'American Idol' 5th Judge: Top 20 Revealed and Katy Perry Already Has A Crush

Sure, the "American Idol" Top 40 got to spend the week in Hawai'i, but half of them are going to get sent home before the night is through.

The other half get to go to the mainland, too, but they'll continue on as the show's official Top 20 for Season 14. But before anyone went home, it was the "Final Showcase," a live performance on the beach in front of a live audience.

This is probably the best barometer of how someone might do on the live shows because you get to see how they interact with a crowd, what kind of energy they're giving off and how they handle the pressure of all those faces looking up at them.

Some of these contestants really stepped it up, too, bringing towering performances that redeemed shaky Hollywood performances, or confirmed the stellar trajectory they've been on already. One even got Katy Perry totally crushing on him.

Fair warning, since I'm safe at home, I'm probably going to be a little harsher than my colleagues Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan.

Just for giggles, I'm going to rank the auditions in each round from worst to first to see who my favorites are. And already I'm wanting to send through some contestants the judges are booting. Is it too soon for a judges' panel shakeup?

"Girls Like You," Maroon 5

This is a cute kid and he tried, but his stage presence was corny and his voice was all over the place. This was... not good. Honestly, there's not much more to say, this was Drake's worst performance by far. It was a bad high school talent show performance.

My Judgment: Home

Final Judgment: Home

"How Far I'll Go," "Moana"

Myra took a bit to really get into the groove of this track, but what a crowd-pleaser. She didn't feel totally connected throughout the song, but she still managed to belt it by the end. It almost sounded like nerves crept in a bit toward the middle, making her a bit shakier overall than Madison's more confident if less inspiring performance. Myra is a real diamond in the rough, but is she still too rough? She appears to not quite be there yet as a performer and might need that extra time to polish.

My Judgment: Home

Final Judgment: Home

"Is This Love," Bob Marley

Emma has a sweetness to her voice, but it also made her utterly forgettable on this Bob Marley track. She sounded like the local opening act getting a chance to perform on a a real stage. She found some grit a little later in the performance, but there just was no real star quality in that performance. It was just good.

My Judgment: Home

Final Judgment: Home

"Hold Back the River," James Bay

Nick was honoring the memory of his brothers, but this piece didn't really move the crowd and he didn't quite grasp the heights of the chorus, either. Not sure if it was a missed song choice or he just wasn't quite on his game, but there wasn't enough dynamism or unique quality to his voice here to really stand out. He's a natural talent, for sure, and it sounded record quality. But it still lacked something exciting for a live performance.

My Judgment: Home

Final Judgment: Home

"Youngblood," 5 Seconds of Summer

This was a little weird behind the keyboard, but he did manage to connect to the lyric. It was a total mismatch that almost derailed the performance entirely, but his overall personality managed to shine through and just barely save it. There's a smooth innocence to his voice that is really pleasant to the ear and he confidently interprets a lyric. He just needs to polish and work on connecting more, but he's definitely so very close to ready to blow up and find himself as an artist.

My Judgment: Home

Final Judgment: Top 20

"Gone Away," H.E.R.

Ashley stepped away from the piano to try and connect without it as much as she does behind the keys. But that magical quality that made her something totally special and unique was missing without it. Now, she was jus another pretty face with a pretty voice, but we missed out on that dynamic quality and connection that she gives from behind the piano. That might have been a costly mistake.

My Judgment: Home

Final Judgment: Top 20

"All I Ask," Adele

Shayy has had a rocky road to this final judgment, but she also has a tremendous instrument. It was in fine form for her showcase performance, as she slayed an Adele song. She didn't put a lot of runs into it, nor did she push the tune bigger than it already was. She just took it as it was and it was a mostly beautiful performance, even if she missed a note here or there. Is she polished or ready for this opportunity yet? Her story is inspirational, but did she falter too much?

My Judgment: Top 20

Final Judgment: Home

"Still," The Commodores

There was a beautiful and understated subtlety to Nate's performance of a Lionel Richie song that brought an infectious freshness to it, while still staying every bit as soulful as Lionel sang it. Nate proved that you don't have to show off your instrument if it's so good that it'll show itself off. It was great to hear him in full voice and his range and control are just impeccable. Plus, his choices on how and when to use his runs are incredibly smart. The judges, however, didn't feel he knew yet how to connect.

My Judgment: Top 20

Final Judgment: Home

"All About That Bass," Meghan Trainor

"Don't You Worry Child," Swedish House Mafia f. John Martin

Margie turned Meghan's anthem into a lounge act and somehow it stripped her of her infectious and goofy personality. That's not a song that translates well into a vocal competition, and while she put some stank on it, it was pretty underwhelming overall. And then Eddie came out and showed a different side to himself vocally. He was still Eddie Island, but he was also a mature and polished vocalist, showing more depth than we ever knew was in there. This placement is for Eddie, as margie really faltered this round.

Margie My Judgment: Home

Margie Final Judgment: Home

Eddie My Judgment: Top 20

Eddie Final Judgment: Top 20

"Mama's Broken Heart," Miranda Lambert

This all-American country girl was the first authentic country singer of the night. She had a sweetness and a twang in her voice that was infectious. On top of that, there's a wholesome sassiness that could really help her stand out among the other types of voices in the competition. She's a little green, but the talent is there and she's apparently unique as it looks like most of the country has been culled.

My Judgment: Top 20

Final Judgment: Top 20

"Who's Lovin' You," The Jackson 5

Madison felt she was in direct competition with Myra Tran as both have belter voices. She sounded polished and assured throughout this routine, but Madison had a few opportunities to really go for it and she held back But this is a natural talent and a big old voice. Was the song choice enough to really connect? It did at moments but at other moments it seemed like she wasn't quite there. Is it Myra or Madison or is there room for both?

My Judgment: Top 20

Final Judgment: Top 20

"Latch," Disclosure & Sam Smith

With a silky smooth voice, Dimitrius immediately had the crowd eating out of the palm of his hands. He caressed the lyrics in a way that felt totally genuine and then he jumped up to Sam Smith's range and had no problems hitting those notes, either. Was it too soundalike? Perhaps, but with that tool at his disposal, he's ready to soar to the next stratosphere.

My Judgment: Top 20

Final Judgment: Top 20

"Landslide," Fleetwood Mac

There's something to be said about just standing there and connecting to a lyric. Jeremiah is still struggling with his parents' inability to accept that he's gay and he poured those feelings into this song that helped him through a difficult conversation. His voice was on point and beautiful and powerful. He's still better behind a piano, but the fact he could connect this well with just his voice speaks volumes.

My Judgment: Top 20

Final Judgment: Top 20

"Georgia on My Mind," Ray Charles

Every time Laci starts singing it's a surprise all over again what a unique signature quality she has to her voice. It's a timeless quality that shined on this classic single and brings a fresh perspective to every new song she sings. It's like she slaps you in the face with her talent every time because you keep forgetting just how special she is.

My Judgment: Top 20

Final Judgment: Top 20

"No Roots," Alice Merton

"Royals," Lorde

Kate took on Lorde and had a fun swag to it, but it lacked any real connection. This is a very hip and cool track, and she made it bubblegum and cutesy. The choice did no favors to her voice and left her outshined by so many others in the competition. Evelyn, however, proved she is one to watch with such a cool and breathy quality to her voice. It would be a shame to not let her loose on other tracks to see how she could interpret them. The audience was certainly grooving with her. This ranking is for Evelyn; we'd put Kate a few slots lower as we didn't feel that connection.

Evelyn My Judgment: Top 20

Evelyn Final Judgment: Top 20

Kate My Judgment: Home

Kate Final Judgment: Top 20

"Dear Future Husband," Meghan Trainor

Getting sent home and told to perform, perform, perform last year was the best thing that could have ever happened to Alyssa. She came back so polished as a stage performer she absolutely dominated this entire routine like it was her song she was showcasing. And this is not a song that spotlights vocal prowess, but rather attitude and personality. She had both in spades. So mature at only 16, she's ready this time!

My Judgment: Top 20

Final Judgment: Top 20

"Sorry," Justin Bieber

Logan challenged himself to sing partially in Spanish to try and stand out. He totally pulled it off, too, sounding every bit the polished pop star. He has a very natural quality to his voice that came out confidently as he interacted with the crowd. And they loved the bilingual bit. Logan was just born to be on this kind of show and while he may struggle to stand out among other pretty boy pop stars, he'll shine brightly among them.

My Judgment: Top 20

Final Judgment: Top 20

"Wild Things," Alessia Cara

For a little girl who came from nowhere, Kai just owned that stage like she was the headliner. She picked the perfect song for her own life experiences, absolutely connecting with it the same way Alessia does. She needs to work on her breathing a little better so she doesn't lose her breath at the wrong times, but every bit of that can be taught. What can't is how she rocked the stage, owned the audience and brought so much swagger to everything she just did. The girl's a natural talent, but the judges don't think she's polished enough.

My Judgment: Top 20

Final Judgment: Home

"Work Song," Hozier

When Wade is on Wade is magical and he was on fire this round. He needed it, too, because it was by the grace of the judges he survived a subpar Hollywood Week. Give this guy some confidence and lyrics he knows and he absolutely must be a part of this show. He is that special. He had the audience eating out of the palm of his hand with this performance, too. It was just amazing.

My Judgment: Top 20

Final Judgment: Top 20

"A Song for You," Donny Hathaway

Gotdamn Ryan absolutely slayed this power ballad. It was just honey and sugar and sweet all over the place. It was perhaps a bit over the top, but this is a schmaltzy power ballad, so it's meant to take you into the land of cheese and love. Ryan is a rare power voice that can tickle a lyric and he's learning when to rein it in. He has a chance to be a real standout in this competition.

My Judgment: Top 20

Final Judgment: Top 20

"Come Together," The Beatles

"Suitcase," Steve Moakler

For the second year in a row, poor Laine was put in the exact same spot in the last pair to face judgment. This time, he squared off against country boy Tyler Mitchell who sounded really good on "Suitcase." And this season we've got virtually no country. He sounded a bit like he was straining at points, but he is a natural country talent. Laine suited up for his performance like a classic crooner. Laine slayed this Beatles classic with his gentle rasp, stage confidence and even a cool guitar solo. If you're going to show another side, this is the way to do it. He even got Katy wondering if it was okay for her to crush on a contestant (wouldn't be the first time, Katy!) He is a mature performer now and more than ready for his chance. This ranking is for Laine.

Laine My Judgment: Top 20

Laine Final Judgment: Top 20

Tyler My Judgment: Home

Tyler Final Judgment: Home

"Yellow," Coldplay

This guy is the real deal. He picks a guitar like nobody's business and he's now proven he can take other people's songs and make them beautifully his own as well. That voice is so gentle, so transcendent, so smooth you could just listen to him soar forever. It's all so effortless and even more amazing, he has no idea how good he is. And he is damned good.

My Judgment: Top 20

Final Judgment: Top 20

"Play That Funky Music," Wild Cherry

For sheer stage performance, no one could come close to what Uche just poured on that stage. This was charisma and personality and swag and confidence just oozing all over the place. On top of that, his voice was absolutely stellar. He made this old track sound like it was recorded in 2019. And he had the crowd eating out of his hands. That was a mature, seasoned professional performance from start to finish.

My Judgment: Top 20

Final Judgment: Top 20

"American Idol" airs Sundays and Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

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