American Idol contestant Brooks Rosser received a mix of praise and pointed criticism from the judges in the moments leading up to his surprising elimination from the Top 5, a result that left both contestants and viewers stunned during the live April 27 episode.

Rosser, who had been widely recognized for his distinctive voice and storytelling style, first took on Taylor Swift’s “Love Story,” a fitting choice given his recently revealed on-show romance. While the performance showcased his signature tone, the judges were quick to note that he still needed to unlock more stage presence.

Luke Bryan praised his interpretation but didn’t hold back on critique, saying, “I just love hearing your interpretation of that,” before adding, “Just force yourself to always give more energy. You took that energy up there at the end, but I just wanted a little more.” His comment underscored a recurring concern throughout Rosser’s Idol journey about consistency and performance drive.

Lionel Richie focused on Rosser’s natural artistry but also hinted at what was missing. “I’m enjoying seeing Brooks having a great time on stage,” he said. “Your voice is so unique. The storyteller part of that voice you have is so fitting for the song you just did.” However, he also advised the contestant to “give some attitude” in future performances, suggesting that emotional connection alone wasn’t enough at this stage of the competition.

Carrie Underwood offered one of the most direct assessments of the night, balancing encouragement with a clear warning. She made sure to emphasize that “everyone loves him,” but urged him to loosen up vocally and emotionally on stage. “Just breathe,” she said. “I know it will just come with time, but just breathe and sync into it and let it come out of you.” Her comments reflected both support and concern that Rosser was still not fully settling into the demands of live competition.

Rosser later returned to the stage with Maroon 5’s “She Will Be Loved,” a performance that showed improvement in focus and control. Luke Bryan described him as “locked in” compared to his earlier performance, adding that the song choice suited his voice well. Lionel Richie agreed, responding with a simple, “Ditto, ditto, ditto,” and reinforcing that it was a strong match for his vocal style. Carrie Underwood also praised his tone, calling it a “very solid performance,” while again highlighting the consistency of his unique vocal identity.

Despite the praise, it wasn’t enough to carry Rosser through the results. At the end of the April 27 episode, host Ryan Seacrest revealed that Brooks Rosser and Daniel Stallworth were the two contestants eliminated, officially sending both home as the Top 5 was confirmed.

American Idol Season 24 continues Mondays at 8/7c.