American Idol has announced home viewers voted Grace Leer into the Top 20 and performance shows will begin next week with contestants performing from their homes as the judges watch from their own amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
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During Sunday night's broadcast of American Idol's 18th season, host Ryan Seacrest revealed from his home's living room whether America had voted Grace, a 28-year-old in technology sales from Nashville, TN, or Lauren Mascitti, a 28-year-old RN from Nashville, TN, into the Top 20 following the Showcase and Final Judgment rounds that aired on ABC last week.
American Idol judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie couldn't decide on which country singer to advance to the next round after Grace sang "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" by Aretha Franklin and Lauren took the stage in Hawaii with "Two More Bottles Of Wine" by Emmylou Harris.
The judges therefore put Grace and Lauren's fate into America's hands.
"Their future was in your hands, America, and I have the results of your vote right here in my hand," Ryan announced during the broadcast. "They've been anxiously awaiting this moment."
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Ryan then videochatted with Grace from what appeared to be her family's living room in California and Lauren from her living room in Nashville. Both women have been self-isolating as coronavirus continues to spread, and they were nervous to hear the results.
"I've never done anything like this before, so I'm nervous as well," Ryan admitted.
"Lets's get to it. Good luck to both of you. You are both incredible and outstanding performers. America has voted and here we go. The person who will continue on and take that last place in the Top 20 is..."
Grace and Lauren were quickly shown saying, "I love you," to each other, and then Ryan announced Grace had received more home-viewer votes and will therefore sing for home viewer votes as a member of the Top 20.
"Grace, congratulations!" Ryan said.
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Lauren also congratulated Grace on making the cut, and Grace's mother ran out on-camera to give her daughter a hug.
"Lauren, thank you for being a part of this show. You have been fantastic to get to know," Ryan said. "We will definitely miss you. Please take care of yourself."
Grace was in tears and repeated how she loved Lauren and would make their country-music fans proud.
Ryan then formally announced how American Idol's format is going to work going forward since strict quarantine regulations are in place across the nation.
"To those who did vote, next Sunday, get ready to do it all again as our Top 20 perform for your votes. We are determined to stay on the air from home in the safest possible way," Ryan announced.
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"So we're going to be coming to you from 25 different locations all across the country, and we even have a person in Canada!"
As Ryan spoke, footage flashed on-screen of the Top 20 contestants performing on rooftops, in living rooms, in home studios and more.
"We'll be tapping into the homes of our Top 20 as well as our judges -- Katy, Luke and Lionel. This is a must-see, first-time Idol event you do not want to miss," Ryan concluded.
American Idol's Top 20 performance show is set to air on Sunday, April 26 on ABC.
Below is the list of American Idol's Top 20 contestants for Season 18:
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- Faith Becnel, a 20-year-old server from Destrehan, LA
- Franklin Boone, a 27-year-old music teacher from Durham, NC
- DeWayne Crocker Jr., a 23-year-old worship leader from Pensacola, FL
- Cyniah Elise, an 18-year-old high school student from Atlanta, GA
- Kimmy Gabriela, a 17-year-old high school student from Lakeland, FL
- Julia Gargano, a 21-year-old college student from Staten Island, NY
- Arthur Gunn, a 21-year-old musician from Wichita, KS
- Dillon James, a 26-year-old construction worker from Bakersfield, CA
- Aliana Jester, a 19-year-old server from Tampa, FL
- Louis Knight, a 19-year-old pizza delivery guy from Philadelphia, PA
- Grace Leer, a 28-year-old in technology sales from Nashville, TN
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- Francisco Martin, a 19-year-old college student from San Francisco, CA
- Nick Merico, a 24-year-old server from Woodland Hills, CA
- Makayla Phillips, a 17-year-old high school student from Temecula, CA
- Just Sam, a 21-year-old subway singer from Harlem, NY
- Lauren Spencer-Smith, a 16-year-old high school student from Vancouver Island, Canada
- Sophia Wackerman, a 20-year-old college student from Long Beach, CA
- Jovin Webb, a 29-year-old musician from Gonzales, LA
- Jonny West, a 23-year-old piano teacher from Murietta, CA
- Olivia Ximines, a 17-year-old high school student from Menifee, CA