'American Idol' Season 18: Nick makes to Top 20 despite 'weak, choppy' vocals, fans slam judges for favoritism
Fans have always sided with the judges' decision over the past few weeks. But tonight, the show's jury faced a backlash from fans back home after they sent Nick Merico to Top 20.
'American Idol' Season 18 returned on Sunday night and the Top 40 contestants traveled to Hawaii alongside judges, Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan. While they had fun in the sun and beaches at Aulani Disney resort in Hawaii, sadly it was the end of the Idol journey for half of the contestants as the judges whittled down the Top 40 to Top 20.
Nick Merico was the first contestant to perform on Sunday night. While it was good to know that Lionel Richie and Nick made amends, after he ticked off the judge with his attitude and arrogance during the auditions, fans don't think his performance was good enough for him to advance to the Top 20. Some claim that other deserving contestants were robbed off a spot because he went through.
It almost seems like Nick was destined to make it through the Top 20 ever since he walked in to audition this season. This wasn't the first season he appeared in. Nick auditioned last season, and made it to Hollywood Week, but didn't return due to personal issues.
Performing his rendition of Bruno Mars' 'When I Was Your Man', there was nothing spectacular about his performance. He did have some pitch issues, and his vocal wasn't that great either but the judges happily overlooked it and sent him through to the Top 20, leaving fans outraged.
Taking to Twitter a fan wrote, "Nick’s performance was weak and choppy but bc he’s shown “growth” in his personality they let him through. But Makayla has been consistently good and has ONE weak performance and they send her home? I hate favoritism #AmericanIdol."
"Decisions like Nick making it the Top 20 is why I stopped watching #AmericanIdol," a fan wrote. While another said, "the first guy who sang (Nick) is clearly not a strong singer and yet they let him through over decent people. honestly wondering when the judges will stop picking people based on looks and focus on SINGING."
"Nick Merico has a long history w/Hollywood. Check his IMDB listing. Producers insisting he go through? No idea but his advancing sure isn't talent," a fan claimed. Adding to that another said, "Literally every singer eliminated so far is better than Nick Merico. Wtf? #AmericanIdol."
"Nick stays on the show because he sang well once a month ago. Gospel girl and down jacket girl were 100x now! #AmericanIdol," a fan shared. Another added, "choosing people like Nick is the reason I stopped watching last season. So many other singers with stronger voices. He should’ve been cut and now in top 20. No thank you."
"Nick did NOT deserve to take a spot from someone else. His performance was just okay. #AmericanIdol," a fan wrote.
'American Idol' Season 18 airs every Sunday and Monday night only on ABC. Check your local listings for more information.