- 4:31, 11 Apr 2022
- Updated: 4:31, 11 Apr 2022
COUNTRY star Jimmie Allen starred as a guest mentor Sunday night’s episode of American Idol, and he was brought to tears.
Contestant Mike Parker performed Jimmie’s song, Best Shot, and revealed to the country star how much of an inspiration he is to him.
“His journey is what inspires millions who look like me,” Mike said before he took the stage.
After Mike performed, Jimmie was brought to tears.
“For him to tell me that I mean to him what Charlie Pride means to me, it’s prideful,” the emotional star said.
The latest episode of American Idol aired Sunday night and featured half of the contestants who made it through auditions and Hollywood Week performing in Hawaii.
Jay Copeland, Nicolina Bozzo, Emyrson Flora, Katyrah Love, and Leah Marlene are among those who received the good news that they will move forward.
Read our American Idol live blog for the latest news and updates…
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Who is Jacob Moran?
Jacob Moran is a nurse from East Lansing, Michigan.
He auditioned for the show in 2019 and was sent through to the next round.
However, he did not make it through Hollywood week.
This season, he went into his audition with more confidence and covered judge Katy Perry’s song, Rise.
He earned another golden ticket, with Katy saying he did her song justice.
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How to vote
Each contestant was given a number in the order they performed tonight, which you can text to 21523.
The numbers for each contestant who performed tonight are listed below:
- 1 – Jay
- 2 – Elli Rowe
- 3 – Tristen Gressett
- 4 – Scarlet
- 5 – Sage
- 6 – Danielle Finn
- 7 – Mike Parker
- 8 – Emyrson Flora
- 9 – Dan Marshall
- 10 – Jacob Moran
- 11 – Huntergirl
- 12 – Nicolina
Voting is open until 6am ET Monday.
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Vote!
Half of the Top 24 have performed tonight, and you can now vote for who you want to stay in the competition.
Each contestant has a number, which you can text to 21523.
You can submit up to 10 votes.
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Judges call Nicolina a ‘favorite’
“You always deliver,” said Luke.
“What are we gonna do with you,” said Lionel. “Your voice is angelic and mesmerizing.”
Lionel called Nicolina one of his favorites.
“You’re not gonna break,” said Katy.
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Last to sing: Nicolina
Nicolina will be closing out the night with a cover of Elastic Heart by Sia.
“You are great, like why am I here?” said Jimmie.
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Judges react to Hunter Girl
“I ain’t worried about you girl,” said Katy. “It’s the first time I’ve seen you without a guitar.”
“The fact that you can get away from your guitar … and have fun is a feather in your cap,” said Luke.
“The artist is the one who directs the crowd,” said Lionel. “You have mastered that.”
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Up next, Hunter Girl
Platinum ticket winner Hunter Girl is up next.
She will be singing Banjo by Rascal Flatts.
Jimmie recommended that she do “the church girl rock,” since she won’t have her guitar.
“I’m looking forward to seeing this,” he said.
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Judges are proud
“You held it, you held it,” said Lionel. “That is one of the greatest performances by you I’ve seen in a long time.”
“I think you have an incredible spectacular voice,” said Katy. “I just want you to sing more with your heart and let it flow out of you next time.”
“It’s really high-level singing you’re doing,” said Luke.
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Up next, Jacob Moran
“I have made a lot of changes in my life and I feel prepared,” said Jacob.
“I still struggle with confidence but I never quit.”
He is singing In My Blood by Sean Mendes.
“Bro, you have a voice that people need to hear,” said Jimmie.
“Jacob has a real good chance of winning this competition.”
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Allyson and judges respond
“I’m speechless right now,” Dan’s girlfriend, Allyson said.
“You started out choking the microphone to death,” said Lionel. “And then you calmed down.”
“It’s okay to take that mic out of the mic stand and walk up to Allyson.”
Katy said she agrees and disagrees with Lionel.
“I think if you had the guitar you could have loosened up a little bit.”
Luke said it wasn’t Dan’s best performance but he doesn’t think it hurt him either.
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Up next, Dan Marshall
He will be singing Heaven, by Bryan Adams.
“My girlfriend will be in the audience, and she means so much to me,” said Dan.
“This performance will be your proposal audition,” joked Jimmie.
Jimmie suggested that Dan loses the guitar for his performance.
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Judges react
“I thought it was one of my favorite performances I’ve seen,” said Luke. “I hear the maturity in your voice and then I see that you’re 16 years old.”
“There’s one thing you can’t teach,” said Lionel. “Stage presence.”
He went on to say, “you have a future in this business.”
“Your voice is just so powerful,” said Katy. “I think you have such a great chance to be the next American Idol.”
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Up next, Emyrson Flora
“I grew up singing in my room,” said Emyrson. “I’m 16 years old.”
She is singing Angels Like You by Miley Cyrus.
“I’m so glad I’m not in this competition this season,” joked Jimmie. “I want to see you really go there because that’s where the magic happens.”
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Judges stand, Jimmie tears up
“For him to tell me that I mean to him what Charlie Pride means to me, it’s prideful,” an emotional Jimmie said.
“I got to sit back and really watch what we’ve kind of been telling you all come together,” said Luke. “What a great moment you just had on stage.”
“You did a great job,” added Lionel.
“This experience has helped you arrive,” said Katy. “All those ingredients, they were found in that song.”
“We don’t need to critique you we just need to congrat you.”
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Up next, Mike Parker
“His journey is what inspires millions who look like me,” said Mike of Jimmie Allen.
“Hearing you tell me that I’m an inspiration reminds me of my purpose,” said Jimmie.
“He made me feel like there’s a spot for me in country music,” Mike said in an interview.
He is singing Jimmie’s song, Best Shot.
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Judges react
“There she is,” said Katy. “I was wondering where you were girl.”
“All you have to do is just relax,” advised Lionel.
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Up next, Danielle
Danielle Finn is taking the stage next.
She will be singing Your Song by Elton John.
“I wouldn’t change anything you just did,” said Jimmie Allen.
“I think the positive comments I got from Jimmie will totally boost my confidence,” said Danielle.
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Jimmie’s advice to singers
“Every ‘no’ is not a deterrent,” Jimmie said after his performance.
“Forever isn’t right now.”
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Jimmie Allen performs
Country star Jimmie Allen is singing his song, Down Home.
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Judges say ‘Top five’
“That was a very hypnotic rendition,” said Katy. “It’s really going to be about how you attack each song and show off your individual quirks and strengths.”
Katy added, “you’re definitely in the Top Five,” but said it’s up to America.
Luke agreed. “I think you have a special artistic talent in just your vocal ability.”
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Up next, Sage
Sage is performing Jolene, a Dolly Parton classic.
“I love a good challenge,” she said.
“The way she made the song her own caught me off guard in a good way,” Jimmie Allen said.
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Judges react
“I realize now the crowd is what was missing the entire time,” said Lionel. “When you bring a crowd in, you felt confident on that stage.”
“You’ve got a lot of good things going for you girl,” said Katy.
“You started a little weird with that first note you hit, but you got a fan out of me,” said Luke. “Great performance.”
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Up next, Scarlet
She is singing Levitating by Dua Lipa.
“I feel like Scarlet’s really got it down,” said Jimmie Allen. “Right now it’s just a confidence thing.”
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Tonight’s intro: Cast Away
The opening of tonight’s American Idol featured a comedic scene of Katy Perry, dubbed Cast Away.
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Judges loved it!
“I think you’re comfortable on the stage,” said host Ryan Seacrest.
“Tristen man, you do what your heart desires,” said Luke. “Don’t let anyone steer you any other way.”
“Your navigation of the stage is ridiculous,” said Lionel.
“You’re a freak,” said Katy. “And I’m a freak.”
“It was so authentic and so real. When all the dust settles, you are a rockstar.”
