Finish line near for Daniel Stallworth on ‘Idol’. Here’s how to support South MS singer
Daniel Stallworth, and the other 8 singers remaining on Season 24 of “American Idol” are closing in on the finish line, as there are three elimination episodes remaining before a champion is crowned on the season finale.
Tonight (7 p.m., ABC) the nine remaining singers will perform Disney songs, under the mentorship of superstar Jennifer Hudson. Hudson, a finalist in the 2004 season of “Idol” has gone on to become one of only 22 performers to win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony.
Two singers will be eliminated in each of the next three episodes, before the winner is crowned on May 11.
How to vote
Fans can cast a total of 50 votes for Stallworth per show. Voting starts at the beginning of the episode and ends in the show’s final commercial break. The voting methods are:
- Text message: Text the number 4 to 21523. There is a 10-vote limit on the number of texts that will be counted.
- Facebook: Once the official voting post for the night goes up, each comment of Daniel will be worth one vote. There is a 10-vote limit.
- Instagram: Once the official voting post for the night goes up, each comment of Daniel will be worth one vote. There is a 10-vote limit.
- TikTok: Once the official voting post for the night goes up, each comment of Daniel will be worth one vote. There is a 10-vote limit.
- “American Idol” website: Once voting opens, each comment of Daniel will be worth one vote. There is a 10-vote limit.
The final 9 singers
- Hannah Harper
- Kyndal Inskeep
- Lucas Leon
- Jordan McCullough
- Keyla Richardson
- Brooks Rosser
- Braden Rumfelt
- Daniel Stallworth
- Chris Tungseth
Stallworth’s previous performances
INITIAL AUDITION: Stallworth was introduced to the judges and America as a music teacher from Moss Point. For his audition, he performed “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey and received nothing but praise from the judges. Needing just two “yes” votes to advance, he received three.
Music icon Lionel Richie was the first with praise, saying “Your students are going to hail you as the greatest thing that has ever shown up in their lives.” Carrie Underwood, a previous American Idol winner, said “my teeth hurt because I am smiling so much.” Country superstar Luke Bryan was the last to judge Stallworth, saying he was just “thinking about how lucky the kids are to have you.”
HOLLYWOOD WEEK: Again facing elimination, Stallworth sang “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King. Hollywood Week was a series of two shows where the talent pool was cut from 127 to 30 singers. The show’s three judges, who all had glowing reviews of Stallworth’s audition, each stood and applauded after he finished.
“To take a song that we’ve heard so many times and just take it to the rafters of this place, you are a truly special person,” Bryan said.
OHANA ROUND: On a night where the number of singers would be cut from 30 to 20, Stallworth sang “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus. The episode was filmed at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawai’i. Stallworth again received a standing ovation from all three judges.
TOP 20 AT DISNEY: The Moss Point native sang “All Night Long” by Idol judge Richie in an episode that aired last week, taking a big chance and getting raves from the judges, including the song’s original singer. The song choice was “the riskiest thing anyone is doing,” said country music superstar and guest judge Brad Paisley.
Richie was wowed, saying “I’m going to give a compliment that I’ve never given before. You took that song and made it yours. If you put that out tomorrow, I’ll split (the profits) with you.”
Bryan delivered a powerful compliment, adding “You might be the best singer in this competition.”
SONGS OF FAITH NIGHT: The show began with the elimination of 6 singers: Kutter Bradley, Genevieve Heyward, Aboyami Lewis, Madison Moon, Makiyah Mustiful, Ruby Rae.
Stallworth was one of the first of the remaining 14 singers to perform, delivering a powerful rendition of “Brighter Days” by Blessing Offor.
Stallworth again received nothing but praise from the American Idol judges in his bid to survive the planned cut from 14 to 12.
‘90s NIGHT: Needing to survive the elimination of two singers at the top of the show and a second elimination of a singer at the end, Stallworth breezed to the next round.
Eliminated on Monday were Julian Kalel, Jake Thistle and Jesse Findling.
Stallworth was again one of the first contestants to take the stage, and the “Idol” judges were again wowed by his performance. The music teacher was given three songs to choose from: “Can We Talk” by Tevin Campbell, “I Want You Back” by *NSYNC, and “It Ain’t Over Til It’s Over” by Lenny Kravitz. He chose the Kravitz song.
ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME: Stallworth’s song choice was a surprising one, as the elementary school teacher said during a recorded clip on the show that it was the first time he had performed a rock song. Mentoring from Rock & Roll Hall of Fame couple Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo helped the Moss Point native craft what proved to be a winning performance.