It’s another exciting night of American Idol on ABC tonight with an all-new Sunday, April 23, 2023, season 6 episode 12 called “612 (Top 20)” and we have your weekly American Idol recap below. On tonight’s American Idol season 6 episode 12 as per the ABC synopsis,“The contestants return to Hollywood to learn the results of America’s first votes for the Top 20, performing again in hopes of securing a spot in the Top 12. “American Idol” 2022 winner Noah Thompson and runner-up HunterGirl will also take the stage.”
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Tonight’s American Idol episode begins in Hollywood, American Idol has a new studio where iconic shows like I love Lucy and Golden Girls were filmed. The judges all enter the stage, Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Ritchie with host Ryan Seacrest.
After the nationwide vote the first person to earn a spot in the top 20 is Zachary Smith who shares that when he returned home the burger place where he worked was damaged, and his home, the town was hit by a devastating tornado. He performs “I Know What Love Is,” by Foreigner.
Lionel say this is a great way to start of the show, he has grown, perfect song and perfect presentation. Katy says that Zachary knows what love is, to live every day to his fullest, he is top ten material. Luke says this is a lot to take in, sensory overload in the new room. He loves all the songs that Zachary chooses because he puts his own stamp on the.
The next person to make it into the top twenty is Matt Wilson. At home he is called Mr. Matt because he is a teacher. He is performing, “Say You Won’t let Go,” by James Arthur.
Katy says it was so wonderful to see the joy from him, and his moving and using the stage, she likes the flow. Luke says watching the transitions, the safe bubble is gone, his voice is soaring. Lionel says it is called show business and he gave them attitude, he tells him to enjoy the ride, he is on his way.
The stars have aligned for Nailyah Serenity, she is in the top 20. She has a channel online that is dedicated to astrology. She feels like this American Idol opportunity is divine timing. She is performing, “Baby Love,” by Mother’s Finest.
Luke says he is no astrologer but I can spot a star when he sees one. He loves how she represents her artistry, she shines and is a pro. Lionel says we are afraid of you, that was amazing, she delivered and her voice was right there, well done. Katy says she was giving the whole time, but now that we are in the top 20, she has to show us more of who she is as an artist.
Warren Peay is the next hopeful to make it through the top 20. Back home when he is not singing or working, he is gardening, he loves it. When he transitioned into the church he got out of drinking and new he wanted to make music his career. He is performing, “Up There Down Here,” by Zach Williams.
Lionel says that his story is beautiful, that God led him to American Idol. Katy likes the blow out on his beard, she loves that he is authentic and wants him to share his story. Luke says world class song choice, and he wants him just to stay the way he is.
Kaeyra has made It through to the top 20, at home she loves when making traditional Polish food with her mother. She started singing in the Polish community and has grown a lot since. She is performing, “Bruises,” by Lewis Capaldi.
Katy says that arrangement choice smacked her in the face. Luke liked the way she started on the piano and when the band kicked in it was professional, it was awesome. Lionel tells her that she has already made it but she has a career.
Mariah Faith is another top 20, she reveals that her tiny house in the backyard of her mother’s house, where she can have her little space. All of her family lives nearby, she calls it her little village. Her grandparents are in the audience and she is performing, “Cry To Me,” by Solomon Burke.
Luke says it was great, he loved hearing her voice and loved the look. Lionel says old song and new school rendition, great job. Katy appreciates the vibe, honkeytonk party, like Bonnie Raitt.
Industry Icon, Smokey Robinson performs “I second that emotion” and his new single, “if we don’t have each other.” Ryan tells Smokey that he has been setting the mood for decades.
Following Smokey, Iam Tongi is told that he has made it to the top 20, he admits that he is overwhelmed the adoration around the world since being on idol. Iam is performing “The Winner Takes It All,” by Abba.
Lionel says he had a lot to say but the audience said it for him with all the cheering. Katy says it is the Iam show now, what he is giving transcends to everyone and watching him be a star is like watching a Disney movie. Luke says God gave him the magic, enjoy.
Haven Madison is the next one in the top 20, she is in high school and is overwhelmed with their support no matter what. She grew up with her dad being in the industry, but now she gets recognized more than him. She is performing, “Mean Girls,” Leanna Crawford.
Katy says that was such great song choice, it really represents her. Luke says that she has this magic thing, that stardust thing that embodies what they want to hear from her. One of her best performances. Lionel says she is a seasoned pro, she shouldn’t know all this at 17. Its not where she is but where she is going.
Oliver Steele also made it through and he admits he is having trouble processing that he made it to American Idol. His father is out the hospital now, but he missed a lot with his dad and his health struggles by being on the show. He hopes one day he could give back to his dad for everything he has done for him. Oliver is signing, “Too Soon,” by Oliver Steele.
Luke loves that he wrote and sang the song, as well as play the guitar, great job 10/10. Lionel says he checks all boxes, his dad was a great parent, a great dad. His talent is on fire. Katy tells him it was a great original song, she wished he had shown that earlier, it showed off the artist that he is.
One spot left, Lucy Love makes it to the top 20. Elise Kristine, Emma Busse and PJAE go home. Lucy says she is singing an original song about the trials and tribulations that she had to go through. Lucy is performing, “Boulders.”
Lionel tells her that she came into this world invisible, she will leave as Lucy Love. Katy says amen, she is thriving her story, she is a leader, just keep bringing the love. Luke says he loves the way she attacks it and tonight she captured his heart, the way to show up, that was tremendous.
Hannah Nicolaisen is another winner in the top 20. Volleyball was her life and when she graduated it was like it stopped. She had to figure out what was next, and that was music. She enjoys being challenged, she wants to be a better singer that she was a volleyball players. Hannah is performing, “Somebody To Love,” by Queen.
Katy says the tomboy has turned into a Jennifer Lawrence while being authentic. The last note reminded her that this is her path. Luke loved the smokiness in her voice and loves that she gave it a shot with this song. Lionel admires the most about an athlete is guts, and she does it in spades.
More results, Olivia Soli has made it. She sits down with her sister Sophia, who she is attached to the hip with, they are both on a music journey. After an ATV accident, her sister lost her ability to play the piano. She is performing, “I Surrender,” by Celine Dion.
Luke says that is twice she did Celine and brought the house down. Lionel says she doesn’t need a confidence boost, she has so much power behind her, her voice is incredible. Katy says she is glad America got this one right, I am glad you shared your story with your sister. Just sing Celine songs, play the power card.
Marybeth Bride also made it to the top 20, she a radio host and admits that singing has always been safe haven for her because she had a stutter when she was little. She never thought she would make it this far, she always struggled with anxiety. Marybeth is performing, “People Pleaser,” by Marybeth Byrd.
Lionel says she did some falsetto and story telling that he had not heard before from her and that is super star material. Katy says the song was so well written she knows who she is, a star. Luke didn’t see that coming down the track, she sounds like a star.
Making into the top 20 after the nationwide vote is Michael Williams. He has been watching American Idol since he was a little kid. He has been documenting his journey because it has been going by really fast. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and he is trying to take it all in. Michael is singing, “Lose You To Love Me,” by Selena Gomez.
Katy says he just stepped into the artist version of himself. Luke says he looks like a million dollars, he is a great singer and great song choice, he crushed that. Lionel says everyone came here as singers, but now they are turning into stylists.
Hunter Girl and Noah Thompson perform “One Day Tonight.”
Paige Anne has made it through, ever since she was really little she always watched American Idol and sang whenever she could. She performs national anthems to gain that little confidence to get her to this point. One of the top bowed out, and she got invited back to Idol, she is living her dream. She is performing, “Say Something,” by A Great Big World.
Luke says he can’t imagine what she went through to get into the top 20, she preserved, enjoy. Lionel says this is not a constellation prize, this is God’s plan for her. Katy says they got it wrong, Jesus took the wheel. What is bigger than them has made the decision and she is by far one of theist vocalists.
The next person to make it is Nutsa. She had a hard journey, her mom was a single mom, watching her struggle was killing her on the inside. She sung as much as she could to win money to help her mom. Her mother believes in her and now everything was work it. Nutsa is performing “Un-Break My Heat,” by Toni Braxton.
Lionel says she is the hardest working person he has met on the show, she stepped into the light and is a force to be reckoned with. Katy says she gave sophistication, she doesn’t need to do it all, she can hold the room by being herself. Luke says he whispered to Katy that Nutsa doesn’t mess around, she needs to hold her head up high, she earned every moment of this.
Still shining and making to to the top 20 is Tyson Venegas. When he was little he sang all the time, everywhere. He went from troubling to speak and commutating to playing a piano and singing. He thinks his mother for always bringing in him. Tyson is singing “180” by Tyson Venegas.
Katy says it was so cool, she loved that he performed his own song. It was a great song, great execution and he is on his way to being an artist. Luke is so proud of everyone for doing their originals and he did a marvellous job at the piano. Lionel says, singer and songwriter, that is powerful, he can write his future and that was a damn good song.
The next person to make it through is Megan Danielle. Pretty much her whole life she didn’t think she was pretty enough or good enough. When she was seven her parents divorced, she put a lot of blame on herself and she felt worthless. Being on Idol, her confidence is going up and up. Megan is performing, “Holy Water,” by We The Kingdom.
Luke says that was the best performance he has seen her do this season. Nobody sounds anything like her, she is in her own lane. Lionel says that was a sold out performance, it was so believable. Katy agrees with Luke, the best delivery all season, she is good enough.
Another result, into the top 20 is Colin Tough. Where he lives, there are about 300 people, you drive a truck, work I the military or a plant, no in-between. His mom signed him up for Idol and she is so proud of her. Colin is performing “Pretty Heart,” by Parker MCCollum.
Lionel says he wants every opening line for the rest of his life to be I love my mama because she got him into this mess, great job. Katy says he is always going to be authentic, but she wants to push him vocally and for him to shine. Luke says he is becoming his science experiment, he knows how he is feeling because he grew up similar, he’s got to give it to them, he is a big star.
The last four hopefuls are Elijah McCormick, Dawson Wayne, Malik Heard and We Ani are about to hear their fate, one of them has made it to the top 20 and three are going home. The artist who made it is We Ani.
We And has had an amazing journey, she saw a little girl signing in Hawaii during the performances and she was so touched she had to say hi. Her little brother is deaf and she learned signing to communicate with him. We is performing, “Skyfall,” by Adele.
Katy says OMG, she is so shook. Luke says they are trying to process the whole show and she is so deserving, she crushed it. Lionel says he loves her, she completely destroyed him with the small voice that sings with a big voice and the amount of talent that she has is undeniable.
THE END!
