Braden Rumfelt
Murphy native Braden Rumfelt advanced to the top seven after some tense moments as he was announced as the seventh finalist during the live voting results on Monday night’s “Disneyland” episode of American Idol, live from Los Angeles.
This week’s episode highlights featured the performers spending some down time at California's Disneyland. Rumfelt posted several reels to his social media before the performance including exploring the park with his Idol cohorts and his sister, Cali, appropriately enough.
Among the social media flurry before Monday's broadcast was also Rumfelt's mother, Crystal, posting instructions for voting on every platform and by text.
This week's theme was iconic Disney tunes with each performer singing signature Disney movie songs and the guest mentor and judge was Jennifer Hudson, herself an Idol alumna.
Rumfelt's offering this week was "Remember Me" from the 2017 Disney/Pixar movie Coco, which centers around a young man's musical journey through the Land of the Dead, gaining assistance and wisdom from his deceased great-great-great grandfather, also a musician.
Hudson's mentoring commentary included the fact that she "loves his voice," but after Rumfelt's admission of being "nervous" at not remembering all the lyrics of his choice, Hudson reassured him to "prepare because there's always judgment. And to just remember those lyrics."
While Rumfelt also admitted to having been "screaming on rollercoasters the day before," his performance shone with a strong crowd reaction and initial praise from judge Carrie Underwood saying he has "such a great character presence when singing. And you are just captivating to watch."
While Hudson looked a bit hesitant during the performance, she had nothing but kudos, saying, "I'm so proud of you. You're a star. I felt like I was in a scene from the movie. And I hope to see you back here next week."
Judge Luke Bryan, who's been nothing but complimentary this season, said he understood how tricky the song was, being "so tender, with so many movements "and how he "did a great job." Bryan's comments ended with, "I see a lot in your future."
Lionel Richie told Rumfelt he was impressed with his movement from " that falsetto into his 'head voice''"and reminded Rumfelt that "thank God you remembered the lyrics."
Host Ryan Seacrest then joked with Rumfelt who said "Oh, I've got a lot of jokes," before being cajoled into a Yoda impression as Seacrest had been dressed as the Star Wars character earlier in the show.
Other highlights of the show featured all nine contestants singing "You've Got a Friend in Me" from Toy Story 5.
Mountain Vale Lodge's weekly "Live Watch" party in Murphy once again hosted faithful supporters urgjng Rumfelt on with votes.
The next seven weeks will weed out competitors toward the top five and then the subsequent finale of the top three Monday, May 11. Next week will center on the top seven performing the songs of Taylor Swift. American Idol airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on ABC.