Birmingham’s Walker Burroughs advances to top 20 on American Idol

Screen Shot 2019 03 04 at 1.46.27 PM Birmingham's Walker Burroughs advances to top 20 on American Idol
Walker Burroughs sang for the judges Sunday, March 3 during Hollywood week.

Birmingham native Walker Burroughs knocked it out of the park again Sunday, March 31 and Monday, April 1 on the back-to-back episode of American Idol filmed in Oahu, Hawaii. With the judges’ overwhelming approval, he advanced to the top 20 on ABC’s popular singing competition. Will Burroughs go all the way?

Burroughs: Birmingham’s Next Top Idol?

Burroughs, who advanced to the top 40 last week, took to the stage at Disney’s Aulani resort in Honolulu, Hawaii Sunday and Monday night.

Sunday night, Burroughs sang “Youngblood” by 5 Seconds of Summer while playing the piano. Monday night, he performed the Bee Gees “How Deep is Your Love”.

Judges all Agree: Burroughs is Next Level Good!

Judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan gave very positive feedback after his Monday night performance before giving him the final nod of approval.

“You just blew me away brother. To start with a cold opening like that and to be on key like that, you just looked like a seasoned pro,” Luke Bryan.

“What I’m noticing is all you just need is the stage. You just need to get on the stage more and more and more. I’m telling you—I love what you’re doing,” said Lionel Richie

“Please, if you do happen to make it into the top 14 or the top 10, if you dress like Harry Potter and you sing, YOU WILL WIN THIS SHOW,” said Katy Perry.

That sounds very promising, Katy!

Burroughs’ Sister Attends Hawaii Show

Burroughs’ sister, Milligan, was also in the audience this week. She is a student in Oahu. Burroughs took to his Instagram account about his thoughts on having his sister in the audience:

“It was when they told us that we were going to Oahu that I felt for the first time that I was in the right place throughout all of this. So, I’m grateful for the trip to see my sisters home and the opportunity to play music in front of her on the biggest and most beautiful stage I’ve ever played on.”

Walker Burroughs, Top 20 American Idol Contestant

Watch his Monday night performance here:

Burroughs Journey to the Top

Burroughs easily made the first cut on March 3, receiving a golden ticket to Hollywood singing Ben Rector’s “Love Like This”. The first round of cuts narrowed the competition from over 100,000 contestants to 175.

The 2017 Vestavia Hills grad again wowed judges during Hollywood week Sunday, March 24 and Monday, March 25. He sang Stevie Wonder’s “Whereabouts” and Elton John’s “Your Song”. Out of the remaining 175, judges then selected him for the top 40 pool that headed to Hawaii.

Now that Burroughs has conquered Hawaii, he’ll move on to the celebrity duets top 20 competition Sunday, April 7.

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Waler Burroughs on the American Idol stage during Hollywood week. (Photo submitted)

If he clears the top 20 and makes it into the top 14, he’ll need our help, Birmingham! From the top 14 episode to the final episode crowning the winner Monday, May 20, viewers will have an opportunity to vote for their favorite contestant. Episodes up to now have been pre-taped. The top 14 episode and onward are filmed live.

When to Watch Walker Burroughs on American Idol Next:

  • What: Top 20 celebrity duet competition
  • Channel: ABC
  • Day: Sunday, April 7
  • Time: 7 PM CST

You can follow Burroughs on his journey to the top on his Facebook page or Instagram.

Do you think Walker Burroughs will make it to the top 14? Hit us up on social with your predictions @bhamnow

Christine Hull
Christine Hull
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