Wé Ani Goes “Into the Unknown” During Disney Week on ‘American Idol’

In a previous episode, American Idol standout Wé Ani wowed the show’s judges with a perfect “imperfect” rendition of Alanis Morissette’s epic, emotional track, “Uninvited.” Now, Ani may have done even better with two show-stoppers.

On Sunday night (May 14), during the show’s Disney-themed week, Ani took on the song “Into the Unknown,” from the Disney-Pixar animated film Frozen II. Kicking off the show, Ani set a high bar for the rest of the Top 5 contestants.

“What a way to start the show!” said judge Lionel Richie.

“That was incredible,” said judge Katy Perry, dressed as Mrs. Incredible from The Incredibles (the only one of the three judges to get in character).

Judge Luke Bryan said that Ani hasn’t hit a bad note all season. It’s for that reason, along with her stage presence, that she’s lasted this long and was showcased during one of the most anticipated episodes of the season.

In the prior episode, judges Perry and Richie were called away from the show to perform at the coronation for the new King of England, Charles III. In their place were Ed Sheeran and Morissette. It was then that Ani wowed with her cover of “Uninvited,” making it through to the Top 5.

Sunday night, the show opened with a rendition of “When You Wish Upon a Star” from artist Sara Bareilles, who was backed up by the remaining Idol contestants—Zachariah Smith, Colin Stough, Megan Danielle, and Iam Tongi. It was then that Ani came on and took things to a new level for the remaining five.

During the live broadcast, performers sang and fans at home voted, narrowing the Top 5 to the Top 3, all with the aim of making it through to the final show on May 21. The contestants were mentored by Sofia Carson while Halle Bailey, of the new Disney live-action Little Mermaid film, performed for fans.

For her second performance on Sunday night, Ani offered a rendition of “The Climb” from Hannah Montana: The Movie. Ani “delivered perfectly,” said Bryan. Richie was equally ebullient, saying she makes any song her own and he feels it when she does every time. Perry called her a master of her art form.

In the end, though, Ani didn’t make the final show. The Top 3 were Stough, Danielle, and Tongi. Nevertheless, check out Ani’s performance below.

Photo ABC/Eric McCandless