Katy Perry played up her heartbreak after her ‘love triangle’ with a hunky America Idol contestant came to an unexpected end on Monday’s episode of American Idol.
The Firework star had flirted outrageously with Trevor Holmes from the second he walked into his audition, gasping: ‘You’re so hot!’
And even though he was there with his girlfriend Sierra, Trevor, 27, happily opened up about his own feelings, telling Katy: ‘I have literally had a crush on you.’
Triangle over: Katy Perry ended the playful ‘love triangle’ with contestant Trevor Holmes as he was eliminated on Monday’s episode of American Idol
They kept up the flirting all season, with Trevor joking: ‘Last week I was working construction, literally digging ditches, and now here I am at Hollywood Week in a love triangle with Katy Perry.’
Katy even kept it up as Trevor walked into face the judges to learn his fate from the Showcase Round, saying excitedly as he entered: ‘Look at him! Look at those eyes! So dreamy!’
Trevor smiled as he admitted it ‘had been an added challenge’ when Katy asked if it had ‘been difficult with this energy that I’m throwing you’ with all her flirting.
Katy then had to deliver the bad news to her crush that his journey on the show was over, telling him: ‘I need to see more from you. I want to feel and hear that sparkle that I see in your eyes.
Added challenge: Trevor admitted it was an ‘added challenge’ to have Katy flirting with him
‘I can’t believe this, because you’re not going to go through,’ Katy told him.
As he took in the shock, Katy walked toward him, theatrically tearing up the decision card in her hand and joking that she did not ‘want this to break my heart.’
Then as he started walking away, Katy reached out a pleading arm as she shouted after him: ‘Trevor, don’t go!’
So long: Katy ripped up the decision card as she was bummed to see Trevor leave
Big hug: Luke Bryan gave Trevor a hug after he was eliminated
After he left, host Ryan Seacrest predicted at least one person may see a silver lining to the news, saying: ‘So Trevor’s girlfriend won’t have to worry about Katy Perry anymore.’
As the final 50 were slashed down to just 24, the judges admitted struggling with the decisions, with Luke Bryan complaining at one point: ‘This day has worn on me.’
‘It was never going to be a good day,’ Katy admitted.
Silver lining: Ryan Seacrest joked that Trevor’s girlfriend Sierro no longer needed to worry about Katy
Over it: Katy joked to Lionel Richie and Luke that she was over Trevor
Perhaps the cruelest blow came for Laine Hardy, 17, who had to face the judges alongside Garrett Jacobs, 18, after Luke said they were ‘naturally partnered up against each other’ as country singers from Louisiana.
After Katy joked that ‘hopefully your friendly,’ Laine was told he was going home, while Garrett seated next to him was sent through.
Laine then had to go out and break the bad news to his family, while Garrett’s loved one whooped with joy at him going forward just a few feet away.
Double deal: Laine Hardy and Garrett Jacobs learned their fate together
Family hugs: Garrett received congratulatory hugs while Laine got comforting embraces
Louisiana singers: Ryan hoped the Louisiana singers would continue to support each other
Luke had insisted as they broke the news: ‘We don’t know if we’re making a mistake, but the only mistake is for you two to stop your path and lift each other up.’
As the last two females left at the end, special education teacher Maddie Zahm, 19, and proper manager Effie Passero, 26, also knew only one of them would get to go through.
Effie looked so devastated when she walked out of her meeting with the judges her loved ones assumed she was eliminated until she tearfully said: ‘I made it.’
Country star: Luke told the Louisiana singers that they should continue to lift each other up
‘There was a really, really fabulous girl,’ she said, explaining her sadness at knowing her spot came at the expense of Maddie.
Despite her dream ending, Maddie had a huge smile at the end as she said: ‘They said I wasn’t ready, and I’m OK with that. I feel like I have learned so much and grown through this process and I’m gonna walk with my head held high knowing I did the best I could.’
Young dads Dennis Lorenzo, 26, and Marcio Donaldson, 28, also went in together to see the judges on the understanding only one of them would be making it through.
Going home: Maddie Zahm, 19, held her head up high after being sent home
Fabulous girl: Effie Passero was subdued in her reaction knowing that Maddie was eliminated
The decision would be even harder for the men who had grown close thanks to their similar upbringings — with Dennis having been homeless and Marcio raised in foster care — with Dennis adding: ‘We’ve both got kids and we wanna make it so we can provide for our families… It’s tough.’
Lionel praised them both for ‘standing up for their responsibilities’ and showing they ‘have a talent that I’m gonna use to go as far as I can, as long as I can.’
As they nervously waited for the decision, Katy told them: ‘There are two spots left — and you’re taking both of them.’
Teaming up: Dennis Lorenzo, 26, and Marcio Donaldson, 28, stepped in together to meet the judges
As they looked stunned, she excitedly added: ‘You’re both going through! You are a star — and you are a star!’
‘You guys … I cannot,’ Marcio complained of the shock.
But no one had more tears than high school student Catie Turner, 17, was was crying from her fears before even going in, saying: ‘I love it here and I feel so wanted here, and I don’t want to go back home where people think I’m the weird girl who dresses in old man clothes.’
Good one: Marcio scolded the judges for shocking them both
Katy had previously called her ‘a star,’ but admitted that her decision to perform Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance in her showcase would be ‘either great or horrible.’
‘Listen, yesterday was shaky,’ Katy warned her, leaving her face falling as she was certain she was out as Katy told her: ‘Unfortunately, I don’t think you’re ready to hear this….’
She still fell to her knees in tears as Katy surprised her by saying: ‘You’re one step closer to becoming the next American Idol. You! Are! A star!’
Song choice: Catie Turner made a risky song choice with a Lady Gaga tune
Made it: Katy toyed with Catie before giving her the good news
While they had talked of getting through the show, Katy told her it was ‘just a big land of weirdoes,’ with Catie insisting: ‘I’m the biggest weirdo of them all!’
‘You met your match,’ Katy winked back.
As they started the decision process, Lionel joked about how they were not expecting ‘Bieberland,’ with Katy saying: ‘I know that. I’m not trying to find the next J. B.’
Pop music: Lionel wanted to make sure they weren’t just loading up on Justin Bieber types
‘Well if you do I want a piece of that by the way,’ Lionel smiled in reply.
The judges, however, were harsh on several of the youngest hopefuls, with many failing to make the cut, including Idol baby Victoria McQueen, 15, who was born on the last day of the cut-off period making her the youngest possible contestant.
She was left in tears as she was sent home, with Katy telling her: ‘You’re so young I think you’re still finding your identity.’
Youngest hopeful: Victoria McQueen, 15, was the youngest and was sent home
When high school student Layla Spring walked into her showdown, Luke told her bluntly: ‘We’re really scared to send 16-year-olds through.’
But after a pause, he left her screaming with delight as he added: ‘But you’re a 16-year-old that’s going through.’
She ran screaming into Ryan’s arms, with them teasing her family by walking out looking upset — before Layla screamed with joy.
Teen talent: Layla Spring, 16, was one of the few youngsters to advance
At just 15, Mara Justine admitted she was ‘very scared’ going in to see the judges after seeing so many of the youngest hopefuls sent home.
She was left in tears as she feared her journey was over as Katy warned that she was picking up ‘bad habits,’ telling her: ‘There’s too much frosting on this beautiful cake already. I want you to take this as a learning experience.’
But she remained the youngest in the competition after Katy told her after a pause: ‘And as an opportunity to go to the top 24.’
Youngest singer: Mara Justine at age 15 remained the youngest singer on the show
Shannon O’Hara, 17, left Katy wiping away tears with her stripped down version of the star’s own hit Unconditionally.
Katy, whose parents lead a ministry in California, then said she related because ‘I know exactly how it feels to be raised in church,’ telling the hopeful: ‘You are a secret spiritual ninja. And you’re going to top 24.’
‘I want this more than I’ve wanted anything else,’ Shannon had said earlier. ‘Since I was six years old I’ve wanted to be in the show, and here we are. I don’t want it to end.’
Long dream: Shannon O’Hara was living her dream of being on American Idol and also advanced
The judges had seemed nervous of Adam Sanders, 24, carrying on his drag act Miss Ada Vox, and were thrilled when he instead came in regular clothes to see them for their decision.
‘You have taken us on a rollercoaster ride,’ Lionel told him. ‘It took a lot of guts to do this journey the way you’re doing it. I don’t know where the journey’s gonna go, but I am just gonna tell you how proud I am of you.’
As he seemed ready for bad news, Lionel instead told him: ‘I’m glad that you showed up in your true form so I can tell you that the dynamic duo will be going forward. You are now in the class of 24.’
Powerful voice: Ada Vox unleashed a powerful voice during the Showcase performance
New class: Lionel told Adam that he was part of the class of 24
‘You’ve got one of the biggest voices on planet earth,’ Luke told him proudly.
Adam had earlier revealed that ‘reactions to his sexuality’ when he was eliminated from season 12 — saying ‘people are mean’ — had actually sparked the move to perform as Ada as a ‘safety blanket.’
‘All I’m hoping is that being Ada on America Idol will show the world that someone like me can truly be an idol for America,’ he had said earlier.
Past contestant: The singer returned after being bounced in season 12
After being sent through, he said: ‘Right now I feel that the world is accepting me for who and what I am. And that is the greatest feeling that I could ever have asked for.’
Jurnee, 18, had one of the most emotional showcase performances, dedicated to her wife Ashley who had been there to watch as she prepared for deployment in the Army.
‘The hardest part was definitely being away from my wife,’ Jurnee said of being on the show. ‘Having my wife here is extremely, extremely important. You never know when she’s going to deploy, be away for months on end, and it’s kind of a life lesson even being with her.’
Great journey: Jurnee continued on the show as part of the top two dozen
As she saw the judges, Katy told her: ‘I think your mom knew that she was bringing a person into this world that would go on a journey. And the journey continues with us in top 24.’
Cade Foehner, 21, had proudly stood up for the ‘lost art’ of hard rock on the show, with Lionel telling him:
‘My friend you have the potential of rocking and rolling all the way to the end. We’re gonna keep you around here, OK.’
Rocking out: Cade Foehner stood up for the lost art of rock
‘Are you really serious? Oh man, thank you so much,’ he told them, having said earlier: ‘Rock’n’roll music has changed lives and I want to be a part of that.’
Country singer Caleb Lee Hutchinson, 18, from Dallas, Georgia, was sent through after Katy told him: ‘You really represent a lot of the heart of America, and we’re always looking for the heart.’
Jonny Brenns, 18, excitedly hugged his family — who he did not even tell initially that he was auditioning — after making it through, with Lionel telling him: ‘You’ve got the star qualities, and we’re just trying to pull them out.’
Country singer: Caleb Lee Hutchinson of Georgia sailed through to the next round
Family support: Jonny Brenns received full support from his family including his dad Leo and advanced
The judges were united in feeling ‘scared’ for Michael Woodard, 20, when they heard he planned to perform Alanis Morissette’s You Oughta Know, with him admitting his heart was ‘beating out of my chest’ with nerves as he went in to face them.
After they all felt his heart, they then made him breathe deeply — before shocking him by immediately telling him he was through.
‘You have brought a new person to the table each time, whoever you are inside,’ Lionel told the bowling center assistant. ‘We love it.’
Tough song: Michael J. Woodard alarmed the choices with his song choice of You Oughta Know by Alanis Morissette but he impressed everyone
Gabby Barrett, 17, knew she was at risk after singing a Carrie Underwood song – despite the judges warning her not to try it.
‘I thought yesterday was bad for you,’ Katy warned her as soon as she walked in, adding: ‘You saved your butt at the end. And I’m not yet convinced.’
But Luke put a smile on her face as he told her: ‘I think you’re next level and what the competition needs. And you are in the top 24.’
Country song: Gabby Barrett was warned to stay away from Carrie Underwood but she did it anyway and barely advanced
As Miami waitress Michelle Sussett, 22, walked in, Lionel teased her, saying: ‘I have some good news, and I have some bad news.
‘The bad news is that we’re not letting you go home, you’re going to stay around for a moment. So you can probably figure out the good news,’ he said, leaving her screaming with joy as she broke the news to her loved ones.
Others through included legal secretary Dominique, 26; students Maddie Poppe, 20, Alyssa Raghu, 15, and Kay Kay, 18; goat farmer Trevor McBane, 22, and entrepreneur Ron Bultongez, 21, a refugee from Congo.
Fun singer: Michelle Sussett showed her dancing and singing skills
Amelia Hammer Harris, 26, went through with Katy telling her: ‘Sometimes people don’t let you be beautiful and smart. But trust and believe, because you have it and you’re going through.’
Katy then teased college student Brandon Diaz, 21, telling him: ‘There are a few that are competing for your spot … but those people have already been sent home so you’re going through.’
Thaddeus Johnson, 25, from Oklahoma City, had more reason than most to be nervous — as he was cut from season nine of the show at the exact same stage.
Next round: Amelia Hammer Harris, 26, went through with Katy encouraging her
He could not hide back the tears as Lionel, insisting he was ‘a gifted singer, a gifted performer’, told him: ‘In this case my friend, now is not the right time.’
‘I love you Thaddeus!’ some of the other contestants shouted as he came out and revealed to his family he failed to make it through, with some open-mouthed in shock.
Nursing student Noah Davis, 18, became a favorite after he stunned the judges with his earlier performance of Rihanna’s Stay — but lost them with his showcase performance of Lady Gaga’s You And I.
‘Noah, we fell in love with you from the moment we saw you,’ Katy told him. ‘I think the journey must continue… but it’s not going to be here. We love you, we support you, and can’t wait to see you hopefully coming back on the show.’
Going home: Noah Davis was sent home after leaving the piano during his showcase
Another early favorite, high school student Harper Grace, 16, was also sent home, with Katy telling her: ‘I think you have time to grow.’
Others sent home included Carly Moffa, 25, Samothias, 20, Milo Sposato, 17, Les Greene, 27, William Casanova, 26, and vocal coach Britney Holmes, 28.
After Lee Vasi, 20, was also sent home, she said: ‘I saw a lot of really talented people go home today. …I was one of them.’
American Idol returns on Sunday on ABC with the top 24 performing solos.
Talented people: Lee Vasi was among the talented singers who were cut from the show