American Idol eliminated Josh King after the judges chose to save Mattie Pruitt during the Season 23 episode, which also featured the Top 8 finalists performing live and aired Monday night on ABC.

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After American Idol's Top 8 contestants performed live and home-viewer votes poured in through the two-hour broadcast, Josh, a 24-year-old airport pianist from Matthews, NC, and Mattie Pruitt, a 16-year-old high school student from Eagleville, TN, were revealed to be the bottom two votegetters.

American Idol judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan were able to save one of the two contestants who were in jeopardy of elimination, and they chose to save Mattie.

Lionel and Luke were given the opportunity to save a finalist using the "Bingo Blitz Judges' Save" because they had won the "Judges' Song Contest" on Monday night.

American Idol host Ryan Seacrest explained of the contest: "Each finalist was given a list of three songs chosen by each judge. They don't know which judge picked what song."

"They're going to perform their favorites," Ryan continued. "We're going to keep score, and by the end of the show, we name your winning judge. Whoever it is can activate the 'Bingo Blitz Judge Save' and spare one person from elimination."

Lionel and Luke's decision ultimately sent Josh packing and determined American Idol's Top 7 finalists -- who had each received over one million votes on Monday night -- for Season 23.

The Top 7 finalists are Mattie; Breanna Nix, a 25-year-old stay-at-home mom from Denton, TX; Gabby Samone, a 23-year-old child care specialist from Baltimore, MD; Jamal Roberts, a 27-year-old PE teacher from Meridian, MS; John Foster, an 18-year-old college student from Addis, LA; Slater Nalley, an 18-year-old high school student from Atlanta, GA; and Thunderstorm Artis, a 29-year-old musician from Haleiwa, HI.

For the Judges' Song Contest, Breanna got to choose from "The Blessing" by Elevation Worship featuring Karl Jobe and Cody Carnes, "Independence Day" by Martina McBride, and "Dangerous Woman" by Ariana Grande.

Breanna chose "Independence Day," and it was Luke's pick.

Luke said there is a "purity" in Breanna's voice and she displayed it perfectly in that "amazingly challenging song." He added how she soared in her vocal range effortlessly.

Mattie got to choose from "Always Been You" by Jessie Murph, "I Need You" by LeAnn Rimes, and "Parachute" by Chris Stapleton.

Mattie belted out "Always Been You," which was Luke's selection for her.

Luke appreciated the "sass" in Mattie's performance, but he asked for more. And Carrie agreed that Mattie was "taking baby steps" and she wants more fire from the singer.

John's three song choices were "Two Dozen Roses" by Shenandoah, "I Cross My Heart" by George Strait, and "Crazy" by Willie Nelson.

John sang "I Cross My Heart," which turned out to be Carrie's pick for him.

Carrie said she thought the song was going to showcase his voice the best and rack in votes. She dubbed John's performance "absolutely perfect" and said it "felt comfortable and genuine."

Josh was given the following three songs to choose from: "You Make My Dreams (Come True) by Daryl Hall and John Oats, "Great Balls of Fire" by Jerry Lee Lewis, and "Home" by Michael Buble

Josh chose to serenade the audience with "Home," which had been picked by Lionel.

Lionel gushed about how Josh embodied the song, and Carrie noticed Josh was in his element with this song.

Gabby was able to choose from "The Power of Love" by Celine Dion, "Girl On Fire" by Alicia Keys, and "Hero" by Mariah Carey.

Gabby belted out "Hero," which Lionel had selected for her.

Lionel told Gabby that she had made that song her own and her stage presence is "undeniable." Lionel gushed about how Gabby had taken that song to "another level of incredibility." Luke admitted it was the perfect song choice for her.

Jamal got to choose from "I Believe" by Fantasia, "Lately" by Stevie Wonder, and "Grenade" by Bruno Mars.

Jamal decided to belt out "I Believe," which had been Lionel's pick for him.

Lionel praised Jamal for being so soulful, and he said the execution of that song had everyone crying. Lionel called the singer "phenomenal," and Luke complimented Jamal for being able to connect his heart with his head and his emotion.

Thunderstorm's three song selections were "Northern Attitude" by Noah Kahan, "Let It Be" by The Beatles, and "Faithfully" by Journey.

Thunderstorm took the stage with "Faithfully," which gave Carrie another point on the judges' scoreboard.

Carrie complimented Thunderstorm's unique voice and said he has a way molding a song into his own so it doesn't sound like karaoke. Carrie also noted she had chills throughout that entire performance.

Slater got to choose from "Hope the High Road" by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, "Atlantic City" by Bruce Springsteen, and "Believe" by Brooks & Dunn.

Slater sang "Atlantic City," and Luke proudly took ownership of that pick.

Luke shared how Slater brought a great energy to the song, and Lionel pointed out how Slater had pulled off that song with "amazing abilities."

Carrie joked, "I don't like this game. I don't lose on American Idol -- I win!"

When Mattie and Josh ended up in the bottom two together, Josh was looking at the judges and pointing at Mattie, suggesting that he wanted them to save her so she could continue on in the American Idol competition.

American Idol will feature "Disney Night" next week.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

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