Grammy-winning producer, songwriter and artist Finneas will mentor the final four of American Idol on Sunday’s episode, where the contestants will also duet on his songs, Billboard can exclusively reveal.
Casey Bishop and Chayce Beckham will be grouped together to perform ‘Break My Heart Again” from Finneas’ 2019 debut EP Blood Harmony, while Grace Kinstler and Willie Spence will duet on his 2020 single “What They’ll Say About Us.”
The top four will sing two additional songs: one that’s inspired by their personal idol and another that marks the debut of their original single, which was produced by an iconic music producer. Sunday night marks the first time in Idol history where the contestants have gone in to the studio to record songs that will appear on the show and be released while the competition is still ongoing.
Bishop will perform her personal idol song “wish you were gay” by Finneas’ younger sister Billie Eilish, in addition to her original single “Love Me, Leave Me.” Beckham picked “Colder Weather” by Zac Brown Band for his personal idol song and will later sing his own song “23.” Kinstler picked inaugural Idol winner Kelly Clarkson’s “A Moment Like This” as her personal idol song, and she’ll also perform her original single “Love Someone.” Spence’s personal idol song is “Glory” by John Legend and Common, and he’ll later sing “Never Be Alone,” his original song.
Caleb Kennedy, who was among the top five contestants, announced Wednesday that he’s leaving the singing competition series after a video surfaced of him sitting next to a friend in what looked like a Ku Klux Klan hood.
Finneas will take the Idol stage himself to perform “Till Forever Falls Apart” with his friend and collaborator Ashe. The end of the episode will reveal the top three finalists who will head to the finale.
American Idol airs live Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
