‘American Idol’ fan-favorite Slater Nalley advances to the top 20 on Easter Sunday: ‘Let your soul shine’
Slater Nalley is one step closer to being the winner of American Idol Season 23.
The 18-year-old high school student from Atlanta advanced to the Top 20 during the Easter Sunday episode that focused on "Songs of Faith." After host Ryan Seacrest made the announcement, Slater performed "Soulshine" on ABC's reality TV show in front of the studio audience and judges Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and Lionel Richie. Watch the video above.
Following the performance, Lionel recalled telling Slater, "Don't get psyched out by all of those other amazing voices. Just stay in your lane and be solid. And what did you do? You got here because you stayed in your lane, and you're solid."
Carrie chimed in, "Slater, I mean, you've got the goods. I feel like you've very comfortable with that song. You were at ease behind that guitar. Just keep doing you, man. That's all I got. It's great."
Luke added, "I wasn't an artist till I figured out who I was. You've already figured that out, and that's a hard thing to do. So, take what you've figured out about yourself, and just let it blossom. But man, it's so impressive at your age. That's really inspiring."
Slater told Ryan that he picked "Soulshine" because he used to sing that Allman Brothers song with his dad. "It reminded me, let your soul shine," the teenager declared. "And also, on Easter, what a better message?"
Here are the other 19 singers who heard good news on Sunday night, plus the songs they performed: Canaan James Hill ("Better Days"), Drew Ryn ("Yellow"), Desmond Roberts ("Worship"), Filo ("Bridge Over Troubled Water"), Josh King ("You Are So Beautiful"), Thunderstorm Artis ("Reckless Love"), Amanda Barise ("If I Ain't Got You"), John Foster ("Tell That Angel I Love Her"), Mattie Pruitt ("Rescue"), Olivier Bergeron ("Stay"), Breanna Nix ("Up to the Mountain"), Victor Solomon ("For Every Mountain"), Baylee Littrell ("Gone Without Goodbye"), Isaiah Misailegalu ("Give You Blue"), Gabby Samone ("I Am Changing"), Zaylie Windsor ("Silver Springs"), Jamal Roberts ("Forever"), Chè ("Redemption Song"), and Kolbi Jordan ("Amazing Grace").
Next up on Season 23, Slater will join the top artists on Monday for another night of performances and results. Vote now for your favorite. Only 14 will survive that night's massive cut.
Previously on American Idol, Slater sang "Traces Of You" for his audition, "Foolish Pride" during Hollywood week, "Ophelia" as his Showstopper performance, and "Over the Rainbow" in the Top 24. Do you think Slater has what it takes to join the American Idol winners list? Sound off in our reality TV forum.
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