American Idol season 21’s Top 20 said goodbye to eight contestants, as America’s votes welcomed 10 finalists into the Top 12, along with two more who were saved by the judges. Season 21 has so much talent that brutal cuts are to be expected, but paring this super-talented group down to a Top 12 resulted in one of the most difficult eliminations in American Idol history. The judges, Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan, struggled with their save decision as well, making for an exciting night full of twists and turns.
Although American Idol season 21 had one of the most extraordinary groups of Top 20 finalists ever, eight contestants had to be eliminated. Ten automatically advanced to the next round with America’s votes, while ten others had to sing for the chance to be saved by the judges. After a very entertaining competition, American Idol sent home Paige Anne, Michael Williams, Hannah Nicolaisen, Mariah Faith, Nailyah Serenity, Matt Wilson, Kaeyra, and Olivia Soli. The judges saved Lucy Love and Nutsa, who completed the Top 12. Here are the power rankings for the Top 12, as they head into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Night with guest mentor Adam Lambert.
12 American Idol – Nutsa
During Nutsa’s Top 20 performance, she took the judges’ earlier critiques to heart, and sang a controlled and beautiful version of “Unbreak My Heart.” It showcased her incredible vocals without any dancing. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough for her to earn a place in the Top 12 from America. When it was time for her to perform for the judges’ save, she took the competition by storm, singing, “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going.”
Nutsa was right, as the judges chose her to remain in the competition. Although the powerhouse singer has the most Instagram followers of any contestant in the Top 12, with 405K at the time of this writing, she’s a native of the country, Georgia. This could mean that some of her Instagram followers are not from America, and therefore ineligible to vote. Even though Nutsa is one of the best singers in the competition, being a judges’ save often puts contestants at a disadvantage in future rounds. She should’ve made the Top 12 easily after her stunning performances.
11 American Idol – Lucy Love
For Lucy’s Top 20 performance, she sang an original song, “Boulders,” which was about having the weight of the world on her shoulders. Her performance was moving and inspirational. However, she didn’t earn enough votes from America to make it into the Top 12. Lucy sang “Radioactive” as she fought to earn the judges’ save. She once again put her whole heart and soul into her performance.
Although Lucy blew everyone away with the song and her previous routines, she is now at a disadvantage as a judges’ save. Even if her fans rally to keep her in the competition for another week, judges’ saves have often gone home shortly after. However, Lucy deserved to make the Top 12 without having to be saved by the judges. It was shocking that she didn’t.
10 American Idol – Marybeth Byrd
Marybeth earned a spot in the Top 12 after her performance of her original song “People Pleaser.” She sang “Cover Me Up” as her celebration song. Marybeth has a fan following because she was a contestant on The Voice. She has 44.1K Instagram followers. Marybeth’s also a country singer, which usually gives competitors an advantage on American Idol. She is superbly talented, but she tends to play it safe with her song choices. Marybeth needs a breakout performance that is memorable, and showcases her gorgeous voice. Then, she might establish herself as a front-runner.
9 American Idol – Haven Madison
At 16 years old, Haven is now the youngest American Idol season 21 contestant. This could put her at a bit of a disadvantage, since she doesn’t have the same performing experience as her fellow finalists. However, her voice is exceptional, as she demonstrated during her Top 20 performance of “Mean Girls.” Haven followed that with an encore of “15,” an original song that she sang at her audition, for her Top 12 celebration song. She’s released her original music on streaming platforms. If she continues to speak to the younger generation, she will earn enough votes to stay in the competition longer. Haven currently has 40K Instagram followers.
8 American Idol – Megan Danielle
For her Top 20 performance, Megan sang “Holy Water,” followed by “Thank God I Do” for her Top 12 celebration song. Megan has a unique voice, plus grit that sets her apart from the other American Idol season 21 female contestants. Megan’s stint on The Voice may give her an advantage, as she has already established a fan base. She has 45.8K Instagram followers. However, ever since she had to participate in a sing-off with fellow contestant Paige Anne, to determine which of them would be welcomed into the Top 26, she’s often been perceived as an underdog.
7 American Idol – Zachariah Smith
Zachariah is the biggest showman of the competition. His affinity for putting new spins on older songs is why he appeals to fans of all generations. For his Top 20 performance, he sang “I Want to Know What Love Is,” followed by “Hold the Line” for his Top 12 celebration song. Although Zachariah has fewer Instagram followers than his fellow competitors at 16.7K, his star quality may propel him to the top. He is a small town man without an established fan following, but when it comes to votes, he still holds his own with some of the more seasoned performers. This is a sign that he will go far.
6 American Idol – Oliver Steele
Oliver is a sweet and sensitive singer, who is stealing hearts with his style. The day after he sang his original song “Too Soon,” for his Top 20 performance, the song reached #1 on the iTunes US R&B and Soul Tracks chart. Last season, the higher-charting singers went farther in the competition than others. Oliver put his own spin on “You’re Still the One” for his Top 12 celebration song, which showed that he was able to make any tune his own. He currently has 32.2K Instagram followers. If Oliver continues to bring his uniqueness to the competition, he will go far.
5 American Idol – Tyson Venegas
Tyson is the only American Idol platinum ticket winner remaining in the competition. The gifted singer has 25.8K Instagram followers. For his Top 20 performance, he sang an original song, “180,” which showed a different side of him. He then sang “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,” which was a return to his wheelhouse. At 17, Tyson is one of the youngest contestants. If he uses that to his advantage, and sings more current songs, he will continue to be a front-runner in the competition.
4 American Idol – Warren Peay
Warren is one of the most authentic artists in American Idol season 21. His effortless performances of “Up There Down Here” (Top 20) and “It’s Not My Time” (Top 12), showcased his country rock sound. Warren’s look, with his long hair and beard, is memorable, and he has a great personality to match. Although he has the least amount of Instagram followers of the Top 12, at 12.8K, he was still able to secure his spot. This proves that social media is not the only indicator of which contestants are most popular. Warren is on a path to making it to the end of the competition.
3 American Idol – Wé Ani
Wé is by far the most unique female contestant in the American Idol season 21 Top 12. She is full of surprises, including how her high-pitched speaking voice doesn’t match her strong, soulful singing voice. Wé is a seasoned artist, and even placed third on The Voice season 11. She has the second-highest amount of Instagram followers, with 201K.
Although Instagram followers aren’t the only indicators of how far a contestant will make it in the competition, they definitely show that the artist has a fan base. Wé sang a powerful version of “Skyfall” for her Top 20 performance, followed by “This Is Me” for her Top 12 celebration song. If she continues to wow audiences, Wé could end up as the next American Idol.
2 American Idol – Colin Stough
Eighteen-year-old Colin is the least experienced performer in the American Idol Top 12, which arguably makes him one of the most genuine contestants as well. Unlike some of his fellow competitors, he hasn’t been singing publicly for years. Although this could put him at a disadvantage, it gives him a sincerity that appeals to people. Colin’s performances of “Pretty Heart” (Top 20) and “Dancing On My Own” (Top 12), demonstrated his growing confidence onstage. He is reminiscent of last year’s American Idol winner, Noah Thompson, who also had no prior performing experience, but emerged as a true shining star.
Colin has amassed 78.8K Instagram followers, one of the largest amounts of the Top 12. This is an impressive feat for a previously unknown contestant. Thanks to his good looks, Colin fits the profile of the country singer heartthrob, and many of those types have been successful on American Idol. Some have even won the competition. However, he is so much more than a pretty face. He also has the raw talent that proves he deserves all of his accolades. Colin’s story of finding the best unknown talent in the country is what American Idol is all about.
1 American Idol – Iam Tongi
A front-runner from the beginning of the season, Iam has it all. His sincere personality is matched by his incredible singing voice. His musical talent (he plays the guitar and transforms songs, making them his own) impresses and moves everyone, week after week. At just 18 years old, Iam always performs like a seasoned professional. For his Top 20 performance, he sang “The Winner Takes It All,” followed by “Stuck On You” for his Top 12 celebration song. He put his own spin on both tunes, and it felt like an Iam Tongi concert, rather than an episode of American Idol.
Iam currently has 369K Instagram followers, and his pre-AI following was just 8,000. Iam’s audition with “Monsters” went viral, with over 100 million views on social media. These stunning achievements are all well-deserved. Iam will most likely become the next American Idol.
American Idol airs Sundays and Mondays at 8 p.m. EDT on ABC.
Sources: Nutsa/Instagram, Lucy Love/Instagram, Marybeth Byrd/Instagram, Haven Madison/Instagram, Megan Danielle/Instagram, Zachariah Smith/Instagram, Oliver Steele/Instagram, Tyson Venegas/Instagram, Warren Peay/Instagram, Wé Ani/Instagram, Colin Stough/Instgram, Iam Tongi/Instagram
