The public has voted, and the Top 12 contestants on American Idol season 19 have been now chosen. It's always exciting for the viewers to follow along as the competition moves forward on American Idol. Unlike most other competition series, it is considered a very big deal for a singer to win this show, as they'll join the ranks of superstars like Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, Adam Lambert, Fantasia, Chris Daughtry, and others. Judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie have chosen a cast of very talented singers for season 19 so far.
As the contestants moved up in the ranks on American Idol season 19, it has been up to the judges to make nearly all of the decisions thus far. But as the competition moves along, the public was eagerly waiting for a chance to start voting for their favorites. Last week, the Top 24 of season 19 was announced, and the singers were finally able to be saved by America's vote. On Sunday, April 11, the Top 16 of the season was announced. The public then got to vote for their favorite 10 contestants, and the judges were given two saves for the season in order to fill out the Top 12.
Alyssa Wray
The select group of Top 12 singers who'll get a shot at winning this season of American Idol includes Alyssa Wray from Perryville, Kentucky. Alyssa is only 18 years old, but she has an incredible command of her voice that even certain experienced singers who are many years into their careers have yet to achieve. In her Top 12 performance, Alyssa performed Whitney Houston's "The Greatest Love of All".
Ava August
A native of Laguna Niguel, California, Ava August is just 15 years old but already conquering the competition of American Idol. She has consistently impressed not only the judges but also the fans, safely securing her spot in the Top 12 as a result. In the most recent episode, Ava sang "Love of My Life", a Queen song that was written by Freddie Mercury and that was released all the way back in 1975.
Beane
Judges Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, along with interim judge Paula Abdul (who replaced Luke Bryan for a few episodes), had the option to save two contestants that didn't receive enough votes of the public to stick around. One of the judges' saves was Beane, a 23-year-old aspiring singer from Boston, Massachusetts. He sang Ben Platt's "Grow as We Go" in his Top 12 performance, and it was great enough to convince the judges that he should stay.
Caleb Kennedy
Moving forward to the Top 12 on American Idol season 19 is also Caleb Kennedy, who sang an original song, "Nowhere", in the latest episode. Caleb is just 16 years old, and he lives in Roebuck, South Carolina. Over the course of this season, Caleb has been impressing the public not only with his voice but also with his original compositions. It is always a risk to perform original music on Idol, but it's paid off for Caleb thus far.
Casey Bishop
One of the most popular contestants on this season of American Idol is Casey Bishop, who received enough public votes to move forward to the Top 12, as expected. A native of Estero, Florida, Casey is only 15 years of age. Judging by the reaction that she's gotten on Idol so far, it seems like she has a very long and successful career ahead of her. For the Top 12 episode, Casey sang The Animals' "The House of the Rising Sun".
Cassandra Coleman
Cassandra Coleman is also getting one step closer to a chance of winning American Idol. She is 24 years old and originally from Columbia, Tennessee. For her Top 12 performance, Cassandra sang the modern-day anthem "Light On", which was released by Maggie Rogers in 2018.
Chayce Beckham
There's no denying that Chayce Beckham is one of the best singers on American Idol season 19, and the fans have so far voted to keep him in the competition. A resident of Apple Valley, California, Chayce is just 24 years old. In the Top 12 reveal episode, Chayce delivered a very powerful performance of Kolton Moore and The Clever Few's "What Brings Life Also Kills".
Deshawn Goncalves
19-year-old Deshawn Goncalves is one of the biggest stars on this season of American Idol. He came to Hollywood all the way from Cleveland, Ohio, and has been impressing the fans and the judges all season long. When it came to the Top 12, Deshawn turned up the funk to sing "Higher Ground" by the legendary Stevie Wonder.
Grace Kinstler
With a stellar Top 12 performance of Ariana Grande's "Dangerous Woman", Grace Kinstler is also moving forward in the competition on American Idol season 19. Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Grace is a 20-year-old aspiring singer with a powerful voice and a lot of charisma. As expected, the viewers voted for her to stay in the game and fight another day.
Hunter Metts
A native of Franklin, Tennessee, 22-year-old Hunter Metts is a formidable contestant on American Idol season 19. In the Top 12 episode, Hunter sang a beautiful rendition of Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me", and enough fans voted for him to move forward on the show. It's too early to tell who's winning this season, but Hunter certainly fits the profile of certain past winners of American Idol.
Madison Watkins
Rounding out the Top 12 was the second (and last) save granted to the judges on American Idol, as they chose to save Madison Watkins on the show. Despite not getting enough votes from the viewers, 25-year-old Madison from Fayetteville, Arkansas convinced the judges to keep around with a very unique rendition of Drake's "Hotline Bling". From here on out, she will have to impress the fans in order to stay in the game.
Willie Spence
From Douglas, Georgia, Willie Spence has made quite an impression on American Idol so far. At just 21 years old, it's quite impressive that Willie sings like a wise and experienced vocalist. In the Top 12 episode, Willie sang his heart out to Rihanna's "Diamond" and earned his spot in the next round.
So far, the apparent frontrunners who could win this season of American Idol are Casey Bishop, Willie Spence, and Grace Kinstler. Alas, the competition can change entirely as the weeks go by and these singers deliver new performances to the audience. While it is great to see Paula Abdul back in the Idol judging panel, the fans are also hoping that Luke Bryan can recover quickly from his COVID-19 diagnosis. Meanwhile, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie will be steering the season in the right direction.
American Idol season 19 airs Sundays & Mondays at 8 pm ET/PT on ABC.