“American Idol” contestant Kolbi Jordan may have covered “Over The Rainbow” during Monday night’s episode, but judge Luke Bryan called her performance “over a supernova, way out in the galaxy.”
Bryan and fellow “Idol” judges Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood were moved by Jordan’s rendition of Judy Garland’s solo from “The Wizard of Oz,” which she performed during a special episode dedicated to recreating “iconic ‘Idol’ moments.” After a rapid elimination Sunday night that saw the departure of Amanda Barise and Desmond Roberts, the remaining 12 contestants competed for their spot in the Top 10 during Monday night’s round.
Jordan’s inspiration for the song choice stemmed from “Idol” runner-up Katharine McPhee, who performed the Judy Garland tune on the competition’s fifth season. Jordan called McPhee’s 2006 performance a “ridiculously iconic moment,” and said the American classic was a source of motivation during the show.
“There was a stage in my life that I did not believe that I could do anything I’m doing today, and the song inspires me to keep going,” Jordan said.
Guest mentor (and Season 3 “Idol” winner) Fantasia advised Jordan to sing the way she does at home, as if she weren’t part of a competition. It was a stage presence tip that went over well with the judging panel, with Richie calling the performance “divine,” and Underwood applauding Jordan’s emotionality.
“I feel like you were in your own world just then,” Underwood noted. “You closed your eyes, you felt everything you were singing, and we felt it because you felt it.”
Much like the prior evening’s episode, voting was open only through the duration of Monday’s show. Ryan Seacrest revealed the results at the end of the episode, sending home Filo and Ché Chesterman based on roughly 22 million votes.
The Top 10 contestants, including Jordan, will face off again this Sunday night during a “Ladies’ Night”-themed episode.
