Megan Danielle and Colin Stough teamed up for a duet on American Idol on Sunday, and it was one of the most buzzed about moments of the show.
The pair joined forces to sing a country version of Ed Sheeran’s “Dive.”
“It was honestly awesome because we’re both country, so, it was it,” Megan Danielle shared.
“It was really hard too,” Colin Stough added, “we can’t never take each other seriously. So, having to be serious for a moment, I mean, even right there I just couldn’t do it.”
Taking the stage wearing coordinating blue outfits, the contestants earned a standing ovation from crowd and Idol judges.
Watch Megan Danielle And Colin Stough’s Duet On American Idol Below
Sheeran Was Impressed And Praised Their Performance
Ed Sheeran, who appeared as a guest judge, was thoroughly impressed with the pair’s performance.
“This was actually the first thing I saw today because I got to my trailer and the soundcheck was on, on my TV and I wasn’t really sure what to expect today. And you walk in and you see that you’re like this is going to be pretty good tonight,” he told the pair. “Whoever put you together is a genius. You compliment each other so well. It’s really, really great. I feel like this is such a privilege for me sitting here listening to you guys do my song really, really well, it’s great.”
Fellow guest judge Alanis Morissette also praised their duet.
“It is definitely a trip to hear our songs sung back to me and I’m loving Ed’s songs through you each of you. It’s breathtaking,” she said. “The plaintiff cry that you both have and what was just said about you being so complimentary and really connected and familiar almost. It was really beautiful to watch you both. Let’s make the joyful noise.”
Luke Bryan was the final one on the judges’ panel to speak. He was beaming with pride.
“Once again I’m just smiling at our babies up here on stage. What was amazing is… Megan you really do great with this big tricky runs and then Colin did an Ed Sheeran run and I watched his face and he was like ‘alright, I’m going to try this…’ Then he’s like ‘oh I did.’ It was just fun watching you do the run,” he said. “It’s probably a movement you’ve never done singing. I could tell by the look on your face, but you survived it and it was a sweet moment.”
Sunday evening’s Top 8 show also featured Colin Stough covering Morissette’s “Hand In My Pocket,” and Megan Danielle performing Morissette’s “Head Over Feet.”
Colin Stough Delivered A “Nasty” Performance Of “Hand In My Pocket”
Stough’s performance earned praise from the judges panel.
“I did not see that coming. If nasty is this then I love nasty. You also kind of brought the lower inward-looking and then built it up to this big bombastic, beautifulness. So beautiful work!,” Morissette complimented.
“I love how you really rocked it at the end, but also how you gave it a different spin at the beginning because obviously it’s a song that everyone knows and you’re doing it in a way that makes it your own and then rocking out. So, yeah, it was brilliant,” Sheeran added.
Megan Danielle Also Covered “Head Over Feet”
Danielle’s solo performance was a definite standout.
Morissette told her, “You went less beautiful than you went this way and then you went more beautiful this way… So God bless. Just really soulful and really expressing that ambivalence of you know I’m used to being hard on myself and yet here’s this person across from me loving me so well and just expressing that really authentically. God bless you, gorgeous!”
Sheeran continued to praise the Georgia native.
At the end of the episode it was revealed that both Colin Stough and Megan Danielle earned a spot in the coveted Top 5. They will return to the American Idol stage next week for Disney Week.
Alanis Morissette And Ed Sheeran Temporarily Replaced Katy Perry And Lionel Richie
Ed Sheeran and Alanis Morissette are temporarily replacing Katy Perry and Lionel Richie while they are in England performing as part of the Coronation Celebration for King Charles III.
“I can’t wait to guide you through this stage of the competition and career and yeah this is the first time I’ve done this on American Idol, I can’t wait to take the iconic American Idol stage,” Sheeran previously shared. “Mostly, I’m just looking forward to meeting all of you and talking through life and music and I hope you’re having a great time and I’ll see you very, very soon. Lots of love.”
“I am so excited to be mentoring and hearing your interpretations of my songs. I can’t wait to hear them and surprise I’m going to be guest judging with Luke as well. So I can’t wait to see you,” Morissette previously added.
Perry and Richie made a brief appearance during Idol with a video from Windsor Castle.
