“American Idol” is officially down to the final three contestants, and on Sunday, the show will crown a new winner.
Here’s a breakdown of the top three singers and their most recent performances. The “American Idol” season finale — which lasts for three hours — will air on May 23 at 6 p.m. MT.
Chayce Beckham
From the start of the season, “American Idol” judges predicted Beckham would go far. During Beckham’s audition, “Idol” judge Katy Perry said the 24-year-old singer from Apple Valley, California, could be a top five contestant.
“You’re here because you’re real and anything that you give us feels real,” Luke Bryan said after Beckham performed Zac Brown Band’s “Colder Weather” Sunday night. “And that can take you so far. ... Being genuine and authentic, people love that, and that’s why you’ve made it to this point.”
Beckham also performed his original song “23” — a new tune that quickly reached the No. 1 spot on the iTunes country chart, according to Country Now. The song reflects on Beckham’s struggles with alcohol abuse and his path to sobriety.
“Who have you turned into?” Richie said after the performance. “From beginning to now, it’s a complete transformation. You have stepped into your light to the point where I now know exactly who you are.”
Grace Kinstler
Kinstler, a powerhouse vocalist who is a student at the Berklee College of Music, channeled Kelly Clarkson on Sunday night, performing “A Moment Like This” — the song that launched Clarkson’s career after “American Idol” in 2002.
Perry told Kinstler that she sees a lot of Clarkson in her, and added that her own cousins are rooting for Kinstler to win.
“You are a superstar,” Bryan told the 20-year-old singer from Chicago. “And you conduct with this confidence that is just so amazing to watch. ... Your voice is vocal pyro.”
Kinstler also performed her new single “Love Someone,” which Bryan said left him “speechless.”
“It is very clear to all of us that you’ve taken every bit of instruction but that’s not even the point,” Richie added. “You came here being you, we just gave you your platform. Artistry, check. Star power, check. Your future, check.”
Willie Spence
Spence, a 21-year-old singer from Georgia, was emotional as the judges heaped praises upon him after his performance of John Legend and Common’s “Glory” Sunday night.
“I wanna talk to you for three minutes, but I can’t. I can’t have 30 seconds to tell you what that performance just did to my soul,” Bryan said. “You’re literally going to save people’s lives with your voice.”
Spence also performed his new single “Never Be Alone,” which led Richie to call him “a giant of a voice and a giant of a presence.”
“Every time I get chills,” Perry added. “You are stepping into your power and you are walking in the light. Take that with you, keep going.”
Note: Based on viewer votes, Casey Bishop, a 16-year-old singer from Florida, was eliminated from the “Idol” competition Sunday night.