New Paltz teenager advances on ‘Idol’
Laila Mach has made it to the next round of “American Idol” despite a rocky performance by fellow contestant Liahona Olayan during the “Duets Challenge” that aired Monday night as part of the TV talent competition’s “Hollywood Week.”
The 16-year-old from New Paltz now is headed to the show’s two-part “Showstopper/Final Judgment” round, where the contestant pool will be narrowed to 24. Her next appearance will be in the episode that airs at 8 p.m. Monday, March 29, on ABC-TV.
In a departure from prior seasons, when contestants were allowed to pick their own partner for the “Duets Challenge,” this year, celebrity judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie chose the pairings.
They teamed Mach with 17-year-old Olayan, who the night before had watched her brother eliminated from the competition.
It turned out to be a match that could have cost Mach her place in the competition.
The duet sang “Stay,” by Rihanna, with Olayan delivering a lackluster performance that Perry said put Mach’s spot in the competition in jeopardy.
“You’re putting [Mach’s] dream on the line, and that’s really selfish,” Perry told Olayan. “You took this whole ship down.”
It was Mach’s strong performance, Perry said, that allowed the duet to advance.
“Good for you,” Perry told Mach. “You fought really hard, I applaud that. And you sounded really good.”
Judges ultimately advanced both girls to the next round of the competition, the “Showstopper/Final Judgment.” According to “American Idol,” in that two-part round, contestants will showcase their talents by performing with a band for their last chance to make it into the coveted group of 24.
“American Idol” airs at 8 p.m. Sundays and Mondays on ABC.