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‘American Idol’ recap: The Final Three revealed

By Danielle Long May 16, 2022 | 5:00 AM


ABC/Eric McCandless

It got down to the wire on Sunday’s American Idol, with the Top 5 vying to make it into next week’s finale for the crowning of season 20’s winner.

This week, for their first challenge, the finalists were mentored by Grammy-award winner and former American Idol champ Carrie Underwood and were tasked with taking on an iconic song from her catalog. Here’s what the finalists chose.

HunterGirl: “Undo It,” by Carrie Underwood
Leah Marlene: “I’ll Stand By You,” (Cover), by Pretenders
Fritz Hager: “I Want to Remember,” by NEEDTOBREATHE ft. Carrie Underwood
Noah Thompson: “So Small,” by Carrie Underwood
Nicolina: “Blown Away,” by Carrie Underwood

After tackling one of Underwood’s hits, Finneas took the stage and performed his track, “Naked,” before the Top 5 took the stage again. For the second round of performances, the finalists chose a song that could close their show — or, in other words, “an epic encore,” as described by host Ryan Seacrest. Here’s what they chose:

Leah Marlene: “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart),” by Journey
HunterGirl: “Girl Crush,” by Little Big Town
Fritz Hager: “Youngblood,” by 5 Seconds of Summer
Nicolina: “All I Ask,” by Adele
Noah Thompson: “Working Man,” by Larry Fleet

With their final performance of the night out of the way, it was time to see who America voted into next week’s finale, which would feature performances from judges Luke BryanKaty Perry, and Lionel Richie, as well as Thomas RhettMichael BubléSarah Bareilles, Flo RidaEarth, Wind and Fire and more.

After the votes were tallied, Fritz and Nicolina were the bottom two, sending HunterGirl, Noah and Leah through to the finale.

Catch the American Idol season 20 finale when it airs live Sunday, May 22 at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.

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