American Idol has revealed its Top 12 contestants after eliminating eight hopefuls from the Season 21 competition during Monday night's episode on ABC.
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American Idol automatically advanced 10 contestants into the Top 12 based on home viewer votes -- over 28 million votes, according to host Ryan Seacrest -- that poured in during Sunday night's three-hour performance episode.
The 10 highest vote-getters who made it into the Top 12 included Colin Stough, an 18-year-old Hvac technician from Amory, MS; Haven Madison, a 16-year-old high school student from Clarksville, TN; Iam Tongi, an 18-year-old high school student from Kahuku, HI; Marybeth Byrd, a 21-year-old radio host from Armorel, AR; and Megan Danielle, a 20-year-old server from Douglasville, GA.
The other singers who glided into the Top 12 were Oliver Steele, a 25-year-old musician from Mount Juliet, TN; Tyson Venegas, a 17-year-old high school student from Vancouver, BC; Warren Peay, a 24-year-old appliance repair technician from Bamberg, SC; We Ani, a 23-year-old performer from Harlem, NY; and Zachariah Smith, a 19-year-old grill cook from Amory, MS.
The rest of the Top 20 singers had to compete to become one of two "Judge Picks" by each performing a song for American Idol judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan.
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After hearing the eight performances, Katy, Lionel and Luke announced their decision at the end of the two-hour broadcast.
"You do know that this is the hardest decision. This is the most talented class we have ever had!" Lionel explained to the cast of singers.
"And let me state to you and to America, your voting has got to happen... You are No. 1 forever. We love you all and you're all going to have careers."
Lionel concluded, "Now I'm going to give you the first name: Lucy, you're going through."
The judges therefore sent Lucy Love, a 28-year-old mother from Holly Grove, AR, into the Top 12.
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And then Katy announced how the judges were "so proud" of the contestants' "growth, confidence and belief" in themselves this season.
"Take all of this with you on your journey upwards. You belong. You are enough. We love you," Katy said. "We're nuts for Nutsa!"
The other Judge Pick was therefore Nutsa, a 25-year-old performer from Tbilisi, GA.
Lucy took the stage with "Radioactive" by Imagine Dragons, and Nutsa belted out "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" from Dreamgirls.
The eight contestants who were eliminated included Hannah Nicolaisen, a 23-year-old recruiter from Houston, TX; Kaeyra, a 21-year-old restaurant singer from Algonquin, IL; Mariah Faith, a 21-year-old hairstylist from Conway, SC; and Matt Wilson, a 21-year-old teacher's aide from Buffalo, NY.
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The other singers who were ousted from Season 21 of Idol were Michael Williams, a 21-year-old singer from Mason, OH; Nailyah Serenity, a 22-year-old retail advisor from Charlotte, NC; Olivia Soli, a 20-year-old college student from Los Angeles, CA; and Paige Anne, a 16-year-old high school student from Idaho Falls, ID.
Hannah sang "Royals" by Lorde for her survival song, Kaeyra performed "If I Were Your Woman" by Gladys Knight & The Pips, Mariah sang "If It Hadn't Been For Love" by The Steeldrivers, Matt performed "For Tonight" by Giveon, Michael sang "Golden Hour" by JVKE for survival, Nailyah belted out "Alive" by Sia, Olivia performed "God is a Woman" by Ariana Grande, and Paige sang "I Am Here" by P!nk.
Throughout the two-hour episode, the 10 singers who automatically advanced into the Top 12 also got to perform for America. However, their performances were a celebration rather than singing for survival.
Colin sang "Dancing On My Own" by Robyn, Haven performed her original song called "15," Iam charmed the crowd with "Stuck On You" by Lionel Richie, Marybeth sang "Cover Me Up" by Jason Isbell, and Megan took the stage with "Thank God I Do" by Lauren Daigle.
Oliver sang "You're Still The One" by Shania Twain, Tyson performed "Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me" by Elton John, Warren performed "It's Not My Time" by 3 Doors Down, We Ani sang "This Is Me" from The Greatest Showman, and Zachariah took the stage with "Hold the Line" by ToTo.