Filipino American singer makes American Idol's top 20

SCREEN CAPTURE / ABC

Francisco Martin sang his way to the Top 20 in this season's American Idol.

Season 18 of American Idol is underway and once again, a Filipino American is in the running for the reality talent competition.

Francisco Martin of San Francisco, a 19-year old college student, on Sunday (March 29) made his way through the auditions and the Hollywood phase that included a duet and solo, all the way to the Top 20.

For the first time this season, the competitors in the Top 40 performed before a live audience and Martin showed that he is a fan favorite. Young screamed through Martin's cover of Harry Styles’ “Falling” at the Disney resort in Aulani, Hawaii.

The young singer seemed more comfortable performing in front of a live audience in Hawaii than playing in front of only the judges. The nervousness that he showed in his audition and in Hollywood was nowhere to be seen.

When it was over, judge Luke Bryan was -- literally -- jumping up and down on his seat. Judge Katy Perry, perhaps influenced by the Hawaii setting asked, "Is that Bruno Mars? I like it." Pop sensation Mars, a Filipino American, was raised in nearby Honolulu.

The third judge, Lionel Richie, added: “When the girls screamed, did you see what he turned into? I don’t even think he sang for a moment. He just kinda sat there and took it all in.”

Martin is no stranger to performing. In the San Francisco Bay Area he belongs to a Filipino American band All for Patricia with which he plays drums and guitar and occasionally he sings songs in Tagalog.

Last season's winner, Laine Hardy, was the first time an Asian American won the contest. Before Hardy's win, Filipina American R&B singer Jessica Sanchez, was first runner-up.

American Idol could make history if later in the competition, if Martin survives the coming weeks, by pairing Sanchez and Martin to become the first Asian American duet on the show. Wouldn't that be something?

CORRECTION March 30: Earlier versions of this post had the wrong performance day.