn't just

going to, like,
bash you over the head

but really have the
whole audience kind of

lean in to who you are
as an artist.

- Thank you, Katy.

- It felt like you were
your own artist, like,

even walking out
playing the guitar,

letting the band
follow with you.

It was just
an awesome performance,

and your outfit feels like
we ought to be at the beach.

- Well, you know what?

Katy told me in Hollywood,
she said to me,

it's time to stop looking
up and start looking out,

because you are your own hero,

so I thought,
what better way to do that than

by honoring one of my heroes?

- What you showed us tonight was

your vocal identity,
just your voice,

the quality, your confidence...

Congratulations,
because the most important part

about vocals is that
you want to set yourself

apart from everybody else...

You accomplished that tonight.

- Thank you so much, Lionel.

- Oliver, America.

Let's hear it for him!

Thank you.

- Now is the time to vote.

You can vote
for him if you want him

to stay right here on "Idol."

The vote is open
and will stay open until

6:00 a. m. eastern tomorrow.

- How'd you feel?

- Oh, I felt amazing.
- Feel good?

- Yeah.

- Felt joy?

- I felt so happy, man.

That's, like, probably the
happiest I've felt ever.

- I think you did the
song such justice, man.

Jack would have been proud.

- Oh, man.
- I love you, buddy.

- I love you too, man.

- We are just getting started
here with tons more music

coming your way, like a Dan
and Shay cover by Matt Wilson.

He might leave you
actually speechless

right after this
on "American Idol."

We'll be right back.

- Back with you here
on "American Idol,"

a gorgeous evening
for a concert on the beach,

and to sweeten the deal,
you at home

have all the power
as you vote to keep

your favorites in the game.

Maybe yours is this
daycare teacher

from Buffalo, New York,
with a song that's

very close to his heart.

It's Matt Wilson.

- Matt!

- Hey, man.

- My guy, how are you?

- It's good to see you, man.
I'm great.

How are you, man?

- I am fantastic.

I mean, look where we're...
Come on.

- I know, dude.
This view is insane.

- Can we get a... can we get
a tight on Mother Nature?

- Oh, yeah.
- Can we?

- So what song you gonna do?

- I'm singing "Speechless"
by Dan and Shay.

- Very cool.

- I chose it really because it
reminds me of my wedding day,

the best day of my life.

I just envision
my wife walking down

the aisle every single time
I'm singing the lyrics,

so like, it was
an obvious choice for me.

- Hi!

- Hi, Melisa.

- Hi. Nice to meet you.

- Pleasure to meet you.

Would you sing it
to her right now?

- I would love to.

♪ You say you'll
be down in five ♪

♪ The smell of your perfume ♪

- You're tearing up?

I'm tearing up.

I didn't have hardly
any notes for Matt.

I mean, as long as
he can focus on who

he's singing it towards.

In that space... it's his wife...

I think he's going to do great.

Let the audience know
and experience

what that song means
to the both of you,

because that's so powerful, man.

Thanks for sharing that.

That was like... gah!

I'm gonna call my wife, OK?

- ♪ You say you'll
be down in five ♪

♪ The smell of your perfume ♪

♪ Is floating down the stairs ♪

♪ You're fixing up
your hair like you do ♪

♪ It's always on
a night like tonight ♪

♪ I thank God you
could read my mind ♪

- Whoo!

♪ 'Cause when you look
at me with those eyes ♪

♪ I'm speechless ♪

♪ Staring at you standing
there in that dress ♪

♪ What it's doing to
me ain't a secret ♪

♪ 'cause watching you
is all that I can do ♪

♪ And I'm speechless ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ It's always on a
night like tonight ♪

♪ I thank God you
could read my mind ♪

♪ 'Cause when you look
at me with those eyes ♪

♪ I'm speechless ♪

♪ Standing there
in that dress ♪

♪ Girl, it ain't a secret ♪

♪ Watching you
is all that I can do ♪

♪ Oh, I'm speechless ♪

♪ You already know that
you're my weakness, yeah ♪

♪ After all this time,
I'm just as nervous ♪

♪ Every time you
walk into the room ♪

♪ Baby, yeah, whoa ♪

♪ Oh, I'm speechless ♪

- Whoa!

He got them!
He got them!

- Work it.
- So sweet!

- Thank you.
- We love watching love.

Here, Melisa, come around here.
Come on...

- Yes, come up.

- around the stage for a second

while we go to the judges.

We want to bring you up here.

Luke Bryan, what'd you think?

- Good job making your girl...

- The center of attention.

- You can't go wrong
singing to your love, right?

But you've always been
one of my favorite singers

in this competition,
but tonight, man, you got,

like, this whole look
thing going on too.

And we know your wife
Melisa is a big reason why

you are even in front of us.

- Absolutely.

- So Melisa, thank you for
supporting him so much.

He's just a true talent.

Thank you.

- Thank you.

- You know,
I keep forgetting just

how silky that voice can be.

The other half of the equation
is, are you an entertainer?

Can you hold a crowd like this
for the rest of your career?

And my answer
is definitely a yes.

- Thank you so much.

- First of all, I thought you
were just singing to a fan.

I was like, that girl's going
to fall so in love with you!

Cut to she's your wife.

- It's so great to see your
journey because when we first

met you in your bucket hat
with your shoulders down,

little to no confidence.

- Now your shoulders
are back, you are just

working the stage,
you are singing with no effort,

and it is just...

It's making
the whole room light up.

It's so beautiful to see.

That was so gorgeous.

- Thank you so much, Katy.

- I'm watching happily
married couples

watch you probably wondering
what you were thinking

while he was singing to you.

So to all the couples, what
was going through your mind?

- I'm just so incredibly
proud of this man.

It took so much
for him to get up here,

and I'm just so proud
that he didn't get up...

Give up on his dreams.

- And it looks like you
belong here on this stage.

You can vote for
him right now online

or via the "American Idol" app.

Remember, three
singers from tonight

will be going home unless
you save them with your vote,

so keep those votes coming.

Matt and Melisa, everybody.

- Thank you, guys.

- Thank you very much.

Thanks, Melisa.

Good to see you guys.

On the other side, Kaeyra
reimagines an En Vogue hit

plus PJAE goes
golden on the "Idol" stage

at Aulani Resort.

We'll be right back
here on "American Idol."

- Thanks for choosing
"Idol" tonight.

Keep those votes coming
in for who you want to see

in your top 20 next week.

Our next finalist brought her
biggest fan to share in all

the fun here at Aulani resort.

Here is Kaeyra.

- I'm here with my mom.

Me and my mom are very
close, but we don't live

in the same state,
so reconnecting

in this beautiful
place has been amazing.

- Thank you that we
are here together.

- I know.

- I love you.

- I love you.

- I wouldn't have
made it to the top 26

without my mom's support.

She's done so much, so I
just want to make her proud,

and I think
this performance is...

Yeah, I think she's
going to love it.

- Tell me what song
you're singing.

- I'm doing
"Don't Let Go" by En Vogue.

- Oh!

Yo!

That's going to slap.

- ♪ Don't let go ♪

- Whoo!

- ♪ You have the right to ♪

- My favorite song choice
of all of the contestants.

That tune is
one of my favorites.

- ♪ Go ♪

- Yeah!

You just sang all the notes.

There's no more notes left.

I think I would only change,
like, a moment where you

can come off the mic stand.

- Yes.

I feel like I haven't fully
shown my stage presence yet,

because for half of the rounds,

I was playing an instrument,
and then the other songs

was I was behind a mic stand.

So I was always like
behind something,

and now I, like,
just want to let

loose and take on the stage.

- You belong here.

You are meant to own this stage.

- Thank you.

♪ I often tell
myself that we can ♪

♪ Be more than just friends ♪

♪ I know you think
that if we move too soon ♪

♪ It'll all end ♪

♪ I live in misery
when you're not around ♪

♪ And I won't be satisfied
till we're taking those vows ♪

♪ There'll be some love making,
heartbreaking, soul shaking ♪

♪ Oh, love making,
heartbreaking, soul shaking ♪

♪ What's it gonna be
'cause I can't pretend ♪

♪ Don't you wanna be
more than friends ♪

♪ Hold me tight
and don't let go ♪

♪ Don't let go ♪

♪ You have the right
to lose control ♪

♪ Don't let go, no ♪

♪ Running in
and out my life ♪

- Wow!

- ♪ Has got me so confused ♪

♪ You gotta make
the sacrifice ♪

- ♪ What's it gonna be ♪

- I can't pretend, hey, uh ♪

♪ Don't you wanna be
more than friends, yeah ♪

♪ Hold me tight
and don't let go ♪

♪ Don't let go now ♪

♪ You have the right
to lose control ♪

♪ Don't let ♪

♪ Go ♪

- How'd it feel to be in
front of the audience?

- Oh, my god, so amazing!
Hi, guys.

- Great energy here
on the beach tonight.

- You guys all look beautiful.

- Judges, what did you
think of Kaeyra, Lionel?

Kick it off.

- First of all,
I love your voice.

- Thank you.
- And the fact that you just

settled in
and enjoyed the ride of it,

you took your voice
and owned that song.

- Thank you so much, Lionel.

- Loved, loved.

- Uh, that song choice and
the way that you delivered it

gave me frozen stank face.

I was like, yeah, girl.

Get it.
- Thank you.

- I mean,
you're the whole package.

You sound like a star,
you look like a star,

you move like a star,
you dress like a star...

You are a star, in my opinion.
- Check, check, check.

- And I just hope that America,
since it's America's vote...

- Yes.

- is falling in love
with you as much as we are.

- Thank you.

Thank you.

- You present yourself
like a legitimate star,

and it's so nice
being a spectator now

and to allow America
to decide because they always

get it right, and I think
they're going to get

it right with you, certainly.

So, a great performance.

- Thank you.

- Thank you, and good luck.

Thank you.

If you don't want to let her
go, you have got to vote.

Use all three ways if you
can... online, via the app,

or by texting.

As always, text and
data rates may apply.

- You were amazing.

- Thank you.

- It doesn't...
I mean, it's not really

that fair because that's, like,
my favorite song ever, so...

- Really? Yeah, you told me.
You told me.

- I danced to that
song at my wedding.

Yeah, you sang... you
sang your butt off, Kaeyra.

- Thank you.
- That was amazing.

- Thank you.
- Congratulations.

- Thank you.
- I'm so proud of you, bud.

- Keeping the set list going,
the last time you saw him,

he was singing for his life.

Tonight, he's living that
life like it's golden.

Here's PJAE's time
with Allen Stone.

- Tell me about your journey.

- I was actually
raised in the basement

of a Baptist gospel church.

- Wow.
- Yeah, gospel music.

That's all I heard.
- You got an education.

- That's where my heart
is, in, like, soul music.

- What song are
you going to sing?

- I'm doing "Golden"
by Jill Scott.

- PJAE, oh, my goodness.

- ♪ I'm taking my freedom ♪

♪ Taking it off the shelf ♪

- I chose this song because
it means a lot to me.

This song is about
reclaiming your freedom.

I was 400 pounds...

- No.
- And...

- What?

- it was just terrible.

Music was, like,
my saving grace,

and now I'm here 150
pounds lighter, and...

- Wow!

- I think that is a huge part
of my journey here on "Idol."

- Yes, my god,
you have a beautiful voice.

- Thank you. Thank you.

- What if before the
band comes into the song,

you give America something?

♪ Ahh ♪

Then into the song.

With PJAE giving it to them
right at the beginning,

that's going to be
really fun to see.

I'm excited to see
how he pulls that off

in the final performance.

- ♪ Ahh ♪

- You belong up here.

You're an unbelievable
singer and performer.

And just own it.

- ♪ Ahh-ahh-ahh ♪

♪ I'm taking my freedom ♪

♪ Pulling it off the shelf ♪

♪ Putting it on my chain ♪

♪ Wear it around my neck ♪

♪ I'm taking my freedom ♪

♪ Putting it in my car ♪

♪ Wherever I choose to go ♪

♪ It will take me far ♪

♪ I'm living my life
like it's golden ♪

- ♪ Living my life
like it's golden ♪

- ♪ Living my life
like it's golden ♪

- ♪ Living my life
like it's golden ♪

- ♪ Living my life like
it's golden, golden ♪

♪ Holding on to my freedom ♪

♪ Can't take it from me ♪

♪ I was born into it ♪

♪ It comes naturally ♪

♪ I'm ♪

- ♪ Living my life
like it's golden ♪

- ♪ Living my life ♪

♪ Living my life, hey, hoo ♪

- ♪ Living my life
like it's golden ♪

- ♪ Living my life ♪

♪ Golden, two, three, come on ♪

♪ I'm taking my own freedom ♪

♪ Putting it in my song ♪

♪ Singing loud and strong ♪

♪ Grooving all day long, yeah ♪

♪ Oh, living my life ♪

♪ Living my life ♪

♪ Like it's important,
like my life matters ♪

♪ Like it's special, this is ♪

♪ Living my, living my ♪

♪ Golden ♪

Thank you.

- PJAE!

Whoo-hoo!

Get it!

How'd that... How'd it
feel to run through that?

- It's electric up here.
It's insane.

- Yes, insanity.

- It definitely feels golden.

- Yes.

- P-Slay!
- P-Slay!

- P-Slay! P-Slay!

- Great song choice.

I mean, by the end,
you were, like, preaching,

and you were like, I matter...

It was like, a whole bit.

I loved it.

And you know, I wanted
a few more of those PJAE

runs that you do, those little
kind of twists and turns

that no one else can do,
but I think you needed

to do this song tonight
to prove that you are golden,

which you are.

- Thank you. Thank you.

- Yeah, I really loved that
transition in the back half.

That kind of even made
me feel like the PJAE

that we know out of you.

And the front half,
I was like, ooh,

I haven't seen this side of him.

But great performance.

Totally comfortable on stage.

- Thank you.
- Great job.

You should be very proud.
- Thank you.

- You know, I'm getting
to the point now

where I'm glad the voting
is out of our hands...

- Because every one of
you are coming out now

with a different
twist on who you are.

That was some pro movement
you just did there.

I mean, you were
absolutely in charge

of every part of that vocal.

America, you got to vote.

- Thank you.

Yes, vote.

- Good job, PJAE.

Let's hear it
for PJAE, everybody.

- Thank you, guys.

- Thank you, buddy.

You can vote for him and all
your favorites right now.

You're voting on who you'd
like to see in your top 20,

so break open that app or go
online and make sure you vote.

- P-Slay, dude.

P-Slay.

- OK, wait a minute.

Did I actually just, like,
open up for Allen Stone there?

- You did technically, yeah.
- Wait!

- Yeah.

And probably I'll be
opening up for you soon.

- Oh, my...

- Coming up after the break,
superstar Allen Stone

pays tribute to his idol.

It is Bob Marley.

Plus, it's showtime
time for Amory,

Mississippi's, Zachariah Smith.

More "American Idol" on the way.

We'll be right back.

- Welcome back
to "American Idol."

The lucky 13 that get
to perform tonight

had the surprise
of a lifetime when

they found out who
would be their celebrity

mentor this week.

We're honored
he's here to show them

what it takes to be an idol.

Performing his incredible
cover of Bob Marley's

"Is This Love,"
give it up for Allen Stone.

♪ I wanna love you ♪

♪ And just love
and treat you right ♪

♪ I wanna love you ♪

♪ Every day and every night ♪

♪ We'll be together ♪

- Wow.

- ♪ With a roof over our head ♪

♪ We'll share the shelter, oh ♪

- That's what pro sounds like.

- ♪ Of my single bed ♪

♪ And is this love,
is this love, is this love ♪

♪ Is this love
that I'm feeling ♪

♪ Let me hear you sing it
if it feels like love ♪

♪ Is this love,
is this love, is this love ♪

♪ Is this love
that I'm feeling ♪

♪ Oh, I ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Oh, man, I ♪

♪ I am willing
and I'm able, yeah, yeah ♪

♪ So will I ♪

♪ Lay my cards on your table,
yeah yeah ♪

♪ And is this love,
is this love, is this love ♪

♪ Is this love
that we're feeling ♪

♪ And is this love ♪

- ♪ Love ♪

♪ Love ♪

- ♪ Love that I am feeling ♪

♪ Oh, is this love ♪

♪ Is this love ♪

♪ Is this love ♪

- Yeah!

- ♪ Love that I'm ♪

♪ Feeling ♪

- Budda, budda, budda.
- Budda, budda, budda.

- ♪ I think it is, yeah ♪

- Thank you so much!

I love you!
- Thank you.

- Well done.

Allen Stone, everybody.

That's how you do it.

Bringing people
closer together...

- Oh, nothing like a love song.

- That certainly is.

The contestants,
they just... they

love singing your songs too.

What does that
mean to you to see

that these up-and-comers are
connecting with your lyrics

and your songs?

- It's super flattering.

It's a little...

I'm fearful because most of them

can sing circles
around me, but...

- Have no fear.

You're going to be all right.

And you've got a great
song out, "Magic."

- I do.
- Congratulations.

New song.

Make sure you
check out "Magic."

- Thank you so much.

- Touring with
Chris Stapleton this summer.

- I am, yes.

- And doing Red Rocks
with Gary Clark Jr. May 13th,

so lots going on.

Thank you for your generosity
with our contestants.

- Thank you, guys.
Thank you, Hawaii.

- It's great to see you.

- Thank you so much.

- Allen Stone, everybody!

All right.
See you later.

Thanks, buddy.

Great job.

Now next, he's taking a
break from the burger joint

to take the "Idol" stage
instead.

It is Zachariah Smith.

- Zachariah,
what's going on, man?

- How are you brotherhood?
- Good to see you.

- How you been?
- I've been good.

It's Hawaii.
- Yeah.

Life is great in Hawaii.

- I see you dressed
for the occasion.

Oh, my gosh.

To be in Hawaii
and to be in the top 26,

it truly is a dream come true.

- What song are you going to do?

- "Lucille" by Little Richard.

- "Lucille"?
Why are you doing this song?

What's the choice?

- Yeah.

So my Mamaw's name is Lucille.

My relationship with her
is unlike any other.

She's so, so loving.

She's basically lived
in Kentucky or Indiana,

but one of her favorite
places is Hawaii.

She's always wanted
to come to Hawaii.

- Oh.

- I honestly just wanted to
dedicate this song to her,

because I just want to pay back
the love that she's given me

all my life, you know?

She's always been there for me.

- Can we get Lucille
on the phone and she

can watch you do this thing?

- Yeah.

- Hello?

- Hi, Lucille, I'm Allen Stone.

- Hi.

- Your grandson is a legend
in the making, oh, my gosh.

I can't wait for you
to see this performance.

This is dedicated
to you, Lucille.

- ♪ Lucille, you won't
do your sister's will ♪

- Zachariah... what did
you guys pump him full of?

Like, where did
he come from, man?

- ♪ I love you still ♪

- His stage presence,
his vocal ability...

- ♪ I still love you, baby ♪

- at 19?

- ♪ Hoo-ooh-ooh ♪

- He's got everything
that you need to take home

the prize in this competition.

- Grandma, what do you think?

- You're sweet.

I love you too.

♪ Lucille, you won't
do your sister's will ♪

♪ Lucille, you won't
do your sister's will ♪

♪ You ran off and married,
but I love you still ♪

♪ Lucille, please come
back where you belong ♪

♪ Lu, Lu, Lucille,

♪ Please come back
where you belong ♪

♪ I been good to you, baby, so
you better not leave me alone,

♪ Whoo ♪

♪ I woke up this morning,
Lucille was not in sight ♪

♪ I asked up all
my friends about her ♪

♪ But all their lips
were tight ♪

♪ Lucille, please, come back
where you belong, hey, baby ♪

♪ I been good to you, baby, so
you better not leave me alone ♪

♪ Whoo ♪

♪ Come back,
come back, come back ♪

♪ Come back where you belong ♪

♪ Come on, sing it ♪

♪ Come back, come back, baby ♪

♪ I said come back
where you belong ♪

♪ Lucille, baby, come on now,
please, don't leave me alone ♪

♪ Let's go to church ♪

♪ Woke up this morning,
Lucille was not in sight ♪

♪ Woke up this morning,
Lucille was not in sight ♪

♪ Whoo,
woke up this morning ♪

♪ Woke up this morning ♪

♪ Cille ♪

♪ I said Lucille
was not in sight ♪

♪ I said Lucille
gave me a fright ♪

♪ I still love ya baby ♪

♪ Ooh ♪

Thank you, Hawaii!

- Zachariah!

I saw you in rehearsal,

I did not see those
moves in rehearsal.

- Save it for the show, right?

- You definitely
saved it for the show.

It is clearly
contagious, isn't it?

Judges, let's go
to Luke Bryan to start.

- You're crazy, by the way.
You're crazy.

- Thank you, Luke.

- And stars are crazy.

That's what makes them stars.

I mean... right?

But I can't take my eyes
off of you, and it's so fun.

Every time you run out on stage,

I'm like, what is
he... he's crazy.

There's no telling
what he's about to do.

He's crazy.

- You're crazy!

Let me tell you.

He's out of his mind.

That was what we call show
business, and you k*lled it.

Business! Business!

- Thank you so much, Lionel.
Thank you.

I love you, man.
Thank you.

- Show business!

- Uh, Zachariah, you are crazy...

Talented.

- Yeah.

- God bless you.

- You just educated
the kids on Little Richard.

Listen you guys, this kid,

before he came
to "American Idol,"

he was flipping burgers.

- Thank you.

- Like, a few days ago.

- Yeah, actually.

A few days ago, yeah, yeah.

- But you are such a
star, and I hope everyone

in your hometown and
your family have accepted

that Zachariah is not
flipping burgers anymore,

he's flipping the stage, OK?

- Thank you so much.

- He doesn't smell... does
he smell like grease, Ryan?

Does he...

- No, he smells like stardom.

I recognized the
aroma from you guys.

Was that choreographed?

I'm just so curious... or was
that just like freestyle, bro?

- You know, the thing is, Ryan,

I can't do the same thing twice.

I tried just as hard,
but it just doesn't...

It just comes to me.

- Like, this man up front
has not danced in 10 years

and you had him moving up front.

- Well, that's good.
I'm glad he had a great time.

- I saw his wife
looking like, he's back.

♪ I'm bad to the bone ♪

- Zachariah Smith, everybody.

- Thank you, guys.

I love you!

Thanks, Ryan.

- If he is your number
one, don't wait.

Vote for him right now

online, via the app,
or by texting.

Remember, this is
an overnight vote

and it closes at 6:00 a. m.
Eastern tomorrow.

- There was so much
energy on the stage.

Your grandmother
would be elated.

- More music from your
finalists on the way.

Next, South Carolina's Mariah
Faith on some platinum

Chris Stapleton, and then later,

Lucy Love chases her destiny
with a Tina Turner classic.

It's all right here
from Hawaii on "American Idol."

We'll be right back.

- Welcome back to "Idol."

You are voting
tonight and tomorrow night

on who you want to see compete

in your top 20 next week.

Hoping she will be
there is Conway,

South Carolina's, Mariah Faith.

Here's how she connected
with Allen Stone.

- Oh, my gosh.

I grew up loving Disney.

Disney was, like,
our whole life.

You guys look amazing.

- So, it's been so
overwhelming to be here

and to be able to experience all

the Disney magic
with my family and sharing

it with my little sister.

Aloha!

- Marina and I, we have
a super-tight relationship.

If I'm at the piano
playing and singing,

she's got to be playing
and singing too.

She definitely always says she
wants to sing like her sister

when she grows up.

- I love it, love it, love it!

- So I think that's
great motivation

for me to want to do better.

- Tell me about the song
you're going to sing.

- I'm singing
"You Should Probably Leave"

by Chris Stapleton.

- That is amazing.

- ♪ I know it ain't
all that late ♪

- I almost feel like if you
sing it down a little bit more

in the first verse...

- Right.

- because your
voice is so special.

- Ohh, thank you.

- I want to draw them in with
it, and then push them away.

- OK.

- ♪ You should probably leave ♪

You know?
- Period. You should...

- Mariah,
what an amazing spirit.

She has, like, a swag to
her that is truly special,

and I hope that it translates
to the American audience.

Yes!

- Thank you.

- ♪ I know it ain't
all that late ♪

♪ You should probably leave ♪

♪ I recognize
that look in your eyes ♪

♪ You should probably leave ♪

♪ 'Cause I know you
and you know me ♪

♪ We both know where
this is gonna lead ♪

♪ You want me to say
that I want you to stay ♪

♪ So you should
probably leave ♪

- Yeah!
Come on, Mariah.

- ♪ Yeah, you should
probably leave ♪

♪ Like a devil on
my shoulder you've been ♪

♪ Whispering in my ear ♪

♪ And it's getting
kinda hard for me ♪

♪ To do the right thing here ♪

♪ I wanna do
the right thing, baby ♪

♪ I know you, you know me ♪

♪ We both know where
this is gonna lead ♪

♪ I want you to stay,
but you'll probably say ♪

♪ You should probably leave ♪

♪ Yeah, you should
probably leave ♪

Thank you so much.

- Yes, dude, yes.

- That's my girl!

- Mariah.
- Whoo-hoo!

Hello.
- Nice job.

- Thank you.

- Let's start with the
judges, and Lionel?

- You have rasp in your voice.

That rasp is your signature
to your success story.

- Yes, sir.

- Everyone needs that
one vibe that makes

you work for the public, and my
dear, you have your signature.

Use it wisely
and enjoy the ride.

- Thank you, Lionel.

Thank you so much.

- Yeah, you've got that
true grit about you, girl.

- Thank you, girl.

- Next time we get to hear you,
which I hope we really do...

America... I want
to hear even more

milking of that Mariah tone.

I think your voice has its own
section in this competition,

and I think that's
how you can win.

- Thank you so much.

Oh, my gosh.

- You love country, and that's
what you always lean to.

But then you've got this
bluesy, soulful, raspy thing,

so just make sure you're always
really complementing that

and, obviously, picking
artists like Chris Stapleton,

and really,
really show the world what

your version and your
artistry of country music's

going to be.

- Yes, sir.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

- Mariah Faith, everybody.

- Thank you.

Thank you so much.
- Thank you very much.

Thank you.

- Make sure you vote
for all your favorites

if you want to see them
perform again next week.

or via the app.

Text voting is also
available to subscribers

of all carriers.

Now, when we come back,
Emma Busse

takes on one of music's biggest
voices with a Sam Smith hit

right here on "American Idol."

We'll be right back.

- Welcome back to "American
Idol" from our special

two-night residency
here at Aulani,

a Disney resort and spa.

In preparation for
their big performances,

the contestants have
carved in some time

for some fun in the sun
here in Ko Olina, Hawaii.

Take a look at it.

Aloha!

- Wow, this is amazing.

- Being at Disney's Aulani
Resort, it's fantastic.

- It's just like the
total island experience.

It's, like, an honor to be here.

- It's kind of
a dream come true.

- It's been so much fun.

It's beautiful.

- Hawaii is about the family.
It's about the people.

- ♪ And when it's
time to find home ♪

- Enjoy every bit of it.

Just take a deep breath.

You all will do well.

- Yes!

- OK.

- Always a blast here
at Aulani Resort.

Now, she's dropped the Broadway
in exchange for Sam Smith.

Here's how Allen Stone
helped out Emma Busse.

- Allen Stone, he's incredible.

And you could tell
he's just, like,

bleeding with experience.

- What song are
you going to sing?

- I'm going to sing
"Lay Me Down" by Sam Smith.

Nice!

♪ Can I lay ♪

♪ By your side ♪

- With a song like
"Lay Me Down," less is more.

Not too much movement
until that first chorus.

Gentle until the end, right?
- Yeah.

- And then maybe put it into
that third gear a little bit.

- The song has always had a
special place in my heart.

The first time I sang
the song I was 16.

I was super nervous to do it,

and I felt like it wasn't
a good performance

when I did it.

So I want to bring it back
as a personal growth thing

to see how far
I've come from that point.

- Whoo!

- Me and my family visited
Aulani when I was super young,

and I was in awe of it.

I was like, oh, my god.

And so being on the Aulani
stage and performing,

it's, like, so surreal.

I never would have thought
I would be in this position

that I'm in right now.

- Oh, my god.

- It's very much a dream.

- It's amazing.
You're k*lling it.

- Thank you.

♪ Yes, I do, I believe ♪

♪ That one day I will be
where I was right there ♪

♪ Right next to you ♪

♪ But it's hard,
the days get so dark ♪

♪ The moon and the stars
are nothing without you ♪

♪ Told me not to cry ♪

♪ When you were gone ♪

♪ But the feeling's
overwhelming ♪

♪ It's much too strong ♪

♪ Can I lay ♪

♪ By your side ♪

♪ Next to you ♪

♪ I don't want to be here

♪ If I can't be with you ♪

♪ Tonight ♪

♪ Lay me by ♪

♪ Your side ♪

♪ I lay by ♪

♪ Your side ♪

♪ Next to you ♪

- Ah, what was that?

Where is that?

- ♪ You ♪

♪ You ♪

- Emma Busse, everybody.

- Emma Bust Through, yay!

I'm never satisfied,
because I always want more.

Like, you know how
some people just

see the regular
colors of the rainbow

and they sing the
regular colors?

You're the one
that like sings all

those hidden colors between
the colors of the rainbow.

Like, those notes that
we don't even know exist,

but you bring them
out and then you...

You, like, just put
them in a different way.

You are a pro.

- Thank you so much, Katy.

- Whoo!

Luke, you were making some
faces during that performance.

- Was I?
- Yes.

- Oh, gosh.

That'll be a meme.

You have the ability to just
let the song speak through you

and you just let it out.

There was even, like,
one note that you sang out

of the side of your mouth
that I was like, dang,

you're pulling notes.

And I know early
on we were talking

about some Broadway
stuff with you,

but that's just not
an issue anymore.

You feel like you're finding who

you are as an artist, 100%.

- Thank you so much, Luke.

- Honestly, I was sitting,
listening to you,

trying to imagine how did
you pull that phrase off

with human vocal chords?

I mean, honestly,
it's magical because you don't

hear while you're singing.

We go, oh, oh, oh, oh.

- How'd you pull that note
and this note and go boom?

- How did you put
those two together

and then made a run out of it?

All I can say to you
is you're very special.

Enjoy this ride.

- Oh, my God.

Thank you so much, Lionel.

- Emma, everybody!

- Thank you so much!

- You can vote for Emma and
all your favorites if you want

to see them in your top 20.

on how you can do just that.

Now coming up after this break,
an unexpected performance

from South Carolina's
Warren Peay.

Will it earn your vote?

We'll find out right after
this on "American Idol."

- It is finally voting
season here on "American Idol,"

and it's only the
beginning for you at home.

Tomorrow night, the second
group of 13 finalists

perform for your votes,
guided by none

other than Grammy nominee and
platinum artist, Noah Cyrus.

Tune in and vote all over again.

Now, he's hoping you'll share
the love with him right now.

It's 24-year-old appliance
repairman, Warren Peay.

- Warren!

Hey, how's it going, man?
- How are you, brother?

- Good to meet you.
- Good to meet you.

Thank you so much for coming.
- Come on. Have a seat.

Absolutely, man.

Thank you for having me.

- What song you doing?

- So for this round,
I'm going to be singing

"Set Fire To The Rain" by Adele.

- Sick! OK.

God, I'm really excited to
see how you interpret that one.

- ♪ But I set fire ♪

- With this performance,
I truly hope

that America will be able
to see a slightly different

side of me, you know?

Someone who's not afraid to
step out in different genres.

- Yes!

Oh, OK, I got some ideas.

You ready?

- Absolutely.

- So you do the full
song like Warren Peay,

and then when that
pre-chorus comes in,

it softens a little bit.

Just pull the hat off.

Pull it... hold it
right over your heart.

And then...

♪ I set fire ♪

Chuck it.

The hat throw,
it can really signal

a transformation for him.

But he's got to not be
precious with that hat.

Warren, just chuck it.

Just chuck it.

- ♪ But I set fire ♪

- You better throw
that hat, bud.

♪ I set fire ♪

- ♪ But I set ♪

- ♪ Fire ♪
- ♪ Fire ♪

- Throw it!

Throw it.

Huck it.

- This hat's kind of
sentimental to me.

I've worn it every
performance so far.

It's kind of been
my good luck charm.

- Try it one more time.

Yeah?

- ♪ Let it fall, my heart ♪

♪ And as it fell,
you rose to claim it ♪

- ♪ It was dark, I was over ♪

♪ Until you kissed
my lips and you saved me ♪

♪ My hands, they're strong ♪

♪ But my knees
were far too weak ♪

♪ To stand in your arms ♪

♪ Without falling
to your feet ♪

♪ There's a side to you ♪

♪ That I never knew,
never knew ♪

♪ All the things you said ♪

♪ They were never true,
never true ♪

♪ And the games you play ♪

- Come on, Warren.

- ♪ You would always win,
always win ♪

♪ But I set fire to the rain ♪

♪ Watched it pour
as I touched your face ♪

- The hat, baby, the hat.

- ♪ Well,
it burned while I cried ♪

♪ 'Cause I heard it
screaming out your name ♪

♪ Your name ♪

♪ I set fire ♪

♪ To the rain ♪

♪ Something fell,
something died ♪

♪ 'Cause I knew that
that was the last time ♪

♪ Last time ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Whoa ♪

♪ Let it burn ♪

♪ Let it burn ♪

- Yeah, bud!

- That's it.
That's it.

- Yeah, yeah, that's it.

No.

- Now, you and Allen
were rehearsing

how to throw the hat, but
you didn't throw your hat.

- I decided not to
throw the hat this time.

I like yours, by the way.
That was awesome.

- Well, you know,
get rid of this.

What was the... what was the
right way to throw the hat?

- Throw that one, Warren!

- What'd he say?

How'd he say how to do it?

Oh.
- Yeah!

- All right, judges.

What'd you think of that?

Let's start with Luke.

- Well, I can't believe you
compromised your hair, Ryan.

- I can't hear a word
you're saying because it's

all I'm thinking about.

- But Warren, the best
thing about this competition

is when a contestant
comes out and does a song

that we didn't see coming.

I mean, everybody was not
seeing Adele about to happen

when you walked down.

But that's a part
of this game to do

things that people
aren't expecting,

and you did a great job.

- Thank you so much, Luke.

Thank you.

- Your voice is very,
very strong,

but just understand
this... give us

even more of that switch up.

Don't ever make it where
we're expecting anything

except something different.
- Yes, sir.

Thank you.
Thank you.

- I was actually
looking on the page,

and I saw Warren and Adele,
and I was like,

the math is not mathing here.

And then you started
singing and I was like, OK,

this is starting to vibe.

I really appreciate the
make-it-your-own moment.

For me, you're like our
Chris Stapleton guy.

You have that guitar.

So to see, like,
another angle of you is great.

And I understand why you didn't
throw your hat because you

spent lots of years
aging that hat,

and you just can't throw
something like that away.

- Can't throw it away.

- Well, the real reason
that I did not throw my hat

tonight is it's sort
of my good luck charm,

because there's
a picture of my girlfriend

and I in here from the audition.

And I just did not
feel right throwing it.

- No way.
- Don't thrown that hat away.

- It's like my little
good luck charm.

- ♪ Sun comes up
and goes back down ♪

- You just secured that
relationship for a long time.

Well done, my friend.
- I sure hope so.

- Thank you very much,
and good luck to you.

Let's hear it for
Warren Peay, everybody.

- Thanks a lot.

- You can max out those votes
for Warren online via the app

or by texting.

Don't forget it's 10 votes
per contestant per method.

Use them up on your favorites.

- Can I see the photo
of the... can I see it?

- Absolutely.

This is what was so special.

- There's a little
pocket in here?

- There's a little pocket.

I could not bear
to part with the hat.

- Now, hoping to impress
with her range once again,

here's Charlotte's
Nailyah Serenity.

- So what song are you singing?

- So I'm singing "Lovin'
You" by Minnie Riperton.

Yeah.

- Oh, my god.

- Yeah.

- That is such
an incredible song.

- ♪ Lovin' you is more
than just a dream ♪

- I chose that song
because I want to pay

homage to Minnie Riperton.

She put whistle tones
on the map.

- ♪ Ahh-ahh-ahh-ahh-ahh-ahh ♪

- Wow, what a talent.

What a voice.

Did your guys' lenses crack?

- Oh, my goodness.

- She goes higher than Minnie
does in the actual tune,

which is insane.

I don't know how she does it.

I'm trying to figure out
the physics

of being able to reach the
rafters of her vocal ability.

- The song that I chose
is super risky,

because it's pass or fail.

Everyone knows the song,
everyone knows

what note they're looking for,
so I have to make sure

that I do my best and nail it.

- Are you nervous
about hitting the note?

- Yes.

I am nervous about it.

- I have a song that there's
a note in every night

I have to play it.

So before the day of
the show, get a run in,

get a jog in, because your
voice is a muscle group, right?

And you've got to make sure
that your voice shows up.

She's really taking a huge risk

going for notes like that.

Those are not easy to hit
under the pressure of lights

and cameras and judges.

I really hope that she nails it.

- ♪ Lovin' you is easy ♪

♪ 'Cause you're beautiful ♪

♪ Makin' love with you ♪

♪ Is all I want to do ♪

♪ Lovin' you is more ♪

♪ Than just a dream come true ♪

♪ And everything that I do ♪

♪ Is out of lovin' you ♪

♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪

♪ La, la ♪

♪ La, la, la, la, la la la la ♪

♪ Do dee do ♪

♪ Ahh-ahh-ahh-ahh-ahh-ahh ♪

- Hello, Aulani.

♪ No one else
can make me feel ♪

♪ The colors you bring ♪

♪ Stay with me as we grow old ♪

♪ We will live each day
in the springtime ♪

♪ Lovin' you is easy
'cause you're beautiful ♪

- Come on, yeah.

- ♪ Do dee do ♪

♪ Do, ah ♪

♪ Da, da, da, da, da, da ♪

♪ Da, da, ah ♪

- Gosh!

- ♪ Ahh-ahh-ahh-ahh-ahh-ahh ♪

♪ Ahh-ahhh ♪

Thank you.
- She hit it.

Yes!

Yes!

- That was cool.

- Thank you.

- What was... what was that?

What was that?

OK, so, I had the
pleasure of knowing Minnie

when she first put that out.

It is impossible
to improve on that song

without going to the next level.

You went to the next level.

- Thank you so much.

Thank you.

- Your voice is Martian-like,
and I'm being very honest.

You have vocal cords; I want
to see it under a microscope

to see what's going on.

Honestly, that was amazing.

Amazing.
- Thank you so much.

Thank you.
Thank you.

- All right, does that
note exist on a piano?

- That is like an Olympic
voice, and it's so effortless.

You come on stage, you own
it, you have such a vibe,

there's no fear.

You're a super pro.

I agree with Lionel.

You are extraterrestrial.

- Thank you, Katy.

Thank you.

- Yeah, I think everybody
will be listening to the ocean

tonight because you knocked
all the windows out of...

- My brother.

- You have stardust
all over you.

Love everything that you give us

every time we see you perform.
- Every time.

- Thank you.
Thank y'all so much.

Thank y'all.

- So those high notes, are they
second nature for you, or...

- Well, honestly,
my mom discovered it,

because I was cleaning
the litter box one day,

and I was screaming
at the top of my lungs,

just being annoying, I thought,

and she was like,
"What are you doing?"

- You're going to be a star!

- Right, literally.

- So to the kids visiting,
do your chores, all right?

'Cause that's what she's
trying to say.

- Yeah, that's
the moral of the story.

- Nailyah, thank you very much.
And good luck to you.

- Thank you so much.
Thank y'all.

Thank you.

- If you're loving Nailyah,
head to

She wants to make
the top 20 next week,

but the power
is in your hands, America.

- Nailyah, oh, my god.

No.

- We're not worthy.

- No way.

- We're not worthy.
- Oh, my goodness.

- You hit it!

- I know.

- Oh, my god.

- Now after this,
Haven Madison hopes

to make the most
of her big moment,

and then later, Iam Tongi
is back home and ready

to prove why he should be
the first "American Idol"

winner from Hawaii.

More "Idol" right after this.

Stay with us.

- Welcome back to paradise
here at the Aulani Resort.

We hope you're having fun voting

for your favorites at home.

We know it is not
easy to choose.

And next up,
audition standout and Tennessee

teen Haven Madison.

Here's Haven.

- Being in the top 26 is insane.

It feels like it's a dream.

I grew up with a musician dad,
so I grew up on a tour bus,

and it's so freaking awesome
because it's my turn,

you know what I mean?

- I'd say traveling for you,
for your music is a little

more fun than traveling...

- It's a little more
glamorous, yeah, yeah, yeah.

It feels like this
was meant to happen,

like all of his experiences
were meant to feed into mine.

Our family motto is,
we didn't come to talk

about things we almost did.

You can't not paddleboard,
because then you

have to talk about how
you almost paddleboard.

So much fun.

My abs are on fire.

This is the most, like, once
in a lifetime experience ever.

- Haven!
- Hi!

How are you?

- Hi, how are you?

- Right now I'm torn
between two songs.

I have "Traitor"
by Olivia Rodrigo.

♪ You betrayed me ♪

"Traitor" is like this
heartbroken ballad,

like a song I would write.

And then I have "Middle"
by Zedd and Maren Morris.

- OK.
- Yeah.

- Can I hear it?
- Yeah, absolutely.

♪ Oh, baby ♪

"The Middle" is
something different.

♪ Why don't you just
meet me in the middle? ♪

It's high-energy, like, dance
song, and it's a side of me

that I really haven't showcased,

so I'm trying to figure it out.

- Thank you.

- I definitely
think you should do

the Maren Morris.
- OK. OK. That's reassuring.

- On a fast song, you typically
want to, like, speed it up...

- Uh-huh.

- But the power is going
to be in your voice,

so don't rush it.
- OK.

It's a little scary
doing "The Middle."

It could be a risk,
because it is so different.

- Haven!
Haven!

- I really hope I'm
making the right choice.

♪ Take a seat ♪

♪ Right over there,
sat on the stairs ♪

♪ Stay or leave ♪

♪ The cabinets of bare
and I'm unaware of ♪

♪ Just how we got into this
mess, got so aggressive ♪

♪ I know we meant
all good intentions ♪

♪ So pull me closer ♪

♪ Why don't you pull me close ♪

♪ Why don't you come on over ♪

♪ I can't just let you go ♪

♪ Oh, baby ♪

♪ Why don't you just
meet me in the middle ♪

♪ I'm losing
my mind just a little ♪

- What?
- Yeah, Haven.

- ♪ So why don't you just
meet me in the middle ♪

♪ In the middle ♪

♪ Take a step ♪

♪ Back for a minute,
into the kitchen ♪

♪ Floors are wet ♪

♪ And taps are still
running, dishes are broken ♪

♪ How did we get into this
mess, got so aggressive ♪

♪ I know we meant
all good intentions ♪

♪ So pull me closer ♪

♪ Why don't you pull me close ♪

♪ Why don't you come over ♪

♪ I can't just let you go ♪

♪ Oh, baby ♪

♪ Why don't you just
meet me in the middle ♪

♪ I'm losing my
mind just a little ♪

♪ So why don't you just
meet me in the middle ♪

♪ Whoa ♪

♪ Whoa, yeah ♪

♪ I'm losing my
mind just a little ♪

♪ So why don't
you just meet me ♪

♪ Why don't you just
meet me ♪

♪ In the middle ♪

Yeah.

Way to go, bud.

- Yeah.

- What's up?

Good job up there.

- Thank you.

- I saw your dad
Jason doing this.

- Oh, Jason, do your thing.

- So I guess that's a good sign.

Judges, what'd you think?

- Haven, how young are you?

- I'm 16 years old.

- Oh, my god.
- Yeah, yeah, yeah.

You've got such incredible style

and such incredible talent.

I think that sometimes you
are doing youthful things.

You have an incredible
youthful vibe about you.

I want you to hold on to that.

I just want more.

I want more Haven
notes and control,

and you're amazing nonetheless.

- Yeah.
- Thank you.

- I want you to really
embody youthfulness,

because that's what you are.

I mean, we've seen you at
the piano really polished,

really pro.

But then that song,
even you almost

started dancing and almost let
yourself free, and I was like,

oh, yeah, go.

Go more, more!

And then you brought it back
in and got real serious.

I would have loved
for you to just

turn this into a teeny bopper,

own the beach, Hawaii,
teen fest.

So don't forget that you
have that ace up your sleeve,

and it's OK to do it.

It's infectious.

But you did a great job.

- Thank you.

- Look who is growing up
right before our very eyes.

Well, let me introduce
you to something.

That's called the left
of the stage;

that's called the right
of the stage.

It's OK to go there.

- Yes, sir.

- It's OK to come down front.

It's OK to slap hands
with the audience.

It's OK to play.

Enjoy it.

That's what the stage is.
- Yeah.

- Thank you.

- Haven Madison, America.

Thank you very much
and good luck.

- Thank you.
Thank you so much.

- Vote for her right now if
you want to see her perform

in your top 20 next week.

It's 10 votes per contestant
per voting method,

and you have until 6:00 a. m.
Eastern time tomorrow

to lock those votes in.

Make them count.

- Thank you so much.
- Great job.

- Thank you.

- I heard all of those
notes from the judges

and I was like...

I put my fists up.
And I was like,

"You coming at my girl?
You coming at my girl?"

- After the break, find out what

Lucy Love's got to do with it.

- Whoo!
- Ahh.

- Lucy Love's up.

Anyway, we'll be right
back here on "American Idol."

Stay with us.

- Welcome back to the show
where the music never stops.

Keep sending in those votes
from across the nation.

We love it.

Next up, the single
mom from Arkansas.

She is determined to be
the next "American Idol."

Can she do it?

She's laying it all on the
line tonight with her take

on a Tina Turner anthem.

It is Lucy Love.

- I have never been
to Hawaii before.

I'm enjoying it.

Disney's taking care of us.

Oh, my god, Mickey!

Today I met Mickey;
I met Minnie.

So good to meet you.

To be performing on a stage
that huge for an audience

bigger than the population of
my town, it's just a blessing.

How are you?
- Hello, my dear.

- And a hug.

- Where are you from?

- I'm from Holly Grove,
Arkansas.

I got two babies.

I'm a single-parent mom.

- How old are your kids?

- My babies are 2 and 3,
boy and girl, Noah and Nia.

- Aw.
- Yes.

They both sing.

Like, my babies are
following in my steps.

- All right.
We're starting them early.

- You should hear her "Twinkle,
Twinkle, Little Star."

♪ Twinkle, twinkle,
little star ♪

- Yo, my daughter's
"Twinkle, Twinkle"...

- Ooh, your daughter's
"Twinkle, Twinkle"

ain't touching my daughter's
"Twinkle Twinkle."

I'm telling you
seriously, though.

Making it this far
into the competition,

I don't think I would
have accomplished

this without my babies.

I wouldn't have had
nothing to push for.

I love them.

And you know, they're my fuel.

- Tell me what
song you're doing.

- I'm doing Tina Turner "What's
Love Got To Do With It."

- Ooh!

- ♪ Whoa,
what's love got to do ♪

- God, I'm rooting for Lucy.

Whoo!

We both have children
at the same age,

and I know when you're
deeply connected to music

and providing for a
family at the same time,

there's a pressure
that comes from that,

and I hope she soars
in this competition.

Yes!

You have such a powerful,
incredible talent...

- Thank you.

- and it's such a thrill to get

to see you share your voice.
- Thank you.

I'll take this with me
for the rest of my life.

- Me too.
Thank you, Lucy.

- Thank you.
One more.

One more.
One more.

♪ You must understand from
the touch of your hand ♪

♪ Makes my pulse react ♪

♪ But it's only the thrill
of boy meeting girl ♪

♪ Opposites attract ♪

♪ It's physical ♪

- Wow.

♪ And only logical, yeah ♪

♪ You must try to ignore that
it means more than that ♪

♪ Whoa, what's love got
to do, got to do with it ♪

♪ What's love but a
second hand emotion ♪

♪ What's love got to do
with it, got to do with it ♪

- OK, Luce.

Nice.

- ♪ Who needs a heart when
a heart can be broken ♪

♪ Oh yeah ♪

♪ I've been thinking about
my protection, babe ♪

♪ It scares me to
feel this way ♪

♪ Whoa, what's love got
to do, got to do with it ♪

♪ What's love
but a second hand emotion ♪

I can't hear y'all.

♪ What's love got to do,
got to do with it ♪

♪ Who needs a heart
when a heart ♪

♪ Can be broken ♪

Make some noise.

- You should really try
and have some fun, OK?

- Yeah, I forgot.

- Luke, you're up.

- I need a chiropractor after
watching you do those moves.

- But what I love about you
is that nobody wants it more

than you, and that's
how you have to approach

success in this business.

Put a crowd in front of you,
you go wild, girl.

I loved it.
I loved it.

- Lucy, you leave it all out
on the floor every single time,

and you have such an
incredible approach vocally

to everything you sing.

It's got such a Lucy Love sauce.

I wish I could
bottle it and sell it

because it is your own stank.

You gave them that
electricity that you always

bring, so keep bringing it.

- I was on stage
with Tina Turner.

She's a dear friend of mine.

I have not seen anyone
jump from one level

to the next level in a
pair of high-heeled shoes.

Turn around.
Turn around.

OK, that's... OK,
that was cheating.

That's cheating.
No, that's cheating.

I thought she had heels on.

- You did?
These are...

- No, no.
- These are heely boots.

- Heely boots.
- Heely boots.

Enjoy the stage.

That's where you belong.

Really great.

Congratulations.

- Thank you.

- Lucy Love, everybody!

You can vote for Lucy right now
to give her that life-changing

shot at making your top 20.

You have until 6:00 a. m.
Eastern to lock them in.

- ♪ What's love got to do,
got to do with it? ♪

♪ What's love ♪

How'd you feel?

- I feel amazing, electric.

I think Tina had hopped on
me or in me or around me.

She was somewhere.

- She was nearby for sure.

- All right, friends.

One more performance,
and it's not to be missed.

Iam Tongi's dream of playing
on the "Idol" stage

comes true right after this.

- What a night it has been
with incredible performances

from your finalists
as we kicked off America's

first vote of the season.

We have one more for you,
and it's

a full-circle dream
come true moment

for Hawaii's own Iam Tongi.

- Iam!

Good to see you, bro.
- Good to see you.

Good to see you.
- How are you?

- I'm doing well.
- Yeah?

- Being back home
in the top 26 is exciting.

- Tell me about the tune.

- I'm singing
"Don't Let Go" by Spawnbreezie.

For me, growing up, this is
like a classic island song.

♪ Take my hand
and don't let go ♪

It reminds me
of big childhood memories

like walking around
the island barefoot,

you know, with my guitar.

My friends always stop like,
we stop, like, every, like,

two steps and just
start jamming out.

♪ Ohh ♪

- Whoo!

Your voice is just,
like, uncomparable, man.

- It's a little,
it's the little... yeah.

- The fact that he gets to
do this where he was raised,

not only like where he
learned how to play music

but where he found his joy for
music, I think is so special.

- I always dreamed
about coming to Aulani

performing at a big stage
in front of a lot of people.

This means a lot.

It's a lot of pressure.

Like, I can't mess up, you know?

I feel like I have to
make my island proud.

- Ladies and gentlemen,
the Hawaiian island

sensation himself, Iam Tongi.

- How y'all guys feeling, huh?

♪ Take my hand
and don't let go ♪

♪ I'm addicted to your loving ♪

- ♪ But if you should know ♪

♪ How my love goes ♪

♪ Baby, stay close ♪

♪ You won't ever have to cry ♪

♪ So wipe them tears
from your eyes ♪

- I just love it.

- ♪ As long as
you're by my side ♪

♪ You won't shed no tears ♪

♪ 'Cause everything
will be just fine ♪

♪ As long as you don't let go ♪

♪ Don't let go ♪

- Wow.

- ♪ Don't let go ♪

♪ Do, do, do ♪

♪ Everything will
be just fine ♪

♪ As long as you
stay by my side ♪

♪ Don't let go ♪

♪ Don't let go ♪

♪ Don't let go, whoa, whoa ♪

♪ Please, don't let go ♪

♪ Everything will be
just fine ♪

♪ As long as you
stay by my side ♪

♪ And don't let go

Yo, shout-out to.

Love you, guys.

Shout out for my cousins!

- Yes!

- You got a few friends
and family out there,

and new fans as well.

- Yeah!
- Welcome home.

- Welcome home, yeah.

It is welcome home.

- Well, let's get to the
judges, see what they thought.

Let's go, Lionel Richie.

- I think I had a
spiritual experience.

I've been coming
to Hawaii forever,

and to watch the reaction
of hometown folks

looking at their hometown hero...

it's just... I mean,
I'm telling you,

it's one of the greatest
things I've ever witnessed.

And congratulations,
you are our first contestant

from Hawaii to ever
make it to this point.

I'm so happy and proud of you.

It's really great to see this.

- You are authentic
through and through.

I mean,
your voice is like butter.

- Butter.
- Your voice is vacation.

You just put
everybody in the mood.

Like, Lionel puts
everyone in the mood,

you put everyone in the mood.

- You are representing
your state so well,

and we are so proud to
have you on the show.

- Absolutely.

- You are just such an
incredible contestant,

and we love you so much.

- Thank you so much, Katy.

- Nothing feels better to be
in a place where you could just

feel love, and that just...

I felt like so much love...

Somebody was over here
screaming like I've

never heard somebody scream.

- Whoo-hoo!

- You know, it's really
special to see the love and...

Like, man,
somewhere on this island,

there's a house you've probably
driven by and dreamed of.

Man, you need to drive by
that spot on this island,

because I think you
might be able to have

all those dreams that you drove
around this island dreaming

of one day.
- Thank you.

Thank you so much, Luke.

- So, I mean, we are curious...

What does it mean and what
does it feel like for you

to be here
in this full-circle moment?

- It's kind of crazy right now.

All my people came
out and support.

I say, I love all you guys.

- Love you!

- Thank you guys for coming out.

It really means a lot to me.

- That scream was from
another island, actually.

That was, um,
that was over there.

- Very good.

- Well, congratulations.

Thank you so much for
a great performance.

It was good to see you here.

- Thank you, guys.
- Iam Tongi, America.

If Iam won you over tonight,
you can vote for him

right now online, on the app,
or by texting.

It's a limit of 10 votes
per contestant per method.

You have until 6:00 a. m.
Eastern time tomorrow

to vote for all
of your favorites.

Here is a reminder of
the 13 talented singers

you are voting on tonight
and their phone numbers.

Take a good look.

Thank you to the amazing
Allen Stone tonight.

Chris Pulley and the band.

What a night of music.

Thank you to our judges.

And of course, to you at
home for watching and voting.

Tomorrow night, it's game
on for the remaining

13 finalists.

They're taking the stage to sing

for your votes
for the very first time

with some expert
guidance from pop

superstar, Noah Cyrus.

That's all going down 8:00,
7:00 central right here

from Disney's Aulani Resort.

Thank you all for coming.

Good night, America.