It’s another exciting night of AMERICAN IDOL on FOX with an all new Thursday February 18, season 15 episode 14 called “Showcase Week #4” and we have your weekly recap below. On tonight’s episode, the judges vote on the second showcase and the Top 14 are revealed. Included: fan-favorite Idols return to mentor and perform.
On the last episode, the remaining 12 of the Top 24 got their chance to shine as they performed for the judges’ votes. Who would make it through to the next round? Did you watch the last episode? If you missed it, we have a full and detailed recap right here for you.
On tonight’s episode as per the FOX synopsis, “IDOL fan favorites return to mentor and perform, as the judges vote on the second showcase and five contestants are sent home. Find out who advances to the Top 14 in the quest to become the final IDOL.”
Tonight’s show is going to be an exciting one, which I’m not going to miss and neither should you. Tune in tonight at 8 PM EST! Celeb Dirty Laundry is your go to place for all the up-to-date American Idol News and we’ll be recapping tonight’s episode right here for you. Do you have a favorite to win? Hit up the comments and let us know who you really like!
Tonight’s episode begins now – Refresh Page often to get the most current updates!
Tonight’s episode of American Idol kicks off with host Ryan Seacrest taking the stage – he introduces the judges: Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban, and Harry Connick Jr. Ryan announces that tonight will be another round of celebrity duets with the remaining American Idol contenders. The following Idol alums will be making appearances, Chris Daughtry (Season 5), Kellie Pickler (Season 5), Constantine Maroulis (Season 4), Haley Reinhart (Season 10), Jordin Sparks (Season 6), and David Cook (Season 7). After tonight’s performances the Idol judges will be sending home five of the performers.
The first duet to take the stage tonight is Amelia Eisenhaur and Kellie Pickler, they’ll be performing “Suds In The Bucket” by Sara Evans. Kellie actually performed this song ten years ago when she was competing on American Idol. Kellie and Amelia take the stage, with Amelia on the fiddle and sing for the judges.
Harry Connick Jr: “One of my favorite things is to see someone who is up and coming with someone like Kellie who has a tremendous amount of experience try to school a youngster like you – and you came out fighting. It was absolutely terrific.” Keith Urban: “I thought the same, it was such a great song for you to do. You stepped up to the plate and it was great to see you play.” Jennifer Lopez: “Absolutely, you felt right at home with Kellie, she was probably the perfect mentor for you and it showed in your performance, you were lucky to have her. Really great job.”
Haley Reinhart and Kory Wheeler are up next, they take the American Idol stage and perform a rendition of Elton John’s classic hit “Bennie And The Jets.” After the song is over, they line up to hear the judges’ comments. Keith Urban: “That was so good, I got to say, Haley has got such a flow, the swagger and anything It was a really good song for the two of you and you matched up, it was terrific.” Jennifer Lopez: “Haley was on the first season that I judged and we thought she was going to win – she is a phenomenal vocalist. You did really well with her, when she did that song on the show it blew everyone away. It made me feel the same seeing you with her, it was a nice pairing.” Harry Connick Jr: “It was really terrific, we are 2 for 2 tonight. I’m always talking about singing in the pocket and she really does that well, I think she grounded you. I have nothing negative to say.”
Lee Jean is up next with American Idol alum Chris Daughtry, they are doing one of Chris’s original songs tonight called “Home.” Lee is pretty star-struck by his celebrity duet partner during rehearsal, but he seems to have gotten it together when they take the stage to sing for the American Idol judges. After their performance, the judges give Lee their feedback.
Jennifer Lopez: You know these duets tonight have been amazing, and you did a great job. That is one of the best guys to ever come out of Idol and you are singing with him and you are a baby still – the two of you together, Im speechless.” Harry Connick Jr: “Really strong, my favorite part about you aside from your musical gift is your stage performance. My favorite part of that performance was the first line that you sang – I was wondering are you going to skid off the runway? But, you were very controlled, you were focused and passionate and that is very hard to do. I’m proud of you.” Keith Urban: “I’ve heard that song so many times and it is such a great song, but you brought this storyteller to the song and it was like I heard the lyrics again for the first time. I also want to say, how cool that we can all hear a song and just think that’s a classic that has been around forever. But, that’s an original song written by someone that has been on American Idol.”
David Cook and CJ Johnson are up next, they perform “The World I Know” by Collective Soul. After they sing their duet, David reminisces about singing that song the last time he was on the Idol stage. CJ waits for the comments from the American Idol judges. Harry Connick Jr: “It’s a real cliché to say that your voices blended really well, but your voices sounded really good together. It was a great opportunity to see who can hang with people who have done this for a while – and you know you can really tell that you play gigs all the time. It was really nice, nice job.” Keith Urban: “I agree with Harry, I think you held your own really well. It’s not much of a song that you guys can do a lot with. I think you did as well as anyone could with that song.” Jennifer Lopez: “We had such powerhouse duets before that, that song sounded kind of mellow – we do compare. You did a great job with it and you sounded good but I wish it would have been a little more of a bring the audience up type of performance.”
Manny Torres and Jordin Sparks are up next, they take the American Idol stage and perform Jordin’s hit “No Air” – which she originally recorded with Chris Brown. During rehearsal Jordin worked with Manny to try and help him convey his emotions, now it’s time to see if he took her advice to heart. After their performance, Manny waits for the judges’ comments.
Keith Urban: “The first thing I have to say was it was so cute watching Jordin with those big heels standing next to you, I felt like when I walk the red carpet with my wife. Im with you man don’t worry, it’s all good. You guys are great, when you walked out on that stage together it was like a real moment. She was so good for you, you stepped up to the plate, I thought it was terrific.” Jennifer Lopez: “It couldn’t have been more perfect, that is one of my favorite songs, I love that song. And it was the perfect marriage of you two – I loved it, I thought it was perfect.” Harry Connick Jr: “Jordin sounds so great and tonight she looked spectacular, the fact that my eye was going back and forth from you and Jordan is a huge testament of how much charisma had on stage. You can’t force that and you guys did great together.”
Constantine Maroulis and Jenn Brosil take the American Idol stage next and perform a duet of the iconic song “My Funny Valentine” by Frank Sinatra. Afterwards, the judges give their feedback on Constantine and Jenn’s performance. Jennifer Lopez: “Yes, it was kind of the embodiment of the perfect duet – two people coming together and being so different. I feel like you were singing together and you were in your own world. And, I loved that I really enjoyed it.” Harry Connick Jr.: “First let me say that I think Constantine is terrific and over the years he has turned in to a well rounded performer. I disagree with him injecting energy in to a song like that – it turned in to a shouting match, which wasn’t appropriate for this type of song.” Keith Urban: “Uhh, I freaking loved it! I really loved it. What was great about it is Jenn you are getting so consistent, in some ways you kind of waited and dominated the whole thing. It was cool, you were strong, it was fantastic.”
Kellie Pickler is back on the Idol stage for her second duet tonight with Tristan McIntosh. Kellie and Tristan are singing Kellie’s hit “Best Days Of Your Life.” After their rendition, Tristan awaits the judges’ feedback.
Harry Connick Jr: “It was pretty darn good, I encourage you to make sure you don’t rush, make sure that you sing in the pocket, and also be aware of where you are. Kellie planted her feet and she sang, and you seemed to wander a bit. I saw a little bit of inexperience, but you are 15 and that’s bound to happen.” Keith Urban: “Did you know that song before you had to learn it? It was a little shaky pitch wise, it felt like it was tricky for you to sing the harmony below Kellie, it was a little shaky pitch-wise. It’s hard to hold on to that one because you are going for it.” Jennifer Lopez: “Since you walked in the door you are a person that we have had our eye on because you have such an amazing voice at such a young age. When we see you up there next to a seasoned performer, it shows your youth. The question is, are you going to find your groove and get as comfortable up there as the rest of the contestants. Because it’s a tough season.”
This time around David Cook is singing a duet with Olivia Rox, they’re singing David’s popular song “Light On.” It’s a tricky song, but David thinks that Olivia has the tools to pull it off. David and Olivia perform on the Idol stage, and then Olivia waits to hear what the judges thought. Keith Urban: “It’s really high praise when the alumni that you are singing with says that he has been trying to keep up with you all week. All I’m going to say is put simply, Olivia Rox, yes she does” Jennifer Lopez: “I feel the same way, your voice is truly phenomenal. And what David said, if you find your groove then you are going to be around for a long time.” Harry Connick JR: “You sing like somebody that knows music, you did a fantastic job and Idol is lucky to have you. I just get excited when I see a performance like that, this is going to be an incredible season.”
Haley Reinhart and Adam Lasher and the next duet to take the Idol stage – singing a rendition of Elvis’s classic, “Can’t Help Falling In Love.” After their performance Adam nervously waits for the judges’ critiques.
Jennifer Lopez: “It was very strong, the song itself is such a beautiful song and it is hard to go wrong and you know Haley is a phenomenal vocalist. You stayed your course and supported it and it came off really well.” Harry Connick JR: “It’s hard to do what you did, when Haley sang the first eight bars she help notes out for a very long time. I thought it was lovely, I was captivated, it looked like you guys were falling in love right before my eyes. I don’t think you have to sing so on the beat, you can accommodate and take risks, I have saw it before.” Keith Urban: “I can feel a bunch of “boo’s” coming on, but when you are next to somebody that sings so effortless, it highlighted the fact that I kept waiting for you to loosen up. That song is so beautiful, and I felt like you were stiff, I kept waiting for you to give in. I felt like you never let it go and it was too stiff.”
Dalton Rapattoni and Chris Daughtry take the stage next to perform a duet of Chris’s song “Higher Ground.” After their performance, Ryan Seacrest has a surprise for Chris Daughtry, it’s a huge plaque commemorating all of his albums over the years and number one singles. Chris is obviously blow away. Afterwards, Chris leaves the stage and Dalton waits to hear the judges’ critiques. Harry Connick JR: “See this is why I am so honored to be a judge on American Idol because it breeds such incredible talents and success stories. Dalton, you I know I think you are terrific. I thought this was solid, but I got to give the credit to the band. You did what you were supposed to do, but I hate to say it, Ryan could have sounded good on that one.” Keith Urban: “It was really cool, what was interesting about that performance is you two came at it very differently. You kinda come out to the audience and that works too. I thought it was incredible.” Jennifer Lopez: “I think both of you gave a dynamic performance in your own way and it really worked for me. You are kind of like this Dark Horse that it coming to the surface at the right time, with your amazing blue eyes.”
Up next is Jordin Sparks with her second duet partner of the night, Trent Harmon. Trent and Jordin perform a rendition of “To Love Somebody” by The Bee Gees. After their performance, the Idol judges give Trent some feedback.
Keith Urban: “I thought that was a great match-up for the two of you and it’s a great song. Jordin and that song pulled things out of you vocally that I haven’t saw before. I feel like there is more in there, that’s a good sign Trent.” Jennifer Lopez: “I feel like that was the Trent that I know and love. That does surprise every once in a while, that tone is so unique and so beautiful. And, it was a great showcase for you, I loved the two of you together, that was really nice.” Harry Connick JR: “Me too. I love, love, love this song and I was really pulling for a good performance especially on a song like that. When you are finished with this Idol experience you should do this as a single, or even as a duet.”
The final performance on America Idol tonight is Constantine and Shelbie Z. – they sing the classic song “Bohemian Rhapsody” for the judges. Shelbie actually watched Constantine sing the same song when he was on Idol years ago, and she was a little nervous about living up to his expectations. After they are done, Shelbie waits for the judges’ comments. Jennifer Lopez: “I felt like I lost Shelbie a little bit in that, I understand Constantine singing it but I don’t understand Shelbie singing it. It for me, as much as I love what you do, I lost Shelbie in all of that for me.” Harry Connick JR: “That’s a tough song to do as a duet, it was energetic and powerful and loud, you just didn’t seem to have a point of view to me.” Keith Urban: “I agree with them, I love this song and it is not meant to be a duet. I got a little scared – it didn’t pull me in. Nothing about the performance pulled me in.”
Now, it is time to find out who will be eliminated next on American Idol. The judges announce that Lee, Olivia, Jenn, Dalton, Manny, Tristan, and Trent are SAFE!
That means that Shelbie, Amelia, CJ, Kory, and Adam are officially eliminated from American Idol.