Salisbury University alumnus Jay Copeland performed against half of the Top 24 at Disney’s Aulani Resort in Oahu, Hawaii, on "American Idol" Sunday.
This was the audience’s first chance to vote.
Judge Katy Perry advised Copeland about the importance of feeling over perfection during the previous episode. In the Sunday's first performance, Copeland sang “I Want You Back” by The Jackson 5, chosen because of difficulties in his relationship at the time.
“Hopefully the feeling that I felt during that short amount of time, I can put that emotion into the song,” Copeland said.
Copeland set the bar high with his performance and received a standing ovation from the crowd and judges.
“The singing is off the charts; you’ve got vocal range that is ridiculous," Lionel Richie said. "I enjoyed the fact the fact that you brought some energy to the stage.”
Along with compliments from the judges, Copeland received critiques about choosing songs that fit his vocal style.
“We’re critiquing you hard because we gave you the platinum ticket," Luke Bryan said. "We want to see you in the Top Five and possibly win this thing.”
The audience's deciding votes will reveal "American Idol's" Top 20 on Sunday's episode.
Watch Copeland perform “I Want You Back” here.
By HALEY RAWLS
News Editor
Featured image courtesy of American Idol's Instagram.