Meet the Top 13
Thirteen hopefuls, one new judge, one returning judge, one Idol winner. Meet the season 13 cast of American Idol.
Thirteen hopefuls, one new judge, one returning judge, one Idol winner. Meet the season 13 cast of American Idol.
Harry Connick, Jr. joins the judges' panel this season, but his tough critiques have earned him the nickname, "Harsh Harry."
VIDEO: 'American Idol' Top 13: Were the Wildcard Performances Fair?
Caleb Johnson was voted into the top 13 by viewers after a rocking rendition of "Stay With Me" by The Faces. "I want to bring rock 'n' roll into the show," said Johnson, who also auditioned for the show back ins season 10. He celebrated by lifting host Ryan Seacrest high into the air with a bear hug.
Ben Briley was voted into the top 13 by viewers after his joyful performance of "Soulshine" by the Allman Brothers. Briley took a risk choosing to break into a guitar solo using an electric guitar. "That has got to be the first shredded solo on American Idol," said judge Keith Urban.
Dexter Roberts was voted into the top 13 by viewers after the Alabama singer tore into Craig Morgan's "This Ole Boy" with his acoustic guitar. Roberts got his first guitar when he was five, and "everything went from there."
C.J. Harris was picked by the judges for one of three wildcard spots. Harris — who performed despite having a root canal early in the week — fought for his position with "Bring It On Home" by Sam Cooke.
Sam Woolf was voted into the top 13 by viewers after his performance of "Babylon" by David Gray. "Your voice is just money," said judge Keith Urban.
Alex Preston was voted into the top 13 by viewers with his rendition of "Volcano" by Damien Rice. Preston, who impressed judge Harry Connick, Jr. by ending the song "on the nine," plays twelve instruments.
For season 13, Jennifer Lopez returned to the judges' panel, joining Keith Urban for the first time and helping Harry Connick, Jr. get acquainted with the series.
VIDEO: 'American Idol' Top 13: Were the Wildcard Performances Fair?
Jessica Meuse was voted by viewers into the top 13 after the Alabama singer performed "Drink a Beer" by Luke Bryan. Her original song, "Blue Eyed Lie," impressed the judges during her initial audition.
Malaya Watson was voted into the top 13 by viewers after the tuba-playing singer gave it her all on a classic Ray Charles song, "Hard Times." A charmed Keith Urban told Watson that she makes braces and glasses "look cool."
Emily Piriz was voted into the top 13 by viewers after channeling her inner rock star with "Paris (Ooh La la)," by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals.
MK Nobilette was voted into the top 13 by viewers after a quietly beautiful performance of "All of Me" by John Legend. "I loved it so much," said judge Jennifer Lopez.
Jena Irene was picked by the judges for one of three wildcard spots. While Irene's version of "Paint It Black" by the Rolling Stones didn't work for Idol viewers, her original song earned her a spot in the top 13.
Majesty Rose was voted into the top 13 by viewers after her peppy and upbeat performance of "Happy" by Pharrell Williams "set the tone" on ladies night, said Harry Connick, Jr.
Kristen O'Connor was picked by the judges for one of three wildcard spots. Her choice of "Unconditionally" by Katy Perry was deemed a "K-O" performance by Harry Connick, Jr.
As Ryan Seacrest was revealing the top 13, he joked that the episode felt like The Price Is Right, because audience members kept shouting out the names of their favorite Idol hopefuls.