The American Idol season 20 Top 7 finalists Nicolina Bozzo, Fritz Hager, HunterGirl, Leah Marlene, Noah Thompson, Jay Copeland, and Christian Guardino released their new singles on May 13, and they are climbing the charts. The Top 7 contestants performed two songs, a TikTok sensation and a Mother's Day dedication, after being mentored by music superstar and producer will.i.am. The episode ended with Jay and Christian being eliminated from the competition.

During American Idol Top 7 week, Fritz and Noah were both diagnosed with COVID-19. Noah, who was visibly sick during his performances, sang live from his hotel room. However, Fritz tested positive the morning of the show, so American Idol aired his dress rehearsal instead. Both of them earned a spot in the Top 5 along with Nicolina, HunterGirl, and Leah, and they were headed to Las Vegas for a once for a once-in-a-lifetime mentoring session with country superstar and American Idol season 4 winner Carrie Underwood.

Related: American Idol Winners: Carrie Underwood's Season Four Highlights

The American Idol judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan did an outstanding job of finding some of the best musical talent from the auditions. Two of their platinum ticket choices, HunterGirl and Jay, made it far enough in the competition to earn the opportunity to record their own singles. The other contestants also proved themselves to be as talented as they are popular, as all of their singles are climbing the charts. HunterGirl and Leah even wrote their own songs. The backstories and behind-the-scenes videos for the American Idol Top 7 singles are entertaining.

Nicolina - "Glitter"

Nicolina's song "Glitter" was produced by Mr. Franks with the help of Carmen Reece and Andrew Keller. It was originally by Patrick Droney, whom Nicolina called "phenomenal" in an Instagram post. Nicolina shared that the song is about how grief is very real. She said, "It is a beautiful yet haunting depiction of grief." She explained that after she listened to "tons" of pitches, she decided that none of them spoke to her. Because she loves "feeling and emoting through song," she was "over the moon" when she found out that remaking "Glitter" was an option for her first big release. Nicolina shared that she knew that this would be the song that she would "fall in love with all over again."

Fritz Hager - "Hearts Align"

Fritz teamed up with producer King Henry for his single "Hearts Align." Although Fritz has performed many of his original songs on American Idol, he did not write this one. However, it does have an American Idol connection because it was co-written by season 18 finalist Francisco Martin. The song is about the singer thinking about his significant other and wanting their relationship to return to the time when their hearts aligned. In a post on Instagram, Fritz was thrilled to announce his release of "Hearts Align," saying, "It’s a dope song and I'm so excited to share it with you guys!"

HunterGirl - "Red Bird"

American Idol season 20 platinum ticket recipient HunterGirl wrote her original song "Red Bird" in Nashville with the help of her friends Austin Goodloe and Matt McKinney, and producer Jimmy Robbins. In an Instagram post, HunterGirl shared that she cried in the writing room when she wrote this song. She says she wrote "Red Bird" because when she was a little girl, her family always told her that when people see cardinals, they are signs from heaven that family members are looking after them. In an interview with Music Mayhem, HunterGirl told the story of how, the night that her first episode of American Idol premiered, she was driving to her family's house and she felt "terrified" about being on television. HunterGirl worried that people would not like her or think that she was good enough. She said she asked God for a sign that everything was going to be okay, and a red bird flew across her window and then more flew as she drove down the road. HunterGirl took that as a good sign and went back to Nashville the day after the American Idol episode aired and wrote the song. She said, "This is a song that is from my heart. I hope that this song can help someone like it helped me when I wrote it."

Related: American Idol: All About HunterGirl’s Work With Veterans

Leah Marlene - "Flowers"

Leah collaborated with music producer King Henry for her song "Flowers," which she wrote after she made it through American Idol Hollywood Week. In an Instagram post, Leah revealed the origin of the song, which uses the metaphor of flowers growing through pavement to represent how people can rise up out of hard times. She explained in a voiceover that she wrote "Flowers" a few months ago to reflect on "the wild journey that life has taken me on the past few years. More than anything, it's an encouragement to my past self that no matter how far gone you may feel, there's always a way out." Leah's post included footage from a TikTok video that she made in December 2021 in which she explained that "after 2 years of some pretty crippling depression and anxiety, in 2021 I slowly but surely found my way back to myself." American Idol Top 5 finalist Leah shared that she wrote the song for her past self and for "anyone that is in the thick of it right now."

Noah Thompson - "One Day Tonight"

Noah had never been in a recording studio before he cut his country track "One Day Tonight." He had the time of his life as he recorded his single. In a post on Instagram, Noah shared, "I think I had too much fun making this song." In the lyrics, he sings about his girlfriend's dreams about their future, including their wedding plans and their hopes for a house, children, and a dog. They talk about "one day tonight" while drinking wine together. The song fits Noah's country style perfectly.

Christian Guardino - "Higher"

Christian teamed up with producer DannyBoyStyles to record the song "Higher." In a post on Instagram, Christian said that he was so excited about the record and so happy that he got to work with DannyBoyStyles. He shared that he even recorded the song in the same studio where Marvin Gaye recorded his hit song "What's Going On." "Higher" makes great use of Christian's powerhouse vocals.

Jay Copeland - "Unlonely"

American Idol season 20 platinum ticket recipient Jay recorded his song "Unlonely" with music producer Mr. Franks. In a post on Instagram, Jay described the song by saying, "It's a bop! Here's to the summer and new beginnings." The catchy song does justice to this talented performer's outstanding vocals.

Related: American Idol: Get To Know Platinum Ticket Recipient Jay Copeland

The American Idol Top 7 finalists' singles are climbing the charts, giving them and their fans a taste of what their post-show careers might look like. Each song captures their unique styles and musical genres. If these singles are any indication, no matter who wins American Idol season 20, all of these finalists are sure to have very successful careers in the music industry.

Next: American Idol: How The Top 10 Spent Their Days At Disneyland

American Idol airs Sundays at 8 p.m. EDT on ABC.

Source: Nicolina/Instagram, Nicolina Bozzo/YouTube, Fritz Hager/Instagram, Fritzhagermusic/YouTube, HunterGirl/Instagram, HunterGirl/YouTube, Music MayhemLeah Marlene/Instagram, Leah Marlene/YouTube, Noah Thompson/Instagram, Noah Thompson/YouTube, Christian Guardino/Instagram, Christian Guardino/YouTube, Jay Copeland/Instagram, Jay Copeland/YouTube