‘American Idol’ recap of episode 19 season 20: The Top 5 perform for 3 spots in Grand Finale [UPDATING LIVE BLOG] (2024)

“American Idol” continues on May 15 for its fifth season on ABC and 20th overall. As always, Ryan Seacrest hosts the reality TV competition series while country superstar Luke Bryan, pop princess Katy Perryand Oscar-winning singer/songwriter Lionel Richie make up the judging panel.

Follow along with our “American Idol” Season 20 Episode 19 recap as the Top 5 head to Las Vegas to be mentored by country superstar and 2005 “American Idol” winner Carrie Underwood. Each contestant will perform two songs, leaving it all on the stage in hopes of earning America’s vote and landing a spot in the Grand Finale.

SEE Meet the Top 5 finalists competing for America’s vote [PHOTOS]

This season the judges embark on yet another nationwide search for America’s next singing sensation. Auditions were held in Nashville, Tennessee, Austin, Texas and Los Angeles, California. If given a golden ticket, hopeful idols advanced to the Hollywood round. In a new twist this season, three contestants were given a Platinum Ticket, which allowed them to skip the first phase of Hollywood week. Kenedi Andersonwithdrew from the competition on April 11. Jay made it to the Top 7 and was eliminated on May 8. Huntergirl is still in contention.

SEE Everything to know about ‘American Idol’ Season 20

Below, follow along with all the action on Night 19 of Season 20 of “American Idol.” Timestamps are Eastern Standard Time. Hit refresh to see the most up-to-date thoughts on the Top 5 performances!

8:00 p.m. — Previously on “American Idol,” the Top 7 performed for America’s vote. After Seacrest announced the Top 5, we said goodbye to Christian Guardinoand Jay. Who will shine brightest tonight? Let’s go!

8:12 p.m. — The evening kicks off with a highlight reel of Carrie’s pretty epic career. She’s really had the dream career all of these contestants hope for. Each artist will sing one song from Carrie’s songbook tonight. Huntergirl is first with “Undo It,” and Carrie teaches the aspiring artist how to strut and bring the sass for this song. For the live performance, Huntergirl works her way through the crowd and onto the stage. It’s an uptempo song that has more sass than heart, but it’s actually one of Huntergirl’s better vocals of the season. At the end of the performance, Huntergirl holds her fist in the air and looks as though a ton of bricks have been lifted off her shoulders. Lionel says, “There is nothing better than owning the stage. It was spectacular!” Katy says, “You’ve invited us to your party.” She also calls it her “hands down best performance.” Luke mumbled through some compliments, he might be more prepared for the next performance, but he liked it.

8:22 p.m. — Leah Marlene is next singing “I’ll Stand By You,” which is a song Carrie covered at an inspirational charity event. Carrie admits she struggled to find her own artistry until after she was on “Idol,” but Leah already has it. Leah says her 8-year old self is “quaking inside.” Leah sounds wonderful. I actually think she has the best voice in the competition. You can never mistake Leah for anyone else and she pours her emotions into every lyric. Katy can’t believe how Leah reinvented the song. Lionel calls Leah a great “stylist” and says her deliver was “on point.”

8:30 p.m. — Next up is Fritz Hager, who is back in the studio after his bout with COVID-19. He will be singing “I Wanna Remember,” which is a song Carrie collaborated on with NEEDTOBREATHE. I don’t think this was a great song choice, but I guess the Carrie Underwood songbook might be a bit more of a struggle for the men in this competition. It’s just sort of forgettable and his vocals aren’t blowing me away. Maybe he’s a little hoarse. Anyways, he’s still my pick to win this season, so I think he’ll be safe even though this wasn’t his best performance. Luke calls it a “great interpretation” of the song. Lionel says Fritz has the ability to change gears from song to song and congratulates him on his career. Katy calls him “effortlessly cool.”

8:42 p.m. — Noah Thompson will sing “So Small.” He was a little too sick to be in person for his mentor moment with Carrie, but at least he’s live in the studio for his performance tonight. Carrie relates to Noah’s story and is brought to tears by their similarities. Noah is getting a lot more comfortable on stage, but he doesn’t give his best vocal throughout the first half of the song. He picks it up by the end and I still think this kid has the charisma to break into the finale. Lionel says Noah is actually a “real person.” I’m not sure what the other contestants are. Katy says people are obsessed with Noah and he’s getting better each week.

8:54 p.m. — Nicolina is closing out the Carrie segment with a cover of “Blown Away.” She’s bringing down and turning it into a ballad, which Carrie appreciates. For the performance, Nicolina does sing the version Carrie fans are familiar with. It’s not a ballad, but the power is still there. She’s sort of all over the place as the song closes and she is inserting more runs than the song calls for. It wasn’t my favorite performance from Nicolina. Katy compliments the fan blowing Nicolina’s hair and cape. Lionel likes her attitude and tells Nicolina to “stay in this pocket.”

9:09 p.m. — FINNEAS stops by to sing his brand new single, “Naked,” before the competition resumes. Then Leah Marlene takes the stage again for a performance of “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)” by Journey. I think she’s phenomenal. I love the choices she’s made and how she switched the song up, but I don’t think I would have chosen the song for her. Luke calls it “refreshing and fun.” Lionel says she has a career now. Katy loves seeing Leah’s teeth! Things are getting cutthroat in this competition.

9:20 p.m.— HunterGirl is next with a rendition of “Girl Crush” by Little Big Town. The opening chorus is perfectly executed and this is a great song choice. Lionel calls her sound “crystal clear” and says HunterGirl has the rest of her life to enjoy her career. Katy says she has a girl crush and her nieces are voting for HunterGirl. Luke says she is in star mode.

9:33 p.m. — Fritz is up for his second round singing “Youngblood” by 5 Seconds of Summer. When I watch these contestants, Fritz is the one I can immediately see as a real pop star. He could stand up there right next to Ed Sheeran and fit in. When he sings contemporary hits like this it just confirms that thought. He’s working the crowd like a pro and sounds great. Katy asks, “You had this up your sleeve the whole time?” Luke needs the show to forever remove the clip of him saying “No” to Fritz at his audition. The crowd is going nuts for this kid.

9:43 p.m. — Nicolina is next singing “All I Ask” by Adele. It’s a great ballad for her. She’s covered Adele before, but it was way back during the Hollywood Showstoppers round. It’s a powerhouse vocal that could easily launch her into the finale. This Top 5 is so close! I really have no idea which two are going home. I love how Nicolina is just letting it rip at the end with no regard to achieving perfection. It sounds raw, but it’s still in key. Lionel calls it an “American Idol” treasure moment. Katy says Nicolina didn’t come here to play!

9:53 p.m. — Noah’s last chance to prove he deserves a spot in the finale is with the song “Working Man” by Larry Fleet. This is the best he’s ever sounded. How can he lose his spot in the finale after this? Wow. This might be the closest Top 5 I can remember. Lionel encourages everyone to vote for Noah if they want to see more. Katy says he “aced that test.” Luke says that Noah could hold any room in any world that he’s in. Who will make the Top 3? I could see any combination of them going through! We’ll find out the results in a few minutes.

9:59 p.m. — The results are in and Seacrest announces the Top 3: HunterGirl, Noah and Leah! That means we lose Fritz and Nicolina tonight. I’m shocked that Fritz is heading home, I thought the audience was loving him tonight. And Nicolina probably gave the best vocal performance of the night. Oh well, the Top 3 are all very deserving and I could have seen this playing out with any combination of contestants in the finale. Congrats to HunterGirl, Noah and Leah!