Murrieta's Jonny West advances to 'American Idol' Top 7

While one local singer didn't quite make it, another finds themselves as one of the frontrunners to win "American Idol" Season 18 on ABC, according to judge Katy Perry.

Sitting flanked by his mother and his grandmother, Perry told Murrieta's Jonny West that she thinks he could win the whole thing.

"I'm 100% sold," Perry told West after his performance of "Amazing Grace" performed with his own twist on the traditional classic. "I personally think you should win this competition, and even if you don't, I bet you will have the biggest career."

After he finished the song, West received hugs from his mom and grandmother.

"Thank you, that's the craziest thing I've ever heard, so, thank you," West told Perry.

"You have God-given songwriting talents," judge Luke Bryan said. "When I am watching you are capturing every bit of my attention. If you're doing that to me, you're going to make people at home do that."

"I don't know too many people that can write the second verse, Mother's Day version, of 'Amazing Grace,' OK?" judge Lionel Richie told West. "That might have been a challenge even for me. You have a future in the business, enjoy the ride, and we are so happy you came to the university of 'American Idol' to get your confirmation."

West advances to the Top 7 of the singing competition, which will have its series finale Sunday, May 17, at 8 p.m. PST.

The 17-year-old Temecula singer, Makayla Phillips, wasn't so fortunate; she was eliminated from the competition after making the Top 11 in the show, thanks to a save from the judges.

"My 'Idol' journey is over," Phillips said in a video statement she posted on her Instagram account. "But my personal journey is not over. Thank you guys, so, so, so much for all your support, your votes, all your endless love. I would not be where I am without any of you. I am just so incredibly thankful for everything you guys have done for me.

"I just can't wait for what's in the future. I love you guys, stay true to yourselves and never give up," she said.

Phillips goes out of the competition a week after Menifee's Olivia Ximines, 16, was eliminated after reaching the Top 20.

The Top 7 performers – based votes from America – performed two songs each, one from the Disney songbook and the second dedicated to the mother figures in their lives as a Mother's Day tribute. For his Disney performance earlier in the show, West sang "Almost There" from "The Princess and the Frog" from his apartment in Studio City.

"I have to say to you Jonny, you're our casual assassin," Richie said after his Disney performance. "You understand me? You make it look so effortless. Amazing job."

"The whole time you were performing, Jonny, I just kept thinking, my god, this guy is a just a pro," Bryan told West. "You're an artist and deliverer, way to pick the right song."

West joins fellow Top 7 contestants, Arthur Gunn, Just Sam, Louis Knight, Julia Gargano, Francisco Martini and Dillon James in the finale.

Jeff Pack can be reached by email at [email protected].