‘American Idol 22’ episode 16 recap: Who was eliminated on ‘Adele Night’? [Live Blog]

Tonight on “American Idol,” mulitplatinum superstar Ciara serves as guest mentor for the Top 7, who perform dance songs from various artists and iconic hits from bestselling artist Adele. Meghan Trainor returns to perform, while America votes live for the Top 5.

Below, follow with our live blog for “American Idol 22” Episode 16 airing Sunday, May 5 (8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET).

More from GoldDerby

• 'American Idol' shocker: Julia Gagnon eliminated during Top 7 night

• 'American Idol' outrage: McKenna Faith Breinholt eliminated during Top 7 night

• 'American Idol' Top 5: Who gave the best performance on Sunday, May 5? [POLL]

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

8:00 p.m. — Previously on “American Idol”! The Top 8 performed one of three songs secretly selected by Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, who were each competing for most songs chosen. America voted live for the Top 6, and then Katy saved McKenna Faith Breinholt to round out the Top 7, eliminating Kaibrienne. Who will go home tonight?

8:08 p.m. — Jack Blocker is kicking things off with Little Richard‘s “Long Tall Sally.” He’s having a good time up there jamming on his guitar and his comfort level reads through the screen. He’s a dark horse to win this whole thing. Jack’s got the charisma! Luke says, “That is not the kid we knew a couple weeks ago,” and loved hearing the angst in his voice. Lionel calls him “the only person who makes Chuck Berry and Little Richard become the same person.” Katy can’t make eye contact with Jack and says, “Holy S-H!”

8:15 p.m. — Next up is Julia Gagnon with “Roam” by The B-52‘s. We’re definitely seeing a different side of Julia’s personality with this performance, even if her voice is taking a bit of a back seat. By the end she gets out a few high belts to remind everyone who the diva is this season. Lionel says, “That’s one way to show off an extra pair of lungs.” Katy loved the song choice and vocals, but would have liked Julia to attempt a few more dance moves. Luke thinks it’s “refreshing” to see Julia challenge her confidence level.

8:25 p.m. — It’s Abi Carter‘s turn and she’s taking on Fall Out Boy‘s “My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark.” I like this pop/rock side of Abi we’ve seen the last two weeks. Katy looks completely gobsmacked. Katy asks, “Why were you saving that? You can do that?! I’m scared for my job.” Luke says the performance was “amazing” and he thought she just played piano. Lionel says Abi never broke character and showed confidence.

8:30 p.m. — McKenna Faith Breinholt is hoping to stay in the competition this week with Katy’s own “E.T.” Her look is fierce and it’s fun to see this side of her, but I wish it was a little more “dancey.” Luke says McKenna’s voice isn’t suited for this style, but he loves to watch her “dig in” and try new things. Lionel loved how McKenna made the song her own. Katy simply smiles and says, “Great job.”

8:42 p.m. — Will Moseley is shakin’ a leg to Lynyrd Skynyrd‘s “Gimme Three Steps.” This definitely sounds like a jam I’d like to hear in any bar, but Will isn’t exactly a dancer. I’m not sure it matters all that much. Lionel compliments him for making it “nasty” and says Will’s voice on anything is “so good.” Katy said Moseley can mosey — and he’s a rockstar. Luke says Will’s Apple watch is going to say “two steps today,” but he hasn’t hit a bad note all year.

8:48 p.m. — Emmy Russell hopes to push herself to another level with Walk the Moon‘s “Shut Up and Dance.” She’s sitting at the piano, which is a long way from dancing, but I’d say this is at least a nice mid-tempo from Emmy. Her voice is so light and recognizable. Katy asks why Emmy didn’t get up and walk around. Still, it was the best she’s sounded. Lionel says he couldn’t see her nerves and she’s stepping into the “superstar” lane.

9:00 p.m. — Triston Harper is closing out this first hour with Travis Tritt‘s “T-R-O-U-B-L-E.” He’s working the stage, shocking Katy with those gyrating hips. I love that he’s cutting a rug up there, but his voice is slightly drowned out by the band on this number. It’s still one of my favorite performances of the night. Luke tells him to “keep smilin’ and dancin’ and it’s all gonna be okay.” Lionel says he was gyrating before Katy and Luke were born — and this conversation gets a little uncomfortable. Katy loves watching Triston’s mom watch him and calls this performance “on another level.”

9:15 p.m. — Following a halftime performance from Meaghan Trainor (“Too the Moon”/”Been Like This”), McKenna returns for her Adele song, “Make You Feel My Love.” She’s playing guitar and looks much more comfortable on this number. It also suits her voice better. Lionel loves how she made an Adele song “smokey.” Katy is proud that McKenna showed everyone how she can evolve on stage. Luke says, “That’s your kind of song and it was done perfectly.”

9:20 p.m. — Next up is Jack with “One and Only.” He’s without an instrument this time, just Jack and the mic stand. I like him more and more each week. He’s really shown a lot of versatility this season. He sounds great! Jack finishes the song by the judges, who each give him a respectful handshake. Katy says Jack is “feeling himself” and that’s what rockstars do. Luke says Jack has his own kind of charisma and it fires him up every time he’s on the stage. Lionel tells Jack to “keep doing it” and “it’s infectious.”

9:30 p.m. — Will returns, this time singing “Rolling in the Deep.” What a great song choice for Will. We don’t hear a lot of men cover this song and it fits him perfectly. Luke says it was a “great delivery.” Lionel says it was “fantastic.” Katy says Will stayed himself even though he was singing an Adele song, “and that’s all we ask.”

9:32 p.m. — Julia is next singing “Set Fire to the Rain.” It’s her second Adele song this season after singing “Rumour Has It” weeks ago. This song fits right in Julia’s sweet spot, vocally. It’s powerful, but she’s not straining at all. Lionel says Julia has so many sides to her he doesn’t know who she is other than a superstar. Katy says this was her lane, but loved her A+ delivery. Luke called it “free” and Julia didn’t look like she was worried for a second.

9:40 p.m. — For Emmy’s second performance she’s singing “Water Under the Bridge.” She makes the song sound like her own because her voice is so different from Adele’s, but it works on this song. Katy was lost in the performance and says, “You’ve never sounded better than tonight.” Luke says Emmy knows exactly who she is and she stays there, but has added little sparkles throughout the season. Lionel says Emmy has conquered her demons and looks as confident as ever.

9:45 p.m. — Triston is up again with “Easy On Me.” He’s given it a nice country twist and it works! I have to keep reminding myself this kid is just 15 years old. It’s not a perfect vocal and Triston might sound the most nervous of anyone tonight. Once he hits the chorus he seems to shake it off and ends the night strong. Luke says it was “really well done.” Lionel wants to check his birth certificate and says once Triston took the mic out of the mic stand he “turned into himself.” Katy says Triston sells the story like he wrote the song himself.

9:53 p.m. — Abi is closing out the show with the classic Adele hit “Hello.” She sits at the piano while she belts this out with passion and fire. She beautifully makes this one her own. Lionel says it was the best he’s ever heard her. Katy calls it “angelic frequency.” Luke says Abi probably made Lionel forget he has his own song named “Hello.”

10:00 p.m. — The live coast-to-coast votes are in. Ryan announces the Top 5 in no particular order: Abi, Jack, Triston, Will and Emmy. That means Julia and McKenna are going home tonight.

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