The American Idol finale started off Sunday rough, with Katy Perry even calling the first round of original songs “a disaster.”
Gabby Barrett, Maddie Poppe and Caleb Lee Hutchinson are battling for the first American Idol reboot title, which will be announced Monday evening, but two-thirds of the trio struggled during the first round of competition, when they performed songs that had been newly-written and picked for them.
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Barrett sang “Rivers Deep,” Poppe performed “Going Going Gone,” and Hutchinson sang “Johnny Cash Heart,” noticeably flubbing the first line.
After the second round, when Hutchinson was able to get his mojo back with “Don’t Close Your Eyes” by Keith Whitley, Perry gave a harsh condemnation of all three performers to host Ryan Seacrest.
“I think Maddie, she really killed the first one. I thought Caleb killed this last round,” she said. “I’m waiting to see Gabby do the full on takeover for this last one.”
She continued: “They’re all really good, just the first round I thought was a disaster, and the second round I thought they got their confidence back. I’m ready to see why they made a top three in this last round.”
Plenty of fans had an opinion on Perry’s criticism, and took to Twitter to voice it:
Katy Perry said she was waiting to see why Gabby, Caleb, and Maddie were the top three… well these performances from those who have already been eliminated are giving her that answer #AmericanIdol
— Jess Muir (@Jessmuir0407) May 21, 2018
Only thing I agreed with Katy about-the original songs are a disaster! Drop this forever! #AmericanIdol
— Kimberly🎉🍸 (@luckyone326) May 21, 2018
I’m over here just listening to the amazing voices of the #AmericanIdol finalists and Katy said that the first round was a disaster. Really, Katy, Really? A disaster? 🤔 Are we watching the same thing? #IdolFinale
— k. (@flyawaymoth) May 21, 2018
Just a tad harsh of Katy Perry to say the first round was a disaster… the contestants were definitely nervous, but it did not reach disaster level. Not even close #AmericanIdol
— Jess Muir (@Jessmuir0407) May 21, 2018
Katy, we fully understand you didn’t like the original songs. Let’s move forward #AmericanIdol
— ➵ elle. Xo❥ (@takemetoparis) May 21, 2018
KATY: First round is a disaster. (She didn’t lie)
Katy is savage! #AmericanIdol #aionetc pic.twitter.com/q8xbiZTuea
— LUKE (@FabergeDoll) May 21, 2018
For the finale, you can submit up to 10 votes for each remaining contestant per voting method — online at AmericanIdol.com/vote, in the American Idol app, and via text voting.
For text message voting, text the number of the contestant you would like to vote for to “21523.”
Voting for the finale will close Monday at 9 a.m. ET. The results will be revealed during Monday night’s episode.
Part two of the American Idol finale airs Monday, May 21 at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.
Photo credit: ABC
