In advance of Sunday’s episode of “American Idol,” ABC has given us a sneak peek at the dozen contestants we will see audition for judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. Among the 12 artists featured on the Night 3 episode are eight who ended up being given tickets to Hollywood and then competing there to make the Top 40. We’ve done some digging and can tell you which of these hopefuls made that first cut as well as the results of how they fared in the showcase round. Spoilers ahead.
At the end of January, the Top 40 travelled to Hawaii and stayed at the Aulani Resort, a luxury hotel in Honolulu owned by Disney as is ABC, the new network for “American Idol.” Each of these would-winners of season 17 sang once again. Only 20 of them were put through to the next round. This episode will air on March 31.
In turn, those 20 singers were split into two groups. Each had to sing a solo and do a duet with a celebrity act. Those episodes will air in the first half of April. The resulting Top 14 will sing for America’s votes on the live shows beginning on April 14.
Below are the official bios of the Night 3 contestants, with special note made of those who advanced in the competition.
SEE ‘American Idol’ Season 17 schedule: When are the live shows and grand finale?
Wade Cota (Top 14 Live Show)
Age: 27
Hometown: Phoenix, AZ
Occupation: Musician
Random Fact: Can recite the entire balcony scene from “Romeo & Juliet”
Instagram: @wadecota
Ashton Gill
Age: 20
Hometown: Livingston, LA
Occupation: Bridal Shop Associate
Random Fact: First concert she ever went to was Hannah Montana
Instagram: @ashtonbrooke_16Nate Walker
Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon (Top 14 Live Show)
Age: 25
Hometown: Cantonsville, MD
Occupation: Church Janitor
Random Fact: Loves to paint in his spare time
Instagram: @jlloydharmon
Peter Lemongello Jr.
Age: 19
Hometown: Boca Raton, FL
Occupation: Singer
Random Fact: His dad was the first person to sell over one million albums on TV
Instagram: @perterlemongellojr
Drake McCain (Top 40)
Age: 17
Hometown: Spring City, TN
Occupation: High School Student
Random Fact: Has 10 siblings
Instagram: @drake_mcca
Clay Page (Top 40)
Age: 24
Hometown: Elberton, GA
Occupation: Singer-Songwriter
Random Fact: First concert he ever went to was Lee Greenwood and he was called up on stage
Instagram: @claypagem
Jake Puliti
Age: 20
Hometown: Etters, PA
Occupation: Shoe Store Employee
Random Fact: Loves to watch Bob Ross (the painter) before bed because it helps him sleep
Instagram: @gingerspicelatte
Austin Michael Robinson
Age: 15
Hometown: Van Alstyne, TX
Occupation: High School Student
Random Fact: Considers himself a cow-less cowboy
Instagram: @austinmichaelr_music
Shawn Robinson (Top 20)
Age: 21
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Occupation: Hardware Store Associate
Random Fact: First CD he ever owned was Destiny’s Child
Instagram: @officialprinceshawn
Riley Thompson (Top 14 Live Show)
Age: 16
Hometown: Mabank, TX
Occupation: High School Student
Random Fact: First concert she ever went to was Taylor Swift
Instagram: @rileythompsonmusi
Madison VanDenburg (Top 14 Live Show)
Age: 16
Hometown: Cohoes, NY
Occupation: High School Student
Random Fact: Can say the alphabet backwards in under five seconds
Instagram: @madisonvandenbu
Nate Walker (Top 40)
Age: 18
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Occupation: Singer
Random Fact: Grew up singing in choir with Gabby Barrett
Instagram: @natewalkerofficial
SEE ‘American Idol’: Everything you need to know about season 17 – start date, judges, format changes
