Katharine McPhee, other celebs return for duet round

It’s now as much as you, America.

“American Idol” returned Sunday, for the primary episode of the season filmed at its studio headquarters in Los Angeles. Throughout the night time, 12 of the highest 24 contestants carried out solo songs, in addition to duets with celeb singers.

This was additionally the primary episode of the season filmed with a stay studio viewers, who wore masks and sat in teams of their quick family.

As traditional, Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie supplied their critiques. But it is as much as America’s vote to find out who amongst every group of 12 will transfer on to the highest 16 and who can be eradicated. Fans can vote on americanidol.com/vote, the “American Idol” app or through textual content message.

Here’s what went down:

Alanis Sophia

First up was 19-year-old school scholar Alanis Sophia, who channeled her highly effective pop belt for Sia’s “Alive.” She then took the stage with nation singer and former “Idol” contestant Jimmie Allen for a duet of Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s “Shallow.”

Perry mentioned she loved the solo efficiency, which she referred to as “very controlled” and exquisite.” But she said Sophia seemed a “bit overwhelmed” sharing the stage with a star for the duet.

Bryan agreed. “You’ve bought to construct on that character and proudly owning the stage,” he said.

To give Sophia another opportunity to own the stage, text 1 to 21523.

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Cassandra Coleman

Coffee shop manager Cassandra Coleman, 24, crooned a haunting version of “Find Me” by Sigma for her solo performance.

Before taking the stage for her duet with OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder, Coleman opened up about her nerves — something she’s struggled with throughout her time on “Idol.” Tedder revealed he additionally suffers from imposter syndrome and suggested she channel her interior Beyoncé to really feel assured.

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After their duet of OneRepublic’s “Apologize,” Perry complimented Coleman’s “otherworldly, angelic” voice.

“Your voice is a religious expertise,” she continued. “As a brand new mom, I haven’t got very a lot time, so I stop shaving my legs. But while you sing, the hair on my legs grew an inch and a half. So, full physique chills.”

To vote for Coleman, text 2 to 21523.

Alyssa Wray

College student Alyssa Wray, 18, put her theatrical voice to use with “Something within the Water” by Carrie Underwood, before duetting with former “Idol” runner-up Katharine McPhee.

Wray told McPhee that she used to watch her on “Idol” growing up and even taught the “Smash” actress some teenage lingo.

Their duet of Whitney Houston’s “I’m Your Baby Tonight” earned rave reviews from the judges, with Richie saying the two “complement every other so effectively.” Perry added that Wray was the first singer who “actually held your personal on stage with the other star.”

To vote for Wray, text 3 to 21523.

Wyatt Pike

Wyatt Pike, 20, turned up his soulful charm while singing “rubberband” by Tate McRae. The college student then teamed up with Ben Rector for a duet of Rector’s song “Brand New.” Coincidentally, Pike actually performed one of Rector’s songs at his high school graduation.

Perry called Pike an “genuine, celebrity musician” who “can go on tour immediately and slot in proper now.”

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Richie added that Pike has something that can’t be taught: stage presence.

“You owned that second,” he said.

To let Pike have more moments on the “Idol” stage, text 4 to 21523.

Alana

Alana, a 23-year-old food delivery driver, bopped around the stage for a lively performance of Dua Lipa’s “Blow Your Mind (Mwah).” She then partnered with Brian McKnight for his song “Back at One.” McKnight said it was his first time performing the smooth tune as a duet.

Bryan complimented Alana’s “nice vitality” and said she’s “actually began coming into your personal.” But Richie said one thing is missing.

“You have the stage presence and the vitality to be a star,” he said. “Now you want the angle. Give us extra angle. That is the key to your success.”

To give Alana another shot to show some attitude, text 5 to 21523.

Anilee List

After crooning the Billie Eilish ballad “my future,” 20-year-old college student Anilee List launched into an energetic rendition of Rufus & Chaka Khan’s “Tell Me Something Good” with Joss Stone.

“You bought such a powerhouse voice. I felt like I used to be at a gospel Sunday brunch. You actually took us all to church,” said Perry, though the judge added she wants to hear more ad libs and “cube rolls” from List next time.

“You are so near next-level greatness,” said Bryan.

If you want List’s future to continue with “Idol,” text 6 to 21523.

Deshawn Goncalves

Deshawn Goncalves, 20, sang “Forever Young” by Bob Dylan before launching into a duet with Tedder of OneRepublic’s “I Lived.” The college student told Tedder he’d channel his struggles growing up homeless while singing the song.

“You have one of the vital distinctive, prime three voices on this competitors,” said Perry. “Let you physique not be so stiff, as a result of then I actually know that you simply’re having enjoyable.”

Bryan encouraged him to “stroll out and be the star, child.”

To keep Goncalves in the competition, text 7 to 21523.

Graham DeFranco

After a groovy rendition of “Raye” by John Splithoff, 28-year-old aerial survey pilot Graham DeFranco duetted with Rector on Rector’s song “Love Like This.”

Bryan commended DeFranco on his song choice, saying the contestant’s range went to “one other degree.”

“Singing is singing, and transferring individuals to evoke an emotion is every little thing,” said Richie. “You moved us. It was an amazing, nice job.”

To see the pilot soar to the top 16, text 8 to 21523.

Andrea Valles

Andrea Valles caught the judges’ attention when she walked onto the “Idol” stage rocking a bedazzled purple eye patch over her left eye.

It wasn’t just a fashion statement — the 23-year-old wedding singer said she recently had eye retina detachment surgery.

“You need to study to push via and simply roll with the punches,” the contestant mentioned.

After singing Eilish and Rosalía’s “Lo Vas A Olvidar,” Valles duetted George Michael’s “Careless Whisper” with McKnight.

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Perry praised Valles for giving the performances her all, even with one eye out of commission.

“I feel everybody at house goes, ‘I’m gonna vote for the woman with the attention patch,'” said Perry. “It’s wonderful! You can do something: have eye surgical procedure, be on the ‘American Idol’ stage.”

If you want to see more of Valles, text 9 to 21523.

Cecil Ray

Cecil Ray, a 20-year-old machine operator, showed off his country skills with “Paint Me A Birmingham” by Tracy Lawrence, and later with the Allen and Brad Paisley song “Freedom Was a Highway.” Duet partner Allen encouraged Ray to think about his daughter while singing.

“You’re the underdog right here,” Perry said. “Everyone needs to root for you, however you bought to root for your self.”

Richie told him that “angle is what we want now.”

If you’re rooting for Ray, text 10 to 21523.

Willie Spence

Willie Spence brought the house down with his solo performance of Bette Midler’s “Wind Beneath My Wings.” But the 21-year-old caretaker soared to new heights with his duet of Céline Dion and Andrea Bocelli’s “The Prayer” with Katharine McPhee.

The song had personal resonance for Spence, who said he dedicated the duet to his grandfather, who recently died. McPhee said she dedicated the performance to her father, who died three years ago.

“This has actually been one of many hardest instances of my life,” Spence said. “My grandfather nonetheless is my hero to this present day, and I simply know he is watching and smiling down.”

The judges were blown away by the duet.

“You do no incorrect in my eyes,” said Bryan, with Perry adding, “It was goosebumps central, all over the place.”

To vote for Spence, text 11 to 21523.

Grace Kinstler

Closing out the show was 20-year-old college student Grace Kinstler, who worked the stage during her solo performance of “Queen” by Jessie J. She then teamed up with Stone for a duet of Gladys Knight & The Pips’ “Midnight Train to Georgia” that brought the whole studio to its feet.

Richie called Kinstler “a successful bundle,” and Perry said she was “hovering on a special degree.”

“Focus on these timeless, basic songs, as a result of that is what your reward is,” Perry added.

To keep Kinstler in the competition, text 12 to 21523.

“Idol” continues Monday (8 EST), with the other 12 contestants performing their duets.

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