The seven contestants remaining on this season of American Idol performed Taylor Swift songs on the show's first night dedicated to the artist.
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Taylor Swift superfan Nikki Glaser joined the judging panel, and she was wowed by Keyla Richardson's take on "Lover," which she said she didn't recognize.
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Host Ryan Seacrest noted that original American Idol judges Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul will return to the show next week as part of an anniversary event.
American Idolis in itsTaylor Swiftera.
For the first time, the reality show dedicated a round of performances to the artist, and judgesLuke Bryan,Lionel Richie, andCarrie Underwood, as well as guest judgeNikki Glaser, were impressed with the seven remaining contestants.
While Swift wasn't there herself, hostRyan Seacrestexplained that the dancers from the Grammy winner's Eras Tour were.
Each of the seven contestants left on the show when the night began performed a song from Swift's catalog: Jordan McCullough ("Tim McGraw"); Chris Tungseth ("Exile"); Hannah Harper ("Mean"); Brooks Rosser ("Love Story"); Daniel Stallworth ("Fearless"); Keyla Richardson ("Lover"); and Braden Rumfelt ("Cardigan").
They also chose a second song inspired by California.
By this stage of the competition, every performance was a hit, even for contestants that the judges would never have expected to cover Swift.
That was the case when Chris Tungseth sang "Exile."
"You had me focused, locked in," Bryan told him afterward. "I loved your character, the way you delivered the song. I'm sitting her like, I remember this guy at auditions. I never would've imagined we'd be watching him do a Taylor Swift song. It was one of my favorite performances you've done."
Glaser said the rendition left her with goosebumps throughout.
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Host Ryan Seacrest explained that Tungseth was very familiar with another of Swift's song: 2014's "Blank Space," which he played in the locker room to pump him up before games.
Glaser noted when it was Richardson's turn to sing Taylor that her take on "Lover" seemed to make it a different track.
"I don't even recognize that song!" the comedian said. "You brought something to it that I couldn't even imagine could be brought to it. I love what you did with that song. I love watching you. You're stunning, the way you work the room, you make it look so easy. It is so easy to watch you and to listen to you. It feels so good."
Underwood said she'd impressed her once again, while Richie said her talent is "beautiful to watch."
In the end, both Tungseth and Richardson, along with Rumfelt, Harper, and McCullough were among the five voted into the next round. Stallworth and Rosser were eliminated.
Just before voting results were announced, Bryan took the stage for a performance of his new song, "Country and She Knows It."
Next week's episode will also be an event.Randy JacksonandPaula Abdul, two of the original judges in the competition, will return to mentor the contestants. Abdul will also guest judge. It's all part of theAmerican Idol20th high school reunion, which features fan favorites from the 2006 edition. Pros fromDancing with the Starswill also be part of the celebration.
American Idolairs at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
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