'American Idol' Spoilers: Arthur Gunn to Makayla Phillips, full list of Season 18 singers returning on Season 19
'American Idol' is introducing its biggest twist as Season 19 advances to the Top 24 on Sunday (April 4) night. After the contestants who've made it this far take to the stage for a duet performance with some of the most noted celebrities in the industry, it is said that the judges will be making a bombshell announcement. Joining the Top 24 contestants are 10 'American Idol' Season 18 contestants who will be making a return to the show to join the competition.
Eventually, these 10 contestants will be effectively turning the Top 24 into Top 34. However, just a few of them will be making it far in the show and the ones deciding their fate will be the audiences who will vote to save these second chance contestants. The exact format of how this is about to happen is yet to be known, and the upcoming episodes will confirm the same. But before that happens here's a full list of the participating Season 18 contestants.
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Dibesh Pokharel aka Arthur Gunn
Known by his stage name Arthur Gunn is a Nepalese-American singer-songwriter from Wichita, Kansas who was the first runner-up of the shot at home Season 18. After his audition, where he sang 'Have You Ever Seen the Rain' by Creedence, Luke Bryan asked if he'd like to open a concert for him. "You want to open for me in Detroit, Mich., in two weeks?" he said in a joking yet firm manner.
Louis Knight
The 21-year-old auditioned for 'American Idol' in Washington with an original song called 'Change' that he dedicated to his late friend Russell. Since then he had become a favorite of the audiences and the judges alike. He gave some very impressive performances during Season 18 including 'In My Place' by Coldplay that helped him secure a position in the Top 7. Unfortunately, he didn't receive enough votes to make it to the Top 5 and was eliminated along with Julia Gargano.
Makayla Phillips
From 'America's Got Talent' Season 13 where she received the golden buzzer to 'American Idol', Makayla is no stranger to the reality show stage and will once again be returning for 'Idol' Season 19. Back in her season, Makayla didn't garner enough votes in Top 20 to secure a position in the Top 10 but the judges chose to save her, making her a Top 11 finalist. Unfortunately, she couldn't make it to the Top 7 due to lack of votes once again and was eventually eliminated.
Aliana Jester
Aliana Jester's run in the show ended in the Top 20 round. She had sung 'Run to You' by Whitney Houston and the audiences didn't grant her enough votes and Aliana was eliminated and didn't make it to the Top 10.
Franklin Boone
Singer-songwriter Franklin Boone describes himself as an artist who can perform anywhere he can take a guitar and his influences range from alternative/indie rock, folk, R&B, jazz, and ’70s, ’80s and ’90s rock. He made it to Top 20 during his time on 'American Idol' Season 18 where he sang 'Everybody Wants to Rule the Wold' by Tears for Fears. But he didn't receive enough votes to make it to the Top 10 and was eliminated.
Other contestants who all made it to Top 20 in 'American Idol' Season 18 that will be returning as second chance contestants in Season 19 include Cyniah Elise, DeWayne Crocker Jr., Faith Becnel, Nick Merico and Olivia Ximines.
'American Idol' airs every Sunday and Monday at 8 pm ET on ABC.