Michael Alexander "Big Mike" Lynche (born May 31st, 1983) was a contestant on Season 9 of American Idol.
Audition
Michael auditioned in Orlando. He sang "Unchained Melody" by The Righteous Brothers. Kara, Kristin and Simon all voted "yes", sending him to the next round.
Hollywood Round
Michael was shown in the first part of Hollywood Week. He sang "Waiting on the World to Change" by John Mayer. He did enough to advance. Michael was shown in a group named "Team Awesome" along with Seth Rollins, Michael Castro and Tim Urban singing "Get Ready" by The Temptations. He advanced along with Tim. For his final solo performance, he sang "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz. After the judges' verdict, he was placed in the same holding room as Casey James, Tim Urban, Tyler Grady, Andrew Garcia, Todrick Hall, Katie Stevens, Jermaine Sellers, Siobhan Magnus, Crystal Bowersox, Alex Lambert, Thaddeus Johnson, Tori Kelly, Lilly Scott and Jeff Goldford. Everyone in his room advanced. At the final deliberation, the judges revealed that he did enough to make the Top 24.
Top 24
Michael sang "This Love" by Maroon 5. He received enough votes to be considered "safe" for that week.
Top 20
Michael sang "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" by James Brown. He received enough votes to be considered "safe" for that week.
Top 16
Michael sang "This Woman's Work" by Kate Bush. He received enough votes to become a Top 12 finalist.
Top 12
Michael sang "Miss You" by The Rolling Stones.
Performances
| Week # | Theme | Song choice | Original artist | Order # | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audition | Auditioner's Choice | "Unchained Melody" | Todd Duncan | N/A | Advanced |
| Hollywood | First Solo | "Waiting on the World to Change" | John Mayer | N/A | Advanced |
| Hollywood | Group Performance | "Get Ready" | The Temptations | N/A | Advanced |
| Hollywood | Second Solo | "'m Yours" | Jason Mraz | N/A | Advanced |
| Top 24 (12 Men) | Billboard Hot 100 Hits | "This Love" | Maroon 5 | 9 | Safe |
| Top 20 (10 Men) | "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" | James Brown | 1 | Safe | |
| Top 16 (8 Men) | "This Woman's Work" | Kate Bush | 8 | Safe | |
| Top 12 | The Rolling Stones | "Miss You" | The Rolling Stones | 1 | Safe |
| Top 11 | Billboard #1 Hits | "When a Man Loves a Woman" | Percy Sledge | 6 | Safe |
| Top 10 | Soul | "Ready for Love" | India.Arie | 3 | Safe |
| Top 9 | Lennon/McCartney | "Eleanor Rigby" | The Beatles | 4 | Saved |
| Top 9 | Elvis Presley | "In the Ghetto" | Elvis Presley | 7 | Safe |
| Top 7 | Inspirational | "Hero" | Chad Kroeger | 6 | Safe |
| Top 6 | Shania Twain | "It Only Hurts When I'm Breathing" | Shania Twain | 2 | Bottom 3 |
| Top 5 | Frank Sinatra | "The Way You Look Tonight" | Fred Astaire | 4 | Bottom 2 |
| Top 4 | Songs of the Cinema Solo Duet |
"Will You Be There" — Free Willy "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?" — Don Juan DeMarco with Casey James |
Michael Jackson Bryan Adams |
2 6 |
Eliminated |
Trivia
- He is the younger brother of Marque Lynche.
- During his stay in Hollywood Week, his wife went into labour, giving birth to his daughter shortly before his group performance.
- Michael has the exact same birthday as David Hernandez
| Season 9 |
| Finalists |
| Lee DeWyze · Crystal Bowersox · Casey James · Michael Lynche · Aaron Kelly · Siobhan Magnus · Tim Urban · Katie Stevens · Andrew Garcia · Didi Benami · Paige Miles · Lacey Brown |
| Semifinalists |
| Lilly Scott · Alex Lambert · Todrick Hall · Katelyn Epperly · Haeley Vaughn · Michelle Delamor · Jermaine Sellers · John Park · Tyler Grady · Ashley Rodriguez · Joe Munoz · Janell Wheeler |