American Idol: The Search For A Superstar s12e12 Episode Script
Semifinalist Round, Part 2
1 Ryan: Last night you saw the ladies lay it all on the line.
Tonight is the guys' chance to bring it back.
Only five will survive to face your votes.
They have to impress this crowd of 1,500 people in the Beatles love theater by cirque du soleil.
Tonight's show is sudden death, and the fate of these guys rests in the hands of our four judges.
Keith urban.
Nicki minaj.
Randy Johnson.
And Mariah Carey.
This is the guys' one shot, and this is "American idol.
" Please welcome your host, Ryan seacrest.
Ryan: Thank you, guys.
Good evening once again.
Hello there.
Welcome to the mirage in Las Vegas.
Last night, all eyes were on group one of the ladies, but tonight we shift focus to the guys.
10 of them will take the stage but only five of them will get the chance to sing for your votes.
Let's hear once again for your panel of judges, ladies and gentlemen.
We've got some work to do tonight.
[Applause.]
[Cheering.]
Ryan: Let me ask the judges a couple of things before we get going.
Mariah, what impressed you with the ladies last night? Because I think the guys issue listening and they want to know what won you over for those that impressed you on last night's show.
Mariah: There was so much raw talent last night that it was almost impossible to eliminate anybody.
- Ryan: Yeah.
- Mariah: And so I love, love the guys and, you know, have my favorites but I would be concerned if I were them because the ladies are working very hard and doing amazingly, so whew, it was incredible.
Ryan: Let's bring out the people vying for the judges' affections tonight.
Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for the guys once again.
Here they are.
Half the faces you're looking at will have to go in this sudden death round.
Say hello to Paul jolly.
Johnny keyser.
Shaydar, Kevin Harris.
Chris Watson, Kevin velez.
Elijah lu, Charlie askew, Jimmy Smith, and Curtis Finch Jr.
These are your performers tonight.
Should we get this thing started? Like the ladies, the guys can choose any song from any genre.
We'll start the festivities with you, Paul jolly.
I am Paul joley from palmersville, Tennessee, work in retail and sales, I'm from an itty-bitty town, fublink you're going to miss it for sure.
- I liked you a lot.
- My grandpa recently passed away and it was very hard.
For my my grandpa would never give up.
Nicki: You have a presence people notice as soon as you walk on stage.
This is my calling in life.
I have worked so hard.
I feel like I have to share this with the world because I have so much more to give back.
I've got the TV on the sound turned down pictures of you and I on the walls around me the way that you surround me I'll never get over you walking away I've never been the kd to ever let my dreams show my pride is full like grace I want to My pride, let it fold like grace I want to cry [Applause.]
[Cheers.]
Ryan: Wow.
The crowd loves it.
Fantastic.
Firstly, I want to say thank you.
It's a huge honor for somebody to do one of my songs.
First and foremost, before I give my thoughts, I really appreciate and am honored and touched that you would do that song so thank you for that.
All I want to say to you is I think you've got a really great voice, and if you get to go through, I would ask that you don't underestimate the quality and power that's in your voice and that you don't need to compensate for it with a lot of sometimes overperforming.
You have a lot to offer, and you need to make no compromises for that at all.
[Applause.]
Nicki: I think that the performances you have done wowed me over more, I don't know if you have had stress on your voice but some of the notes you hit seem sweeter to the ear, but you do those big notes and they work for you, but to second a little bit of what Keith was saying, I think even when the song may be understated, your eyes are sort of very theatrical, so you've got to watch that because with songs like this it almost seems like you're in your head so much we're not feeling that raw emotion, so I would work on that, like not overperforming.
Randy: Yo, yo, very risky proposition doing a Keith urban song in front of him.
Let me say this.
The guys are right on one hand, on the other hand I disagree with them because what I always liked about you is if you choose to be a country singer be country singers today other than Gary levox and Carrie Underwood have giant ranges that they can sing R&B and pop, and I think you have the potential to do that in the country world where I don't know a lot of men that have that power that can do that, so I applaud the possibilities of you.
I'm not saying it was all perfect tonight there were a couple of notes here and there, one of the notes at the end was a little sharp but you've got great potential.
That's what I always loved about - you I mean, really.
- Mariah: I agree with Randy and I feel differently than some of the other people on the panel about the front half of the song I felt like you were giving us an intimate performance like an intimate look at you and I enjoyed that because I have seen you perform a couple of times and we know you have that power belt when you want to go there and I like it yes, you can nitpick little things here and there, whatever, but it's refreshing and nice to see that if you want to do something in the genre, you're able to have flexibility with it.
Paul jolly.
Courageous to sing that in front of Keith and the panel.
How was it going first tonight? I thought I've got to have the confidence that everyone wants me to have that I know I have and I want to bring it and give it every single time.
Ryan: Results coming later in the show.
We'll see Paul back for the judgment in just a bit.
Paul joley, ladies and gentlemen.
Paul jolley, ladies and gentlemen.
We have music coming from Johnny keyser and jada.
Hang tight.
Ryan: Welcome back to " idol" in Las Vegas for our sudden-death round, 10 guys taking the stage tonight, only five get a chance to sing for your vote.
A staggering cut coming up from the judges.
Right now, Johnny keyser.
Will he stay alive? Get ready for some blue-eyed sold.
24 years old from fort lauderdale, Florida, a musician.
- Do you have a.
- No.
- Ok.
- I am back from last year.
I would say getting cut was the beginning of my growth.
It wasn't until that point that I really started to go for it.
- Johnny's back.
- You are a star.
I believe.
I believe in commitment.
I believe in music.
And I believe that I'm supposed to be here.
For a beautiful sunrise there is so much they hold just like you have come so far to be right where you are how old is your soul because even the stars no, I won't give up" and I won't give up we've got to learn God knows we're worth it no, I won't give up I won't give up on us and even if the skies, they get rough I'm giving you all my love God knows we're worth it I won't give up [Cheering.]
Ryan: Johnny.
That was good.
- Keith: It was good.
- Randy: That's your best song for me, and there was sort of an.
Keith: There was an effortlessness about the way you sang and I could see moments of nervousness being in front of the audience but I also saw moments when you sort of lost that and went back into the song, and those moments were enough to keep pulling me through the song.
I thought that was really good, brother.
Nicki: It's strange, because I did not see nervousness and that's what I was going to comment on.
You came out really, really relaxed, you looked real sexy tonight.
[Cheering.]
Nicki: And I don't remember if you answered that question.
Do you have a girlfriend? No, I do not.
- Nicki, Nicki.
- Nicki: Kudos to you for being really freshly, nicely groomed looking like you're coming out at your own concert.
Look, it me you don't have the greatest vocal in the world, I'm going to be audience but you have a nice sparkle in your eye, girls are are going to love you and I think there is something masculine and sexy about you.
Good job.
In the competition as it stands now, I don't know if you have got the greatest voice.
I like you.
Randy: I was always pulling for you.
For me, tonight, that sounded a little bit kind of just an ok performance for me.
There weren't enough spots in there no, no, listen, there weren't enough spots in there for me that made me say, beyond these 10 people this guy had to have it because I didn't see enough moments for you like dude, you've got to slay it tonight, you can't play it too safe tonight for me.
Mariah: I have seen you perform a few times now and feel like I'm familiar with kind of who you are as an artist.
I love your commitment to music and that you are really focused on what you want to do and I sense that from you.
I don't want to get in trouble with my husband, but you are bringing the masculinity.
You are giving us that sexiness, and I fell like in the beginning of the song when you were in your lower register, it was really there, and look, it's a competition so you have to show your voice and I understand that.
My opinion is that you're worthy to be around.
Whatever that means.
Ryan: Johnny keyser.
Dude, what's up, man.
- Thank you.
- Ryan: We werealking before the show, tonight, and I said are you amped up and you said just the opposite, "I'm trying to amp down.
" What did you mean by that? Last year in Las Vegas I had anxiety and I was so pumped up, the adrenalin, this year I tried to do the opposite, ease into it and be calm throughout the day especially for that song.
Ryan: I'm glad there is some masculinity finally on this stage.
Thank you, Johnny.
Good luck, buddy.
- Thanks, Ryan.
- Ryan: He's going to head back stage and wait for the judges' results.
Next up someone who first caught the judges' eye in Chicago.
- Take a look.
- Jda.
I'm 27 years old and I sell luxurious French you brought the sunshine with you.
Right now I'm choosing my own path to happiness.
I can really, fully embrace who I am without any regrets.
I am my own producer, director.
I am the star of my own movie.
I am the artist of my own life.
going to be able to love you like I will don't you remember so he's got it all baby, is I really want you all you got your head in the clouds made a fool out of you and bring yourself made your heart rumor has it that you don't love anymore whispered in my ear that I had my best to hear just because I said it for me just because you heard it rumor has it rumor has it rumor has it rumor has it he's the one I'm leaving you for [Cheering.]
- Oh, God.
- Oh, jda.
- Keith: He's killing them in French too.
We are in Vegas, jda, you were right at home tonight on that stage.
Look, first of all, I want to commend you on putting on a show tonight.
You want a show, right? I wanted to give you guys a show.
Keith: I appreciate that and I also applaud your originality.
I know.
[Laughter.]
Keith: And your humility is better than anybody's.
- Gracias.
- Keith: All I want to say is the only thing I wish I had felt a bit more of is a little less what I would say is counting steps and I felt I to a certain degree I felt like you had written out the lyrics and written down every move next to every single lyric and that's cool but I don't want to feel that or sense that through the performance because I loved what you were undertaking.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
Randy: Miss lady, let me say something, hold on, work it, - girl, work it.
- Thank you.
I know I have to.
I got to represent for the gays, you know.
I love the gays.
Nicki: I'm sure you do d jda, what I have to say is real simple.
No matter what happens from here on out, you are a superstar performer.
Ok? That's number one.
Number two, you're absolutely right.
Everybody came to see a show and you give a show every single time and something that you did tonight that no one's ever done because being an artist when you are in an arena, or anyplace, when you turned around to look at these people here and felt that and took that in is something it's something that people don't normally do unless they're professional, but you were organic in feeling the warmth of the audience and you showed them that, and I like that.
The only thing I didn't like, jda, I'm just keeping it real, your vocal wasn't good today how I normally remembered it.
It was a little phone-voicy, whiney, but if you don't do anything other than " idol," you're a performer.
Congratulations.
Randy: Yo, by the way, Nicki, the reason the vocal wasn't as stellar, because you can sing, you were so keyed in on the performance, if we gave an award for who's got the best performance it would definitely be you are.
You can don't perform.
You're doing your own choreography in your head but you should be thinking more about the vocal as well because this is a singing competition, but let me tell you something.
Nicki: I don't think he was thinking about the performance too much.
I just think it wasn't a good vocal for some strange reason.
Randy: When you're moving that much and doing that much Nicki: Normally he does sing well a let of times when he performs.
Randy: I don't know if I have seen you move this much but here is what I was going to say also is look, the problem is, though, it's like I didn't feel any I'm with Keith on this.
I felt no originality I felt like I seen every move 20 million times.
I have.
Mariah: I felt like you were so confident you weren't wavering vocally, and that's, I mean, it wasn't what you have done in terms of, like, the bigness that you have done sometimes in, like, the earlier shows or whatever, but your confidence level was major, like, I was just, like, wow, you know, you I put the heels on and I'm like Mariah: Your brand of masculinity and whatever it is you're giving us, your performance, I liked the vocal because I just was like wow, he's doing a lot and he's also not wavering and whatever.
Randy: You woke us up.
I'll tell you that.
Ryan: Jda.
It's only a two-hour show, so many things to chat with you about but the outfit.
Could you tell us what went into this choice tonight? Simple.
I think this is I mean, this is I'm glistening and glittering on stage with the lights, I love the lights, I love ti need a light in front of me all the time, I need a mirror in front of me all the time.
We haven't seen this much glitter since Adam lambert's season.
Ladies and gentlemen, jda.
Good luck, jda.
We're going to break away evera this.
Enjoy your moment.
Keep going.
Kevin Harris gets his chance on the Vegas stage.
Don't go anywhere.
High five.
[Cheering.]
Ryan: Thanks for keeping it on " idol," showtime for the guys tonight as 10 battle for five spots, I am seated with the ladies who survived the cut last night.
Say hi to the ladies.
Angie, let me ask you.
You worked really hard.
Get the performance.
What did you do last night to celebrate making it through here in Vegas? I got together with my family and friends who came and had dinner and I passed out because yesterday was such an emotionally tiring, successful day.
Ryan: Congratulations once again to all of our ladies this season on "American idol.
" You can start voting for them in just two weeks.
Let's get back to the guys now starting with Kevin.
My name is Kevin Harris.
28 years old, from Montgomery, Alabama, production supervisor.
- Unique.
- That might be your nickname.
Buta Butter.
Thanks for the nickname, Randy, everybody calling me butter.
I'm here for the family.
My sons letting me know they can do anything they put their minds to, daddy can do is, daddy going to show you the way, that's why I'm here.
Look into my eyes you will see what you mean to me don't tell me it's not worth trying for you can't tell me it's not worth dying for you know it's true everything I do there is no love like your love and no other could give more love there is nowhere, unless you're there all the time, all the way, yeah I love for you all the while for you, yeah, I'd die for you you know it's true everything I do I do it for you Keith: Hey, Kevin.
First of all, I have always loved that song.
That's one of Bryan's best.
I loved your voice.
Your range is crazy, like the song starts and I think, good God, that's high, and you have that effortless soaring up there, I have mixed feelings about when you guys choose at the end of a song to go oh, I'm going to flip up and show crazy range here and that sort of thing but at the same time I get that you are trying to show what you can do so I try to mix that up with my end result, but I think tonight was very good.
Nicki: Kevin, every single solitary musical choice you made tonight was perfection.
Every single choice.
It was a great song for you.
You don't seem like you're in a competition.
You seem like you're relaxed.
There was so much control.
I love your vibrato.
I loved that you went falsetto at the end.
I loved everything about it.
I don't know if people are going to connect because I don't know the personality doesn't jump at me but I love your voice, I really think you are the first boy tonight that made me go yes, this vocal is 100% tonight.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Randy: I feel like it's going to be one of those nights on the panel that we agree to disagree.
I was bored.
I felt it was karaoke.
I felt there were no moments at the end.
I felt you put in a high moment at the end and my problem is if you want to show what you have got, and this is a time it to do it, choose a different song because the guys that are coming out are are going to come with guns ablazing.
If I'm choosing I don't know, I wasn't blown out at all.
I didn't love it.
Thank you, man.
Mariah: Kevin.
You have been one of my favorites from the beginning from the first time I heard you sing, it's obvious that, you know, you're a born singer, that, you know, you have been singing forever, it's clear.
Actually, I love that song but I would love to hear you sing something that you love what you can do, because you can take a note and bring it 56 places if you want but I'm a huge admirer of you and I do feel like you are a professional, so that's what I feel.
Thank y'all, thank y'all.
Ryan: Thank you, Kevin.
So it sounded like you were hearing two different songs, Nicki and Randy.
Randy: It was the same song, just at different times in our lives.
Ryan: Join us for this moment together.
Good luck to you, my friend.
We should shout out your voice.
Your boys.
You wore these bow ties.
The youngest is Kevin.
- Ryan: Kyle? - He's older.
Ryan: Thanks a lot, Kevin.
Good luck to you tonight.
The results are coming up at the end.
Sudden death.
After this, Chris Watson storms the " idol" stage.
We'll be right back.
Ryan: Welcome back to " idol" here in Las Vegas.
Thank you very much for hanging with us tonight and across the country.
Last night, we were all about the ladies, but tonight it's game on for the guys.
All of them want to make it to your vote, including a waiter that we met back in New York.
Here is Chris Watson.
I am 25 years old and I'm from Dover, delawarea.
- Hello, pretty boy.
- I firmly believe in the law of attraction and I feel like I attracted this opportunity.
Currently, I'm a waiter by day and a singer by night.
I play gigs professionally.
I'm definitely ready to leave the tips behind and definitely trying to get those big checks so hopefully I can be the one leaving the good tips as opposed to the one receiving it.
Nicki: I'm really excited about you.
I'll be sitting with the evening sun watching the ships roll in and I'll watch them roll away again sitting on the dock of the bay watching the tide roll away yeah, I'm sitting on the dock of the bay wasting time city looks like nothing's going to change this loneliness won't leave me alone thousand Miles I've roamed just to call this dock my home yeah, I'm sitting on the dock of the bay watching the tide roll away yeah, I'm sitting on the dock of the bay wasting time [Cheering.]
- Thank you.
- Keith: Randy, you were talking about this being a singing competition and in a lot of ways it's really more of a connection competition in the sense that there is a lot of ways to make a connection with people in the audience.
There can be the voice.
There can be the performance, there can be the way you move, there can be charisma, a combination ory all of that but it doesn't have to be all of it and tonight for me the voice wasn't the best it could have been and I don't think that was a great song to show off your voice but I think you have great confidence on stage, I love the way you carry yourself, I love the way you dress.
You've got a lot going for you.
Nicki: Excuse me, Chris, you are the prettiest man I have seen in my life, ever.
He might be single too.
Nicki: Let me tell you something.
I want to marry your vibrato.
Wow.
Nicki: There is a soulful, raspy, uniqueness every time you sing.
It gets me.
I don't know that this was the best song choice but I have to tell you, I am upset with you and I might be the only one and I'm willing to say that proudly.
I love you.
Everything about you.
Thank you.
Nicki: I'm, like, seriously, because I don't know what you have gone through in your life but it doesn't matter what you sing, I hear pain, I hear soul, I hear struggle, I just love you.
Thank you, thank you so much, thank you.
Randy: I guess I should continue my trend of the evening.
I'm disagreeing with the whole panel.
It's a thing we go through some nights.
Listen, I love you, the person.
I love your look.
I love that whole thing.
Love the whole headband, the whole vibe.
Once again, I have been wanting people to show me something vocally.
It sounds like the song goes nowhere for you.
You don't go outside your range, take it anywhere, do anything interesting vocally with it, and Otis had all of that muster when he was singing that that he didn't need to have the runs and the big stuff.
He's not doing Otis.
Randy: No, you're doing Chris, but baby, you're doing Chris but the Chris tonight, dude, it didn't give me enough.
I don't know what I was hearing.
I was bored.
I understand what Randy, I.
Randy: I wasn't getting anything.
Show me something that says you're better than these other dudes.
What duplicate him to do, what do you want him to do, flash you? - Randy: Sing to me.
- I love that song.
It's a beautiful song.
But like I guess every time I have seen you, there is just something about you that is that is pain and that does come across but it's also for lack of a better word triumphant because like you're a survivor in my opinion and I think no matter what happens with this competition so many people are looking at your again, don't let me get in trouble, but beautiful face and again, the charisma that you had and the connection with the crowd and everything to me was fantastic.
For me it wasn't your best performance vocally, but certain things have overridden that in your ok? - Ryan: Let's hear for Chris.
- At this stage the songs that you guys pick helps tell the story about who you are.
Why did you choose that one? We all been out there in L.
A.
And it gets kind of lonely a little bit, we miss all our friends and our family and our loved ones so I thought it was a song that I could connect with because I have been feeling that way a little bit, and it was fun.
I felt like I connected with it.
Ryan: 1,500 friends here tonight, my man, best of luck to Chris.
Just after this, it is a big moment for two 18-year-olds.
They get their shot after this.
Don't move a muscle.
Ryan: Welcome back to "American idol"'s first ever sudden-death round.
Have we kissed and made up, you too? Come on, lipstick, maybe by the end of the season.
It means that half of the 10 guys performing will lose it all tonight, so big, big stakes but it comes with an amazing reward and hoping he will taste success - is Devin.
- I'm years old.
I'm from Chicago.
High school student and work at a coffee house.
What was it like growing up? It was rough.
Grew up without a dad, just me and mom, money was tight when I was little, I grew up with a lot of hurt but a lot of that went into my music.
One of my favorite male voices so far.
My mother is my role model, my rock, she's always got my back, so having her here, I know no matter what happens I think I'm going to be heart.
You are born to sing.
[Cheering.]
This time the song here in my heart a melody I start but I can't complete all the time has come for my dream to be heard they will not be pushed aside and spurned into your own all cause you won't listen I'm alone and I'm alone in my own home but you should have known music And o, I'm not believing you you don't know what I'm feeling I'm more than what you made of me I'm proud of the voice I think you gave to me and now I've got to find my own my own [Cheering.]
- Yeah.
That's the way to do it, Devin.
He's been spending all this time talking about performances we have been spending all this time talking about performances, people that run are around the stage and put on a whole deal and then there are singers, and you walk out there and you can sing.
You've got a voice.
You made a connection with me from your voice.
You didn't have to do anything else except sing the song, be in the song, and show me Devin, and I saw you tonight.
[Applause.]
Nicki: Yeah, Devin, obviously, we've loved you for a very long time and I think tonight not only did you do an amazing job at singing the song, but I think you made a smart choice as an artist to sing in Spanish, because obviously that opens you up to another world and it's more marketable and I think it was a smart choice to be young and make that sort of choice, because you don't know if you're going forward.
I think that it was a great job.
I mean, you know, you're a nice looking guy and you have a nice spirit, a warmth about you that shines through your eyes, so I'm proud of you and I'm glad your family was here tonight to see that, to witness that.
They look really happy.
Randy: Yo, man, listen.
Dude, I love you.
I thought it was amazing.
[Applause.]
Randy: And, and, by the way, what I really love is you took your time with it.
It's a tough song to sing.
Nicki is right, the whole thing putting the Spanish in I thought oh, yeah, this is amazing, it was a great arrangement, the key changes dude, love, love, big props to you, big props to you, big props.
[Applause.]
Mariah: I'm just I might be wrong about this but I know you hear everything and I feel like at the end of the performance you were critiquing yourself on certain things.
- Yes, ma'am.
- Mariah: Don't do it, because seriously, when you went into the Spanish section, I think when we first heard you, I said these things in Spanish we had a whole discussion about it and I loved that you did that with this song because to me it brought the world of R&B into the you singing the Spanish together and that was great, and like, you know, no matter what, I can't wait to see what a producer does when you get into the studio and make an album.
- Thank you.
- Ryan: Devin, ladies and gentlemen.
Now let's find out what Elijah is bringing to the table.
I'm 18 years old from rowland heights, California, I'm a college student and I'm studying business.
I'm half Chinese and my mom has six children, I'm number five of the litter.
You have the potential to do big things.
I have been successful with ladies.
It's major.
Nothing wrong with that.
Something about you feels like a pop star.
I want to entertain anybody that loves my music.
Especially the ladies.
I know you you're somewhere out there somewhere far away I want you back yes, I want you back neighbors think I'm crazy but they don't understand it's nice when the stars light up my room I sit by myself talking to the moon trying to get the moon and hope you're on the other side talking to me too talking to the moon talking to the moon talking to the moon [Cheering.]
Keith: Elijah, I thought that was a perfect song choice for you tonight.
I want to say that I think it was I think it was a fairly shaky performance tonight.
It wasn't a great performance vocally, but for me, what I love about you is that you look like a freakin pop star, man, you know, and you have a way about you that is so relevant and now, and in the midst of all the stuff that's going to, it was really refreshing to see someone current and relevant, so thank you for that.
Nicki: I don't care about that song.
You are a super-duper star, little boy.
I want to have your babies.
I'm so serious.
You're 18 years old.
You're sexy.
You're my new favorite boy.
I'm obsessed with you.
- Adding to your collection.
- Nicki: Let me tell you something, I do not know has anyone else seen this? I would sign you today.
I would sign you today.
Let me tell you something.
You have the most marketable face and voice and combination that I have seen tonight and you are ready now, now.
Thank you, thank you, Nicki.
Nicki: Love it.
Beautiful voice.
Randy: For a minute there I thought Nicki was talking about me, the marketable face, the beauty, the sexiness, anyway, I love you.
I think you're hearing all of us say that we love you.
This was not a great vocal.
You had no moments in that song but I know you're capable of it so I'm a little torn there but I think we like you, man.
You're all swagged out with your look.
I think we're pulling for you, the guy that we've seen over the time.
It wasn't great tonight, but if you get to go forward, dude, you've got to have moments, got to have moments because you've got them, got to have them - vocally.
- Thank you.
Mariah: I thought there were two distinct moments because I love the main, the powerful midrange that you have, like almost new editiony, it gives me that feeling and I like the control that you used when you went into your not a high falsetto but your softer voice and it was like in the verse and it was really beautiful so I agree with everything everybody else says.
You're extremely marketable and.
I also love that you are Mexican and Chinese and I think that's a great combination.
Ryan: Let's hear it one more time.
Elijah, ladies and gentlemen.
You feel like you were in the moment out here? I honestly thought it went well in rehearsals and I thought I gave my heart for it, yes.
Ryan: Good luck to you, my friend.
On the other side, more guys sing for survival on this stage.
We'll be right back.
Ryan: We're back with you from the Beatles love theater by cirque du soleil here with Charlie azkew.
Rst the wardrobe.
Tell me about your choice tonight.
Where did you get this? I got the pants and shirt at a vintage clothing store in Hollywood boulevard.
I I could have got lost and there and lost all my money.
I went to jda for advice.
Ryan: What about the golf club? The golf club, I was using it to get used to the baseless microphone stand I'll be using tonight.
Ryan: Working on your short game.
Something I'm familiar with.
Let's look at how you got here as you get set.
Are you the nex "American" - idol"? - I hope so.
I have always been very socially awkward.
The music, finally, I found an outlet, some way I can express myself.
Charlie, I am obsessed with you.
Baby, I could say the same thing.
I been singing for birds all my life but now, I get it sing for the big time.
I glorify weirdness.
She passed my bags last night pref light zero hours 9:00 A.
M.
and I'm gonna be high I miss the earth so much, I miss my wife it's lonely out in space from such a timeless flight and I think it's gonna be a long, long time till touchdown brings me around again to find I'm not the man they think I am at home, oh no, no, no, I'm a rocket man rocket man, burning out his fuse out here alone and I think it's gonna be a long, long time till touchdown brings me around again to find I'm not the man they think I am at home, oh, no, no, no, I'm a rocket man rocket man burning up his fuse up here alone and I think it's gonna be a long, long time [Cheering.]
Charlie.
[Cheering.]
Keith: I don't mean to interrupt, Kelly, man, you are no matter what people are saying at home I'll bet nobody left their television set for that whole performance.
It's like if Freddie Mercury had a love child out of Woodstock somewhere.
I love your originality.
Your fearlessness.
Your unpredictability.
Tackling that song was just like what the hell are you doing? But somehow you make it work, Charlie.
Let's see if America agrees.
Thank you.
Nicki: Yes, soak it up, soak it up, Charlie.
You're like for me, all of you.
Nicki: Charlie, you have made the most interesting song choice of the night.
It's the most it's the smartest.
You're weirdness, your awkwardness, it excites me.
As young as - really, really, really? - Nicki: As young as you are you don't rely on cutesy, I love you used the Mercury example because that's where you put me, it's rock star, it's fresh, it's crazy, it's, like, outlandish and - it's real.
- Nicki: Charlie, I want to cradle you in my arms.
I want to Charlie, you know you remind me of my little brother.
I love you so much.
I love you.
I love you so Barb, love Charlie.
Throw it out for the turtles out there.
Bought this a couple of days for you.
Randy: I don't know where I am right now.
I don't know what's going on.
I like it.
Randy: Yeah, listen, I mean.
I love you.
I think we all love you.
Your originality.
You're wild.
Uncontrollable like I don't know what's going to happen, what you are going to say, do, jump, wear, kneel, whatever, it was a bit stage school for me at the same time, if for me, I have this Nicki: No, it wasn't, no, it wasn't.
I grew up in Randy: Wait a minute.
There is a verse, let me drop down on a knee.
Where are we? I like you.
I don't know - baby.
- Nicki: That's right.
- Yo, yo, yo.
You're right.
Randy: You're right, you know, you're right.
Forget singing tonight.
Let's just all perform.
We're in Vegas.
What are we doing? [Laughing.]
Randy: Who cares about singing, Mariah? What are we doing? Let's just perform [Laughing.]
Mariah: Charlie, I live for the song choice.
- Thank you.
- Mariah: I think it's amazing to hear that.
It's like have no idea.
It's just so nostalgic for me.
I love Elton John.
- Me too.
- Mariah: I know that you wanted to bring your own thing to it because I think that's what you have done.
I personally feel like there have been other moments where I felt like you have done some unique things with your voice that made me go wait a minute, he's got a really specific style that if someone works with him and hones that, that could be like something that's brought out on and really interesting, so that's just me like when you sang the nat king Cole song.
That's what I'm talking about.
- Thank you.
- Mariah: But you know, at the same time.
[Cheering.]
Ryan: Charlie askew.
You're comfortable on the stage.
More than anywhere else in the world.
Ryan: Thank you for entertaining us.
Take another spin in the round there.
- All right.
- Ryan: Always a pleasure, Charlie.
Come on, really, you.
Ryan: We've lost them.
After the break, Jimmy Smith asks for your vote.
Ryan: Welcome back to "American idol.
" If you're just joining us, to recap, Nicki has wanted marry.
Chris's vibrato, cradle Charlie and have Elijah's baby.
Mariah, I wonder what's in store for Jimmy.
- Oy.
- My name is Jimmy Smith.
I'm from Franklin, Tennessee.
I'm a social worker at a dialysis clinic.
I see song writers around shows in Nashville after work so I can have 14-16-hour days, sometimes.
Randy: Who inspired you to sing? - Keith is a huge inspiration.
- You're going to Hollywood.
- Nomar: - I'm here because I have seen what "American idol" can do for country music.
The fire gets bigger and stronger with every round.
I feel like I'm here for a reason and I'm ready for it.
it ticks just like a thyme it lets up on you who said life was easy and the job sent us too you want us to harden our heart and love could use a day of rest for we both start falling apart it's raining on Sunday stormin' like crazy we hide under the covers all afternoon ever comes Monday take care of it that we can do it's raining on Sunday rainin on Sunday, stormin' like crazy we'll hide under the covers all afternoon baby, whatever comes Monday can take care of itself 'cause we've got better things that we can do when it's raining on Sunday oh, yeah oh, when it's raining on Sunday [Cheering.]
- Jimmy.
- Keith: Let me just say it's really hard to critique somebody who just sang your song.
Again, thank you for singing that song.
That's actually originally a radney foster song so I was covering radney but I have always loved that song and I thought you did a really good job tonight.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
[Cheering.]
Nicki: Jimmy, I thought it was a good vocal but I was a little bit bored.
I was still thinking about something else from earlier in the day, I guess.
Randy: I've got to agree with Nicki there, it was definitely a little boring for me.
The thing I always liked about you, though, if I may say this, you grew up, when I asked you a question in the package, you loved Keith urban, you sort of look like Robert plant who made that great record with Allison kraus, you're a mixed bag but I don't know if it came together tonight.
I don't think it was great.
Mariah: I have been really kind of like fighting for you, not that there was anyone against you or whatever but I just feel like there is a quality about you that's really great, and in the early auditions, when you first sang for us, I felt like maybe there was less pressure on you because now that you are in front of all of these people, I'm not sure this is I know you do song writers nice and stuff like that and you perform whatever but I feel like it's a lot of pressure so maybe it wasn't your best vocal.
I don't think it was.
But I still think that there is something about you that America should be able to see.
Thank you.
Ryan: Jimmy once again.
I know that song meant a lot to you and it was special to sing for Keith.
It was an amazing opportunity.
I appreciate it so much.
Ryan: Oo good luck to you, my friends, results are coming up very soon.
On the other side the pride of St.
Louis hits the big time.
Curtis Finch Jr.
does Luther van dross.
Ryan: Thank you for keeping it locked here on "American" idol.
" We've got one more performance for you here tent before our 10 guys face their final judgment for you here tonight before our 10 guys face their final judgment.
This is Curtis.
I'm 24 years old, I'm from St.
Louis, Missouri and I'm a tutor at a charter school.
I'm able to give back to students what was given to me so I'm blessed all around.
- Do you go to church? - Yes.
- Referee: I feel it.
- I was raised in a church, I sang gospel music, gospel music is in my blood.
I feel like I communicate most with the audience when I'm singing gospel music.
Let's have it for the boy.
Loneliness it's such a sad affair and I can't hardly wait to be with you again to say to make you come again come on back to me again please, baby, because I want to be, I want to be anywhere you are, anywhere you are don't you remember you told me you love me, baby you said you'd be coming back this way again, baby baby, baby, baby baby I love you Brother Curtis.
I feel thoroughly cleansed of my sins.
Well, not thoroughly, but I thought that was really beautiful, and what I love is there were parts which for me were overperformed but your voice is beautiful and I would love to hear more of t.
I would love to hear more of it.
Nicki: Every time you step on stage, you take the competition to another level.
You raise the bar every time and the other contestants are always waiting to see what you are going to do, and today you used a lower, bassier register in the beginning which it was nice to hear that different side of your voice, so darlin', you are well on your way, you're ready, you're poised, it's your time.
[Cheering.]
- Thank you.
Randy: Yo, I'm always excited to see you get up there and sing, man, you're one of the best singers in this thing, your voice is unparalleled you can sing anything, Nicki mentioned the register, you did the low thing like Luther, you did the high thing with your falsetto, you can really go there.
I love you.
I will would give you one tidbit if you move ahead in this competition.
How old are you? - 25.
Randy: You're 25, dog.
You're 25.
Make sure you keep it young, man.
Don't let it get so old-fashioned.
That was very old-fashioned.
It was kind of it was very old-fashioned.
Make sure you get it young.
- Nicki: That's him.
- Randy: You can be a little younger, 25.
Mariah: I think what Randy is saying, and you know that I wouldn't even begin to critique you, because you know what you do.
With your church, and you're telling everybody else how to fix what they're doing so you heard everything you did and you know every note you sang, and so it moved me to tears as it always does when you sing, and I wait the entire time for you to sing, but I think what he's saying is you could loosen up your tie, open up your thing and relax it because your voice, you don't even have to perform for us because your voice and your musicality is who you are.
Bless you.
Thank you.
Mariah: I love you for it.
I love you too.
I do.
- I do.
- Nice work, man.
[Cheering.]
Ryan: You had this place captivated including mama.
That's my mama.
Ryan: Curtis Finch Jr.
once again, ladies and gentlemen.
All right.
So now we turn things over to the judges.
Over the break, they will make the critical decision of who stays and who head home.
Remember, if there is a locked vote then Jimmy will make the call.
Things are heating up right here in Vegas.
Get ready, Jimmy.
Get ready, judges, get ready, America.
Results after this.
Ryan: Welcome back to Las Vegas.
This is the moment that we have been waiting for.
Like last night, five stools right here on the stage ready to be filled with the guys who will be moving forward.
During the break, the judges have deliberated, and now we find out who stays in the competition and who faces.
America's vote.
The judges are here on the stage.
Have you made your decision? Randy: Not quite, we have one split decision.
- Ryan: It's not unanimous? - Not unanimous.
Ryan: Randy, was it easier tonight or harder tonight? Last night it was tough to make the choices on the girls.
Randy: I think it was tough tonight as well.
This was really difficult.
Ryan: Nicki, I know that when you believe in a contestant, you are not shy about fighting for that contestant.
Did you have to fight for anybody? Nicki: I fought for a couple of my favorites, yes, I did.
Ryan: Let me remind you at home, if the judges don't agree as Randy just said they didn't, then Jimmy snepz and he is the deciding factor and is the tiebreaker.
Are you ready, Jimmy? - Jimmy: I'm ready, Ryan.
- Ryan: The 10 guys are back stage anxiously awaiting the news.
What is going to happen here? First up to face his fate is Curtis.
remember you told me you loved me, baby you said you'd be coming back again, baby baby, baby, baby Nicki: Ok.
Would you please would you please stop with this act, Curtis? - Yeah, I'll be playing.
- Nicki: You know damn well you're going through.
Congratulations.
[Applause.]
[Cheering.]
Ryan: Curtis gets a stool and stays alive in the competition.
On this sudden-death night.
Ryan: Congratulations, Curtis.
Good job, buddy.
Take a seat.
All right.
Back to the room.
Up next, it's time for you, Jimmy.
it's raining on Sunday, stormin' like crazy we'll hide under the covers all afternoon Randy: Hello, Jimmy.
How is it going, man? How are you? Randy: I'm happy you sang that Keith song.
It's a beautiful song, man.
This is torture for us trying to decide who goes, who stays, what happens, but we have decisions to make and cuts to make and dude, tonight, you didn't make it.
Sorry.
Thank you very much.
Good luck.
- Thank you so much.
- Ryan: Tough break.
Let's hear it one more time.
Jimmy, ladies and gentlemen.
- Thank you.
- Right on, man.
Ryan: His favorite judge, Keith urban giving him a hug.
Back to the results.
Sudden death tonight.
Very emotional.
Very difficult.
And now, it's time for Kevin.
I fight for you, I love for you walk the wire for you yeah, I'd die for you - Hi, Kevin.
- Hello.
I'm extremely emotional because you know, I've become attached to you and I love your voice and I love how you got your children represented and and I want it to send some love out to them, and just to say that I expect to hear you somewhere on somebody's radio at some point soon but unfortunately, you won't be going through and I hate that I had to be the one to say it because you really are one of my favorites, and I have to thank you for all your beautiful Ryan: Thank you one more time, guys, for Kevin.
Thanks, Kevin.
Appreciate it, buddy.
Good luck to you, my friend.
Appreciate your being on the show.
Let's keep it going.
Half of them have to go in this sudden death.
Next up, it's Elijah.
night when the stars light up my room I sit by myself talking to the moon - Good luck, my friend.
- Hey, Elijah.
- How you doing? - Good, man.
Keith: This is such a strange night because the people we have to let go is crazy, and I so wish that we could keep you, and glad that we are.
You're going to go through.
Ryan: Elijah gets one of those five seats on the stage and makes it through in the competition tonight.
[Cheering.]
Ryan: Congratulations, Elijah.
Come on over and take your stool.
Thank you very much.
All right.
Next, are you ready, jda? Rumor has it, rumor has it, yeah rumor has it Back up a little bit, jda, find your spot.
- Perfect.
- Nicki: Hi, jda.
- Hey.
- Nicki: You know I love you, and you know how talented and how very, very special and unique you are just as a human being, I think it's important for you to know that.
Tonight, we were unable to keep you, but God bless you and good luck with everything you do.
Ryan: So it's the end of the line for one of our most unique performers on "American idol" that we will not soon forget, jda, ladies and gentlemen.
Ryan: Thanks for sharing your glitter with us.
Good luck to you, jda.
Ryan: Now back to more results.
Paul, would you join us on stage.
Never losing touch with my pride let it hold Randy: Ryan, this is our split decision here with Paul.
Ryan: So 2-2 on this one.
It was not unanimous.
Which means, as I said, we go to Jimmy from inner scope for the tiebreaker.
Jimmy, you've got to on work for us.
Go ahead and stand up.
- Jimmy: I am ready.
- Ryan: You are the determining factor.
The future of Paul rests on you.
All right, ryanwhat I think I saw tonight was a good singer with the wrong song, and why I felt it was the wrong song is I felt I was watching Paul sing a Keith urban song while auditioning for "phantom of the opera," you oversang it, when you oversing you get in trouble on this show, you have a great instrument but it's because of that great instrument that I'm going to recommend you go on.
Ryan: So he's safe.
He has a stool and is alive in the competition.
Congratulations, Paul.
Curveball, Jimmy.
Taking us down the path and delivering good news for Paul.
So come on over, Paul.
Give a hug to Mariah and join the other gentlemen who stay alive in the competition tonight.
Congratulations, my friend.
Well done.
Good job, everybody.
There it is.
You've got Curtis, Elijah and Paul.
They've survived sudden death to earn your votes.
After the break, four more guys hear the news.
Who moves on? Find out.
We'll be right back in Las Vegas.
Ryan: Welcome back to "American idol.
" So to recap, so far, Curtis, Elijah and Paul, ladies and gentlemen, have moved on to sing for your votes, and they are celebrating.
Who else is going to join them? Let's find out right now.
The next person to face the judges is Chris.
[Cheering.]
Sitting on the dock of the bay watching the tide roll away yeah, I'm sitting on the dock of the bay wasting time Randy: Chris, how you doing, man, how you doing, dog? This is tough tonight as we have all been saying, it's definitely nervewracking trying to get down to five people on the stools, and listen, you definitely you have been good throughout the competition.
Tonight, it didn't go in your favor.
You're not going to make it, man.
Sorry.
Thank you.
Appreciate you.
Appreciate you.
Thank you for the opportunity.
- Randy: Good luck.
- Ryan: Spirit, passion and determination to make it through and sadly we have to say goodbye to half of the guys tonight, we have to say goodbye to Chris.
Let's hear it for Chris one more time, everybody.
Thank you, Chris.
Good luck, my friend.
Next, it's time for Charlie.
not the man they think I am at home, no, no, no, I'm a rocket man rocket man, out here alone Hello, Charlie.
Hi, darling.
- How is it going? - It's going well.
Are you good or dazed from this whole thing? - Dazed and confused.
- Mariah: There you go.
As you know, tonight, you could probably see, we have been focusing on the vocalists, predominantly and not so much the performers.
We have been having to let go some of the performers.
But in your case, you're staying with us.
[Cheering.]
[Cheering.]
Randy: Welcome, man, welcome, welcome.
Ryan: Congratulations to Charlie there.
We are back stage now.
It comes down to Johnny and Devin.
Only one more stool left.
One of these guys stays in the competition, and one goes home.
How are you holding up? I don't know.
It's at that point where you know you can't change anything you did but in my case I know where my voice was and I feel that I gave it everything I had, it was laid on the stage so I'm hoping it was worth it.
Ryan: Johnny, do you think you did what it takes to make it through now? Personally, I feel like I did.
I feel like I gave everything I had with the song that I choice, and I fully respect, I can't make a bad decision because Devin is amazing and I'm surrounded by great vocalists.
It's tough.
Ryan: Good luck to you both.
It comes down to this moment.
We'll watch how you got here.
Take a look.
some maybe fall to the earth we've got a lot to learn God knows I'm alone and I'm not at home in my own home but I'm going to try but you should have known [Cheering.]
Nicki: Guys, I think it's important to note that you both have gotten so far and it's because of your talent.
No matter what happens tonight you should be proud of yourself, a lot of people.
Us four, we had to debate and fight and go back and forth and it was not easy.
This is not unanimous.
We love both of you.
Johnny, your journey ends here.
Devin, congratulations.
Ryan: Devin makes it through and we have to say goodbye to Johnny keyser, ladies and gentlemen.
Johnny, thank you very much.
Devin, take a stool.
You did it.
Congratulations.
Randy: Good luck, brother, good luck.
Ryan: The journey continues for Curtis, eliege appall, Charlie and Devin plus the five ladies who made it through last night but next week a new set of 10 girls and 10 guys take the stage for more sudden-death eliminations.
More " idol" from Vegas rolls on next Wednesday at 8:00, 7:00 central.
Thank you everybody for being here tonight, thank you to our judges and our talented contestants.
We'll see you soon.
Keep it on fox.
Your local news is next.
Goodnight, America.
Tonight is the guys' chance to bring it back.
Only five will survive to face your votes.
They have to impress this crowd of 1,500 people in the Beatles love theater by cirque du soleil.
Tonight's show is sudden death, and the fate of these guys rests in the hands of our four judges.
Keith urban.
Nicki minaj.
Randy Johnson.
And Mariah Carey.
This is the guys' one shot, and this is "American idol.
" Please welcome your host, Ryan seacrest.
Ryan: Thank you, guys.
Good evening once again.
Hello there.
Welcome to the mirage in Las Vegas.
Last night, all eyes were on group one of the ladies, but tonight we shift focus to the guys.
10 of them will take the stage but only five of them will get the chance to sing for your votes.
Let's hear once again for your panel of judges, ladies and gentlemen.
We've got some work to do tonight.
[Applause.]
[Cheering.]
Ryan: Let me ask the judges a couple of things before we get going.
Mariah, what impressed you with the ladies last night? Because I think the guys issue listening and they want to know what won you over for those that impressed you on last night's show.
Mariah: There was so much raw talent last night that it was almost impossible to eliminate anybody.
- Ryan: Yeah.
- Mariah: And so I love, love the guys and, you know, have my favorites but I would be concerned if I were them because the ladies are working very hard and doing amazingly, so whew, it was incredible.
Ryan: Let's bring out the people vying for the judges' affections tonight.
Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for the guys once again.
Here they are.
Half the faces you're looking at will have to go in this sudden death round.
Say hello to Paul jolly.
Johnny keyser.
Shaydar, Kevin Harris.
Chris Watson, Kevin velez.
Elijah lu, Charlie askew, Jimmy Smith, and Curtis Finch Jr.
These are your performers tonight.
Should we get this thing started? Like the ladies, the guys can choose any song from any genre.
We'll start the festivities with you, Paul jolly.
I am Paul joley from palmersville, Tennessee, work in retail and sales, I'm from an itty-bitty town, fublink you're going to miss it for sure.
- I liked you a lot.
- My grandpa recently passed away and it was very hard.
For my my grandpa would never give up.
Nicki: You have a presence people notice as soon as you walk on stage.
This is my calling in life.
I have worked so hard.
I feel like I have to share this with the world because I have so much more to give back.
I've got the TV on the sound turned down pictures of you and I on the walls around me the way that you surround me I'll never get over you walking away I've never been the kd to ever let my dreams show my pride is full like grace I want to My pride, let it fold like grace I want to cry [Applause.]
[Cheers.]
Ryan: Wow.
The crowd loves it.
Fantastic.
Firstly, I want to say thank you.
It's a huge honor for somebody to do one of my songs.
First and foremost, before I give my thoughts, I really appreciate and am honored and touched that you would do that song so thank you for that.
All I want to say to you is I think you've got a really great voice, and if you get to go through, I would ask that you don't underestimate the quality and power that's in your voice and that you don't need to compensate for it with a lot of sometimes overperforming.
You have a lot to offer, and you need to make no compromises for that at all.
[Applause.]
Nicki: I think that the performances you have done wowed me over more, I don't know if you have had stress on your voice but some of the notes you hit seem sweeter to the ear, but you do those big notes and they work for you, but to second a little bit of what Keith was saying, I think even when the song may be understated, your eyes are sort of very theatrical, so you've got to watch that because with songs like this it almost seems like you're in your head so much we're not feeling that raw emotion, so I would work on that, like not overperforming.
Randy: Yo, yo, very risky proposition doing a Keith urban song in front of him.
Let me say this.
The guys are right on one hand, on the other hand I disagree with them because what I always liked about you is if you choose to be a country singer be country singers today other than Gary levox and Carrie Underwood have giant ranges that they can sing R&B and pop, and I think you have the potential to do that in the country world where I don't know a lot of men that have that power that can do that, so I applaud the possibilities of you.
I'm not saying it was all perfect tonight there were a couple of notes here and there, one of the notes at the end was a little sharp but you've got great potential.
That's what I always loved about - you I mean, really.
- Mariah: I agree with Randy and I feel differently than some of the other people on the panel about the front half of the song I felt like you were giving us an intimate performance like an intimate look at you and I enjoyed that because I have seen you perform a couple of times and we know you have that power belt when you want to go there and I like it yes, you can nitpick little things here and there, whatever, but it's refreshing and nice to see that if you want to do something in the genre, you're able to have flexibility with it.
Paul jolly.
Courageous to sing that in front of Keith and the panel.
How was it going first tonight? I thought I've got to have the confidence that everyone wants me to have that I know I have and I want to bring it and give it every single time.
Ryan: Results coming later in the show.
We'll see Paul back for the judgment in just a bit.
Paul joley, ladies and gentlemen.
Paul jolley, ladies and gentlemen.
We have music coming from Johnny keyser and jada.
Hang tight.
Ryan: Welcome back to " idol" in Las Vegas for our sudden-death round, 10 guys taking the stage tonight, only five get a chance to sing for your vote.
A staggering cut coming up from the judges.
Right now, Johnny keyser.
Will he stay alive? Get ready for some blue-eyed sold.
24 years old from fort lauderdale, Florida, a musician.
- Do you have a.
- No.
- Ok.
- I am back from last year.
I would say getting cut was the beginning of my growth.
It wasn't until that point that I really started to go for it.
- Johnny's back.
- You are a star.
I believe.
I believe in commitment.
I believe in music.
And I believe that I'm supposed to be here.
For a beautiful sunrise there is so much they hold just like you have come so far to be right where you are how old is your soul because even the stars no, I won't give up" and I won't give up we've got to learn God knows we're worth it no, I won't give up I won't give up on us and even if the skies, they get rough I'm giving you all my love God knows we're worth it I won't give up [Cheering.]
Ryan: Johnny.
That was good.
- Keith: It was good.
- Randy: That's your best song for me, and there was sort of an.
Keith: There was an effortlessness about the way you sang and I could see moments of nervousness being in front of the audience but I also saw moments when you sort of lost that and went back into the song, and those moments were enough to keep pulling me through the song.
I thought that was really good, brother.
Nicki: It's strange, because I did not see nervousness and that's what I was going to comment on.
You came out really, really relaxed, you looked real sexy tonight.
[Cheering.]
Nicki: And I don't remember if you answered that question.
Do you have a girlfriend? No, I do not.
- Nicki, Nicki.
- Nicki: Kudos to you for being really freshly, nicely groomed looking like you're coming out at your own concert.
Look, it me you don't have the greatest vocal in the world, I'm going to be audience but you have a nice sparkle in your eye, girls are are going to love you and I think there is something masculine and sexy about you.
Good job.
In the competition as it stands now, I don't know if you have got the greatest voice.
I like you.
Randy: I was always pulling for you.
For me, tonight, that sounded a little bit kind of just an ok performance for me.
There weren't enough spots in there no, no, listen, there weren't enough spots in there for me that made me say, beyond these 10 people this guy had to have it because I didn't see enough moments for you like dude, you've got to slay it tonight, you can't play it too safe tonight for me.
Mariah: I have seen you perform a few times now and feel like I'm familiar with kind of who you are as an artist.
I love your commitment to music and that you are really focused on what you want to do and I sense that from you.
I don't want to get in trouble with my husband, but you are bringing the masculinity.
You are giving us that sexiness, and I fell like in the beginning of the song when you were in your lower register, it was really there, and look, it's a competition so you have to show your voice and I understand that.
My opinion is that you're worthy to be around.
Whatever that means.
Ryan: Johnny keyser.
Dude, what's up, man.
- Thank you.
- Ryan: We werealking before the show, tonight, and I said are you amped up and you said just the opposite, "I'm trying to amp down.
" What did you mean by that? Last year in Las Vegas I had anxiety and I was so pumped up, the adrenalin, this year I tried to do the opposite, ease into it and be calm throughout the day especially for that song.
Ryan: I'm glad there is some masculinity finally on this stage.
Thank you, Johnny.
Good luck, buddy.
- Thanks, Ryan.
- Ryan: He's going to head back stage and wait for the judges' results.
Next up someone who first caught the judges' eye in Chicago.
- Take a look.
- Jda.
I'm 27 years old and I sell luxurious French you brought the sunshine with you.
Right now I'm choosing my own path to happiness.
I can really, fully embrace who I am without any regrets.
I am my own producer, director.
I am the star of my own movie.
I am the artist of my own life.
going to be able to love you like I will don't you remember so he's got it all baby, is I really want you all you got your head in the clouds made a fool out of you and bring yourself made your heart rumor has it that you don't love anymore whispered in my ear that I had my best to hear just because I said it for me just because you heard it rumor has it rumor has it rumor has it rumor has it he's the one I'm leaving you for [Cheering.]
- Oh, God.
- Oh, jda.
- Keith: He's killing them in French too.
We are in Vegas, jda, you were right at home tonight on that stage.
Look, first of all, I want to commend you on putting on a show tonight.
You want a show, right? I wanted to give you guys a show.
Keith: I appreciate that and I also applaud your originality.
I know.
[Laughter.]
Keith: And your humility is better than anybody's.
- Gracias.
- Keith: All I want to say is the only thing I wish I had felt a bit more of is a little less what I would say is counting steps and I felt I to a certain degree I felt like you had written out the lyrics and written down every move next to every single lyric and that's cool but I don't want to feel that or sense that through the performance because I loved what you were undertaking.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
Randy: Miss lady, let me say something, hold on, work it, - girl, work it.
- Thank you.
I know I have to.
I got to represent for the gays, you know.
I love the gays.
Nicki: I'm sure you do d jda, what I have to say is real simple.
No matter what happens from here on out, you are a superstar performer.
Ok? That's number one.
Number two, you're absolutely right.
Everybody came to see a show and you give a show every single time and something that you did tonight that no one's ever done because being an artist when you are in an arena, or anyplace, when you turned around to look at these people here and felt that and took that in is something it's something that people don't normally do unless they're professional, but you were organic in feeling the warmth of the audience and you showed them that, and I like that.
The only thing I didn't like, jda, I'm just keeping it real, your vocal wasn't good today how I normally remembered it.
It was a little phone-voicy, whiney, but if you don't do anything other than " idol," you're a performer.
Congratulations.
Randy: Yo, by the way, Nicki, the reason the vocal wasn't as stellar, because you can sing, you were so keyed in on the performance, if we gave an award for who's got the best performance it would definitely be you are.
You can don't perform.
You're doing your own choreography in your head but you should be thinking more about the vocal as well because this is a singing competition, but let me tell you something.
Nicki: I don't think he was thinking about the performance too much.
I just think it wasn't a good vocal for some strange reason.
Randy: When you're moving that much and doing that much Nicki: Normally he does sing well a let of times when he performs.
Randy: I don't know if I have seen you move this much but here is what I was going to say also is look, the problem is, though, it's like I didn't feel any I'm with Keith on this.
I felt no originality I felt like I seen every move 20 million times.
I have.
Mariah: I felt like you were so confident you weren't wavering vocally, and that's, I mean, it wasn't what you have done in terms of, like, the bigness that you have done sometimes in, like, the earlier shows or whatever, but your confidence level was major, like, I was just, like, wow, you know, you I put the heels on and I'm like Mariah: Your brand of masculinity and whatever it is you're giving us, your performance, I liked the vocal because I just was like wow, he's doing a lot and he's also not wavering and whatever.
Randy: You woke us up.
I'll tell you that.
Ryan: Jda.
It's only a two-hour show, so many things to chat with you about but the outfit.
Could you tell us what went into this choice tonight? Simple.
I think this is I mean, this is I'm glistening and glittering on stage with the lights, I love the lights, I love ti need a light in front of me all the time, I need a mirror in front of me all the time.
We haven't seen this much glitter since Adam lambert's season.
Ladies and gentlemen, jda.
Good luck, jda.
We're going to break away evera this.
Enjoy your moment.
Keep going.
Kevin Harris gets his chance on the Vegas stage.
Don't go anywhere.
High five.
[Cheering.]
Ryan: Thanks for keeping it on " idol," showtime for the guys tonight as 10 battle for five spots, I am seated with the ladies who survived the cut last night.
Say hi to the ladies.
Angie, let me ask you.
You worked really hard.
Get the performance.
What did you do last night to celebrate making it through here in Vegas? I got together with my family and friends who came and had dinner and I passed out because yesterday was such an emotionally tiring, successful day.
Ryan: Congratulations once again to all of our ladies this season on "American idol.
" You can start voting for them in just two weeks.
Let's get back to the guys now starting with Kevin.
My name is Kevin Harris.
28 years old, from Montgomery, Alabama, production supervisor.
- Unique.
- That might be your nickname.
Buta Butter.
Thanks for the nickname, Randy, everybody calling me butter.
I'm here for the family.
My sons letting me know they can do anything they put their minds to, daddy can do is, daddy going to show you the way, that's why I'm here.
Look into my eyes you will see what you mean to me don't tell me it's not worth trying for you can't tell me it's not worth dying for you know it's true everything I do there is no love like your love and no other could give more love there is nowhere, unless you're there all the time, all the way, yeah I love for you all the while for you, yeah, I'd die for you you know it's true everything I do I do it for you Keith: Hey, Kevin.
First of all, I have always loved that song.
That's one of Bryan's best.
I loved your voice.
Your range is crazy, like the song starts and I think, good God, that's high, and you have that effortless soaring up there, I have mixed feelings about when you guys choose at the end of a song to go oh, I'm going to flip up and show crazy range here and that sort of thing but at the same time I get that you are trying to show what you can do so I try to mix that up with my end result, but I think tonight was very good.
Nicki: Kevin, every single solitary musical choice you made tonight was perfection.
Every single choice.
It was a great song for you.
You don't seem like you're in a competition.
You seem like you're relaxed.
There was so much control.
I love your vibrato.
I loved that you went falsetto at the end.
I loved everything about it.
I don't know if people are going to connect because I don't know the personality doesn't jump at me but I love your voice, I really think you are the first boy tonight that made me go yes, this vocal is 100% tonight.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Randy: I feel like it's going to be one of those nights on the panel that we agree to disagree.
I was bored.
I felt it was karaoke.
I felt there were no moments at the end.
I felt you put in a high moment at the end and my problem is if you want to show what you have got, and this is a time it to do it, choose a different song because the guys that are coming out are are going to come with guns ablazing.
If I'm choosing I don't know, I wasn't blown out at all.
I didn't love it.
Thank you, man.
Mariah: Kevin.
You have been one of my favorites from the beginning from the first time I heard you sing, it's obvious that, you know, you're a born singer, that, you know, you have been singing forever, it's clear.
Actually, I love that song but I would love to hear you sing something that you love what you can do, because you can take a note and bring it 56 places if you want but I'm a huge admirer of you and I do feel like you are a professional, so that's what I feel.
Thank y'all, thank y'all.
Ryan: Thank you, Kevin.
So it sounded like you were hearing two different songs, Nicki and Randy.
Randy: It was the same song, just at different times in our lives.
Ryan: Join us for this moment together.
Good luck to you, my friend.
We should shout out your voice.
Your boys.
You wore these bow ties.
The youngest is Kevin.
- Ryan: Kyle? - He's older.
Ryan: Thanks a lot, Kevin.
Good luck to you tonight.
The results are coming up at the end.
Sudden death.
After this, Chris Watson storms the " idol" stage.
We'll be right back.
Ryan: Welcome back to " idol" here in Las Vegas.
Thank you very much for hanging with us tonight and across the country.
Last night, we were all about the ladies, but tonight it's game on for the guys.
All of them want to make it to your vote, including a waiter that we met back in New York.
Here is Chris Watson.
I am 25 years old and I'm from Dover, delawarea.
- Hello, pretty boy.
- I firmly believe in the law of attraction and I feel like I attracted this opportunity.
Currently, I'm a waiter by day and a singer by night.
I play gigs professionally.
I'm definitely ready to leave the tips behind and definitely trying to get those big checks so hopefully I can be the one leaving the good tips as opposed to the one receiving it.
Nicki: I'm really excited about you.
I'll be sitting with the evening sun watching the ships roll in and I'll watch them roll away again sitting on the dock of the bay watching the tide roll away yeah, I'm sitting on the dock of the bay wasting time city looks like nothing's going to change this loneliness won't leave me alone thousand Miles I've roamed just to call this dock my home yeah, I'm sitting on the dock of the bay watching the tide roll away yeah, I'm sitting on the dock of the bay wasting time [Cheering.]
- Thank you.
- Keith: Randy, you were talking about this being a singing competition and in a lot of ways it's really more of a connection competition in the sense that there is a lot of ways to make a connection with people in the audience.
There can be the voice.
There can be the performance, there can be the way you move, there can be charisma, a combination ory all of that but it doesn't have to be all of it and tonight for me the voice wasn't the best it could have been and I don't think that was a great song to show off your voice but I think you have great confidence on stage, I love the way you carry yourself, I love the way you dress.
You've got a lot going for you.
Nicki: Excuse me, Chris, you are the prettiest man I have seen in my life, ever.
He might be single too.
Nicki: Let me tell you something.
I want to marry your vibrato.
Wow.
Nicki: There is a soulful, raspy, uniqueness every time you sing.
It gets me.
I don't know that this was the best song choice but I have to tell you, I am upset with you and I might be the only one and I'm willing to say that proudly.
I love you.
Everything about you.
Thank you.
Nicki: I'm, like, seriously, because I don't know what you have gone through in your life but it doesn't matter what you sing, I hear pain, I hear soul, I hear struggle, I just love you.
Thank you, thank you so much, thank you.
Randy: I guess I should continue my trend of the evening.
I'm disagreeing with the whole panel.
It's a thing we go through some nights.
Listen, I love you, the person.
I love your look.
I love that whole thing.
Love the whole headband, the whole vibe.
Once again, I have been wanting people to show me something vocally.
It sounds like the song goes nowhere for you.
You don't go outside your range, take it anywhere, do anything interesting vocally with it, and Otis had all of that muster when he was singing that that he didn't need to have the runs and the big stuff.
He's not doing Otis.
Randy: No, you're doing Chris, but baby, you're doing Chris but the Chris tonight, dude, it didn't give me enough.
I don't know what I was hearing.
I was bored.
I understand what Randy, I.
Randy: I wasn't getting anything.
Show me something that says you're better than these other dudes.
What duplicate him to do, what do you want him to do, flash you? - Randy: Sing to me.
- I love that song.
It's a beautiful song.
But like I guess every time I have seen you, there is just something about you that is that is pain and that does come across but it's also for lack of a better word triumphant because like you're a survivor in my opinion and I think no matter what happens with this competition so many people are looking at your again, don't let me get in trouble, but beautiful face and again, the charisma that you had and the connection with the crowd and everything to me was fantastic.
For me it wasn't your best performance vocally, but certain things have overridden that in your ok? - Ryan: Let's hear for Chris.
- At this stage the songs that you guys pick helps tell the story about who you are.
Why did you choose that one? We all been out there in L.
A.
And it gets kind of lonely a little bit, we miss all our friends and our family and our loved ones so I thought it was a song that I could connect with because I have been feeling that way a little bit, and it was fun.
I felt like I connected with it.
Ryan: 1,500 friends here tonight, my man, best of luck to Chris.
Just after this, it is a big moment for two 18-year-olds.
They get their shot after this.
Don't move a muscle.
Ryan: Welcome back to "American idol"'s first ever sudden-death round.
Have we kissed and made up, you too? Come on, lipstick, maybe by the end of the season.
It means that half of the 10 guys performing will lose it all tonight, so big, big stakes but it comes with an amazing reward and hoping he will taste success - is Devin.
- I'm years old.
I'm from Chicago.
High school student and work at a coffee house.
What was it like growing up? It was rough.
Grew up without a dad, just me and mom, money was tight when I was little, I grew up with a lot of hurt but a lot of that went into my music.
One of my favorite male voices so far.
My mother is my role model, my rock, she's always got my back, so having her here, I know no matter what happens I think I'm going to be heart.
You are born to sing.
[Cheering.]
This time the song here in my heart a melody I start but I can't complete all the time has come for my dream to be heard they will not be pushed aside and spurned into your own all cause you won't listen I'm alone and I'm alone in my own home but you should have known music And o, I'm not believing you you don't know what I'm feeling I'm more than what you made of me I'm proud of the voice I think you gave to me and now I've got to find my own my own [Cheering.]
- Yeah.
That's the way to do it, Devin.
He's been spending all this time talking about performances we have been spending all this time talking about performances, people that run are around the stage and put on a whole deal and then there are singers, and you walk out there and you can sing.
You've got a voice.
You made a connection with me from your voice.
You didn't have to do anything else except sing the song, be in the song, and show me Devin, and I saw you tonight.
[Applause.]
Nicki: Yeah, Devin, obviously, we've loved you for a very long time and I think tonight not only did you do an amazing job at singing the song, but I think you made a smart choice as an artist to sing in Spanish, because obviously that opens you up to another world and it's more marketable and I think it was a smart choice to be young and make that sort of choice, because you don't know if you're going forward.
I think that it was a great job.
I mean, you know, you're a nice looking guy and you have a nice spirit, a warmth about you that shines through your eyes, so I'm proud of you and I'm glad your family was here tonight to see that, to witness that.
They look really happy.
Randy: Yo, man, listen.
Dude, I love you.
I thought it was amazing.
[Applause.]
Randy: And, and, by the way, what I really love is you took your time with it.
It's a tough song to sing.
Nicki is right, the whole thing putting the Spanish in I thought oh, yeah, this is amazing, it was a great arrangement, the key changes dude, love, love, big props to you, big props to you, big props.
[Applause.]
Mariah: I'm just I might be wrong about this but I know you hear everything and I feel like at the end of the performance you were critiquing yourself on certain things.
- Yes, ma'am.
- Mariah: Don't do it, because seriously, when you went into the Spanish section, I think when we first heard you, I said these things in Spanish we had a whole discussion about it and I loved that you did that with this song because to me it brought the world of R&B into the you singing the Spanish together and that was great, and like, you know, no matter what, I can't wait to see what a producer does when you get into the studio and make an album.
- Thank you.
- Ryan: Devin, ladies and gentlemen.
Now let's find out what Elijah is bringing to the table.
I'm 18 years old from rowland heights, California, I'm a college student and I'm studying business.
I'm half Chinese and my mom has six children, I'm number five of the litter.
You have the potential to do big things.
I have been successful with ladies.
It's major.
Nothing wrong with that.
Something about you feels like a pop star.
I want to entertain anybody that loves my music.
Especially the ladies.
I know you you're somewhere out there somewhere far away I want you back yes, I want you back neighbors think I'm crazy but they don't understand it's nice when the stars light up my room I sit by myself talking to the moon trying to get the moon and hope you're on the other side talking to me too talking to the moon talking to the moon talking to the moon [Cheering.]
Keith: Elijah, I thought that was a perfect song choice for you tonight.
I want to say that I think it was I think it was a fairly shaky performance tonight.
It wasn't a great performance vocally, but for me, what I love about you is that you look like a freakin pop star, man, you know, and you have a way about you that is so relevant and now, and in the midst of all the stuff that's going to, it was really refreshing to see someone current and relevant, so thank you for that.
Nicki: I don't care about that song.
You are a super-duper star, little boy.
I want to have your babies.
I'm so serious.
You're 18 years old.
You're sexy.
You're my new favorite boy.
I'm obsessed with you.
- Adding to your collection.
- Nicki: Let me tell you something, I do not know has anyone else seen this? I would sign you today.
I would sign you today.
Let me tell you something.
You have the most marketable face and voice and combination that I have seen tonight and you are ready now, now.
Thank you, thank you, Nicki.
Nicki: Love it.
Beautiful voice.
Randy: For a minute there I thought Nicki was talking about me, the marketable face, the beauty, the sexiness, anyway, I love you.
I think you're hearing all of us say that we love you.
This was not a great vocal.
You had no moments in that song but I know you're capable of it so I'm a little torn there but I think we like you, man.
You're all swagged out with your look.
I think we're pulling for you, the guy that we've seen over the time.
It wasn't great tonight, but if you get to go forward, dude, you've got to have moments, got to have moments because you've got them, got to have them - vocally.
- Thank you.
Mariah: I thought there were two distinct moments because I love the main, the powerful midrange that you have, like almost new editiony, it gives me that feeling and I like the control that you used when you went into your not a high falsetto but your softer voice and it was like in the verse and it was really beautiful so I agree with everything everybody else says.
You're extremely marketable and.
I also love that you are Mexican and Chinese and I think that's a great combination.
Ryan: Let's hear it one more time.
Elijah, ladies and gentlemen.
You feel like you were in the moment out here? I honestly thought it went well in rehearsals and I thought I gave my heart for it, yes.
Ryan: Good luck to you, my friend.
On the other side, more guys sing for survival on this stage.
We'll be right back.
Ryan: We're back with you from the Beatles love theater by cirque du soleil here with Charlie azkew.
Rst the wardrobe.
Tell me about your choice tonight.
Where did you get this? I got the pants and shirt at a vintage clothing store in Hollywood boulevard.
I I could have got lost and there and lost all my money.
I went to jda for advice.
Ryan: What about the golf club? The golf club, I was using it to get used to the baseless microphone stand I'll be using tonight.
Ryan: Working on your short game.
Something I'm familiar with.
Let's look at how you got here as you get set.
Are you the nex "American" - idol"? - I hope so.
I have always been very socially awkward.
The music, finally, I found an outlet, some way I can express myself.
Charlie, I am obsessed with you.
Baby, I could say the same thing.
I been singing for birds all my life but now, I get it sing for the big time.
I glorify weirdness.
She passed my bags last night pref light zero hours 9:00 A.
M.
and I'm gonna be high I miss the earth so much, I miss my wife it's lonely out in space from such a timeless flight and I think it's gonna be a long, long time till touchdown brings me around again to find I'm not the man they think I am at home, oh no, no, no, I'm a rocket man rocket man, burning out his fuse out here alone and I think it's gonna be a long, long time till touchdown brings me around again to find I'm not the man they think I am at home, oh, no, no, no, I'm a rocket man rocket man burning up his fuse up here alone and I think it's gonna be a long, long time [Cheering.]
Charlie.
[Cheering.]
Keith: I don't mean to interrupt, Kelly, man, you are no matter what people are saying at home I'll bet nobody left their television set for that whole performance.
It's like if Freddie Mercury had a love child out of Woodstock somewhere.
I love your originality.
Your fearlessness.
Your unpredictability.
Tackling that song was just like what the hell are you doing? But somehow you make it work, Charlie.
Let's see if America agrees.
Thank you.
Nicki: Yes, soak it up, soak it up, Charlie.
You're like for me, all of you.
Nicki: Charlie, you have made the most interesting song choice of the night.
It's the most it's the smartest.
You're weirdness, your awkwardness, it excites me.
As young as - really, really, really? - Nicki: As young as you are you don't rely on cutesy, I love you used the Mercury example because that's where you put me, it's rock star, it's fresh, it's crazy, it's, like, outlandish and - it's real.
- Nicki: Charlie, I want to cradle you in my arms.
I want to Charlie, you know you remind me of my little brother.
I love you so much.
I love you.
I love you so Barb, love Charlie.
Throw it out for the turtles out there.
Bought this a couple of days for you.
Randy: I don't know where I am right now.
I don't know what's going on.
I like it.
Randy: Yeah, listen, I mean.
I love you.
I think we all love you.
Your originality.
You're wild.
Uncontrollable like I don't know what's going to happen, what you are going to say, do, jump, wear, kneel, whatever, it was a bit stage school for me at the same time, if for me, I have this Nicki: No, it wasn't, no, it wasn't.
I grew up in Randy: Wait a minute.
There is a verse, let me drop down on a knee.
Where are we? I like you.
I don't know - baby.
- Nicki: That's right.
- Yo, yo, yo.
You're right.
Randy: You're right, you know, you're right.
Forget singing tonight.
Let's just all perform.
We're in Vegas.
What are we doing? [Laughing.]
Randy: Who cares about singing, Mariah? What are we doing? Let's just perform [Laughing.]
Mariah: Charlie, I live for the song choice.
- Thank you.
- Mariah: I think it's amazing to hear that.
It's like have no idea.
It's just so nostalgic for me.
I love Elton John.
- Me too.
- Mariah: I know that you wanted to bring your own thing to it because I think that's what you have done.
I personally feel like there have been other moments where I felt like you have done some unique things with your voice that made me go wait a minute, he's got a really specific style that if someone works with him and hones that, that could be like something that's brought out on and really interesting, so that's just me like when you sang the nat king Cole song.
That's what I'm talking about.
- Thank you.
- Mariah: But you know, at the same time.
[Cheering.]
Ryan: Charlie askew.
You're comfortable on the stage.
More than anywhere else in the world.
Ryan: Thank you for entertaining us.
Take another spin in the round there.
- All right.
- Ryan: Always a pleasure, Charlie.
Come on, really, you.
Ryan: We've lost them.
After the break, Jimmy Smith asks for your vote.
Ryan: Welcome back to "American idol.
" If you're just joining us, to recap, Nicki has wanted marry.
Chris's vibrato, cradle Charlie and have Elijah's baby.
Mariah, I wonder what's in store for Jimmy.
- Oy.
- My name is Jimmy Smith.
I'm from Franklin, Tennessee.
I'm a social worker at a dialysis clinic.
I see song writers around shows in Nashville after work so I can have 14-16-hour days, sometimes.
Randy: Who inspired you to sing? - Keith is a huge inspiration.
- You're going to Hollywood.
- Nomar: - I'm here because I have seen what "American idol" can do for country music.
The fire gets bigger and stronger with every round.
I feel like I'm here for a reason and I'm ready for it.
it ticks just like a thyme it lets up on you who said life was easy and the job sent us too you want us to harden our heart and love could use a day of rest for we both start falling apart it's raining on Sunday stormin' like crazy we hide under the covers all afternoon ever comes Monday take care of it that we can do it's raining on Sunday rainin on Sunday, stormin' like crazy we'll hide under the covers all afternoon baby, whatever comes Monday can take care of itself 'cause we've got better things that we can do when it's raining on Sunday oh, yeah oh, when it's raining on Sunday [Cheering.]
- Jimmy.
- Keith: Let me just say it's really hard to critique somebody who just sang your song.
Again, thank you for singing that song.
That's actually originally a radney foster song so I was covering radney but I have always loved that song and I thought you did a really good job tonight.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
[Cheering.]
Nicki: Jimmy, I thought it was a good vocal but I was a little bit bored.
I was still thinking about something else from earlier in the day, I guess.
Randy: I've got to agree with Nicki there, it was definitely a little boring for me.
The thing I always liked about you, though, if I may say this, you grew up, when I asked you a question in the package, you loved Keith urban, you sort of look like Robert plant who made that great record with Allison kraus, you're a mixed bag but I don't know if it came together tonight.
I don't think it was great.
Mariah: I have been really kind of like fighting for you, not that there was anyone against you or whatever but I just feel like there is a quality about you that's really great, and in the early auditions, when you first sang for us, I felt like maybe there was less pressure on you because now that you are in front of all of these people, I'm not sure this is I know you do song writers nice and stuff like that and you perform whatever but I feel like it's a lot of pressure so maybe it wasn't your best vocal.
I don't think it was.
But I still think that there is something about you that America should be able to see.
Thank you.
Ryan: Jimmy once again.
I know that song meant a lot to you and it was special to sing for Keith.
It was an amazing opportunity.
I appreciate it so much.
Ryan: Oo good luck to you, my friends, results are coming up very soon.
On the other side the pride of St.
Louis hits the big time.
Curtis Finch Jr.
does Luther van dross.
Ryan: Thank you for keeping it locked here on "American" idol.
" We've got one more performance for you here tent before our 10 guys face their final judgment for you here tonight before our 10 guys face their final judgment.
This is Curtis.
I'm 24 years old, I'm from St.
Louis, Missouri and I'm a tutor at a charter school.
I'm able to give back to students what was given to me so I'm blessed all around.
- Do you go to church? - Yes.
- Referee: I feel it.
- I was raised in a church, I sang gospel music, gospel music is in my blood.
I feel like I communicate most with the audience when I'm singing gospel music.
Let's have it for the boy.
Loneliness it's such a sad affair and I can't hardly wait to be with you again to say to make you come again come on back to me again please, baby, because I want to be, I want to be anywhere you are, anywhere you are don't you remember you told me you love me, baby you said you'd be coming back this way again, baby baby, baby, baby baby I love you Brother Curtis.
I feel thoroughly cleansed of my sins.
Well, not thoroughly, but I thought that was really beautiful, and what I love is there were parts which for me were overperformed but your voice is beautiful and I would love to hear more of t.
I would love to hear more of it.
Nicki: Every time you step on stage, you take the competition to another level.
You raise the bar every time and the other contestants are always waiting to see what you are going to do, and today you used a lower, bassier register in the beginning which it was nice to hear that different side of your voice, so darlin', you are well on your way, you're ready, you're poised, it's your time.
[Cheering.]
- Thank you.
Randy: Yo, I'm always excited to see you get up there and sing, man, you're one of the best singers in this thing, your voice is unparalleled you can sing anything, Nicki mentioned the register, you did the low thing like Luther, you did the high thing with your falsetto, you can really go there.
I love you.
I will would give you one tidbit if you move ahead in this competition.
How old are you? - 25.
Randy: You're 25, dog.
You're 25.
Make sure you keep it young, man.
Don't let it get so old-fashioned.
That was very old-fashioned.
It was kind of it was very old-fashioned.
Make sure you get it young.
- Nicki: That's him.
- Randy: You can be a little younger, 25.
Mariah: I think what Randy is saying, and you know that I wouldn't even begin to critique you, because you know what you do.
With your church, and you're telling everybody else how to fix what they're doing so you heard everything you did and you know every note you sang, and so it moved me to tears as it always does when you sing, and I wait the entire time for you to sing, but I think what he's saying is you could loosen up your tie, open up your thing and relax it because your voice, you don't even have to perform for us because your voice and your musicality is who you are.
Bless you.
Thank you.
Mariah: I love you for it.
I love you too.
I do.
- I do.
- Nice work, man.
[Cheering.]
Ryan: You had this place captivated including mama.
That's my mama.
Ryan: Curtis Finch Jr.
once again, ladies and gentlemen.
All right.
So now we turn things over to the judges.
Over the break, they will make the critical decision of who stays and who head home.
Remember, if there is a locked vote then Jimmy will make the call.
Things are heating up right here in Vegas.
Get ready, Jimmy.
Get ready, judges, get ready, America.
Results after this.
Ryan: Welcome back to Las Vegas.
This is the moment that we have been waiting for.
Like last night, five stools right here on the stage ready to be filled with the guys who will be moving forward.
During the break, the judges have deliberated, and now we find out who stays in the competition and who faces.
America's vote.
The judges are here on the stage.
Have you made your decision? Randy: Not quite, we have one split decision.
- Ryan: It's not unanimous? - Not unanimous.
Ryan: Randy, was it easier tonight or harder tonight? Last night it was tough to make the choices on the girls.
Randy: I think it was tough tonight as well.
This was really difficult.
Ryan: Nicki, I know that when you believe in a contestant, you are not shy about fighting for that contestant.
Did you have to fight for anybody? Nicki: I fought for a couple of my favorites, yes, I did.
Ryan: Let me remind you at home, if the judges don't agree as Randy just said they didn't, then Jimmy snepz and he is the deciding factor and is the tiebreaker.
Are you ready, Jimmy? - Jimmy: I'm ready, Ryan.
- Ryan: The 10 guys are back stage anxiously awaiting the news.
What is going to happen here? First up to face his fate is Curtis.
remember you told me you loved me, baby you said you'd be coming back again, baby baby, baby, baby Nicki: Ok.
Would you please would you please stop with this act, Curtis? - Yeah, I'll be playing.
- Nicki: You know damn well you're going through.
Congratulations.
[Applause.]
[Cheering.]
Ryan: Curtis gets a stool and stays alive in the competition.
On this sudden-death night.
Ryan: Congratulations, Curtis.
Good job, buddy.
Take a seat.
All right.
Back to the room.
Up next, it's time for you, Jimmy.
it's raining on Sunday, stormin' like crazy we'll hide under the covers all afternoon Randy: Hello, Jimmy.
How is it going, man? How are you? Randy: I'm happy you sang that Keith song.
It's a beautiful song, man.
This is torture for us trying to decide who goes, who stays, what happens, but we have decisions to make and cuts to make and dude, tonight, you didn't make it.
Sorry.
Thank you very much.
Good luck.
- Thank you so much.
- Ryan: Tough break.
Let's hear it one more time.
Jimmy, ladies and gentlemen.
- Thank you.
- Right on, man.
Ryan: His favorite judge, Keith urban giving him a hug.
Back to the results.
Sudden death tonight.
Very emotional.
Very difficult.
And now, it's time for Kevin.
I fight for you, I love for you walk the wire for you yeah, I'd die for you - Hi, Kevin.
- Hello.
I'm extremely emotional because you know, I've become attached to you and I love your voice and I love how you got your children represented and and I want it to send some love out to them, and just to say that I expect to hear you somewhere on somebody's radio at some point soon but unfortunately, you won't be going through and I hate that I had to be the one to say it because you really are one of my favorites, and I have to thank you for all your beautiful Ryan: Thank you one more time, guys, for Kevin.
Thanks, Kevin.
Appreciate it, buddy.
Good luck to you, my friend.
Appreciate your being on the show.
Let's keep it going.
Half of them have to go in this sudden death.
Next up, it's Elijah.
night when the stars light up my room I sit by myself talking to the moon - Good luck, my friend.
- Hey, Elijah.
- How you doing? - Good, man.
Keith: This is such a strange night because the people we have to let go is crazy, and I so wish that we could keep you, and glad that we are.
You're going to go through.
Ryan: Elijah gets one of those five seats on the stage and makes it through in the competition tonight.
[Cheering.]
Ryan: Congratulations, Elijah.
Come on over and take your stool.
Thank you very much.
All right.
Next, are you ready, jda? Rumor has it, rumor has it, yeah rumor has it Back up a little bit, jda, find your spot.
- Perfect.
- Nicki: Hi, jda.
- Hey.
- Nicki: You know I love you, and you know how talented and how very, very special and unique you are just as a human being, I think it's important for you to know that.
Tonight, we were unable to keep you, but God bless you and good luck with everything you do.
Ryan: So it's the end of the line for one of our most unique performers on "American idol" that we will not soon forget, jda, ladies and gentlemen.
Ryan: Thanks for sharing your glitter with us.
Good luck to you, jda.
Ryan: Now back to more results.
Paul, would you join us on stage.
Never losing touch with my pride let it hold Randy: Ryan, this is our split decision here with Paul.
Ryan: So 2-2 on this one.
It was not unanimous.
Which means, as I said, we go to Jimmy from inner scope for the tiebreaker.
Jimmy, you've got to on work for us.
Go ahead and stand up.
- Jimmy: I am ready.
- Ryan: You are the determining factor.
The future of Paul rests on you.
All right, ryanwhat I think I saw tonight was a good singer with the wrong song, and why I felt it was the wrong song is I felt I was watching Paul sing a Keith urban song while auditioning for "phantom of the opera," you oversang it, when you oversing you get in trouble on this show, you have a great instrument but it's because of that great instrument that I'm going to recommend you go on.
Ryan: So he's safe.
He has a stool and is alive in the competition.
Congratulations, Paul.
Curveball, Jimmy.
Taking us down the path and delivering good news for Paul.
So come on over, Paul.
Give a hug to Mariah and join the other gentlemen who stay alive in the competition tonight.
Congratulations, my friend.
Well done.
Good job, everybody.
There it is.
You've got Curtis, Elijah and Paul.
They've survived sudden death to earn your votes.
After the break, four more guys hear the news.
Who moves on? Find out.
We'll be right back in Las Vegas.
Ryan: Welcome back to "American idol.
" So to recap, so far, Curtis, Elijah and Paul, ladies and gentlemen, have moved on to sing for your votes, and they are celebrating.
Who else is going to join them? Let's find out right now.
The next person to face the judges is Chris.
[Cheering.]
Sitting on the dock of the bay watching the tide roll away yeah, I'm sitting on the dock of the bay wasting time Randy: Chris, how you doing, man, how you doing, dog? This is tough tonight as we have all been saying, it's definitely nervewracking trying to get down to five people on the stools, and listen, you definitely you have been good throughout the competition.
Tonight, it didn't go in your favor.
You're not going to make it, man.
Sorry.
Thank you.
Appreciate you.
Appreciate you.
Thank you for the opportunity.
- Randy: Good luck.
- Ryan: Spirit, passion and determination to make it through and sadly we have to say goodbye to half of the guys tonight, we have to say goodbye to Chris.
Let's hear it for Chris one more time, everybody.
Thank you, Chris.
Good luck, my friend.
Next, it's time for Charlie.
not the man they think I am at home, no, no, no, I'm a rocket man rocket man, out here alone Hello, Charlie.
Hi, darling.
- How is it going? - It's going well.
Are you good or dazed from this whole thing? - Dazed and confused.
- Mariah: There you go.
As you know, tonight, you could probably see, we have been focusing on the vocalists, predominantly and not so much the performers.
We have been having to let go some of the performers.
But in your case, you're staying with us.
[Cheering.]
[Cheering.]
Randy: Welcome, man, welcome, welcome.
Ryan: Congratulations to Charlie there.
We are back stage now.
It comes down to Johnny and Devin.
Only one more stool left.
One of these guys stays in the competition, and one goes home.
How are you holding up? I don't know.
It's at that point where you know you can't change anything you did but in my case I know where my voice was and I feel that I gave it everything I had, it was laid on the stage so I'm hoping it was worth it.
Ryan: Johnny, do you think you did what it takes to make it through now? Personally, I feel like I did.
I feel like I gave everything I had with the song that I choice, and I fully respect, I can't make a bad decision because Devin is amazing and I'm surrounded by great vocalists.
It's tough.
Ryan: Good luck to you both.
It comes down to this moment.
We'll watch how you got here.
Take a look.
some maybe fall to the earth we've got a lot to learn God knows I'm alone and I'm not at home in my own home but I'm going to try but you should have known [Cheering.]
Nicki: Guys, I think it's important to note that you both have gotten so far and it's because of your talent.
No matter what happens tonight you should be proud of yourself, a lot of people.
Us four, we had to debate and fight and go back and forth and it was not easy.
This is not unanimous.
We love both of you.
Johnny, your journey ends here.
Devin, congratulations.
Ryan: Devin makes it through and we have to say goodbye to Johnny keyser, ladies and gentlemen.
Johnny, thank you very much.
Devin, take a stool.
You did it.
Congratulations.
Randy: Good luck, brother, good luck.
Ryan: The journey continues for Curtis, eliege appall, Charlie and Devin plus the five ladies who made it through last night but next week a new set of 10 girls and 10 guys take the stage for more sudden-death eliminations.
More " idol" from Vegas rolls on next Wednesday at 8:00, 7:00 central.
Thank you everybody for being here tonight, thank you to our judges and our talented contestants.
We'll see you soon.
Keep it on fox.
Your local news is next.
Goodnight, America.