Did 2 SC singers continue their ‘American Idol’ dreams into the top 20? Here’s what happened

“American Idol” showed off its new stage in Hollywood on Sunday night to celebrate the 21st season of the show.

It’s the same space where “I Love Lucy” and “Golden Girls” were filmed.

And it’s where two South Carolina residents continue their Idol dream. Viewers voted Mariah Faith of Conway and Warren Peay of Bamberg into the Top 20.

Six contestants did not make it to the next round. On Monday, the top 12 will be revealed — 10 selected based on viewers’ votes and the judges will select two others.

Host Ryan Seacrest announced 33 million votes were received after last week’s shows and the videos of performances had gotten almost 1 billion views.

In the video before he performed, Peay, an appliance repairman, was shown gardening, saying how much he loves digging in the soil and nurturing plants. He also talked about a time in his life when he struggled with alcohol but once he began working at his church he was able to overcome it.

He said he wanted to dedicate his singing career to Jesus Christ.

He sang a Zach Williams song, “Up Here Down Here.”

Judge Lionel Richie said he knows if you let go and let God, everything falls into place. He called Peay’s performance “beautiful.”

Judge Katy Perry teased him, saying he looked like he had a hair dryer blow out on his long beard. Once again, he wore his signature cowboy hat, which he revealed last week had a photo of his girlfriend tucked in the lining for good luck.

“I’m glad God sent you to us,” she said.

Judge Luke Bryan said the song choice was “world class.”

“Stay you, and America will speak,” he said.

Mariah Faith, a hairdresser, was shown in her home, which is in the backyard of her mother’s four-acre property. Her grandparents, who were in the audience, live two minutes away.

She said her mother doesn’t want her to leave and she doesn’t want to, either.

She sang “Cry to Me.” by Solomon Burke.

Once again, Bryan talked about her soulful country sound. Last week he called her voice a “bluesy, soulful, raspy thing.”

Richie said she had taken an old song and made it new, while Perry compared her to Bonnie Raitt.

The contest continues Monday at 8 p.m. on ABC.

This story was originally published April 24, 2023 at 8:54 AM with the headline "Did 2 SC singers continue their ‘American Idol’ dreams into the top 20? Here’s what happened."