Salisbury University alumnus Jay Copeland joined the "American Idol" Top 20 Sunday, performing for an audience push to the Top 10.
Copeland demonstrated his determination and dedication to his goals as a contestant on the show.
“To get the platinum ticket hasn’t made everything completely easy, cause there’s such a high bar that everyone holds you to and so I had to prove myself even more,” Copeland said.
Copeland attributed his recent vocal growth to the judges.
“The constructive criticism that the judges give me makes me so much stronger," Copeland said. "It keeps me humble; it keeps me wanting more.”
Copeland sang “You Know I’m No Good” by Amy Winehouse to receive enthusiastic cheers and a standing ovation by the judges, who reaffirmed their choice of giving Copeland the platinum ticket.
“We gave you that platinum ticket on potential, tonight you lived up to that potential,” Lionel Richie said.
Monday's episode revealed the audience did not vote Copeland into the Top 10.
But judges threw a lifeline to four contestants who had not advanced, giving them a second chance in the Top 14.
Copeland performed “Believer” by Imagine Dragons to persuade the audience and judges to save him a spot.
"That was a tremendous performance...and I know where my heart is right now," judge Luke Bryan said.
The performance was enough to save Copeland's "American Idol" journey.
"I just can't believe that you took so long to get to the core of what I wanted from you, and then you gave it to me Jay, you're coming all the way," Richie said.
Click here to watch Jay's Sunday night performance of "You Know I'm No Good."
Click here to watch Jay's Monday night performance of "Believer."
By HALEY RAWLS
News editor
Featured image courtesy of American Idol's Instagram.