American Idol Top 7 Shake-Up: Shocking Elimination Stuns Fans—Unexpected Favorite Sent Home as Underdog Survives!

The Top 8 performed songs chosen for them by the judges during “Judges’ Song Contest Night” (Photo credit: American Idol/Facebook)

Another heartbroken hopeful was sent home Monday night on American Idol.

Only two weeks of competition remain until American Idol crowns its Season 23 winner. Each week grows more intense as the pressure of competition starts to show on the faces and in the performances of the hopefuls.

During Sunday night’s episode (May 4), some of the singers struggled with emotion while others had trouble with lyrics – evidence that the pressure is mounting. After the remaining two Platinum Ticket winners, Kolbi Jordan and Canaan James Smith, were sent home, the reality of the competition and what is at stake was made clear to the remaining eight.

Monday night, the Top 8 performed songs chosen for them by the judges during the Judges Song Contest. Each hopeful was presented with three songs to choose from, one from each of the judges that was handpicked just for them based on what they’ve learned about the singers throughout the weeks of competition. The hopefuls then had the opportunity to choose which song they would like to perform

The Top 8 and the song they chose are:

Jamal Roberts – “I Believe” by Fantasia

Breanna Nix – “Independence Day” by Martina McBride

Josh King – “Home” by Michael Buble

John Foster – “I Cross My Heart” by George Strait

Mattie Pruitt – “Always Been You” by Jesse Murph

Slater Nalley – “Atlantic City” by Bruce Springsteen

Thunderstorm Artis – “Faithfully” by Journey

Gabby Samone – “Hero” by Mariah Carey

The Final 7 Revealed

In keeping with the pattern set by the rest of this season’s Live results shows, the voting window opened at the beginning of the 2-hour show and closed during the final commercial break. At the end of the episode, six hopefuls were deemed safe based on America’s votes. And one contestant was saved by the judges, leaving one singer going home.

The two contestants in danger were Mattie Pruitt and Josh King.

Ultimately, the judges chose to save Mattie Pruitt and Josh King’s American Idol journey came to an end.