American Idol Top 26 Contestants Perform in Hawaii for Public Voting
On April 16 and 17, 2023, the American Idol Top 26 contestants took their turns on stage to perform at the Disney Aulani Resort & Spa in Hawaii. Split into two groups, with 13 contestants performing on each night, Allen Stone and Noah Cyrus appeared as celebrity mentors for Night 1 and Night 2, respectively. The judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan presided over the show for public voting after the performances.
Allen Stone Mentors Top 13 Contestants on Night One
Stone, a singer-songwriter whose musical foundation formed in church as the son of a pastor, mentored the first set of 13 contestants on the opening night. Famous for his breakthrough hit in 2011 with “Unaware” and other hits like “Consider Me,” “Brown Eyed Lover,” and “Sunny Days,” Stone’s presence was highly anticipated on the show. His music has been featured on shows like “American Idol” and “The Voice” several times in the past.
Fans Vote for Their Favorite Contestants
After each performance, fans could vote for their favorite singers through ABC.com, American Idol app or SMS text. The top 20 contestants would eventually be revealed on an upcoming episode that followed public voting.
Recap of American Idol Top 26 Performances at Disney Aulani Resort
The show opened with a comedic opening that featured Ryan Seacrest playing with dolls. Each contestant received personalized mentoring from Allen Stone before their performance. The unique aspect of these performances was that contestants had their family members present during the performance, making it a reunion-like atmosphere.
After each performance, judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan gave their feedback and comments on the contestants’ songs, delivery, and overall performance.
Paige Anne Confirmed to Make Top 26
Paige Anne was initially rumored to have been eliminated from the competition. However, after a contestant mysteriously left the competition, Anne’s place in the Top 26 directory was confirmed.
Hawaiian Native Iam Makes Semi-finals
In a historic milestone, Iam became the first Hawaiian native to make it to the semifinals in the ABC era of American Idol.
In conclusion, the performances by Top 26 American Idol contestants at the Disney Aulani Resort in Hawaii proved to be a memorable event for everyone involved. With Allen Stone as one of the celebrity mentors, contestants and judges alike had an unforgettable experience that brought out some of their best performances yet. The public had their chance to vote for their favorites, and we look forward to seeing who made it through to the Top 20.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
