On Sunday night’s episode of American Idol, the remaining 40 contestants competed for their spots in the top 20 while performing in front of a live audience at Disney’s Aulani resort in Honolulu, Hawaii. One contestant in particular proved why he deserves his spot. Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon took to the stage to perform a simple, emotional rendition of Fleetwood Mac’s classic track “Landslide.” As the star performed the number, the show cut back to a conversation he had with in-house mentor Bobby Bones about his relationship with his parents since the 26-year-old came out. “It has been a really difficult past few months for me,” Harmon said in an earlier part of the show. “My parents still have not been able to accept me being gay. … I decided to move out and that was a difficult choice to make. I felt like it was the healthiest thing for me to do. Being a part of this show has been good for me in one way, but it has also been a big challenge for me. I’m just being very public about my story and it’s causing a lot of change in my life right now.”<doc-sep>After reducing the contestants in half from the Top 40 to the Top 20 in Hawaii on Sunday, 'American Idol' season 17 was back on Monday night and showcased the Top 20 perform their solos. We saw contestants perform their best for the judges and the best part was that there were no eliminations. But on the coming Sunday, the 20 will team up with celebrities and perform duets. And after that, the judges will take into consideration the solo and the duet performances and eliminate six contestants and the Top 14 will head on to the live shows where they will compete for America's votes. On Monday during the Top 20 solos, we witnessed that more than the girls, it was the guys who were looking really strong this year. While we wait in anticipation for the All-Star duet episode to air Sunday, let's take a look at the performances that stood out during the Top 20 solos on Monday. As usual, the one contestant that stood out the most is current frontrunner, Alejandro Aranda. He performed his version of “I Fall Apart” by Post Malone. He sure is one of the most talented contestants to walk through Idol doors. His solo performance was so delicate it felt effortless. After his performance, Luke Bryan revealed there was no one like him in the competition. After Aranda, the next contestant to impress judges the most was Wade Cota. He performed his version of “All I Want” by Kodaline. This performance of his was next level, unlike any other we have seen of him. After his performance, the judges were nothing less than impressed as Bryan revealed "A star is born." He made a lasting impression no one would forget. Laci Kaye Booth performed “I Want You to Want Me” by Cheap Trick. And she brought in her own tweaks to it with her guitar. Booth was already a fan-favorite and this performance would have surely gained her more fans because that's how flawless it was. “You just showed us a whole other level of confidence,” Katy Perry said. Ashley Hess wasn't less flawless with her performance either. We might not have seen many of her performances to date, but we will surely get to see more of her if she continues to perform the same way. After her performance, Perry said, "I thought I was at your show. I was literally lost in your performance.” One contestant that made his mark during the Top 40 performance in Hawaii rocked the stage once again during his Top 20 solo. That was none other than Uche. He performed “Figures” by Jessie Reyez and just like his previous performance, this was a fun one to watch as he showed his vocal range which was spellbound. “Just keep finessing it,” Katy Perry told Uche after his performance. The final contestant who stood out was the contestant to perform first in the Top 20 solos. Madison VanDenburg performed her version of “Domino” by Jessie J. It was a really good song selection and after her performance, the judges once again compared her to Kelly Clarkson. What better remark to get than to be compared to a former Idol winner? 'American Idol' airs every Sunday and Monday on ABC. Check your local listings for more information. Disclaimer : The views expressed in this article belong to the writer and are not necessarily shared by MEAWW.<doc-sep>The "American Idol" top 20 performed for the first time Monday night. And a pair of Houston-area singers were among the best. Uché from Sugar Land channeled the likes of Frank Ocean and Maxwell with a stunning rendition of "Figures" by Jessie Reyez. Uché not only sounds like a star, he looks like one, too.<doc-sep>
"American Idol" front-runners have emerged as the competition continues its Top 20 round. During Sunday's first episode of celebrity duets, the sprightly Uche electrified as he danced and belted his way through Shaggy's "I Need Your Love" alongside the Jamaican singer. And Madison VanDenburg pulled off no easy feat, matching Pat Benatar's powerful vocals as they performed "We Belong" with guitarist Neil Giraldo. But once again, it was Texas native Laci Kaye Booth who stole the show, after flooring the judges just last week with her country spin on Cheap Trick's "I Want You to Want Me." Paired with country star Brett Young, the two sang a sizzling rendition of his breakup ballad "Mercy," all while sitting on stools center stage and accompanied by just a piano. "Laci has this very smoky, interesting voice that almost looks like it doesn't come out of her, but once it does, it also seems so natural," Young said of his singing partner in a pretaped interview. The judges were similarly complimentary of Booth's emotional performance. "It was so believable," Lionel Richie said after. "I actually thought I was watching a serious love affair on that stage because it was delivered so well." "From the moment you walk onstage, you sprinkle stardust everywhere," Katy Perry said. "I thought I was watching something on the Grammys, like 'best new artist,' I don't know." "I don't want to play favorites," she added, shrugging and grinning. "But fill in the blank." When judge Luke Bryan joked that Perry was won over by a country artist, Perry responded, "It's not about genre, it's about feeling." The episode ended with the elimination of three contestants: Bumbly, Shawn Robinson and Kate Barnette. "Idol" duets continue during Monday's episode (ABC, 8 EDT/PDT), which will reveal the full Top 14.