Charlotte’s Josh King brings the emotion to ‘American Idol.’ Did he make Top 10?
It was another big night for a local singer and musician hoping to win it all on “American Idol.”
Josh King, 24, was part of the Top 12 remaining contestants to take the stage in the hit singing competition Monday night — before two more were sent home.
After another night of nationwide voting, only 10 aspiring stars are left as finalists. But does that include our hometown hopeful who is the only contestant left from the Carolinas?
Spoiler alert: Here’s a recap of his latest performance and who made the Top 10.
A hometown reunion
Following his one-on-one time with North Carolina’s James Taylor Sunday night, King (along with the other contestants) also got a bit of help from another hometown star, Fantasia. She served as a guest mentor and performer for Monday’s #IDOL Moments show. Fun fact: This wasn’t King’s first time meeting or singing with the Tar Heel state star who won Season 3 of “American Idol” in 2004.
“We went to the same church together, and I got to sing background vocals for her,” King told Fantasia during their mentoring session.
Ahead of his performance on the Idol stage, she helped him prepare a rendition of Céline Dion’s “All by Myself,” covered by former contestant Pia Toscano in 2011.
“Josh has a beautiful vocal. He wanted to get up from the piano but I’m thinking, it doesn’t make a lot of sense,” Fantasia said. “You’ve got to stay in your safest place.”
In a heartfelt moment, he opened up and said he wasn’t a loner by choice but didn’t have many friends growing up. But that all changed once he got a shot on “American Idol,” he said.
“There are some of the greatest friends I’ve ever had, and I love them for that,” he explained. “But it’s that fear in the back of mind that once this ends and this journey ends with ‘American Idol,’ that things will go to the way they used to be ... I want to have as many good memories with everyone for as long as possible.
What the Idol judges said about Josh King
Following an emotional performance, he got a standing ovation from all of his fellow contestants-turned-friends, along with the judges. Here’s a snippet of what they said:
Luke Bryan: “Josh, the fact that you’ve had this experience with us and you’ve gotten to meet the people you have and blossom as a kid that we saw very in his shell in auditions, and to do what you just did and let your emotions show like that like that is just incredible. Congratulations.”
Lionel Richie: “I want you to believe this. Since Luke and I have been here, there has never been a class this talented, ever, for us. You will never, ever be alone again in your life. Never.”
Carrie Underwood: “The greatest thing about that performance was that you took something that you were obviously kind of uncomfortable sharing, something that was very personal to you, and you used music. I guarantee you there are people watching right now that are like, ‘Man that’s how I feel.’ You’re not alone. Everybody feels like that sometimes and the fact that you can relate to all those people just now is beautiful. Thank you.”
So did Josh King make it to the Top 10?
Yes. He was the second contestant to be called in the Top 10 and will go on to sing in Sunday night’s episode.
Who was announced as a Top 10 finalist?
After almost 22 million votes, here is who else made it to the Top 10 alongside King:
- Josh King
- Canaan James Hill
- Gabby Samone
- Mattie Pruitt
- Thunderstorm Artis
- Slater Nalley
- Breanna Nix
- John Foster
- Kolbi Jordan
- Jamal Roberts
Ché and Filo were eliminated and sent home.
How to watch ‘American Idol’
New episodes of “American Idol” are released every Sunday and Monday at 8 p.m. on ABC and the next day on Hulu.
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