‘American Idol’ Recap: Top 5 Revealed as Alanis Morissette, Ed Sheeran Guest Judge
ABC/Eric McCandless Reading Time: 2 minutes
American Idol Season 21 returned on Sunday night, as the Top 8 singers took the stage for a chance to earn America’s vote and make it into the Top 5. This week’s episode featured guest judges Alanis Morissette and Ed Sheeran, who filled in for Katy Perry and Lionel Richie.
American Idol Top 5 Revealed After Covering Alanis Morissette
America voted live during Sunday night’s episode. At the end of the night, host Ryan Seacrest announced that the Top 5 were Zachariah Smith, Megan Danielle, Iam Tongi, Wé Ani, and Colin Stough. That means we had to say goodbye to Haven Madison, Warren Peay, and Oliver Steele.
For this week’s solo performances, the Top 8 took the stage to sing songs by guest judge Alanis Morissette, who also served as their mentor. Standout performances included Colin Stough’s take on “Hand in My Pocket,” Megan Danielle’s cover of “Head Over Feet,” and Wé Ani’s rendition of “Uninvited.”
Although Perry and Richie were in the UK to perform at King Charles’ coronation concert, they made virtual appearances throughout the show. The start of the episode even featured a surprise appearance from Charles and his wife Camilla.
Sunday’s episode also featured performances from Morissette and Sheeran, who sang their songs “Thank U” and “Eyes Closed,” respectively.
SEE ALSO: ‘AMERICAN IDOL’ FANS ACCUSE JUDGES OF GIVING ‘SPECIAL TREATMENT’ TO CONTESTANT
Singers Perform Ed Sheeran’s ‘Thinking Out Loud’ After Lawsuit
Sunday’s episode also featured duets between the Top 8 contestants to songs by guest judge Ed Sheeran. The singer said it was “such a privilege” to hear the contestants perform his songs. Notably, one of the songs performed was “Thinking Out Loud.”
Haven Madison and Zachariah Smith took the stage to perform the track, which was recently the subject of a plagiarism lawsuit brought against Sheeran. The singer was accused of copying Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On.” Recently, a jury ruled in Sheeran’s favor.
Sheeran loved the performance, remarking that they sang the song better than him. Luke Bryan told them he had “smile cramps” from how happy the performance made him.
Another memorable duet from Sunday night was between Iam Tongi and Oliver Steele, who sang a touching rendition of “Photograph.” Oliver said Iam is like his little brother, adding that if he was eliminated, he predicted that Iam would win.
American Idol will return next Sunday for Disney Night, as the Top 5 singers take the stage for their chance to go to the Finals of Season 21.
