'Big disappointment': Fans slam 'American Idol' judges for wasting spot as PJAE advances to Top 24

After PJAE and Malik Heard delivered soul performances, the judges found it difficult to choose one, so they advanced both the contestants
PJAE bagged a spot in Top 24 with his intense falsetto (YouTube/americanidol)
PJAE bagged a spot in Top 24 with his intense falsetto (YouTube/americanidol)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'American Idol' Season 21 brought multiple talented aspiring singers to sing their hearts out during the Showstopper round aka Final Judgment to bag a spot in the Top 24. However, the latest episode of ABC's singing competition show was filled with drama that made viewers hooked to their seats.

'American Idol' 2023 judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan claimed that cutting out from 55 hopefuls to 24 is the 'toughest' and 'most intense' decision ever. After PJAE and Malik Heard delivered soul performances, the judges found it difficult to choose one and they ended up advancing both PJAE and Malik. However, 'American Idol' viewers think that PJAE didn't deserve the spot in the Top 24.

RELATED ARTICLES

What time will 'American Idol' Season 21 Episode 10 be out? Battle for spot in Top 24 continues

'Must be his good looks': 'American Idol' fans slam Katy Perry for favoring Michael after poor performance



 

PJAE competes for a spot in the Top 24

PJAE flaunted his stunning vocals on stage and performed 'I Want You' by Luke James. However, he was later called to have a 'sing-off' with Malik as the judges were stumped to advance the contestants to the next round. PJAE performed 'Everything I Wanted' by Billie Eilish. PJAE delivered an emotional and intense falsetto. However, after hearing the stunning rendition, Luke complimented him saying, "It was the best PJAE had ever sung in his whole life." Katy was to announce who is stepping out of the competition but suddenly changed her mind and said, "I'm changing my mind. We hate having to make choices like this." She further noted that PJAE is going through adding, "We’ve never done this. We moved somebody else out of the competition. Malik is through too."

'Who lost a spot to keep him in?'

'American Idol' 2023 viewers think that PJAE didn't deserve a spot in the Top 24 and the judges have wasted a spot. A Twitter user slammed the judges writing, "Wow! I wonder who just lost their spot on AI just now. Too bad they couldn’t just make another spot since they couldn’t decide between Malik and Pjae." Another viewer noted, "Every time PJae sing I wanna throw a shoe at him!!!" "Hmmm. Gotta wonder what it was the sent PJ through. Who lost a spot to keep him in? 2nd big judging disappointment. PC anyone?" said another person. Another critic said, "Since when can you sing pitchy and off-key and make it to top 24 on American Idol? 😳 Since When??? Odd." Another user penned, "@MalikHeardMusic should have gone through. The other one should have been sent home."



 



 



 



 



 

‘American Idol’ Season 21 airs every Sunday and Monday at 8 pm ET on ABC.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

‘Tulsa King’ Season 4, starring Sylvester Stallone, streams every Friday on Paramount+
2026-10-17T10:36:40.000Z
Pavi and her long-lost twin Nisha hunt for their origins as the Havens cheer the last Avatar’s death
2026-10-17T08:37:00.000Z
Season 2 of the HBO Stephen King prequel jumps back to 1935 and a gang of bank robbers
2026-10-17T06:52:24.000Z
‘Fire Country’ season 5 episode 2 reveals Jake’s fate after the shooting as the team uncovers the attacker’s motive
2026-10-17T06:41:28.000Z
Wes ends ‘Sheriff Country’ Season 2 Episode 2 in the hands of Stoyanovs after exposing bakery bug
2026-10-17T05:35:47.000Z
Chad Lowe is the executive producer on ‘9-1-1: Nashville’ and has also directed many episodes
2026-10-17T05:07:28.000Z
Issa López returns as showrunner for a Jamaica Bay story with ties to ’Night Country’
2026-10-17T03:12:59.000Z
Oklahoma’s governor and Dwight’s love interest board a private jet in the first episode of Season 4
2026-10-16T09:30:07.000Z
'Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 23 Episode 1, titled 'Collide,' featured several surprises
2026-10-16T09:16:04.000Z
'Crystal Lake,' which serves as a prequel to 'Friday the 13th,' stars Linda Cardellini as Pamela
2026-10-16T07:12:15.000Z