Fil-Am Francisco Martin arrives at the Id American Idol ‘Top 7 –

Philippine-American singer Francisco Martin advanced to the next round of season 18 of “American Idol” while securing a place in the top 7.

For the penultimate episode of the season, contestants had to act twice, and the first performance focused on Disney songs.

Martin, a 19-year-old student from Daly City, California, made his own version of “You’d Be in My Heart” from the movie “Tarzan,” impressing judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan.

“We are witnessing a transformation of Francisco here,” said Richie.

He added: “I saw that performance several times. You are smiling to yourself when you act. In other words, what you are doing now is giving us confidence and fun. And by the way, we as an audience would love to see that kind of excitement. Francisco, congratulations on being in the Top 7, man. I am very, very proud of you. “

Perry, meanwhile, said: “Francisco, I thought the performance was incredible. I agree with Lionel, you looked relaxed. All that doubt has really been removed. ”

“What you gave us in the end is something I wanted from Louis Knight. This is a competition. Let’s be realistic. There is only one idol and you were successful with your performance and then, in the end, you allowed us to have it with the talent of your voice. Good for you. You are a good bet ”, he added.

Bryan, for his part, called him the “King of the American Idol.”

“My man! Great job. Only in that performance, you were like the King of the jungle and, in my opinion, you felt like the King of American Idol,” he said.

For Martin’s second performance, he dedicated a heartfelt performance of Leon Bridges’ “River” to his mother.

“From Tarzan to singing‘ River, “I don’t know what happened, but you’ve grown even more,” Perry said.

“This set of Mother’s Day songs is really pulling the pack apart. It is showing who deserves that first place and you are making it difficult for all these other contestants because that performance was very emotional, beautiful and real … it was very sincere, what you just did, “he added.

Bryan went so far as to say that Martin “broke the original record.”

Meanwhile, Richie praised the singer’s confidence.

“What I like the most is that your confidence is front and center. You are no longer in your head. Congratulations because you have a career and that’s what’s important, “he said.

The end of the season will take place next Sunday, May 17, beginning with the elimination of two contestants based on the votes of the audience. The remaining five applicants will perform two songs each, as real-time voting will help determine who gets the “American Idol” title.