American Idol 2023 Odds and Predictions: Who Makes it Out of the Final 3?
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"American Idol" is down to three contestants, and there was a huge shock in the semi-final.
After the Top 5 battled it out for a place in Sunday's finale, the viewer vote left some surprised as second favorite Wé Ani was dumped out of the contest alongside fifth favorite Zachariah Smith.
It was Disney Night on Sunday's latest installment of American Idol, and the Top 5 contestants got the semi-final started by performing Pinocchio tune "When You Wish Upon A Star" alongside singer Sara Bareilles.
Judge Katy Perry went all out and dressed in a Mrs. Incredible costume on the night, joking that she wished there was "a little bit more air conditioning" in the studio, while her fellow panelists Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan chose not to go in full Disney costume.
During the episode, there was a performance from "The Little Mermaid" star Halle Bailey, and Disney Channel star Sofia Carson met each of the five wannabes individually to aid them in their task of singing two Disney tunes in the semi-final.
Despite Ani being praised as a "star" by Richie and a "superhero of vocals" by Perry during the season's penultimate episode, it wasn't enough to save her.
Perry also told Smith he might "become king," after his rendition of The Lion King's "I Just Can't Wait To Be King," but he has now exited the competition, leaving Iam Tongi, Megan Danielle and Colin Stough to battle it out for the season win.
With these hypothetical odds provided by industry sports betting experts, we have looked into which of the three remaining hopefuls have what it takes to be crowned this year's "American Idol" champion in Sunday's finale.
Perry Backs Tongi For 'American Idol' Win
Tongi is now the hot -200 favorite, with a 66.7% implied probability, to win "American Idol" following his impressive semi-final performances and Ani's shock departure from the show.
The wannabe, who was +100 last week, picked "Lava," from the short film of the same name, for his first performance, and Bryan told him he "makes a room light up," while Perry praised him as a "superstar."
Perry went one better when Tongi closed the episode by singing Cat Stevens' "Father And Son" from "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2."
She told the superstar in waiting, "I believe it's written in the stars. I don't believe in coincidences.
"I know that you are Iam, but when I see your name I see, 'I am ... the next 'American Idol.' "
Richie agreed with her comments, adding, "This is a time when all the stars align. It's really happening."
All three judges gave Tongi a standing ovation, and he certainly seems to be the one to beat at the top of the market ahead of Sunday's finale.
Megan Danielle Now 2nd Favorite
Danielle's odds have also been cut after she progressed to the final.
The wannabe is now the +200 second favorite to win the "American Idol" title, from +300 last week, after being talked up by the judges in the semi-final.
Her first Disney song of the night was "Can't Stop The Girl" from movie "Maleficent," and Richie described it as a "stellar performance." while Bryan went one step further with his praise.
He told Danielle, "The whole time I just want to tell you that you are a vocalist. That's what that term is designed for. A vocalist is someone that delivers vocals just like you did."
Danielle went for "Carried Me With You," from movie "Onward," for her second song of the night, and Richie described her as "so real."
Bryan added, "You've got the magic voice. You've got the magic delivery."
It could be a difficult task to catch Tongi, but Danielle is certainly in with a shot.
Check out the odds on The Voice!
Tough Ask For Stough
While he is +300 third favorite to win season 21 of "American Idol," Stough showed in the semi-final that he certainly has what it takes to be runner-up, if not spring a surprise and win the contest.
Stough - who was +500 last week - saved one of his best performances of the series, if not the best, according to judge Bryan, for Disney Night.
After Stough had performed "Real Gone" from the movie "Cars," Bryan told him, "That was maybe my favorite performance that you have done. It was great."
Following his second song, "Nobody Knows" from "Pete's Dragon," Stough matched Tongi by receiving a standing ovation from the judges, with Bryan praising his "amazing job of holding the room."
While Stough's two Disney renditions were enough to clinch a place in the finale, there is still plenty to do if he is to catch runaway favorite Tongi - but it is all to sing for on Sunday May 21.
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