There was a massive surprise at the end of American Idol on Monday night.
The singers competed in the Judges Song Contest, and were given three song choices – one from each judge.
They didn’t know which judge chose which song, and after they learned the song and performed it, the fans voted on which nine of the final 11 would stay.
However, the surprise was at the end of the night.
The judge with the most songs chosen by the competitors got to save one of the two that didn’t make the fan voting cut.
That came down to two people — Lady K or Tristin Gressett.
Katy Perry and Luke Bryan tied for the songs chosen, and they both went with Lady K, sending Tristen home.
Tristen Gressett responds to American Idol experience
When Tristen was the last name called on Sunday night, he was emotional. He went to hug each eliminated singer before he left the stage.
On Monday night, there were only two eliminated singers, but when the judges chose to save one of them, they went with Lady K.
Tristen took the elimination well and seemed optimistic when he left American Idol.
“What a beautiful experience,” Tristen wrote on Instagram. “Being with this amazing family of singers was such a blessing. I’m so happy to have went out with a BANG‼️”
Tristen finished his journey by singing You Can’t Always Get What You Want by the Rolling Stones, which he called his mother’s favorite song.
“Thank y’all so much to everyone who voted, and to everyone who has supported me through this journey,” Tristen wrote. “Y’all are the reason I perform, and the reason I will continue to. Huge things are gonna be happening soon ‼️‼️ MY JOURNEY HAS JUST BEGUN”
Adam Lambert responds to Tristen’s American Idol journey
At least before his elimination, Tristen got one special treat from American Idol.
There have been a lot of comparisons between Tristen’s stage performance and that of former American Idol contestant Adam Lambert.
When Tristen performed Adam’s Whataya Want From Me on Sunday night, he got a special video treat from Adam himself.
Adam came onto the screen with what was a telephone video sent in to the show and called Tristen a star. That had to make the teenage singing star excited enough to continue with his journey.
American Idol airs on Sunday and Monday nights at 8/7c on ABC.
Tristen was the best performer of this year’s AI class. He oozes soul and sings with passion! Will miss him on the show, will follow his journey.
If he was that great, he should have gotten more votes.
I couldn’t stand Tristan. He was no comparison to Adam Lambert
Trying way too hard to be another Adam Lambert
Tristan is a great talent. He just needs experience in dialing it back which will come. The comparison to Adam is stretching it a bit. Adam did already have the ability to know when and how to keep his performances at the correct level. The judges were correct in attempting to calm Tristan down.
I believe this exposure will draw the right people towards Tristan to make him a star.
B*tch You put it beautifully, my thoughts exactly. Who was afraid of a Rocker? Though there are some very talented artists left they all seem the same to me. I was convinced Tristen would be a no brainer. I hate to say I’m not really as interested in the show for this season and this reason.