The 'American Idol 2016' judges, host and mentor poses with alums Nick Fradiani, David Cook, Jordin Sparks, Lauren Alaina, Ruben Studdard and Kris Allen. (Photo : Facebook/American Idol)
From the 24 semi-finalists, only 19 are still in the running towards becoming the "American Idol" Season 15 winner. In the first part of the semi-finals, five contestants were eliminated and many viewers are apparently not happy about the results.
The top 24 semi-finalists were divided into two groups, and in each group, only seven will advance to top 14. For the first time, the competition has a Duets Round, in which the contestants perform with previous winners and runners-up.
While the performances of those in the second group are set to be aired on Feb. 14, those of the first group were aired on Feb. 10, Wednesday. Those who made it to the next round of the competition are Sonika Vaid, Thomas Stringfellow, Mackenzie Bourg, Jeneve Rose Mitchell, Avalon Young, La'Porsha Renae and Gianna Isabella.
Some fans were upset because the judges Harry Connick Jr., Keith Urban and Jennifer Lopez decided to include Isabella, who they thought should have gone home earlier, in the list of the first seven contestants to be in the top 14. Isabella is the daughter of "I Still Believe" singer Brenda K. Starr, who attended the same dance school Lopez decades ago.
During the duets round, Isabella performed with Nick Fradiani the Season 14 winner's coronation song "Beautiful Life." Fradiani also performed "Man in the Mirror" with Stringfellow.
Season 2 winner Ruben Studdard sang "Flying Without Wings" with Young while Season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino performed "Summertime" with Renae. Also, Season 10 winner Scotty McCreery also performed "Gone" with Mitchell, his runner-up Lauren Alaina sang "I Hope You Dance" with Bourg and Season 13 winner Caleb Johnson sang "Skyfall" with Vaid.
The five eliminated contestants were Stephany Negrete, Jenna Renae, James VIII, Emily Brooke and Jordan Sasser, and not all viewers agree with the judges' decision. Brooke, who performed "Flat on the Floor" with Alaina, joined Season 14 but was eliminated during the Hollywood Round while Jenna, who performed "See You Tonight" with McCreery, appeared on "America's Got Talent" Season 10 but was cut during the second week.
Along with Brooke, Negrete and Sasser were among the early favorites. Negrete performed "Superstar" with Studdard while Sasser performed "I Believe" with Barrino.
Watch Isabella and Fradiani's duet performance of "Beautiful Life" here:
Do you agree with the critics that Isabella should have been sent home earlier? Let us know by commenting below.
