Disney Night fell flat in more ways than one.
Sunday’s “American Idol” might’ve been the most cringeworthy episode of the season, with Katy Perry’s grating antics dressed as Ursula from “The Little Mermaid,” ABC’s incessant plugs for its parent company’s theme parks, and pitchy, hit-or-miss performances from most of the Top 10.
But one contestant who seemed completely at home was Wade Cota, who was the most relaxed and charismatic he’s been all “Idol” singing Randy Newman’s “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” from “Toy Story.” In front of a desert backdrop, wearing a plaid button-down and smile plastered across his face, the 27-year-old Phoenix native effortlessly lent his gravelly, soulful vocals to the heartwarming classic – moving the judges to hold each other and sway throughout the performance.
Wade Cota was a Top 10 highlight during Sunday's "American Idol" Disney Night. (Photo: Eric McCandless, ABC)
“The whole time I was watching your performance I was thinking, ‘What a glimpse into the future of what you could potentially be,’ ” Luke Bryan said after. “Your voice is such a character voice. I’m laughing, because you were a heavy death metal singer at one point, and now you’re here delivering that song in character.”
“What I’m loving about you is that we’re noticing you’re having fun,” Lionel Richie added. “You’re a star. You have that identifiable voice – in less than five seconds, we know, ‘Wait.’ That’s what you look for in this business, and my friend, the sky’s the limit for you.”
Seventeen-year-old Madison VanDenburg continued to be the reality competition’s go-to powerhouse, easily conquering the vocal gymnastics of “How Far I’ll Go” from “Moana.” Viral favorite Alejandro Aranda was also an episode standout, turning “Remember Me” from “Coco” into a Coldplay-esque electronic ballad.
Uche and Dimitrius Graham were eliminated from the show, which picks up again with another live episode next Sunday (8 EDT/PDT), when the Top 8 will fight for their spots.
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