Kamloops singer Cameron Whitcomb did not advance to American Idol’s Top 14 on Monday, despite judges noting the singer brought forward what they thought was his “best performance.”
On Monday’s episode of the popular reality show, this season’s 20 remaining Idol contestants were whittled down to 14 based on a combination of American audience votes and the judges’ picks.
The audience voted for their Top 10 singers, while Idol judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan chose four contestants to save.
Whitcomb was not one of the Top 10, so Monday’s episode had the 18-year-old pipeline worker singing for his chance at moving forward in the competition.
He sang "If It Hadn’t Been For Love" by The Steeldrivers, a performance notably more subdued than audiences have seen in previous episodes. Idol judges have commented on Whitcomb’s energetic, jittery stage presence, often characterized by his signature backflip — a move absent on Monday’s show.
Perry — who dubbed the singer “Kooky Canadian Cameron” — said it seemed Whitcomb’s energy was lower than normal, possibly because he just found out he hadn’t made the Top 10.
“It slowed you down,” Perry said, adding she felt this helped him put forward his best performance yet.
“You sound better a little disappointed, because you have so much energy."
Whitcomb said he felt he was growing up.
“I want to be here really bad,” Whitcomb told the judges.
On Sunday’s episode — which saw Whitcomb advance into Idol’s Top 20 — Richie told Whitcomb he had a bright future.
“Enjoy your career, my friend. You’re on your way,” Richie said.
American Idol airs on CityTV and ABC.
