Alejandro Aranda Makes 'Musical History' To Advance On 'American Idol'

One of the favorites showed why he's a "phenomenon" during the Top 5 competition.

“American Idol” judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan utter lots of hyperbole about contestants, but when it’s directed at Alejandro Aranda it feels real.

The 24-year-old dishwasher from Pomona, California, has impressed the panelists from the start with his artistry. He did the same again in Sunday’s Top 5.

Aranda’s original song “Blesser” to his own piano accompaniment elicited perhaps their biggest praise yet ― and some apparent vote-courting.

Richie called Aranda a “phenomenon” who’s making “musical history.”
“Vote!” he beseeched viewers.

“I am not worthy to be a judge judging you,” Bryan said.

And Perry, often more verbal, seemed to take Aranda’s future ascent to stardom as a given. “Stay humble, homey,” she said.

Check out (below) Aranda performing “Blesser,” Bob Marley’s “No Woman, No Cry,” and Elton John’s “Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word.”

And, yes, he did advance to the finale’s Top 3, along with Laine Hardy and Madison VanDenburg. 

Support HuffPost

At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.

Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.

Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your will go a long way.

Support HuffPost