"American Idol" Season 22 is heating up, and so is the judges' criticism as the competition comes down to the Top 10.
As the 12 remaining contestants fought to stay in the competition Monday night, Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie leveled the "Idol" hopefuls, including one of the season's frontrunners, with feedback less glowing than usual. Perhaps this was all part of an effort to challenge the young singers to "not let off the gas yet," as Bryan said.
Pressure creates diamonds, right?
Mentor Meghan Trainor helped a dozen finalists hone their Billboard #1 hits performances that would hopefully convince viewers they deserve to be in the Top 10. Two contestants opted for Taylor Swift tracks, and what do you know, ABC also aired commercials for her latest album, "The Tortured Poets Department." Coincidence? Perhaps.
Here's what happened in Episode 13 during the Top 12 performances – and who was sent home.
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For Abi Carter, it seemed as if she'd set the bar too high for herself this season.
The platinum ticket recipient – whom Bryan said "may be the winner of 'American Idol'" upon hearing her cover of Billie Eilish's "What Was I Made For?" during auditions – took to the piano (again) with a bold Taylor Swift cover: "All Too Well" (Abi's Version).
The 21-year-old singer, appropriately wearing a red dress in honor of Swift's "Red" album, didn't need the whole 10-minute version of the song to impress. She brought her signature "angelic" (Katy Perry's word) voice, and her singing soared above the melody as she emotionally belted out Swift's lyrics about a past relationship that went south.
But it wasn't quite enough for the judges.
Bryan looked around and noted he felt like they'd never left yesterday's taping. He was experiencing déjà vu seeing Abi in a long dress at the piano again after Sunday's performance of Elton John's "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road."
"Last night was one of your most shining moments," he said, adding that he felt it wasn't as strong as the previous night. "Don't get too comfortable being at the piano," he warned, telling Abi to "start working the room."
Richie's feedback was also less glowing than usual, and he said he was ready to get a "double boo" after Bryan's criticism. On the other hand, Perry encouraged Abi to "keep playing that ace" and "just give us angelic every time."
Roman Collins was the latest brave soul this season who dared to sing a Perry song in front of the pop star. It seemed to pay off though.
The 24-year-old worship leader, who has sailed through the season with his onstage charisma and vocal range that could blow the roof of a venue, showed a different side to himself by starting at the piano. He gave the 2013 pop single a unique jazz club-like remix and kept things dialed back until he let loose taking the mic out to the catwalk and giving the song his signature church choir treatment.
As he wrapped the performance behind the judges' desk, Perry offered Roman a handshake for doing her song justice. He instead wrapped her in for a hug.
"You have never failed to take it over the top," Richie said. "Your roaring was amazing."
Perry revealed that the fellow Southern Californian is a favorite of her parents. "They text me about you," she told Roman. "They're praying for you, too."
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Sam "Kayko" Kelly-Cohen, the king of the singer/songwriter performances from behind a piano or guitar, stunned the judges with a huge rock rendition of Gotye's 2011 earworm "Somebody That I Used to Know."
He brought the dramatics, from his eyeliner to his bouncing and skipping around stage as if he were Jared Leto.
Kayko had the judges on his feet early on in his performance, and the trio didn't hesitate to rush forward and engulf him in a bear hug as he sang his final notes.
"Wow, wow, wow!" was all Richie could say. Impressive for a guy who was an "accident," an accompanist who wasn't intending to audition himself.
Despite their dazzling performances, Roman Collins and Jayna Elise (who weaved magic with her rendition of Rihanna's "Diamonds") were sent home Monday night.
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