WATCH: Fil-Am Francisco Martin called ‘diamond in the rough’ after making it to ‘American Idol’ top 11

Fil-Am student Francisco Martin is among the 11 contestants still in the running in “American Idol”.

Martin clinched the final spot in the top 10 yesterday, May 3, making the cut after the top 20 was cut in half.

Judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan saved one of the eliminated contestants, Makayla Phillips, making it a top 11 round. After this set of performances, seven will be left in the competition.

With the odds getting tougher, Martin gave a heartfelt cover of “Falling Like the Stars” by James Arthur. He sang from home as the show continues to air sans a studio during the coronavirus pandemic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sb3nUqmUHBs

Perry, who is pregnant with her first child, was unable to contain her emotions, dabbing off tears as she gave Martin feedback.

“When you sang those lines about having four kids and then one on each knee, I was like [sounds of sobbing],” she said. “Yeah sure it was hormones, but it was believability too. It was real believability and I felt it.”

“You know Francisco, I think you’re a diamond in the rough,” Bryan said. “You really know how to get all the emotions out of a song.”

Richie also commended Martin, stating, “Halfway through that song, I just saw you fly out of that nervousness and give us exactly what you’re all about which is true talent, man.”

Martin and other contestants can receive votes through the American Idol app or website, or by texting the contestant’s number to 21523, after a prompt is given and until the next day. Voting for this round is open until Monday, May 4 at 9 a.m. ET/6 a.m. PT in the United States, which is Monday 9 p.m. here in the Philippines. Martin is contestant number 12. JB

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