2020 'American Idol (Episodes, Contestants, Participants, Photos, Spolier, Elimination, Fights, Winners, Latest News, Songs)

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American Idol crowns first ever 'at home' winner



Image copyright ABC



American Idol First At-Home Finale: Winner Crowned, Katy Perry Debuts 'Daisy'

American Idol finally crowned a winner, here are some big moments from the finale



There may have been no live audience, no dramatic lighting and no stage to sing on, but "American Idol" still crowned a winner on ABC Sunday night.

Seacrest named Just Sam, a 20-year-old from Harlem who set out to make her grandmother proud, the winner of the third ABC season of "Idol" after she sung her heart out from home. Sam was so overwhelmed by the news she nearly dropped the tablet with her grandmother video-chatting in for the big moment.

The five finalists had two performances in the episode, one pre-recorded "celebration song" and one sung live. The live song was one that each performer sang at some other point in the competition, and winner Just Sam gets to release hers as a single.

If you lived through the ‘80s, you’ll remember “We Are The World” was just about the biggest number of them all. Featuring a “Dream Team” of pop stars, the song dropped in 1985 to shine a light on famine in Africa.

Written by Lionel Richie and the late Michael Jackson, the charity single ruled the Billboard Hot 100 for four successive weeks after its release, and an all-star Artists for Haiti remake in 2010 was also a hit.

Joined by his fellow judges, Richie led a cast that included 2020 winner Just Sam, Alejandro Aranda aka Scarypoolparty, Fantasia, Gabby Barrett, Jordin Sparks, Katharine McPhee, Kellie Pickler, Laine Hardy, Lauren Alaina, Phillip Phillips, Ruben Studdard and Scotty McCreery; Lionel performed a lockdown-era rendition of the blockbuster.

Watch it below:

Idol judge Katy Perry delivered her debut live performance of “Daises,” inside of a spectacular digitally-enhanced environment.

Wearing a pink dress, no shoes and showing her baby bump, Perry looked like Alice in her animated wonderland, as walls and cartoon furniture appear around her and steep falls appear under her feet.

“Daises” dropped last week, a triumph against the haters.

Watch the performance below.

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See the Top 20 Finalists on American Idol, Season 18:

Aliana Jester

Age: 19
From: Tampa, Fla.
Aliana Jester cites Whitney Houston as her biggest influence, but includes a wide variety of singers on that short list as well, including Carrie Underwood. She famously brought a dog to the audition and sang a Jackson 5 song.

Arthur Gunn
Age: 22
From: Witchita, Kan.
The Nepalese-born Gunn (real name: Dibesh Pokharel) cites classic rockers as influences, but during his audition, admitted spending years in Kansas has him appreciating country and bluegrass.

Cyniah Elise

Age: 18
From: Atlanta, Ga.
Cyniah says Beyonce is her biggest influence, but did a sterling rendition of an Adele song during Hollywood week. Judge Lionel Richie compared her to the late Whitney Houston.

DeWayne Crocker Jr
Age: 23
From: Pensacola, Fla.
Soul singers like Otis Redding were a big influence on DeWayne, but so too was the church. He once tried out for The Voice but didn't make it through.

Dillon James
Age: 26
From: Bakersfield, Calif.
Don't let the cowboy hat he wore during auditions fool you. Dillon's influences come from all over, and he's not necessarily a country singer, even if Katy Perry called him a "country Post Malone." During auditions, he revealed that he has struggled with drug and alcohol addictions that almost left him dead. He's sober now.

Faith Becnel
Age: 20
From: Destrehan, La.
Faith has breezed through all rounds of the competition thus far, but judges still aren't all-in on her talents. The Etta James-influenced singer from the New Orleans area says she's added songwriting to her list of talents. Perhaps she'll share an original in 2020?

Francisco Martin

Age: 19
From: San Francisco, Calif.
Anxiety may be an issue for Francisco as it was during auditions, but he says he's got it under control. Classic rock bands played a role in his raising, but he lists Maggie Rogers as his biggest musical influence.

Franklin Boone

Age: 28
From: Durham, N.C.
A Fleetwood Mac cover got Franklin through auditions, and as one of the older contestants, he figures to have an advantage during the early rounds of this competition. John Mayer and Dave Matthews are among his influences.

Grace Leer

Age: 28
From: Nashville, Tenn.
Grace was voted in as the 20th finalist, and she'll be representing country music. A Patsy Cline cover endeared the California native to fans. While she was the last singer to make the finals, she does have fans used to voting for her already, which should help.

Jonny West

Age: 23
From: Murietta, Calif.
Jonny auditioned with his girlfriend, but she was cut during Hollywood week, so he is flying solo. Kanye West is among his biggest influences.

Jovin Webb

Age: 29
From: Gonzales, La.
Jovin auditioned with an Allman Brothers Band classic and cites Chris Stapleton as an influence. He's definitely an artist fans of country and southern rock should watch in 2020.

Julia Gargano

Age: 22
From: Staten Island, N.Y.
Luke Bryan called Julia a front-runner in Hawaii after her Pink cover. The Joni Mitchell-inspired artist is a trained musician.

Just Sam

Age: 21
From: Harlem, N.Y.
Just Sam has one of the more inspiring stories of Season 18 of American Idol. She grew up with her grandmother and busked on subways before auditioning. She calls Frank Sinatra and Alicia Keys influences.

Kimmy Gabriela

Age: 18
From: Lakeland, N.Y.
The high schooler is another favorite for Season 18. Her father was a famous Latin singer in the '70s, so she's got music in her genes.

Lauren Spencer Smith

Age: 16
From: Vancouver Island, Can.
The British-born singer is the youngest Top 20 finalist ever. Judges loved her from the very start, and she, too, figures to go far. Adele and Billie Eilish are influences.

Louis Knight

Age: 19
From: Philadelphia, Pa.
Luke Bryan proclaimed that Louis Knight was a star after hearing him perform an original song called "Change." He's another British-born singer on the show, but his family moved to Philly when he was nine.

Makayla Phillips

Age: 17
From: Temecula, Calif.
Celine Dion and Demi Lovato are two power vocalists that Makayla has tackled with ease. She also cites Christina Aguilera as an influence.

Nick Merico

Age: 24
From: Woodland Hills, Calif.
Nick returned to American Idol after skipping out in 2019 and the judges remembered. Lionel Richie roughed him up during auditions, but his charm and talent got him through. Elton John and the Beatles are an influence.

Olivia Ximines

Age: 16
From: Menifee, Calif.
Katy Perry called Olivia a "young Brandy," but she performed a Tina Turner song during her first televised appearance. The teenager grew up singing in church but also calls Beyonce an influence.

Sophia James

Age: 20
From: Long Beach, Calif.
Sophia was Sophia Wackerman when she auditioned but the Australian made a name change between rounds. She moved to California at a young age and has been influenced by artists like Amy Winehouse since.

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American Idol 2020 (Season 18)

'American Idol': Top 20 Perform From Home in Social Distancing Special

American Idol went completely isolated on Sunday night, taking its top 20 to their own homes in the wake of social distancing measures. It was distinctly different from Idol episodes of the past, but the top 20 filmed themselves singing songs for America’s vote. Coaches Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Katy Perry also provided remote commentary, but the results are now out of their hands. Perry was dressed like a bottle of hand sanitizer throughout, and Ryan Seacrest also hosted remotely.

Kimmy Gabriela got things started from Lakeland, Florida, singing “Leave My Lonely.” She sang in her backyard and gave a delicate performance. The judges seemed more impressed by her personality and energy than by the actual vocals. Watch @ American Idol 2020 (Season 18)

In Baton Rouge, Jovin Webb sang “With A Little Help From My Friends.” The performance was engaging but lacked dynamics. Richie thought his identity came through, and the judges were overall impressed.

Franklin Boone sang “Everybody Want To Rule the World” by Tears for Fears from his home in North Carolina. He gave a soft rock performance and secured standing ovations from Bryan and Richie. Perry actually got emotional from the performance.

Olivia Ximines gave a performance of “Bad Guy” by Billie Eilish from California, and the song choice helped her stand out. It was a strong arrangement, and she made the song her own. Richie said she could be a “superstar.”

In Pennsylvania, Louis Knight played the keyboard during his performance of “If The World Was Ending,” delivering solid vocals and instrumentalism. Richie said it was “on point,” and Perry echoed the sentiment. It was a very well rounded performance.

Also in California, Makayla Phillips sang “Greedy” by Ariana Grande, and while her runs were strong, it was so close to the original that the performance didn’t really help her stand out. “That was about as professional as it’s ever going to be,” Richie said. The other judges similarly gave general feedback that had more to do with the structure of the remote episode than with her actual performance. Watch @ American Idol 2020 (Season 18)

Back down in Florida, Aliana Jester gave a stripped-down yet powerful performance of “Run To You” by Whitney Houston. “You put so much passion into it, and you gave it incredible dynamics,” Perry said, adding that she got goosebumps. It was one of the best vocals of the episode.

Faith Becnel sang “River” by Bishop Briggs from her home in Louisiana. She had interesting tone and brought personality to the performance. “Your delivery was wonderful,” Richie said. Bryan was impressed by her “big time notes,” adding it was his favorite rendition of that song.

In California, Nick Merico sang “Hey There Delilah” and played the keyboard. It wasn’t the most exciting song choice, but Merico tried to imbue it with some emotions and charm. “I would have loved to have heard you just dig in a little more,” Bryan said. Watch @ American Idol 2020 (Season 18)

Next up, young contestant Lauren Spencer-Smith sang “Mamma Knows Best” by Jessie J from an outdoor space. She stood out by really delivering a high-energy performance with a lot of “stage presence” despite not having an actual stage to work with. “Your voice is amazing,” Bryan said. “You brought the attitude to the table,” Richie added. Watch @ American Idol 2020 (Season 18)

In Georgia, Cyniah Elise sang “Warrior” by Demi Lovato and gave an ******** and captivating performance with great ad libs and runs. “I think you’re one of the best singers in the competition,” Bryan said. But the judges seemed to think she still needs to work on the performance aspects even though the voice is so strong.

Francisco Martin boldly sang Perry’s own “Teenage Dream” from his home in San Francisco. He played the guitar, and he had some pitch issues, but the arrangement was good. “You made it you,” Bryan said.

Also performing in California, Sophia James played keyboard as she sang “Burning” by Maggie Rogers. She brought her signature resonant tone and lower register to the song, showcasing range and style. “You’re sneaky good,” Bryan said, suggesting she’s not necessarily a frontrunner but could be an underdog in the competition. He gently discouraged her from playing piano should she advance though.

DeWayne Crocker Jr. was up next, singing “I Feel Good” by James Brown from Colorado. While it wasn’t the most vocally complex song, he made up for that with some interesting runs and a ton of presence. He connected well, giving a smooth performance. Perry wished it was “dirtier,” and Richie wanted him to let go a little bit more. Watch @ American Idol 2020 (Season 18)

Dillon James in California sang “Let It Be Me,” playing his guitar. It was a very effortless and experienced performance. While it was understated, that actually worked for him. Richie said he already has the look and sound of someone who has put out a lot of records. They all thought he was very ready to make it in the industry.

From Kansas, Arthur Gunn had fun with his performance of “Lovin Machine.” He let loose for this performance, delivering grit and entertainment. Perry said she wanted him to look more with his eyes at the camera, but she also said she liked his vibe. “It’s just powerful,” Richie said.

Singing “Human” by Christina Perri from New York, Julia Gargano played keyboard and gave a rich, dynamic performance. “That was an amazing performance in your style,” Richie said, adding that it was perfectly in her wheelhouse.

Grace Leer’s performance of “Cry” by Faith Hill in California was emotional and connected, Leer able to give an ******** and engaging performance even without a live audience. “That was a great delivery,” Richie said. “You rode that bull real well,” Perry said, complimenting the dynamics and saying that she could be a country star.

Just Sam sang “Believe” by former Idol Fantasia and really focused on the vocals. “You own every aspect of your range from the top to bottom,” Bryan said, praising her confidence and growth. It was definitely her best performance of the season, and it was immediately memorable.

Jonny West closed things out from California with his original performance of “What A Wonderful World.” He accompanied himself on the keyboard and gave his best vocal of the season. “I heard movie soundtracks; I heard so many things,” Bryan said. “You have a vocal arsenal,” Richie said. “You have it all.” Watch @ American Idol 2020 (Season 18)

Idol will continue with more remote episodes next week on ABC.

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American Idol First At-Home Finale: Winner Crowned, Katy Perry Debuts 'Daisy'

American Idol finally crowned a winner, here are some big moments from the finale



There may have been no live audience, no dramatic lighting and no stage to sing on, but "American Idol" still crowned a winner on ABC Sunday night.

Seacrest named Just Sam, a 20-year-old from Harlem who set out to make her grandmother proud, the winner of the third ABC season of "Idol" after she sung her heart out from home. Sam was so overwhelmed by the news she nearly dropped the tablet with her grandmother video-chatting in for the big moment.

The five finalists had two performances in the episode, one pre-recorded "celebration song" and one sung live. The live song was one that each performer sang at some other point in the competition, and winner Just Sam gets to release hers as a single.

If you lived through the ‘80s, you’ll remember “We Are The World” was just about the biggest number of them all. Featuring a “Dream Team” of pop stars, the song dropped in 1985 to shine a light on famine in Africa.

Written by Lionel Richie and the late Michael Jackson, the charity single ruled the Billboard Hot 100 for four successive weeks after its release, and an all-star Artists for Haiti remake in 2010 was also a hit.

Joined by his fellow judges, Richie led a cast that included 2020 winner Just Sam, Alejandro Aranda aka Scarypoolparty, Fantasia, Gabby Barrett, Jordin Sparks, Katharine McPhee, Kellie Pickler, Laine Hardy, Lauren Alaina, Phillip Phillips, Ruben Studdard and Scotty McCreery; Lionel performed a lockdown-era rendition of the blockbuster.

Watch it below:

Idol judge Katy Perry delivered her debut live performance of “Daises,” inside of a spectacular digitally-enhanced environment.

Wearing a pink dress, no shoes and showing her baby bump, Perry looked like Alice in her animated wonderland, as walls and cartoon furniture appear around her and steep falls appear under her feet.

“Daises” dropped last week, a triumph against the haters.

Watch the performance below.