‘American Idol 22’ episode 14 recap: Who was eliminated when country music icon Shania Twain mentored Top 10? [Live Blog]

Tonight on “American Idol,” country music icon Shania Twain mentors the Top 10 as they perform songs from their birth years. All vye for a spot in the Top 8 as America votes live and judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie provide feedback. 2011 winner Scotty McCreery and 2020 champ Just Sam also perform.

Below, follow with our live blog for “American Idol 22” Episode 14 airing Sunday, April 28 (8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET).

More from GoldDerby

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• 'American Idol' Top 8: Who gave the best performance on Sunday, April 28? [POLL]

SEE ‘American Idol’ deaths: Full list of singers we’ve lost

8:00 p.m. — Previously on “American Idol”! The Top 12 performed for a spot in the Top 10. The top vote-getters advanced as judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie watched host Ryan Seacrest send Jayna Elise and Roman Collins home. Who will be eliminated tonight?

8:10 p.m. — The show opens with home videos of each contestant as children, with their birth years shown on the screen. It’s cute, but mostly just makes me feel old. Voting is already open, so save your favorite and start texting! Shania Twain is an exciting mentor, but particularly for Mia Matthews who’s singing Shania’s song “No On e Needs to Know.” Mia is leaning into the country fanbase with this bop, but it’s not exactly a vocal showcase. The judges give her a standing ovation, which seems excessive, but it was a fun performance. Luke loves the “commercial-ability” she’s going to have in country music. Lionel says, “I caught you thinking on that song” and mentions the audience wasn’t at rehearsal, so they won’t know she messed up (except Luke told everyone she forget the words).

8:20 p.m. — Jack Blocker is singing “Believe” by Cher. It’s an acoustic version on Jack’s guitar, which is an interesting interpretation that stands apart from Cher’s dance standard. I’m not in love with this performance, but it’s fine. The judges are on their feet again and I’ve just become accustomed to them giving everyone a standing ovation no matter what. Lionel says Jack has managed to “carve out his own sound” and “pulled it off.” Katy loves that Jack took a “calculated risk” and says, “You got this!” Luke encourages Jack to “have fun with it” and not be afraid to “hit a wrong note.”

8:32 p.m. — McKenna Faith Breinholt is singing “Iris” by Goo Goo Dolls. She’s always had one of my favorite tones in this competition. That’s her moneymaker! She’s sitting at the piano while she belts out this pop-rock hit, stretching her range in the process. Katy calls it her favorite performance from McKenna and the audience is going wild. Luke calls it “so mature” and “professional.” Lionel calls her “the queen of smokey voice” and he loves how she navigates a song.

8:40 p.m. — Kayko is singing “Oops!…I Did It Again” by Britney Spears. Well, that was the plan. But Shania talked him out of it, saying he doesn’t sound like the rockstar he’s trying to be. Kayko switches it up and sings “Teenage Dirtbag” by Wheatus instead. He’s having fun up there, but his vocals aren’t completely hitting the right notes. He’s rockin’ out, but to me he sounds more like a Broadway performer than a hard rocker. Luke says, “Who in the hell is this new person?” He’s waiting for Kayko to start skateboarding across the stage. Lionel wants to know, “What are you doing?” He compliments the performer for staging the performances to the point of “believability” and warns, “You could win this thing.” Katy adds, “Sometimes the turtles do win.”

8:50 p.m. — Emmy Russell is singing “All the Small Things” by Blink 182. She’s slows it down, giving the 90s punk hit more of a laidback country vibe. She’s got a pretty tone, but this is kind of a weird song choice. Lionel says the whole time she sings, he smiles, because he loves her “storyteller” voice. Katy thinks it was a great song choice and Emmy’s best vocal of the season. Luke thinks she looked “more free” in this performance than ever before.

8:55 p.m. — Returning to the Idol stage is Just Sam. They finally gets a moment on stage, after winning the 2020 Covid season. They sing “One Moment in Time” by Whitney Houston. They hit those notes, though! It was nice to see Just Sam get their moment on stage. Katy says that confetti is long overdue. Lionel says he’s a “proud papa bird.”

9:07 p.m. — Triston Harper is up singing “She’s Country” by Jason Aldean. It’s a fun song for the often-times sentimental Triston, and he’s working the stage like a pro. Katy thanks him for “being a student of this game.” Luke asks, “You trying to out-gyrate me?” Lionel asks, “Did I just see the Triston strut?” The judges are eating this performance up.

9:16 p.m. — Abi Carter has chosen to sing “Clocks” by Coldplay. She’s chosen not to play the piano tonight so she can work the crowd. I’m not sure if it’s one of her most memorable performances, but she always sounds good. Abi isn’t going anywhere, so nothing to worry about tonight. Luke thanks her for taking his advice and connecting with fans. Lionel says, “That’s what performing is all about” and “You’re on fire.” Katy agrees with Luke, saying, “You can’t do a whole concert behind a piano,” but this performance was “still authentic.”

9:32 p.m. — After Season 10 champ Scotty McCreery stops by to sing his latest single, “Cab In a Solo,” it’s time for Julia Gagnon. She chose “Here I Am” by Bryan Adams. I like hearing her take on a rock anthem, it makes me wish she’d cover a Heart song. Lionel loves how she built up the song and showed her full range. Katy love when Julia goes “super intimate” and wants more of it. She adds, “I thought it was Kelly Clarkson for a minute.” Luke says, “Way to own your moment.”

9:42 p.m. — Will Moseley is next singing “Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde” by Travis Tritt. It’s a bit run-of-the-mill for Will, but I suppose if it ain’t broke, why fix it? I’d like to see him mix up some more genres, because he’s easily one of the safest bets to sail into the finale. Katy applauds him for choosing the right key. Luke calls it the “perfect song and the perfect delivery.” They must be short on time because Lionel simply says, “Way to go!”

9:52 p.m. — Tonight’s last performer is Kaibrienne singing “Here Without You” by 3 Doors Down. Shania was pretty hard on her in rehearsals, begging her to turn down the volume in the opening verse. Kaibrienne takes her advice and gives it her all on stage. Luke calls it one of his “favorite performances” she’s done. Lionel says he could listen to her “cry” all night long. Katy says, “You have a pot of gold in your voice” and just needs to learn how to use it.

10:00 p.m. — Voting has closed and it’s now time for Ryan to read the results. The two contestants going home tonight are Mia Matthews and Kayko. Tomorrow night the Top 8 will compete in “The Judge’s Song Contest,” where the Top 6 will advance before the judges save one more, rounding out the Top 7.

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Launch Gallery: 'American Idol' Season 22 cast: Meet the Top 24 Finalists

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