Ep 9. Hawaii Showcase and Final Judgment (1)

In American Idol season 18 episode 9, titled "Hawaii Showcase and Final Judgment (1)", the remaining contestants travel to Hawaii for their first showcase performance of the season. The episode begins with a montage of the top 40 contestants enjoying the beautiful scenery and culture of Hawaii before they hit the stage to perform for the judges.

The showcase starts off with a group performance of "Kokomo" by the Beach Boys, with each contestant taking turns singing solo parts. After the group number, each contestant gets to perform a solo song of their choice in front of a live audience in Hawaii.

The judges are looking for standout performances and are quick to give constructive feedback. Lionel Richie advises one contestant to "own the stage" and bring more energy to their performance, while Katy Perry encourages another contestant to let their personality shine through in their song choice.

After the showcase, the contestants return to Los Angeles for their final judgment. They gather in a holding room, anxiously awaiting their turn to sing for the judges and find out if they will advance to the next round of the competition.

The judges announce the contestants who have made it through to the top 20, but there are also a few heartbreaking eliminations. The contestants who don't make it through to the next round are given a chance to sing one final time for a chance to be saved with a wild card spot.

Overall, "Hawaii Showcase and Final Judgment (1)" is an exciting episode for American Idol fans, featuring impressive performances, emotional eliminations, and plenty of drama as the contestants fight to make it to the next round of the competition.