American Idol featured the remaining hopefuls performing solos for Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan in Hollywood Week for a chance in the Top 40 during Monday night's Season 18 performance show on ABC.

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American Idol's hopefuls took the stage one by one in Orpheum Theater in the Solo Round. Each contestant was able to perform with the Idol band and hoped to make a big impression.

The judges advised against using original songs, however, because those songs aren't always ready.

The show kicked off with Kimmy Gabriela, a 17-year-old high school student from Lakeland, FL, singing "I'm Here" by Fantasia Barrino from The Color Purple musical.

"Listen, I want to figure out who she is as an artist," Katy told Luke and Lionel after Gabriela's performance. "But she's Top 10."

"Oh yeah," the guys agreed simultaneously.

Genavieve Linkowski, a 20-year-old social media influencer from Goodrich, MI -- who got cut from American Idol in 2018 after the Solo Round -- performed "In My Blood" by Shawn Mendes.

Katy stood up for Genavieve, and the judge said she loved watching the young singer grow in real time.

Jovin Webb, a 29-year-old musician from Gonzeles, LA, took the stage with "Parachute" by Chris Stapleton.

Perrin York, a 22-year-old restaurant singer from Denver, CO, belted out "Good as Hell" by Lizzo.

Katy called her performance "really good," but Luke acknowledged her sound choice was "risky."

After Faith Becnel, a 20-year-old server from Destrehan, LA, sang her heart out, Jeb Vonderbruegge sang "Rocket Man" by Elton John.

Arthur Gunn, a 21-year-old musician from Wichita, KS, sang "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" by Creedence Clearwater Revival with an all-new arrangement and received a standing ovation from all four judges. Arthur even brought Lionel to tears.

Robert Taylor, a 27-year-old door-to-door salesman from Donaldsonville, LA, performed an original song, and the judges agreed it was "the wrong song" choice and "it did not work."

Amelia, a 23-year-old musician from Phoenix, AZ, also didn't win the judges over with her original song about running away.

Julia Gargano, a 21-year-old college student from Staten Island, NY, didn't even remember the title of her original song when she first stepped on the stage, and Katy admittedly wasn't wowed. Lionel said it was "the wrong choice" for her as well.

As for Jimmy Levy, a 21-year-old musician from Miami, FL, Katy found his original piece "disappointing."

But Lauren Mascitti, a 27-year-old registered nurse from Nashville, TN, nailed it with "God Made a Woman." Her original song was about the beauty and unique qualities of a woman, and it was written for her beloved grandmother.

All three judges gave Lauren a standing ovation, and Lionel yelled, "Wow!"

Sophia Wackerman, a 20-year-old college student from Long Beach, CA, belted out "Somewhere" from West Side Story and earned herself a standing ovation from all three judges, and her friend Sarah Isen, a 20-year-old college student from Berkeley, CA, sang "Light On" by Maggie Rogers.

Kat Luna, a 19-year-old college student from Miami, FL, performed "Always Remember Us This Way" by Lady Gaga.

Franklin Boone, a 27-year-old music teacher from Durham, NC, took the stage with "Take Me to the River" by Al Green.

Just Sam, a 20-year-old subway singer from Harlem, NY, immediately impressed with "I'm Here" by Jennifer Hudson and had the judges on their feet a third into the song. Luke called her "special."

Marcus Tinsley, a 28-year-old chalk artist from Phoenix, AZ, unfortunately forgot the words to his song and gave up, and Lionel appeared very disappointed. Sheniel Maisonet, a 23-year-old musician from Miami, FL, also apparently fell flat by singing off key.

Talin Everett, a 20-year-old college student from Cedar Hills, UT, was also shown cracking under the press and delivering a pitchy performance.

"Did he take the wrong vitamin pills or did something happen?" Lionel asked.

And Nick Merico, a 23-year-old server from Woodland Hill, CA, struggled through his performance as well.

"Everybody is falling apart," Katy whispered to Luke.

In addition, Ari Saage, a 19-year-old student and waitress from Plainfield, IL, executed some pitchy, questionable notes in her song that raised eyebrows.

After a string of poor performances, Katy advised the contestants to be themselves and stop trying to hit notes they've never hit before. She essentially wanted the hopefuls to calm down.

Right before Makayala Brownlee, a 17-year-old high school student from Wellington, KS, was about to sing "Rainbow" by Kacey Musgraves, she awkwardly wandered off the stage and dropped.

Makayla was tended to by a medical team, and a medic was shown suggesting the contestant had low blood sugar. She apparently suffers from a rare heart condition that causes her to react to stress differently from other people and may cause a seizure.

Makayla took a break to get better, and so Camryn Leigh Smith, a 16-year-old high school student from Acworth, GA, took the stage next with "Always Remember Us This Way" and turned things around for the better.

After Devon Alexander, a 23-year-old used car salesman from Sonora, CA, wowed the judges, Lauren Spencer-Smith, a 16-year-old high school student from Vancouver Island, Canada, also shined with "The Joke" by Brandy Carlile.

Makayla then returned to the stage and performed her song, and Katy was brought to tears.

Following a solid performance by Dillon James, a 26-year-old construction worker from Bakersfield, CA, Louis Knight, a 19-year-old pizza delivery guy from Philadelphia, PA, also delivered with "Hold Me While You Wait" by Lewis Capaldi.

Cyniah Elise, a 17-year-old high school student from Atlanta, GA, performed "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" by Whitney Houston, as did Geena, a 27-year-old musician from Los Angeles, CA, and Yzthasinger, a 19-year-old shipping administrator from St. Louis, MO.

Olivia Ximines, a 17-year-old high school student from Menifee, CA, sang "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" as well.

Makayla Phillips, a 17-year-old high school student from Temecula, CA, performed "Cuz I Love You" by Lizzo. Katy called it "the worst song she's picked" but noted she's "not out of the race."

Jonny West, a 23-year-old piano teacher from Murietta, CA, and girlfriend Margie Mays, a 26-year-old music teacher from Wilmington, DE, both executed great performances.

Luke told Katy and Lionel that Margie was growing as a performer, but none of them seemed particularly impressed.

Once the Solo Round wrapped, the judges acknowledged they had plenty of talent but had to deliberate and make their selections.

"People who we thought had the homerun came in today and just dropped the ball completely," Lionel revealed.

Lionel said they had "superstars" in the group but it was going to be "a battle" going forward for them.

All of the contestants then separated into three rooms, and they all awaited the judges' verdict.

Among those waiting their fate in Room 1 were Jonny West, Arthur Gunn, Sophia Wackerman, Franklin Boone, Makayla Phillips, Kimmy Gabriela, Francisco Martin, Cyniah Elise, DeWayne Crocker, and Lauren Mascitti.

The judges announced Room 1 had made the cut and survived Hollywood Week.

Room 2 included Margie Mays, Jimmy Levy, Kat Lopez, Sarah Isen, Madison Paige, and Ari Saage.

This was the end of the road, however, for Room 2.

And fearing the worst in Room 3 were Shannon Gibbons, Louis Knight, Jeb Vonderbruegge, Jovin Webb, Nick Merico, and Just Sam.

Katy pointed out to Room 3 American Idol has the toughest competition ever this season, but they still made it through!

All the contestants were then told they'd be flying to a Disney resort in Hawaii for the next stage of the Season 18 competition.

The upcoming Sunday night broadcast will feature the contestants performing in a showcase on the beach in front of a live audience before facing "Final Judgment."
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

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