There’s nowhere to hide in the new Duets Round.
What a strange new world it is here onAmerican IdolHollywood Week.
The dreaded Group Round is no more!
ABC
Can you even believe it?
Instead, taking its place isThe VoiceBattle Rounds, oh sorry, I mean, Duets.
Honestly, I feel great about this change.
Itll give the judges a much better picture of each person up on stage.
And since both contestants are on the chopping block, its just as dramatic as the group round.
Once again, Francisco remains the most nervous human being Ive ever come across in my life.
And by it I mean the lyrics.
Louis sounds great on this song, but Francisco nearly implodes.
), the judges tell Ren they just didnt believe her and cut her loose.
That one hits hard.
As the duets reveal, some frontrunners begin to shrink when standing up against a fellow competitor.
Grace is strong and clear and really selling it.
In comparison, Hannah seems timid and hesitant.
Here he sounds like a serious contender.
Both guys move forward.
All six artists are headed to Solos.
There are, of course, some true dumpster fire duets.
Shall we talk aboutMadison PaigeandPeyton Aldridge, two country artists who have problems from the start of their partnership?
Mainly, Peyton disappears to get changed … and eat chicken wings from a gas station?
Im offering no context there, it is much better that way.
Because of his absence, Madison is left to choose their song on her own.
She goes with Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarksons duet, Dont You Wanna Stay.
Theres obvious confusion when the song starts, and neither of them sounds great.
Its a mess and everyone knows it.
These two seem like an odd couple to begin with, and never gel.
They change their song choice three times until Courtney asks that they perform Ariana Grandes Dangerous Woman.
Zack … says yes???
Hes uncomfortable with the choice and never recovers from that.
Hes defeated before they even step on stage, and once they do, he completely shuts down.
He plays the guitar for Courtney, but barely utters a word.
She has to cover for him, but can’t really do much to save their performance.
Its hard to watch.
Lets never think about this moment again its too heartbreaking!
While that partnership seemed doomed from the start, some are true blessings.
Their version of Its a Mans Mans Mans World gives me chills.
Theyre life-long buddies after this, they say.
One would be wrong.
They perform You Say by Lauren Daigle this time and it is … fine?
Kat makes it through, but the judges have no qualms ending AlexsIdolrun.
So much for believing in love, right?
The second couple is, of course, returning contestantMargie Maysand her boyfriendJonny West.
It doesnt really work.
Their performance of Like Im Gonna Lose You does not go over well with the judges.
They both are barely moving forward, she tells them.
They all move forward.
You guys, the judges are going to have to make some tough cuts really soon.
Neither overpowers the other, nor do they inundate us with all the runs we know they could do.
Its edited and tasteful and if these two dont make the finals, something is wrong with the system!
Of course, they are both ushered into the next round.
The judges are less-than-enthused.
They break up the bromance: Tito Rey is cut, while Robert Taylor is moving forward.
The final duet of the round belongs toJust SamandSheniel Maisonet.
Just Sam has put so much pressure on herself to perform.
This could be life-changing for her.
That pressure eventually gets to her and she almost cant go on.
They have great harmonies and a lot of passion.
Lionel applauds them for not just singing the song butperformingit.
They are two contestants the judges see getting better and better every time they step on stage.
Hopefully, that trend holds because tomorrow night were moving into the final leg of Hollywood Week: Solos!
