American Idol Season 21 Episode 3 Recap, Judges and Host
by Janani
Updated Jun 02, 2023
American Idol
American Idol made its highly anticipated return for its 21st season on February 19, 2023.The audition process spanned from August 3 to September 14, 2022, incorporating both in-person and virtual auditions to accommodate a wide range of aspiring singers. Once again, the coveted "platinum ticket" made a comeback, granting four contestants, namely Cam Amen, Kaylin Hedges, Elijah McCormick, and Tyson Venegas, a direct entry to the second round of Hollywood Week. These fortunate recipients of the platinum ticket were also given the opportunity to choose their duet partners for the thrilling duet challenge.
Iam Tongi's rendition of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" resonated deeply, while Megan Danielle captivated audiences with her powerful rendition of Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You." Colin Stough's rendition of Queen's epic "Bohemian Rhapsody" showcased his exceptional vocal range and stage presence.
American Idol Season 21 Episode 3 Recap
During the episode of "American Idol," several contestants showcased their talents and earned golden tickets to Hollywood. Among them, Kaylin Hedges received a platinum ticket, allowing her to skip the first round of Hollywood week. Sara Beth, a stay-at-home mom, impressed the judges with her rendition of "You Know I'm No Good" but was asked to sing "Bennie and the Jets" to demonstrate her voice's potential. Tanner Charles, a valet, moved everyone with his original song dedicated to his girlfriend and received high praise from the judges. Mikey Burson's rendition of "Cold As Ice" didn't resonate with the judges, and he was not sent to Hollywood.
Adin Boyer, a music teacher with autism, showcased his talent as a pianist and singer with an original song, "Predicament," and was given a chance to advance. Wé Ani, previously known as Wé McDonald from "The Voice," amazed the judges with her transformation during her performance of "Anyone" by Demi Lovato. Marybeth Byrd, a radio host, was impressed with her country vocals, earning her a ticket to Hollywood and the possibility of becoming a Top 10 contestant.
Bre, a dueling pianist, got a pass to Hollywood after a brief duet with Lionel Richie. Olivia Soli's unique rendition of Lionel's hit song "Hello" earned her a spot in Hollywood. Preston Duffee, who found solace in music after his mother's tragic passing, captivated the judges with his original song and was sent through to Hollywood.
Emma Busse, a performing arts graduate, surprised the judges with her performance of "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" and received a chance to prove herself in Hollywood. Keelin, a quirky personality, showcased her original song "Don't Call Me," and despite some vocal limitations, the judges saw potential and sent her to Hollywood. Elijah McCormick, an ophthalmologist technician with a remarkable journey of recovery after a car accident, moved the judges with his rendition of "Bless the Broken Road" and secured a ticket to Hollywood, marking a new beginning in his story.
American Idol Season 21 Episode 3 Review
American Idol Season 21 Episode 3 featured emotional, silly, and breathtaking auditions from hopefuls in New Orleans, Las Vegas, and Nashville. The auditions took place on Sunday, March 5. Among the highlights of the evening was Tanner Charles, a 21-year-old valet from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, who surprised his girlfriend with an original song called "Golden Eyes." Despite some vocal control issues, Tanner impressed the judges and received three yeses for Hollywood.
Another standout contestant was Adin Boyer, a 22-year-old from Lake Forest, California, who has perfect pitch and hopes to inspire neurodiverse people with his music. Adin performed an original song called "Predicament" on the piano, showcasing his Broadway-worthy vocals and range. The judges were mesmerized, with Katy Perry calling it "really cool." Adin received an "absolutely yes" from Lionel Richie and a roll of the dice from Katy Perry.
Olivia Soli, a 20-year-old college student from Los Angeles, impressed the judges with her rendition of Lionel Richie's "Hello." Her control and mesmerizing vocal runs overcame her nerves, and her performance ended with a beautiful high note that brought Lionel to his feet for a hug. Luke Bryan called it one of the best auditions he had ever seen.
Marybeth Byrd, a 21-year-old radio host from Armorel, Arkansas, added pop flair to her audition with The SteelDrivers' "If It Hadn't Been For Love." The judges gave her a standing ovation, with Luke stating that she "had it from the first note." Marybeth received enthusiastic yesses from all three judges.
Preston Duffee, a 21-year-old from Hartsville, South Carolina, sang an original song called "Something to Write About" while playing the guitar. Katy Perry compared him to a young Luke Bryan, and Luke praised his potential as a songwriter. Preston received a ticket to Hollywood.
Elijah McCormick, a 21-year-old from Raeford, North Carolina, had a remarkable journey of recovery after a severe car accident. He auditioned with "Bless the Broken Road" by Rascal Flatts, showcasing his powerful and smooth vocals. The judges were visibly moved, with Lionel becoming misty-eyed. Elijah received a golden ticket to Hollywood.
Other notable auditions included Sara Beth, a 25-year-old singer from California who impressed with "You Know I'm No Good" by Amy Winehouse and "Bennie and the Jets" by Elton John. We Ani from Harlem, New York, stood out with her high-pitched speaking voice and a performance of "Anyone" by Demi Lovato. Emma Busse, a performing arts school graduate, showcased control and personality in her rendition of "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" by Elton John. Keelin, a 24-year-old performer from New York, delivered an original song called "Don't Call Me" with energy and attitude. While Luke had reservations about Keelin's vocals, Katy and Lionel saw potential and gave her a yes.
Overall, the auditions in American Idol Season 21 Episode 3 brought a mix of talent, emotions, and memorable moments.
American Idol Season 21 Judges
The panel of judges consisted of Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie, all returning to provide their expert insights and critiques. The season showcased an array of incredible talent, ultimately crowning Iam Tongi as the deserving winner. Megan Danielle secured the runner-up position, while Colin Stough claimed an impressive third-place finish.
The season finale drew in an impressive viewership of over 10 million people, eagerly awaiting the announcement of the winner. After the votes were tallied, Iam Tongi emerged as the fan favorite, securing the title and the admiration of the public. As part of his prize, he was awarded a recording contract with Hollywood Records. Shortly after the finale, his debut single, "Hallelujah," was released, further cementing his status as a rising star.
American Idol Season 21 Host
The charismatic Ryan Seacrest reprised his role as the host. The 21st season of American Idol achieved remarkable success, garnering strong ratings and receiving praise from critics. It was lauded for its diverse and talented cast of contestants, delivering high-quality performances week after week.
The show's ability to showcase heartwarming stories and create memorable moments helped reignite the popularity of American Idol, solidifying this season as one of the most memorable and beloved in the show's history. Throughout the season, viewers were treated to unforgettable performances that left a lasting impression.
American Idol Season 21 Episode 3 Recap - FAQs
American Idol Season 21 began on February 19, 2023. The audition process took place from August 3 to September 14, 2022, incorporating both in-person and virtual auditions to accommodate aspiring singers. Four contestants received platinum tickets, granting them direct entry to the second round of Hollywood Week.
Kaylin Hedges received a platinum ticket, allowing her to skip the first round of Hollywood Week. Sara Beth, a stay-at-home mom, impressed with her rendition of "You Know I'm No Good." Tanner Charles, a valet, moved everyone with his original song dedicated to his girlfriend. Adin Boyer, a music teacher with autism, showcased his talent as a pianist and singer. Wé Ani (formerly known as Wé McDonald from "The Voice") amazed the judges with her transformation during her performance of "Anyone" by Demi Lovato. Marybeth Byrd, a radio host, impressed with her country vocals. Preston Duffee captivated the judges with his original song.
The panel of judges in American Idol Season 21 consisted of Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie.
Iam Tongi emerged as the winner of American Idol Season 21. Megan Danielle secured the runner-up position, and Colin Stough claimed third place.
Ryan Seacrest hosted American Idol Season 21. The season achieved remarkable success with strong ratings and praise from critics. It was known for its diverse and talented cast of contestants, heartwarming stories, and memorable moments. The finale drew in over 10 million viewers, and Iam Tongi, the winner, received a recording contract with Hollywood Records.