‘American Idol’ welcomes back New Paltz’s Mach tonight
Lalia Mach, the 16-year-old “American Idol” contestant from New Paltz, is set to make another appearance on an episode to air Monday, March 29.
The New Paltz High School sophomore is headed to the show’s twopart “Showstopper/Final Judgment” round, during which the contestant pool will be narrowed to 24.
Her Monday appearance will be on the episode that airs at 8 p.m. on ABC-TV.
Laila 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, March 22, as part of the TV talent competition’s “Hollywood Week.”
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.
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.