‘American Idol’ Recap: Who Made the Top 9 After Rock & Roll Night?

Scroll down for a recap of the performances and to find out who is moving on to the Top 9.

Chris Tungseth

First to take the stage for the Top 11 was Chris Tungseth. After last week’s performance “didn’t go very well,” he was ready to make a comeback with his rendition of Foreigner’s “Cold as Ice.”

Richie gave Chris some advice to “trust [himself]” and not be afraid to “take a chance” while performing. Meanwhile, Underwood raved, “That was a fantastic song choice for you. I love the energy you came out with. I feel like this was one of my favorite performances that you’ve done, if not the favorite.”

Bryan agreed, adding, “I love that in the front you kind of kept it down, and then you got back to what the song really is, the energy. We saw a lot of you [in that].”

Rae

After landing in the bottom two last week and getting saved by Richie to remain in the competition, there was a lot riding on Rae’s performance of Donna Summer’s “MacArthur Park.”

Underwood was on her feet to cheer for Rae and told her, “It was dramatic in all the right places. The dress, getting down, you were telling a story. I still don’t know what that song means, but you did a great job and you clocked me from my performance [of that song] all those years ago. Good job.”

Bryan called the performance “great” and said Rae’s “whole presentation this whole season has been great vocals, we saw you get emotional, you’re really pouring it all into your performances and we see that.” Richie concluded the critiques my applauding Rae for putting her “stamp on that hit record.”

Braden Rumfelt

For his performance, Braden Rumfelt decided to take on Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” because his twin brother urged him to perform a more upbeat song.

Bryan told Braden it was a “great song choice” and urged him to “keep listening to your brother” going forward. Richie joked that Braden “put some barbecue sauce on [his] career” with his vibe. “The more you do this and make yourself go outside your comfort zone, you’re in the right row,” he added.

Underwood noted that she gave Braden constructive criticism last week, but said he “came to play” this time around. “Well done,” the country singer concluded.

Brooks

Next up was Brooks, who took the stage to sing “These Days” by Nico. He admittedly wasn’t “extremely happy” with his performance from last week, but said he came into the Top 11 with more confidence.

“God has given you your blessing, which is your voice,” Richie said. “It is one of the greatest, unique sounds that you could ever ask for and you’re wearing it well. I love what you just did.”

Underwood told Brooks that she “didn’t want the song to end” and noted that it was the “complete opposite” from what he did last week. “You just seemed so in the moment, so comfortable. You look like you just belong exactly where you’re at. It was perfection.”.

Daniel Stallworth

Daniel Stallworth chose a Bon Jovi classic, “Livin’ on a Prayer,” for his Top 11 performance. He struggled a bit in rehearsals and knew he was taking a risk with this song choice.

Underwood was admittedly skeptical about Daniel’s arrangement when she heard his rehearsal, but gushed, “I was wrong. I can admit when I’m wrong and I was wrong. That was awesome.”

Bryan told Daniel the performance was “so you” and urged him to “keep being you” as the competition continues.

Keyla Richardson

Next up, Keyla Richardson returned to the stage to sing “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” by Stevie Wonder. Mentors Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo helped Keyla change the arrangement of the song to stand out, as well.

The audience went wild for the performance, and so did the judges. “I’m speechless,” Bryan admitted. “Unbelievable. Haven’t ever seen you go to that level, never seen you take it to that level. Way to go there. After doubting yourself last week, to come back and do that … what a showing.”

Underwood let everyone know that Bryan “squeezed my hand so hard because he was so excited,” and referred to Keyla’s performance was “absolutely amazing.”

Lucas Leon

Lucas Leon’s Top 11 performance was of Elton John’s “Benny and the Jets.” After choosing “safe” song choices throughout the competition so far, Lucas was ready to do something unexpected.

Richie urged Lucas to “take chances” and “let the vocals go” in his performances, while Underwood applauded the song choice and said, “I feel like you are so entertaining behind the piano, which is hard when you’re tethered to one place. You were entertaining still. That was great.”

To conclude the critiques, Bryan praised Lucas’ “charisma” and said, “You just make me happy!”

Kyndal Inskeep

Kyndal Inskeep admitted she was disappointed in her Top 12 performance from last week. She returned to the stage with a rendition of “Piece of My Heart” by Janis Joplin, despite Benatar suggesting she go with one of the other song choices she came to rehearsals with.

Kyndal admitted that she struggled the performance, telling the judges, “It’s been a weird week on the voice.” Underwood promised the hopeful that she has an “incredible instrument,” but pointed out that she “gave up on yourself a little bit towards the end. It started off energetic and then just deflated. … It was more about your attitude towards it. Your voice is amazing.”

Bryan and Richie agreed that Kyndal picked the perfect song and Bryan praised her for “battling through” on an off week.

Philmon Lee

After having his breakout performance last week, Philmon Lee wanted to keep up the momentum with a performance of “Hot Blooded” by Foreigner.

It was a “great song choice” for Philmon, Bryan said. However, he noticed that Philmon’s “in-ear monitor was kinda messing with” him a bit. “Get through that and get back to embodying what the song is,” he urged.

Underwood agreed about the song choice and said that Philmon “nailed” his performance vocally. But, still, she said, “I want to see some more swagger, Philmon! Come on. It’s in there!”

Hannah Harper

Fan favorite singer Hannah Harper was up next. She performed a gorgeous rendition of “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac.

Underwood was nearly in tears by the time Hannah finished singing. “Absolutely gorgeous,” she gushed. “Perfect song for you to choose. It sounded like you. Beautiful.”

Bryan called the performance “really special” and admitted it made him “forget I was judging on American idol.” Richie kept his response simple, telling Hannah, “A classic song with a classic performance.”

Jordan McCullough

To close out the night, Jordan McCullough hit the stage to sing Queen’s “Somebody to Love.” Considering he only first hold the song one day before rehearsals, he struggled with the lyrics a bit while preparing for the show.

“That was so much fun,” Underwood screamed, as the audience cheered loudly. “Your voice is suited to obviously what you do for a living, but you just proved that anyone can rock!”

Bryan added, “Everything about that was what American Idol was all about. Watching your competition cheer you on and love on you, they’ve had a great night. Everybody’s had a great night and that’s what we sit here behind the desk for.”

Finally, Richie said, “That was clearly a drop the mic moment. I’m telling you, it was amazing.”

Who made the Top 9?

At the end of the show, host Ryan Seacrest had to announce which singers were safe and who was eliminated. The singers confirmed to be moving on were: Brooks, Daniel Stallworth, Braden Rumfelt, Lucas Leon, Jordan McCullough, Hannah Harper, Keyla Richardson, Chris Tungseth, Kyndal Inskeep.

That means that the two eliminated artists were: Rae and Philmon Lee.

American Idol, Season 24, Mondays, 8/7c, ABC

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