‘American Idol 22’ episode 12 recap: Who made the Top 12 and who was eliminated on April 21? [Live Blog]

Denton Davidson
·8 min read
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Tonight on “American Idol,” with guidance from guest mentor Gene Simmons, the Top 14 take on songs from legendary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees as America votes live for the Top 12. Plus, the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees are announced live.

Below, follow with our live blog for “American Idol 22” Episode 12 airing Sunday, April 21 (8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. ET).

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8:00 p.m. — Previously on “American Idol”! The Top 20 performed for a spot in the Top 14. The top 10 vote-getters advanced automatically before judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie saved four more. The six eliminated artists were Ajii, Jennifer Jeffries, Kennedy Reid, Mackenzie Sol, Odell Bunton Jr. and Quintavious. Who will go home tonight?

8:05 p.m. — Luke opened up the show with a performance of “Small Town” by John Mellencamp. Next all three judges take their seats and prepare to get this party started!

8:10 p.m. — First to perform is Triston Harper singing “Heartbreak Hotel” by Elvis Presley. He plans to break loose on the stage this week, performing without a guitar for the first time. It’s nice to see the 15-year-year-old step away from the mic stand and work the crowd a little. He sounds great! Katy loves it, saying, “You scared me and you scared your mother!” Luke calls it “tremendous” and says America “will fall in love with that performance.” Lionel congratulations him on another great performance.

8:15 p.m. — Next is Julia Gagnon singing “Run to You” by Whitney Houston. She’s in full diva glam tonight, but singing Whitney always feels like a death sentence to me on these shows. Thankfully, Julia has chops and she’s doing her own thing with the song, not just mimicking the original. Gene loves her. Luke says tonight he saw “the butterfly leave the cocoon.” Lionel says, “If you want respect you have to command, and you commanded that stage.” Katy adds, “Confidence is a mental decision and you decided tonight to switch it on.”

8:17 p.m. — Ryan mentions the passing of Mandisa, the Season 5 finalist and Grammy-winning gospel artist. She died April 18 at the age of 47. He says next week they’ll have a special musical tribute to her.

8:25 p.m. — Next up is Roman Collins singing “You’re All I Need to Get By” by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell. He begins the song as it’s traditionally written before busting out his signature gospel flare and runs. Nobody has more energy than Roman on stage and I hope this is enough to keep him around another week. Lionel says, “You were on fire! You made that song your song.” Katy calls it a “masterclass” and calls him her “favorite person to watch.” Luke says his talent is as good as anything he’s heard on “American Idol.”

8:30 p.m. — Kaibrienne is singing “I Hate Myself for Loving You” by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. She’s breaking free of the typical ballads she sings and we finally get to see this artist rock out — and I’m digging it! She might be a little stiff (she’s not totally comfortable as a rockstar), but this song fits her voice nicely. Katy compliments Gene for possessing all the contestants tonight. Luke calls the performance “a concert” and says Kaibrienne morphed into a totally different performer. Lionel loves the “ugly face” she gave the song.

8:37 p.m. — Ryan and Lionel announce the 2024 class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. For the full list you can read our published item here.

8:40 p.m. — Next up is Jayna Elise singing another Whitney song, “I Have Nothing.” After landing in the bottom last week, Jayna wants to sing an anthem that shows off her full range, and this is it. Luke says he’s just honored he got to be the opening act for tonight. He calls Jayna’s entire presentation “perfect.” Lionel says she looks like a star, acts like a star and sounds like a star. Katy loves the song choice and adds, “I believe in you.”

8:50 p.m. — Mia Matthews is up next singing “Those Memories of You” by Linda Ronstadt, Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris. She’s leaning more into country each week and it really works for her. I can definitely see a successful path forward for her in this lane. It wasn’t her most memorable performance to date, but I don’t think Mia has to worry about leaving tonight. Lionel says Mia “came out shining like a new penny.” Katy calls it “authentic.” Luke says, “Way to stay true to who you are.”

8:55 p.m. — The next performer is Kayko, singing “High & Dry” by Radiohead. This is actually the first time Kayko is singing a song he didn’t write in this competition! It is a solid performance, but I have to say Kayko’s strength is really telling his own stories with emotion. Katy says she did Radiohead justice and she believes in him. Luke compliments Kayko on making the song his own. Lionel commends Kayko’s versatility.

9:05 p.m. — We’re back with Emmy Russell taking on Bonnie Raitt‘s “I Can’t Make You Love Me.” This is probably my favorite performance of hers this season. She’s really letting her voice open up like never before. Luke calls her voice “so listenable” and says she gave him “full body chills.” Lionel simply says, “That was great.” Katy says, “You’re competing against yourself and tonight you won.”

9:08 p.m. — It’s time for Jordan Anthony to hit the stage and he’s singing yet another Whitney classic, “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me).” He’s taking the tempo down and singing it like a mid-tempo ballad. Halfway through the tempo picks up with a modern production, but I’m not sure it had the impact he was hoping for. At least it didn’t for me. Lionel wants Jordan to “enjoy this moment” and let go on stage. Katy thinks it was Jordan’s best performance to date. Luke thinks he nailed it “from top to finish.”

9:18 p.m. — McKenna Faith Breinholt is up next with her take on Chicago‘s “Hard to Say I’m Sorry.” She was apparently sick this week and didn’t get to rehearse with Gene, but she’s on stage tonight giving it her all. Gene screams, “Oh my GOD!” from the balcony. Katy says McKenna looked like a rockstar tonight. Luke calls her “elegance, beauty and beautiful song choice.” Lionel calls it “a sexy-sounding performance.”

9:25 p.m. — Jack Blocker is up next with Bob Dylan‘s tune “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright.” He’s always got a unique presence on stage and Jack is just fun to watch. His vocals on this song aren’t blowing me out of the water, but he commands attention and that’s what it’s all about! Luke says, “You’re growing like crazy,” and compliments him for staying true to who he is. Katy thanks him for singing Bob Dylan and compares him to a pair of old worn-out boots you never give away. Lionel says Jack made the song his own.

9:35 p.m. — Nya is up next with her take on Aretha Franklin‘s classic “I Say a Little Prayer.” She’s one of the most pure powerhouses they have this season and I wish she would have picked a different song to fully showcase that. She deserves to advance, but I’m a little nervous for her after she landed in the bottom last week. I love her voice though! Katy says, “It was my favorite thing I’ve ever heard you do.” Luke asks her to “make it look a little difficult.” She’s effortless!

9:40 p.m. — Next is Will Moseley singing “Night Moves” by Bob Seger. Will always sounds great and looks cool and collected on stage. Katy loves seeing Will get in touch with his sensitive side and call it “his best performance.” Luke says the song choice shows them Will knows who he is as an artist. Lionel calls it “the perfect song” and thinks Will “killed that.”

9:50 p.m. — Closing out the performances tonight is Abi Carter with Elton John‘s “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.” She sits at the piano for an intimate version of this classic. It was a superstar performance. Luke says Abi held the whole room like a pro. Lionel compliments everyone in “this class” again. Katy says, “From day one, it’s always been you.”

10:00 p.m. — The fun is over and it’s time for Ryan to dim the lights and crush dreams. The two singers whose journeys come to an end tonight are Jordan Anthony and Nya. The Top 12 will sing again tomorrow night on “Billboard #1 Hits Night.”

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