Top 7 Singers on ‘American Idol’

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“American Idol” is officially down to the top seven singers.

Here’s a breakdown of the contestants who made it through Sunday’s Disney round and are getting closer to the season finale on May 23.

1. Grace Kinstler

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Grace Kinstler auditioned for “American Idol” by singing her rendition of “Natural Woman” by Arthea Franklin. Over the next few weeks, the judges have continued to comment on her growth.

“I’m so excited to be a part of this, to watch you grow as an artist and a performer,” said judge Luke Bryan after Kinstler’s duet with Joss Stone. “I just can’t believe I have a front row seat.”

Bryan also reminded viewers he’s been a fan since day one.

“I get brought to tears by stories and backgrounds of what people have been through and their struggles,” Bryan said during her audition. “But this is the first time in four years that just someone’s singing made me cry.”

Throughout the season, Kinstler has had exciting moments but Bryan crying was extremely special for the 20-year-old Berklee College of Music student.

Kinstler has made the show’s top 7, which was announced on Sunday. The singer will continue with performances May 9. Fans will then have the opportunity to vote their favorites through to the next round.

“It was like you had a magic wand,” an excited Katy Perry told the 20-year-old singer from Chicago. “It was like you had the whole room controlled with your voice. It was awesome.”

2. Casey Bishop

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For weeks, Casey Bishop has brought rock ‘n’ roll thunder to “American Idol.” But the Estero teen changed it up for Sunday’s episode.

Instead, she turned down the volume for a classic Hollywood ballad: “Over the Rainbow” from the movie “The Wizard of Oz.”

The voters weren’t the only one’s impressed by Bishop. All three judges stood up and clapped after her performance with a string ensemble.

Katy Perry echoed something fellow judge Luke Bryan said on an earlier episode: Bishop is a frontrunner this season — and she just might win the whole thing.

“You can do anything you want!” Perry told her. “You can sing rock, you can sing R&B, you can sing standards, you can sing Judy Garland. It’s all inside of you, and it’s so beautiful.”

Judge Lionel Richie said he’s constantly amazed at Bishop’s young age — the same age Garland was when she was cast as Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz.”

“I keep looking down at 16, wondering what the heck the DNA is made of,” Richie told her. “Because you are hell under pressure. … You’re controlling every facet of your delivery. Rock to ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow.’ It’s just unbelievable.”

3. Willie Spence

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Spence, whose family lives in Riviera Beach, was awarded a spot in the top 12 after two weeks of performances that had Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan at “goosebump central,” as Perry said.

He kicked off his first performance for outside votes with “Wind Beneath My Wings,” by Bette Midler.

He met up with — and gave an of-the-times elbow-bump “hello” to — singer Katharine McPhee, who was a previous contestant on "American Idol."

Sitting across from her, Spence talked about their upcoming duet. He wanted to dedicate the performance to his hero: his grandfather, who he said had recently died of COVID-19.

“I’m always going to remember what he told me,” Spence told McPhee. “He told me never give up, and I will never give up.”

As he spoke, a clip of his grandfather praying at a table with family took over the screen for a few seconds. Willie Roger Singleton, Spence's grandfather, was a pastor in Palm Beach County before retiring. He lived in Riviera Beach, at the home featured in a prior episode of "American Idol."

4. Caleb Kennedy

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Although country singer Caleb Kennedy is one of the younger singers in the “Idol” competition, the judges have continually praised him for his song choices and the fact that he clearly knows who he is as an artist.

For Disney night, Kennedy chose to perform “Real Gone” from “Cars.”

“Every time I see you, you get a little bit more sparkle,” Perry told the 16-year-old singer from South Carolina. “That energy is infectious.”

Kenendy, a Dorman High School sophomore, and the other contestants were at Disney World for coaching for their performances and got some time for traditional Disney play experiences. They performed live Sunday from Los Angeles.

Best known perhaps for his role on the television show “Full House,” Stamos has a lot of experience as a musician, appearing on Broadway in a revival of “Bye Bye Birdie” and with the Beach Boys.

Kennedy bought his first guitar just three years ago and learned to play it by looking at chords on his cellphone. His grandfather, Rudy Blanton, said Kennedy can hear a song and play it.

He is well known in Spartanburg County, where his mother, Anita Guy, would book gigs for him. He was known to have an original song to play each week at the Fr8yard.

5. Chayce Beckham

Photo: American Idol

Since his audition for “American Idol,” Chayce Beckham has been a favorite — Perry even called him a “top 5” contestant. Beckham, a 24-year-old singer from Apple Valley, California, continues to get closer to making that prediction come true.

For Disney night, Beckham brought a unique approach to the “Dumbo” classic “Baby Mine.”

“You took a lullaby and you made it like a cool song, like a Goo Goo Dolls alt-rock song, Perry said. “That was so cool and imaginative of you.”

“Your artistry is not about overdoing all of the stuff,” Bryan said. “It’s just about you going out and having a solid, great, amazing song and delivering it in your style.”

6. Hunter Metts

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Hunter Metts is one of the beloved contestants on season 19 of American Idol. During the show’s April 12 episode, Hunter was announced as one of the ten finalists who was voted through to the next round by viewers. The judges then chose two more artists to round out the top 12, and those 12 singers will take the stage once again on April 18.

During the top 12 live show, Hunter and the other remaining artists will each sing and Oscar-nominated songs to try and impress the judges and viewers. Only nine of those singers will move on after America’s votes. The top 10 will then be rounded out after ten finalists from season 18 return to perform once again, with just one nabbing the final spot.

For Disney night, Hunter Metts chose to perform his mother’s favorite song — “You’ll Be In My Heart” from “Tarzan.”

The 22-year-old singer from Tennessee got emotional during the song, and showed off more of his vocal range than usual.

“When you started (the competition) I feel like you were really, really reluctant to go there,” Bryan told Metts. “Your voice is so recognizable. When you expand your range and go for it, it’s just going to make you more undeniable.”

*****READ MORE: ‘American Idol’ Finale: Full Schedule, How To Watch Without Cable

7. Arthur Gunn

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Arthur Gunn, a singer who came in second place during last season of “American Idol,” is back in the running for first place this year.

Gunn recently returned for this season’s “Comeback” episode, which gave 10 singers from the past season of “Idol” the chance to perform on the “Idol” stage after missing that opportunity because of the pandemic.

For Disney night, Gunn sang “Remember Me” from “Coco,” and Perry called it one of the best performances he’s ever given.

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