There was a big first in
American Idol history over the weekend: the viewers got to vote for the last slot in the Top 20 ahead of the live shows. Traditionally, the judges choose the Top 20 after Hollywood Week and leave the rest up to "America" (AKA American and international viewers). This time, however, judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan just couldn't choose between two powerhouse country voices: Grace Leer and Lauren Mascitti.Both singers have a lot of in common: 28, from Nashville, with a deep love of country, and they've never faltered in their performances from day one. After their showcases in Hawaii, Katy, Lionel and Luke revealed that they just couldn't come to an agreement on who would stay and made the unprecedented decision to turn the responsibility over to the viewers. That left
Idol fans the opportunity to vote for their favourite performer.
That twist in Hawaii was filmed before the COVID-19 global pandemic forced stay-at-home orders across the globe, but the change in location didn't let the girls off the hook. Ryan Seacrest, direct from his living room, brought in both Lauren and Grace, direct from their homes as well, via video-chat to reveal who was going through to the Top 20. That's another first—
American Idol has never been filmed with all contestants isolated from one another. “I've never done anything like this before so I'm nervous as well,” Ryan admitted after both girls expressed their own shaky nerves.Without much preamble, Ryan opened the envelope and revealed—tah dah—Grace had garnered the most votes and had pushed through to the Top 20! Naturally,
Team Lauren fans were disappointed she didn't make it through, but most are
pretty sure we haven't
seen the last of her.[video_embed id='-1']RELATED: Ben Mulroney and Ryan Seacrest compliment each other’s ‘pandemic coifs’ on TV[/video_embed]It looks like there are more
Idol firsts on the horizon as well. It was
already announced that the rest of the season will continue with the at-home format for the foreseeable future, coming at you from
25 dispersed locations starting Sunday, April 26. As they say, the show must go on.Now that Grace has won her spot, she'll still have some stiff competition, including Canada’s own
Lauren Spencer-Smith who is the only (and first!) Canadian in the Top 20. All 20 crooners will sing for their dreams from the comfort of their homes, so without a big stage, an audience of dancing fans, lights, a sound-guy, or a big band behind them, it will be interesting to see who can break away from the pack and steal the spotlight.Watch
American Idol Sundays at 8/9 MT on CTV.[video_embed id='1940629']BEFORE YOU GO: Britney dances to Justin 20 years after break-up[/video_embed]
