“Don’t get too comfortable being at the piano”— American Idol judge Luke Bryan unimpressed by Abi Carter’s latest performance

American Idol season 22 aired a brand new episode this week on Monday, April 22, 2024. Fans saw the remaining contestants compete for their spots in the top ten and deliver performances mentored by Grammy-winning singer Meghan Trainor.

Jack Blocker, McKenna Faith Breinholt, Abi Carter, Julia Gagnon, Triston Harper, Kaibrienne, Kayko, Mia Matthews, Will Moseley, Emmy Russell, Jayna Elisa, and Roman Collins all sang their hearts out during episode 13. While some of their performances earned praise, there were others that failed to impress all the judges.

Abi Carter, who had previously received only positive feedback from the judges, received criticism for her latest performance. While Katy Perry praised the contestant, Luke Bryan compared her performance to her previous ones.

"I'm trying to distinguish last night from tonight. I feel like we've never left but we all changed clothes. Right, listen, last night was one of your most shining moments. I think we got in a habit of thinking it was going to be that shining again and I don't think that performance necessarily got there all the way."

He continued:

"I mean we're getting into the Top 10 and I think we've got to be really really truthful with you guys. I still think you're incredible I think but don't get too comfortable being at the piano."

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Abi Carter's American Idol season 22 episode 13 performance earns mixed reactions

In American Idol season 22 episode 13, Abi Carter sang All Too Well by Taylor Swift. While Meghan Trainor believed using a song by the iconic singer was a big risk, the contestant went ahead with it anyway.

Carter once again played the piano with her song, prompting Luke Bryan to compare her most recent performance to her previous ones. He told her to "work the room," while Lionel Richie believed it was nice to see Abi push herself.

The We Are The World singer said,

"I was glad to see you stretch out in other words, you pushed yourself instead of just nice sweet notes you gave it more 'Uhhh come on' you know and give us that because you;ve got a lot in there and I don't want it to be 'that' anymore."

The American Idol season 22 judge told the contestant that by the end of the song, she was "rolling down the road," being who she needed to be. Meanwhile, Katy Perry had nothing bad to say about the performance.

"All Too Well, Abi's version," Katy said.

The Roar singer said that there was a lot of "information" in her song and praised Taylor Swift for being an "incredible" lyricist who can tell a story. The singer further told Abi Carter that she liked it when the singer drew them in and created an intimate moment.

Perry called this trick Abi's strength and said she didn't care if she was doing the same thing "every single week."

"That is your Ace, keep playing that Ace. I don't think you need to work the stage and give us energy, just give us angelic every single time."

The American Idol season 22 contestants recently spoke to Billboard about their time on the show. Abi Carter said that since she was homeschooled, she had a certain mindset about Hollywood and the music industry. The ABC star continued, saying she had the impression that everyone around her would have undergone "plastic surgery" and think less of her.

However, after being on American Idol, she said that any prejudice she had was "sucked out" of her because she was surrounded by people who were so different but so much alike.

American Idol season 22 will return next week with another episode on Sunday at 8 pm ET on ABC.