After securing a place in the Top 10 early last month, Watson has earned a place in the Top 8 following last Monday's episode.
The 16-year-old finalist from Southfield, Michigan received a standing ovation from American Idol judge Keith Urban for her rendition of "Ain't No Way" by Aretha Franklin.
"The great thing about this show is about watching the growth from week to week. You had this voice right from day one. You just needed to just be with it. That was so with it tonight. You were such in good control,"
Urban said.
Judge Jennifer Lopez was visibly impressed with Watson's performance, saying the youthful singer will be a 'huge star.'
"You're blossoming into this star right before our very eyes. You're still that same crazy girl who walked in but you have so much more control. You're gaining this poise and you realize it in your position," Lopez said. "You're going to run away with this competition," she added.
Judge Harry Connick Jr. was likewise impressed with Watson's performance but advised her to "work hard and keep doing what you're doing."
"You're doing everything right. That was (a) really, really strong performance - you're singing lyric, you're presenting, you're entertaining, you're performing, you're doing all of those things right," he told Watson during the show.
As a Top 10 winner, Watson will be joining the American Idol Live Tour in key US cities through the summer.
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Surprisingly, Watson landed in the bottom three during the recent voting after consistently landing in the top slots in the past weeks.
American Idol's
Branden ranked Caleb Johnson No. 1 followed by Alex Preston (2), Jena Irene(3) and Jessica Meuse(4). Watson was No.5 in the ranking.
Watson has gained worldwide popularity especially in the Philippines where the
American Idol show is televised.
Malaya is the daughter of Ronald Watson, an American professional guitar player, and Marian Bandico Watson, who is a nurse from the Philippines.
