From the moment that “American Idol” viewers met Kolbi Jordan during her Season 23 audition, the Oklahoma singer made it clear how much she adored Patti LaBelle — so much so, that judge Lionel Richie called the R&B legend after Jordan’s audition.
But when given the chance to salute any woman in music during Sunday’s “Ladies Night”-themed episode, Jordan picked Fleetwood Mac over LaBelle as a strategic move. The “Idol” hopeful performed “The Chain” for this round, as the remaining 10 contestants faced off with songs from iconic women artists.
“I absolutely chose this song to shock people,” Jordan said. “I think it would be like, ‘duh,’ if I picked Aretha [Franklin] or if I picked another Patti [LaBelle] song,” she said.
Ahead of her performance, Jordan admitted that had “never sung anything like this before.”
“When I’m singing this song, I will be thinking of all the no’s I’ve received, all the rejection,” she added.
The song seemed to have the intended effect on judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan, who applauded Jordan’s onstage attitude and unexpected song choice.
“You looked at me and you scared me to death,” Richie said playfully. “You had that gangster look, like ‘I know what I’m doing,’ and I’m telling you, that is what I love the most.”
“We know the lane you typically go down, and you’re so good at it,” Underwood added. “But throwing us curveballs like this? Well done, perfect choice.”
The choice was apparently also a serious curveball for Sunday night’s “Idol” voters. Jordan and Canaan James Hill, this season’s two remaining platinum ticket winners, did not advance to the Top 8.
