'American Idol' recap: Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon ousted as judges save Laci Kaye Booth and advance her to Top 5

American Idol featured Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon's elimination as well as judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan using their one "Save" of the season on Laci Kaye Booth during Sunday night's two-hour performance show on ABC.


After America voted Laine Hardy, Wade Cota, Alejandro Aranda, and Madison Vandenburg into the Top 4, the judges had to decide whether or not to save one of the bottom two votegetters -- Jeremiah and Laci Kaye -- from being ousted from the competition.

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This episode marked the last time the judges could take advantage of their one "Save" of the season, so they opted to use it in order to advance Laci Kaye.

Laci appeared in shock and disbelief when Katy announced the judging panel's decision with only seconds remaining of the broadcast. Katy even voiced prior to the announcement how she didn't know which artist to choose.


As a result, Jeremiah was sent packing and the Top 5 artists will perform again for home viewer votes next week.

American Idol's performance show on Sunday night featured the Top 6 contestants performing "showstoppers" as well as hits in celebration of the musical festival Woodstock, which began in 1969.

For the first round of competition, Madison, a 17-year-old high school student from Cohoes, NY, kicked off the show with a performance of "Piece of My Heart" by Janis Joplin in honor of Woodstock.

Katy said she's not a stereotypical pop star because she's able to play guitar and brought that out for her performance.

"You are really getting into the groove! I don't want you to be second. I want you to win this thing, so keep showing your teeth," Katy said.


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Luke noted the "sweet and timid little Madison" was rocking her guitar and commanding the stage. He loved to see that she was "digging in more and more each week."

And Lionel said Madison is not just a pretty face because her talent was "showing all over the place" and she showed some real "attitude."

Laine, an 18-year-old musician from Livingston, LA, took the stage with "I Don't Need No Doctor" by Joe Cocker.

Luke told Laine he continues to pick the right songs for him that complement what he's all about and his voice has "a lane" and a sweet spot to it.


Lionel said Laine's identity is strong and he's reached into the core of who he is.

As for Katy, she told the artist he's figured this chess game out and now is the time to scare himself and push himself out of his comfort zone a bit "into the stardom category."

Jeremiah, a 26-year-old music teacher from Catonsville, MD, sang "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" by Joan Baez.

Lionel joked about how Jeremiah had brought the house down and he was bringing "the bling and the swing." He called Jeremiah's vocals "amazing" and acknowledged he wasn't even sure what the top of his vocal range is.

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Katy yelled "Hallelujah" and gushed about how the church is still in him. She believes he was "chosen" for the entertainment industry.

Luke noted it was one of his most solid performances to date and he brought it to a whole other level -- including new "smooth and flawless" runs.

"You just knocked it out of the park," Luke told Jeremiah.

Laci Kaye, a 23-year-old college student from Livingston, TX, took the stage with "To Love Somebody" by Janis Joplin.

"You are touching the stars right now. Your voice is so spectacular," Katy told Laci. "I just think you are a full on superstar."


Katy predicted the competition was going to get tight and so she'd like to see more movement from Laci on the stage next time in order to win.

Luke was impressed by Laci's "cool" performance, saying she really dug in that time and her voice stood out. He said she commanded everyone's attention with her voice.

And Lionel explained Laci looked beautiful but should play up to the audience a little bit more. He promised her engaging with the crowd will get her a long way.

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Alejandro, a 24-year-old dishwasher from Pomona, CA, performed "White Rabbit" by Jefferson Airplane.

Luke said Alejandro "embodied the spirit of Woodstock" and he had a "rockstar EDM moment."


Lionel told Alejandro to play with the microphone stand more and "make love" to it, and then Katy pointed out Alejandro delivered "a fantastic performance" and he should "keep feeling" himself because it looks good on him.

Katy said Alejandro's heroes would be proud and it was his best vocal performance to date because he had really pushed himself.

Wade, a 27-year-old musician from Phoenix, AZ, sang "With a Little Help From My Friends" by Joe Cocker.

The judges went crazy over Wade's performance, and Lionel said it was as close to a '60s performance as one can get and he chose "the perfect song" and knocked it out of the park.

Katy admitted it was the best performance of the night thus far and Luke said he "elevated the game" and "spiritually moved the whole room."

For the second round of competition, the contestants were mentored by singer Lauren Daigle and asked to belt out showstopping vocals.


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Madison was up first with "I Surrender" by Celine Dion.

The judges were on their feet clapping, and Katy said she could hear and see that Madison was feeling the song and she really connected with it.

Luke said Madison finally gave the audience "a cry" in her voice and 100 percent of her potential.

Lionel agreed Madison owned the stage and the song, and that she stamped her own style on it.

Alejandro then belted out his own original song "Poison," and the judging panel certainly applauded his efforts.


Lionel could be heard repeating, "Wow," and Luke said, "I just pray that America truly understands how challenging and tough it is to play the guitar the way you just played it."

Alejandro sounded better than ever, according to Luke, and Lionel gushed about how the contestant boasts "instant identity."

"Your star has already gone to the top, and you'll have a career for a very long time," Lionel noted.

Katy said it was the best Alejandro has ever sung.

"How wonderfully interesting will it be when you change American Idol by winning American Idol?" Katy asked him.

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Laci then delivered a sultry and smoky rendition of "Open Arms" by Journey.

Lionel said it was "fantastic" and Laci was controlled and in her comfort zone.

Katy urged America to vote for the artist and said her last note has the judges on the verge of tears. Katy called her "unique" and "multi-dimensional."

Luke got emotional and admitted he was just so proud of how far Laci has come in the competition.

Jeremiah belted out "Somewhere" by Barbra Streisand, and Katy said she was locked in to every single word.

Although he started a little unsure, Luke acknowledged he rallied and then blew everybody away by the end.


After Luke called the performance "incredible," Lionel gushed about how Jeremiah was "mesmerizing" and he "killed it."

Wade then sang "Through The Valley" by Shawn James for his showstopper performance.

Luke noted Wade had a Johnny Cash-type of moment and he was selling a very "believable" character.

"You have sold it to us. We are believers. Please, America, for God sakes, vote. Vote," Lionel announced.

Katy joked about how Wade's voice is 1,000 years old even though he's only 27. Katy could sense a change in him, that he's finally believing in himself.

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And Laine ended the night with a performance of "Johnny B. Goode" by Chuck Berry that had everybody in the audience dancing and clapping.

Lionel tried to quiet the audience and yelled about how he brought the perfect song and attitude to the stage, while Katy's eyes were wide and she disclosed, "I'm scared. It was so good."

Katy joked about how she was sweating because she didn't know Laine had those type of moves, and Luke was left speechless.






About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski