‘American Idol’ Judges Cover Disney Classic “You’ve Got A Friend In Me”

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YouTube/American Idol

The latest episode of American Idol kicked off in a heartwarming way as judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and host Ryan Seacrest treated viewers to a special rendition of “You’ve Got A Friend In Me.” Starting off Disney night on the right note, the judges sang the classic tune while strolling through the streets of Pixar Pier in California Adventure.

Bringing their trademark goofiness to the performance, Bryan and Richie led the way before Katy Perry joined in, adding her flair and energy to the fun-filled performance. And, to our surprise, Ryan Seacrest decided to get in on the action, making a memorable appearance as he also sang along.

Of course, the four judges couldn’t resist getting up to some antics. They chased each other around with Buzz Lightyear Light-Up Bubble Wands before deciding to take a spin on the iconic Incredicoaster. However, there was a little hiccup as Lionel Richie comically ended up staying behind to hold onto everyone’s stuff.

To top it all off, they ended the song by playfully smearing Dole Whip ice cream all over Katy Perry’s face before Ryan Seacrest kicked off the show with his usual introduction, setting the stage for a night of amazing performances before the Top 3 contestants of this season’s competition were decided.

“You’ve Got a Friend in Me” holds a special place in the hearts of many people as the theme song from the popular 1995 Disney/Pixar animated film Toy Story. With their fun performance, the American Idol judges set the stage for an enchanting evening filled with music, Disney magic, and plenty of nostalgia.

American Idol Reveals Top 3

As the semi-finals kicked off, the Top 5 contestants had the opportunity to be mentored by country star Kane Brown before competing for their spot in the finals next week. Emmy Russell, Abi Carter, Will Mosely, Triston Harper, and Jack Blocker each delivered performances of two different Disney songs during the two-hour episode. Throughout the show, viewers had the opportunity to cast their votes, determining the fate of the contestants.

At the end of the episode, host Ryan Seacrest revealed the semi-finalists who would be advancing to next week’s finale: Abi Carter, Will Mosely, and Jack Blocker. Unfortunately, Emmy Russell and Triston Harper were eliminated and sent home, marking the end of their American Idol journey.

Watch the American Idol judges sing “You’ve Got A Friend In Me” below.

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About the Author

Megan Grisham

Hi, I'm Megan, a Nashville, TN native born and raised. I started my writing career in the entertainment industry, and living in the heart of Music City has given me an incredible chance to contribute to the world of country music. Today, I have found myself working alongside some of the biggest names in the…

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