Filipino-American singer Francisco Martin’s emotional performance of “Falling” roused the live audience and even made a judge jump for joy, earning him a spot in the Top 20 of American Idol.
In his Top 40 showcase performance, the 19-year-old college student wowed the judges and the audience with his performance of Harry Styles’s hit song, “Falling”.
“Sorry, I’m just very emotional right now. I was just channeling everything that I’ve been through and people I’ve lost. Truly emotional, so yeah. It’s taking a minute, I’m sorry,” Martin said in the post-performance interview video of American Idol.
Before the judges’ evaluation and the decision was revealed, the pre-law college student said that he is definitely feeling anxious and is hoping that his song and performance are enough for him to gain a spot in Top 20.
But apparently he had nothing to be anxious about as the judges all praised his solo performance while playing his guitar.
“I don’t really recognize who you are anymore especially what you did last night and that’s a good thing… I was like is that Bruno Mars? I like it,” judge Katy Perry told the singer-songwriter during the evaluation.
“Man! What I am proud of about is you’re figuring out how to be a real artist, somebody that you naturally root. You check every box. I have a feeling that a great thing’s just gonna happen to you and this experience, you’re just a wonderful talent, man! Stay who you are, exactly who you are,” judge Luke Bryan said before revealing to Francisco that he was in the Top 20.
After the evaluation, Francisco Martin told the interview that he felt like the anxious, nervous Francisco is gone and he likes his new self now.
“Let’s keep going,” he said.
American Idol posted the video on its Facebook on March 31, 2020, with a caption: “A pairing we all needed: Francisco and a Harry Styles hit. 🎶”
American Idol also tweeted “We don’t even recognize this new @fronciscomartin at the Top 40 showcase!”
Judge Luke Bryan posted a 2-second clip of him jumping on the couch during Francisco’s performance and mentioned the singer in his tweet “@fronciscomartin you are growing and I am so excited. Off to the #Top20 you go. #AmericanIdol”
Lionel Richie welcomed Francisco to the Top 20 in his tweet “Don’t change a thing @fronciscomartin, just keep going! Welcome to the Top 20 #AmericanIdol”
“Definitely not falling… if anything I’d say he’s RISING Northeast arrow
@fronciscomartin #AmericanIdol,” judge Lionel Richie added.
Last week, the American Idol fan-favorite met his rumored rival, decided to join up for the duets challenge, and the resulting performance earned them a pass to move on to the next round of the Top 40.
During his audition in February, Francisco from San Francisco sang a captivating rendition of the song “Alaska” by Maggie Rogers which got American Idol judge Luke Bryan to tag the Filipino-American talent as a winner.
In his Hollywood Week performance the musician successfully overcame his nervousness from the auditions and came out a winner in the eyes of the American Idol judges and fellow contestants.
American Idol is a reality television series hosted by Ryan Seacrest with a panel of judges who critique the contestants’ performances as they compete for a recording contract. It debuted in 2002 on Fox Network and became one of the most-watched shows in the United States with several country adaptations across the world.
SEND CONGRATULATIONS AND WELL WISHES in the comments below to Francisco Martin, the Filipino-American musician raising the Filipino flag on American Idol!
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