Returning from season 3 on ABC were Faith Becnel, Franklin Boone, DeWayne Crocker Jr., Cyniah Elise, Arthur Gunn, Aliana Jester, Louis Knight, Nick Merico, Makayla Phillips, and Olivia Ximines, who each competed for the final spot in the Top 10. The majority of these names may be unfamiliar to most, but to refresh memories: Arthur Gunn was the runner-up to last season’s winner Just Sam, Louis came close to making the Top 5, and Makayla was cut from the Top 11 when it was paired down to the Top 7. The thinking behind the twist was that last season’s contestants never got a chance to perform on the Idol stage. Production was shut down on the singing competition when California went into lockdown and the contestants were sent home. When it did resume, the rest of the season took place remotely from contestant’s homes, backyards and apartments, so the producers decided to give them a shot to perform on the American Idol stage. And, now, despite the excellent talent that American Idol has this season, it is possible that whoever wins the final spot in the Top 10, which will be announced when the show returns on Sunday, May 2 – it is off next week for the Academy Awards – could win this season. It is a fact that Katy Perry doesn’t dispute. She told reporters in a press conference on Sunday night, “[Season 3 contestants] have been announced on the internet and they have nurtured their fan bases. Once you have a fan base and you love on them a little bit, they are going to love on you back. Arthur Gunn was trending on Twitter the last season several times and all of his fans will go, ‘I’m voting. I’m voting.’ It’s a curveball, but that is what happens in life. You have to stay on your A-game.”
The 10 returning American Idol contestants and the songs they performed
Faith Becnel: “Cry Baby” by Janis Joplin
Franklin Boone: “Meant to Live” by Switchfoot
DeWayne Crocker Jr.: “Voice of God” by Dante Bowe feat. Steffany Gretzinger & Chandler Moore
Cyniah Elise: “Edge of Midnight (Midnight Sky Remix)” by Miley Cyrus feat. Stevie Nicks
Arthur Gunn: “Iris” by Goo Goo Dolls
Aliana Jester: “I’ll Never Love Again” by Lady Gaga
Louis Knight: “Maybe That” by Louis Knight
Nick Merico: “City Lights” by Nick Merico
Makayla Phillips: “Anyone” by Demi Lovato
Olivia Ximines: “Say Yes” by Michelle Williams feat. Beyoncé & Kelly Rowland
Voting for the “comeback contestants” will be open for a week. It began at the end of the show and will close on Monday, April 26 at 6 a.m. ET. Cast your ballot at either AmericanIdol.com/Vote, the American Idol app, or via text.
Text numbers to vote for Comeback Competitors on American Idol
Faith Becnel: Text C5 to 21523Franklin Boone: Text C4 to 21523DeWayne Crocker Jr.: Text C7 to 21523Cyniah Elise: Text C1 to 21523Arthur Gunn: Text C6 to 21523Aliana Jester: Text C3 to 21523Louis Knight: Text C10 to 21523Nick Merico: Text C2 to 21523Makayla Phillips: Text C8 to 21523Olivia Ximines: Text C9 to 21523 Next, Everything You Need to Know About Voting on American Idol
