Season 23 of American Idol is winding down, with the Top 7 being whittled down to the Top 5 on Sunday’s new episode, but many fans aren’t too happy with the results.
Heading into this week’s new episode, the top 7 was comprised of Gabby Samone, Jamal Roberts, Breanna Nix, John Foster, Slater Nalley, Mattie Pruitt and Thunderstorm Artis.
Each singer performed twice on Sunday, the first song being a Disney-themed song and the second a tribute to their moms for Mother’s Day.
It was revealed at the end of the episode that more than 20 million votes were received, with host Ryan Seacrest adding a whopping 5 million more than last week, though many were not thrilled with the results.
Gabby Samone – the last Black woman left in the competition – and Mattie Pruitt – the youngest in the competition at just 16 – were sent home after America’s vote.
Fans of the 23-year-old Simone expressed their frustration on social media, many of whom were furious she was voted off.
Season 23 of American Idol is winding down, with the Top 7 being whittled down to the Top 5 on Sunday’s new episode, but many fans aren’t too happy with the results
Each singer performed twice on Sunday, the first song being a Disney-themed song and the second a tribute to their moms for Mother’s Day
Gabby Samone – the last Black woman left in the competition – and Mattie Pruitt – the youngest in the competition at just 16 – were sent home after America’s vote.
The top 7 were all given some guidance by the new guest mentor, Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, as they chose what Disney songs to perform.
Samone selected a song that Miranda himself wrote, How Far I’ll Go from the 2016 Disney hit Moana, which was performed by the title character, voiced by Auli’l Cravalho.
Read More
Carrie Underwood's shock three-word response to Simon Cowell's harsh American Idol critique
Even Miranda admitted in a confessional, ‘This is a very hard Disney song to sing. It’s pretty range-y. It’s pretty wordy,’ as they showed Simone struggling a bit in rehearsal.
Gabby herself admitted in confession, ‘The words were wording,’ as they showed footage of Miranda helping her through the song as she ultimately perfected the tricky line she was struggling with.
The performance impressed the judges, with Lionel Richie saying they were ‘spoiled’ by her while Carrie Underwood said her voice was ‘made for songs like that.’
Her Mothers Day tribute song was Home from The Wiz, as they showed heartfelt footage of the singer telling her mom Charoletta how much she meant to her.
Underwood added after that performance that her, ‘talent is just ridiculous,’ though it seemed that wouldn’t be enough for Idol voters.
After the results were announced by Seacrest, many took to X to voice their displeasure, including Emily Simon (@emilysimonnn), who said, ‘What the hell were those results?? #AmericanIdol.’
The top 7 were all given some guidance by the new guest mentor, Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, as they chose what Disney songs to perform.
Even Miranda admitted in a confessional, ‘This is a very hard Disney song to sing. It’s pretty range-y. It’s pretty wordy,’ as they showed Simone struggling a bit in rehearsal.
Her Mothers Day tribute song was Home from The Wiz, as they showed heartfelt footage of the singer telling her mom Charoletta how much she meant to her
After the results were announced by Seacrest, many took to X to voice their displeasure, including Emily Simon (@emilysimonnn), who said, ‘What the hell were those results?? #AmericanIdol.’
I Don’t Even Know Bruh Podcast (@Dontknowbruhpod) added in all caps, ‘STOP LETTING AMERICA VOTE!!! #AmericanIdol.’
Rainbow Peppers (@retrowater0) said, ‘Canaan, Ché, Jamal, Gabby, Breanna is the real top 5 if it were actually about talent #smh #americanidol #imout.’
Josephine (@notmyname02) added, ‘Nobody can beat the country singers. It’s not fair!!!!! #AmericanIdol.’
Another X user dubbed @sunkissednsalty said, ‘Yall picked Slater over Gabby? Seriously???? #AmericanIdol.’
Rahadra (@rahandracooking) didn’t pull any punches, tweeting, ‘@AmericanIdol count your days !!! How yall let @GabbyBarrett_ go home ���� #AmericanIdol.’
Still, others weren’t as outraged at Samone’s elimination, such as @p00pinson, who said, ‘People are mad that Gabby got voted off but both songs she sang tonight were weak compared to past performances. Its unfortunate because she’s very talented, but its like that sometimes. #Americanidol.’
Another dubbed @SandtownMama said, ‘Here’s how American Idol goes every year on tweets: *All these contestants are SO good *I love A,Band D over C Eor F *OMG A was voted off? Racist! #AmericanIdol.’
SJ Miami (@artisttheme) said, ‘GABBY SAMONE eliminated. This is my last time watching this show #AmericanIdol.’
Another user dubbed @skittyspiece said, ‘i know im the only one on twitter who watches #AmericanIdol, but Gabby going home tonight is a crime against women. if i didnt think it was fixed before, i definitely do now. shame on everyone for not letting the best singer in decades get into the top. she should have won it all.’
Rainbow Peppers (@retrowater0) said, ‘Canaan, Ché, Jamal, Gabby, Breanna is the real top 5 if it were actually about talent #smh #americanidol #imout.’
Another X user dubbed @sunkissednsalty said, ‘Yall picked Slater over Gabby? Seriously???? #AmericanIdol.’
Still, others weren’t as outraged at Samone’s elimination, such as @p00pinson, who said, ‘People are mad that Gabby got voted off but both songs she sang tonight were weak compared to past performances. Its unfortunate because she’s very talented, but its like that sometimes. #Americanidol.’
SJ Miami (@artisttheme) said, ‘GABBY SAMONE eliminated. This is my last time watching this show #AmericanIdol.’
Tavia (@ItsTaviBaby24) said, ‘The top 3 has CLEARLY always been Jamal, Gabby, and Breanna. No one else on the show is even close to them… but of course America never gets it right smh Gabby was robbed #AmericanIdol’
Carol E Zanetti (@Carol_E_Zanetti) added, ‘Wrong. Just wrong. Gabby voted out? Yeah, this show isn’t fixed. And I have a bridge for sale. #AmericanIdol
Lillian (@Illianonyc) said, ‘Wow! This is a disgrace. What a bunch of racist asswipes. The best vocalist by far was Gabby. It’s not even close! For her not to get to the top 5 is beyond reproach and proof it’s more of a racist white trash popularity contest than a vocal contest. Pathetic! #idol #AmericanIdol.’
Stephanie McGowan (@Stephan61047444) tweeted at Gabby directly, stating, ‘girl, I know tonight didn’t go where you wanted, but you’re gonna go far! Keep chasing your dreams. #Baltimore #AmericanIdol.’
Tavia (@ItsTaviBaby24) said, ‘The top 3 has CLEARLY always been Jamal, Gabby, and Breanna. No one else on the show is even close to them… but of course America never gets it right smh Gabby was robbed #AmericanIdol.’