Monday will be a big night for Moss Point’s Daniel Stallworth, in his bid to win Season 24 of “American Idol.”
By the end of tonight’s tenth episode of the season, nearly half of the remaining 20 singers will be eliminated. According to ABC, only 12 performers will move forward after tonight in the reality singing competition.
Tonight’s episode, which will air at 7 p.m., will feature Idol hopefuls singing songs of faith live and the cut to 12 will be made based off votes received by the remaining contestants.
Stallworth has wowed judges throughout the competition, reaching the top 20 by surviving three cuts:
Initial audition
Stallworth was introduced to the judges and America as a music teacher from Moss Point. For his audition, he performed “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey and received nothing but praise from the judges. Needing just two “yes” votes to advance, he received three.
Music icon Lionel Richie was the first with praise, saying “Your students are going to hail you as the greatest thing that has ever shown up in their lives.” Carrie Underwood, a previous American Idol winner, said “my teeth hurt because I am smiling so much.” Country superstar Luke Bryan was the last to judge Stallworth, saying he was just “thinking about how lucky the kids are to have you.”
Hollywood Week
Again facing elimination, Stallworth sang “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King. Hollywood Week was a series of two shows where the talent pool was cut from 127 to 30 singers. The show’s three judges, who all had glowing reviews of Stallworth’s audition, each stood and applauded after he finished.
“To take a song that we’ve heard so many times and just take it to the rafters of this place, you are a truly special person,” Bryan said.
Ohana Round
On a night where the number of singers would be cut from 30 to 20, Stallworth sang “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus. The episode was filmed at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawai’i. Stallworth again received a standing ovation from all three judges.
Top 20 at Disney
The Moss Point native sang “All Night Long” by Idol judge Richie in an episode that aired last week, taking a big chance and getting raves from the judges, including the song’s original singer. The song choice was “the riskiest thing anyone is doing,” said country music superstar and guest judge Brad Paisley.
Richie was wowed, saying “I’m going to give a compliment that I’ve never given before. You took that song and made it yours. If you put that out tomorrow, I’ll split (the profits) with you.”
Bryan delivered a powerful compliment, adding “You might be the best singer in this competition.”
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