<br><div><aside class="gnt_em gnt_em__fp gnt_em_vp__tp gnt_em__el" aria-label="Video - 'American Idol' singer sobs after forgetting lyrics to song"/><p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><a target="_blank" href="/story/entertainment/tv/2021/04/18/american-idol-judges-comfort-crying-singer-who-forgot-lyrics/7280176002/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|inline click|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">"American Idol"</a> unleashed the biggest twist of the season Monday night.</p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">For the first time ever, 10 contestants from last season sang for the chance to join this season's competition and vie for the title of "Idol" champion once again.</p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">Unlike the current competitors, these former contestants never got the chance to sing on the "Idol" stage, since the studio went dark due to the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.usatoday.com/news/coronavirus/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|inline click|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">coronavirus pandemic</a> and the competition continued with singers performing remotely.</p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">As usual, judges <a target="_blank" href="/story/entertainment/tv/2021/03/01/american-idol-formerly-homeless-teen-moves-lionel-richie-tears/6845714002/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|inline click|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">Lionel Richie</a>, <a target="_blank" href="/story/entertainment/tv/2021/02/22/american-idol-recap-katy-perry-faces-off-country-look-alike/4515633001/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|inline click|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">Katy Perry</a> and <a target="_blank" href="/story/entertainment/tv/2021/04/12/american-idol-luke-bryan-contracts-covid-19-paula-abdul-returns/7190416002/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|inline click|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">Luke Bryan</a> gave each singer feedback — but it's up to America's vote to determine which one of them will round out this year's top 10. Fans can vote at <a target="_blank" href="https://idolvote.abc.com/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|inline click|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">americanidol.com/vote</a>, the "American Idol" app or via text message.</p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">Here's what that went down:</p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><a target="_blank" href="/story/entertainment/tv/2021/04/18/american-idol-judges-comfort-crying-singer-who-forgot-lyrics/7280176002/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|inline click|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a"><strong>'American Idol' judge Katy Perry</strong> comforts sobbing singer who forgot lyrics: 'Perfection is an illusion'</a></p><figure class="gnt_em gnt_em_img gnt_em_img__inset"><img class="gnt_em_img_i" style="height:450px" data-g-r="lazy" src="https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2021/04/20/USAT/9cd81d2e-3dfc-4d82-bcb8-9de6bb126062-159026_0524.jpg?width=300&height=450&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp" srcset="https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2021/04/20/USAT/9cd81d2e-3dfc-4d82-bcb8-9de6bb126062-159026_0524.jpg?width=600&height=900&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp 2x" decoding="async" alt="Cyniah Elise, whom Richie compared to Whitney Houston last season, said she wanted to “let loose” and “level up” by performing a rock song."/></figure><h2 class="gnt_ar_b_h2">Cyniah Elise</h2><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">Cyniah Elise, whom Richie compared to <a target="_blank" href="/story/entertainment/movies/2020/04/22/whitney-houston-biopic-i-want-dance-somebody-clive-davis/3007834001/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|inline click|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">Whitney Houston</a> last season, said she wanted to “let loose” and “level up” by performing a rock song. The 19-year-old singer and actress rocked out to Miley Cyrus' "Edge of Midnight (Midnight Sky Remix)."</p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">According to Richie, seeing Elise on the "Idol" stage was "the best treat ever."</p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">Bryan said the singer "caught your stride and gave us those signature big notes that we expect of you," while Perry complimented her vocal runs at the end of the song.</p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">To see Elise deliver more big notes on "Idol," text C1 to 21523.</p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><a target="_blank" href="/story/entertainment/tv/2021/04/12/american-idol-paula-abdul-judges-wyatt-pike-drops-out/7195426002/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|inline click|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a"><strong>'American Idol': Paula Abdul</strong> makes...</a></p></div> <style> .wrapper { text-align: center; } </style> <div class="wrapper"> <a class="button" href ="https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2021/04/19/american-idol-luke-bryan-gets-seasons-first-boo-harsh-critique/7294902002/">Read more <span>➤</span></a> </div>
