RECAP: American Idol Selects Top 40 Following High-Pressure Hollywood Week

The first night of Hollywood week on American Idol ended with a bit of drama when Nate Walker, from the final group of the night, was rushed to the hospital after he fell ill. However, on night two of Hollywood, Nate was able to return after two hours of treatments. Although his voice was compromised, he performed an abbreviated part, while each of his Ain’t Going Home teammates took an entire verse.

Singing Billy Joel’s – “The Longest Time” Logan Johnson, 20, of Boise, Idaho, Gazzie White (24) of Statesboro, Georgia, Ruthie Craft (22) of Fox Island, Washington, and 18-year-old Nate Walker of Pittsburgh did their dead-level best despite the handicap.

After judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie deliberated, they asked him to sing a verse to be fair to his teammates. And instead of singing it the way it was written, Nate tapped into his artistry and adapted the verse to accommodate his failing voice.

Fortunately, the young man had proven his ability and tenacity. And in an unprecedented move, the entire team moved forward.

That was it for group performances, and solo performances with a full band were next. “When they’re up there with the band, we really can start seeing who they are as a true artist,” Luke said. The performers didn’t receive immediate feedback and eliminations happened at the end of the day, but they were singing for one of 40 spots. Some walked off stage jubilant. Others were in tears.

Following is the breakdown of contestants whose performances were broadcast during the show and their results:

*Walker Burroughs (20) – Birmingham, Alabama
Performed: “Your Song” by Elton John
YES

Juan Pablo (26) – North Hollywood, California
Performed: “Million Reasons” by Lady Gaga
NO

*Ryan Hammond (25) – Modesto, California
Performed: “All I Ask” by Adele
YES

*Kai the Singer (19) – Kingstree, South Carolina
Performed: “Lost Without You” by Freya Ridings
YES

*Riley Thompson (16) – Mabank, Texas
Performed: “Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash
YES

*Raquel Trinidad (20) – Tampa, Florida
Performed: “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” by Roberta Flack
YES

*Evelyn Cormier (19) – Claremont, New Hampshire
Performed: “Wonderwall” by Oasis
YES

*Eddie Island (25) – Nashville, Tennessee
Performed: Original
YES

*Alejandro Aranda (24) – Pomona, California
Performed: Original
YES

*Margie Mays (25) – Wilmington, Delaware
Performed: “Never Enough” from The Greatest Showman
YES

*Wade Cota (27) – Phoenix, Arizona
Performed: Original
YES

*Nate Walker (18) – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Performed: “You Were Always On My Mind” by Willie Nelson
YES

*Tyler Mitchell (26) – Florien, Louisiana
Performed: “Broken Halos” by Chris Stapleton
YES

*Drake McCain (17) – Spring City, Tennessee
Performed “Always On My Mind” by Willie Nelson
YES

*Bumbly (27) – New York, NY
Performed: Unknown
YES

*Nick Townsend (26) – Tekamah, Nebraska
Performed: “In My Blood” by Shawn Mendes
YES

Gaba (19) – Los Angeles, California
Performed: “Jealous” by Labrinth
NO

*Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon (26) – Catonsville, Maryland
Performed: “The First Time Every I Saw Your Face” by Roberta Flack
YES

*Kate Barnette (23) – Kennesaw, Georgia
Performed: “Daughters” by John Mayer
YES

*Myra Tran (19) – Federal Way, Washington
Performed: “I Put a Spell On You” by Nina Simone
YES

*Shayy (18) – Midlothian, Virginia
Performed: “Cry Pretty” by Carrie Underwood
YES

*Laci Kaye Booth (24) – Livingston, Texas
Performed: “Stars” by Grace Potter
YES

*Uché (24) – Sugar Land, Texas
Performed: “Scars to Your Beautiful” by Alessia Cara
YES

*Madison Vandenburg (17) – Cohoes, New York
Performed: “All I Ask” by Adele
YES

Austin Michael Robinson (15) – Van Alstyne, Texas
Performed: “Parachute” by Chris Stapleton
NO

*Shawn Robinson (22) – Atlanta, Georgia
Performed: “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing” by Stevie Wonder
YES

*Alyssa Raghu (16) – Orlando, Florida
Performed: “What About Us” by Pink
YES

*Johanna Jones (23) – Las Vegas, Nevada
Performed: “Wicked Game” by Chris Isaak
YES

Actually, making it through to the next round was icing on a pretty tasty cake for Johanna. Following her Hollywood solo performance, her boyfriend, who was supposed to be back home for school, showed up in Los Angeles to surprise his girlfriend. And boy, did he! It wasn’t enough for him to just show up, he came in with an engagement ring, too.

Several other contestants, including 2018’s Laine Hardy, made it through to the Top 40, however, time restraints limited the number of performances viewers were able to see.

Tune in again on March 31 when we should be able to see all Top 40 contestants take their journey a step farther when they compete again in Hawaii.