Current:Home > reviews'American Idol' recap: Jelly Roll cries as he grieves with teen contestant Mia Matthews -Finovate
'American Idol' recap: Jelly Roll cries as he grieves with teen contestant Mia Matthews
View
Date:2025-04-19 01:30:59
"American Idol" Season 22's Top 24 contestants have all made their case for why they should make it into the Top 20, and their fates are now in viewers' hands.
Monday's episode saw a dozen singers leave it all out on stage in Hawaii after spending some time under Jelly Roll's tutelage. In turn, the Grammy nominee became a fan of the many "Idol" hopefuls, including a teen boy from Alabama who idolizes him: season standout Triston Harper.
"Triston has the voice of a man that's been through a lifetime of pain," Jelly Roll said. "And he's only 15 years old."
The rapper-turned-country-star also had an emotional journey as he found a connection with another one of the season's teen contestants, who brought him to tears during rehearsals. Judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie were not immune as Mia Matthews performed a song dedicated to her late father.
Here are the night's highlights.
What happened last episode?Tori Kelly, Iam Tongi join top 24 contestants in Hawaii
Jelly Roll professes 'hate' for contestant after she makes him cry
Nineteen-year-old Mia Matthews' story struck a chord with Jelly Roll.
For her performance, Mia paid homage to her dad, who was from Hawaii and died before he could show her his hometown, by singing Holly Dunn's "Daddy's Hands." During rehearsal, the teen managed to bring Jelly Roll to tears.
"I lost my father in 2019. So brave of you to pick that song," Jelly Roll said with tears in his eyes. "It's probably the single hardest experience I ever had."
"Thanks for making me cry. I hate you," he joked. "I love you!" she responded, and he returned the sentiment.
As her mom Tara and sister JC watched in the audience, Mia showcased her vulnerability on stage − and her voice, both powerful and soft at the same time. Her emotion and talent made Perry break out into goosebumps "all over."
Mia held it together through the song until her voice cracked on the last line, endearing her to her audience.
"You sang to someone. It's very hard to carry emotions on stage. Sometimes you want to hold that back because that vulnerability can sometimes throw you off course," Richie told her. "In your case, it gave you the best performance I have ever seen come from you on this show.”
Mackenzie Sol reaches new heights with Nick Jonas cover
Mackenzie Sol took a chance this week with Nick Jonas' 2014 single "Jealous," which showcases the Jonas Brothers singer's impressive range.
His nerves about reaching the falsetto at the end made watching his performance a nail-biter. Mackenzie also put a unique ballad-like spin on the pop hit. But as he seduced the audience with his hip-shaking moves, Mackenzie hit all the right notes and reached new heights in the competition.
"That was your best performance since being on the show," Perry said. "You commanded. This was your show. You gave us moments with your voice and you gave us body. You gave us performance. You gave us hammer pants."
Richie announced, "You brought sexy to 'American Idol.'"
"I could tell when it happened because as soon as you opened your mouth for the first note, what happened? Everybody screamed," the judge added. "Now, if you keep them screaming for another 40 years, that's called a career."
Last week:Here's who made it into the Top 24 contestants during 'Showstoppers'
Triston Harper wins over 'role model' Jelly Roll, who thinks he can win 'American Idol'
Triston Harper was over the moon when he saw who their celebrity mentor would be this week.
"That's my role model," he said in awe after Jelly Roll announced himself.
He looked like he could hardly help himself as he spent one-on-one time with the "Halfway to Hell" singer during rehearsals. The two even spent some time dueting Jelly Roll's "Son of a Sinner," which Triston had sung at his school's talent show.
The high schooler wasn't the only fan, though.
As the country star-in-the-making sang Blake Shelton's "God's Country," he looked perfectly at ease, occasionally flashing a charming smile as he showed off his melodious voice. With a full band and backup singers behind him, the teen looked – and sang – like he was on a headlining tour.
What comes out of his mouth is "straight magic," Richie said.
Jelly Roll was also effusive in his praise. He said, "You are the youngest man with the oldest soul I’ve ever met in my life. You have a swagger that at 15 years old you don’t even know you have.
"You can win this competition, young man."
How to vote for your favorite 'American Idol'
Viewers can cast their votes at idolvote.abc.com or by downloading the "American Idol" app in the Apple app store or Google Play.
You can also text your favorite contestant's assigned number (1 through 24, based on the order of their performance) to 21523.
veryGood! (1)
Related
- Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Sells Once Every 4 Seconds: Get 50% Off Before It's Gone
- Spain advances to Euro 2024 semifinals with extra time win over Germany
- Conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett shows an independence from majority view in recent opinions
- Argentina bails out Messi in shootout to advance past Ecuador in Copa América thriller
- Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
- Hatch recalls nearly 1 million AC adapters used in baby product because of shock hazard
- Tractor Supply caved to anti-DEI pressure. Their promises were too good to be true.
- Hiring in the U.S. slowed in June, raising hopes for interest rate cuts
- Woman dies after Singapore family of 3 gets into accident in Taiwan
- 'Dangerous' heat wave settles over California and Oregon, expected to last days
Ranking
- California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- July Fourth violence nationwide kills at least 26, Chicago ‘in state of grief,’ mayor says
- From Illinois to Utah: July 4th firework mishaps claimed lives and injured dozens
- Shark attack on South Padre Island, Texas leaves 2 injured, 2 others report encounters
- Google unveils a quantum chip. Could it help unlock the universe's deepest secrets?
- Arkansas election officials checking signatures of 3 measures vying for November ballot
- Wisconsin Republicans are improperly blocking conservation work, court says
- New Dutch leader pledges to cut immigration as the opposition vows to root out racists in cabinet
Recommendation
Tree trimmer dead after getting caught in wood chipper at Florida town hall
Ranger wounded, suspect dead in rare shooting at Yellowstone National Park, NPS says
Def Leppard pumped for summer tour with Journey: 'Why would you want to retire?'
Tour de France Stage 6 results, standings: Sprinters shine as Groenewegen wins
Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
It’s a fine line as the summer rainy season brings relief, and flooding, to the southwestern US
Wisconsin dam fails as water flows over top, residents urged to seek high ground
Wisconsin dam fails as water flows over top, residents urged to seek high ground