‘American Idol’s Top 7 Revealed: See Who Made the Cut

We’re one step closer to knowing who will be crowned the next American Idol. During the May 5 episode of the show, the field was narrowed down from the Top 8 to the Top 7.

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After watching the Top 8 perform songs picked by judges Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie, America choose who six of the seven safe contestants would be. They voted through Slater Nalley, Thunderstorm Artis, Gabby Samone, Breanna Nix, Jamal Roberts, and John Foster.

With Mattie Prewitt and Josh King left in danger, it was up to Bryan and Richie, who tied in the song contest, to decide who would make it through to next week. The pair selected Prewitt as their choice, which meant that King was sent home.

Next week, contestants will be tasked with two nights of Disney Week. They’ll be helped along the way by guest mentor Lin Manuel Miranda.

Keep reading for a look at the Top 8’s Judges’ Song Contest performances.

Thunderstorm Artis

Ahead of his performance, Thunderstorm Artis was given three good options: “Northern Attitude,” “Let It Be,” and “Faithfully.” He decided to follow up his previous night’s performance of Adele’s “When We Were Young” by choosing the latter song, a Journey classic. It turns out that Underwood chose the song for Artis. “You have the ability to take it, and mold it, and make it fit you,” Underwood said. “… I had chills throughout that performance.”

John Foster

Foster was given the options “Two Dozen Roses,” “I Cross My Heart,” and “Crazy” for his performance. Ultimately, he wound up picking the George Strait number, in honor of his girlfriend of one year. The song was Underwood’s choice for the singer, and she called his performance “absolutely perfect.”

Josh King (ELIMINATED)

King was given the option to sing “You Make My Dreams (Come True),” “Great Balls of Fire,”  or “Home.” He opted for the Michael Bublé classic, which was Richie’s choice for him. “It’s the vibe, man,” Richie said. “… You embody that song.” Despite his great performance, King was sent home at the conclusion of the show.

Slater Nally

Slater Nalley had to choose between three great songs: “Hope the High Road,” “Atlantic City,” and “Believe.” He wound up selecting the second song, which Bruce Springsteen released in 1993. Bryan selected the Springsteen track for Nalley, saying that the contestant “puts out that vibe.”

Breanna Nix

Though she missed a couple of words while performing Martina McBride’s “Independence Day,” Underwood praised Nix for how she recovered and performed the rest of the song perfectly. Bryan, who selected the song for Nix, agreed, telling the singer that she “has that Martina McBride purity” in her voice.

Mattie Pruitt

Pruitt decided to forego “I Need You” and “Parachute” in favor of singing Bryan’s choice for her, “Always Been You” by Jessie Murph. “When I see Jessie Murph perform, it is all sass,” Bryan said, encouraging Pruitt to display even more of that going forward. Underwood agreed, telling her, “I think we’re taking baby steps in the sass department and we just need more.”

Jamal Roberts

Given the choice between “I Believe,” “Lately,” and “Grenade,” Roberts opted to keep it in the Idol family and perform the first song, which is by Fantasia. It was a good decision, and one that particularly delighted Richie, as he picked the song for Roberts. “You’re an emotional being. When you open your mouth… it comes out so soulful, so meaningful,” Richie said. “… You had me crying. You had everyone in this room crying. You’re a phenomenon.”

Gabby Samone

Though Gabby Samone had three good choices in “The Power of Love,” “Hero,” and “Girl on Fire,” she decided to sing the hit Mariah Carey track. Samone earned a standing ovation from the judges. No one was more supportive than Richie, though, who chose the song for Samone. “You took it to another level of incredibility,” Richie praised.

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