The contestants are singing for their lives, and a spot in the Top 40.
Welcome to the Solo Round onAmerican Idol, folks.
And second, SONG CHOICE.
Credit: Eric McCandless/ABC
Katy is especially enthused about Kimmys song choice (I told you it was important!).
Her performance of Shawn Mendes In My Blood should allow that to happen.
Shes never seemed so connected, both to the song and to her audience, as she does here.
Katy loves that they are literally seeing Genavieves talent grow in real time.
), other performers, likeJeb Vonderbruegge, are blown away by the experience of singing with such professionals.
In this case, both the stage veterans and newbies do just fine up there.
And then sometimes the band just doesnt work out altogether, like inArthur Gunns case.
This time, however, he wants to play his own arrangement.
Its complicated - too complicated for the band to learn in such a short amount of time.
This means that Arthur will be performing with no band its just his voice and his guitar.
Its well worth the risk.
His voice also brings Lionel to tears.
Thats a powerful voice!
Of course, not everything goes so smoothly in the Solo Round.
A lot of peoples problems here come down to the second factor I mentioned: song choice.
Thats the harsh truth!
And so we get a montage of people performing original songs.
She sings a great country original that she dedicates to her nana, who is there in the audience.
Its a nice moment and a nice, radio-ready song and Lauren will be just fine.
When will they learn?!
Sophia really surprises here by choosing Somewhere fromWest Side Story.
The judges have to forget about her duet performance after that.
Her roommate Sarah might not be so lucky.
Will it be enough though?
Like Alejandro, Franklin Boone is quiet and introverted.
Another artist always staying true to herself isJust Sam.
The judges are obsessed with her.
After this disheartening run, Katy actually goes backstage to tell people to calm the hell down.
The judges cant believe how bad things are getting.
It turns out, she has a heart condition in which stress can cause seizures.
She has to be taken to the hospital to get looked at.
While they wait for news about Makayla, the judges are treated to a pleasant run of auditions.
Shes going to sail past the Top 40 and right into the Top 20, right?
Seriously, Katy is in tears by the end.
Its a moving performance.
Not all artists have it so easy, though.
The song is still full of some big ol notes, but the judges HATE this performance.
Thats a rough way to end your Hollywood Week.
Speaking of having a rough week,Idolis clearly setting us up for the big split ofMargie MaysandJonny West.
There is no way both of these people will be moving forward, it is just not theIdolway.
Katys especially pleased to see Margie offering up some real dynamics in her performance.
Still, these two should prepare for some drama ahead.
And with that, the Solo Round ends.
The judges deliberate and eventually split the remaining contestants into three groups, put in three separate rooms.
Two of those rooms will comprise the Top 40.
One room will be sent home.
You want to be in that room.
This room is much more iffy.
Room One and Room Three are moving on to the Top 40.
Were saying good-bye to the artists in Room Two.
