American Idol season 24

American Idol season 24

The twenty-fourth season of American Idol premiered on January 26, 2026, on ABC. Ryan Seacrest returns as host; Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood returned as judges.

Auditions

American Idol season 24

Remote auditions were held from August 26 to October 6, 2025, as well as a number of open-call auditions. From these auditions, producers of the show selected the contestants who would be invited to audition in front of the judges. Eschewing the tour from past seasons, auditions were only held at one site—Belmont University in Nashville.

City	Filming date(s)	Filming venue
Nashville	November 3, 2025	Belmont University

Hollywood Week

American Idol season 24

For the first time, Hollywood Week was not held in or near Hollywood. Instead, it was held in Nashville and was dubbed the "Music City Takeover". A total of 127 contestants advanced to this stage of the competition. Each contestant performed a song of their own choice. After a select number of performances, several contestants at a time were called to the stage, and the judges sent some to the adjacent "Golden Room" which was a holding room for those who could advance, while the rest were eliminated. After all contestants performed, 60 were sent to the Golden Room while the judges made their final deliberations, and the rest were eliminated.

Of those in the Golden Room, 28 of them were chosen as part of the Top 30, while another 28 were eliminated. The last four contestants performed two sing-offs of which one in each advanced, and the other was eliminated.

The 30 contestants that that made it through Hollywood Week are: Makiyah, Jordan McCullough, Lucas Leon, Bella Emry, Madison Moon, Keyla Richardson, Braden Rumfelt, Chris Tungseth, Jake Thistle, Tianna Roberts, Philmon Lee, Brooks Rosser, Daniel Stallworth, Kutter Bradley, Bryant Thomas, Jesse Findling, Julián Kalel, Sheldon Riley, Brianna Yancey, Kiera Howell, Kyndal Inskeep, Hannah Harper, Ruby Rae, Jacquie Lee, Brenna Brigman, Rae, Genevieve Heyward, Abayomi, Michael Garner, and Chloe Lauren.

'Ohana Round

American Idol season 24

The top 30 from Hollywood Week advanced to a new round known as the 'Ohana Round, which took place at Disney's Aulani resort in Kapolei, Hawaii. Three performers were awarded Platinum Tickets by the contestants, the contestants' friends and family, and a panel of musicians and other industry figures respectively.

After the 'Ohana Round, the Top 20 was selected; of the contestants in the Top 20, the three that received a platinum ticket are Jordan McCullough, Brooks, and Kyndal Inskeep.

<table><thead><tr><th>Contestant</th><th>Song</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Jordan McCullough</td><td>"Grandma's Hands"</td></tr><tr><td>Lucas Leon</td><td>"The House That Built Me"</td></tr><tr><td>Keyla Richardson</td><td>"A Thousand Years"</td></tr><tr><td>Braden Rumfelt</td><td>"If I Ain't Got You"</td></tr><tr><td>Hannah Harper</td><td>"Go Rest High on That Mountain"</td></tr><tr><td>Genevieve Heyward</td><td>"Your Song"</td></tr><tr><td>Abayomi</td><td>"Rise Up"</td></tr><tr><td>Ruby Rae</td><td>"Till Forever Falls Apart"</td></tr><tr><td>Rae</td><td>"I'll Be There"</td></tr><tr><td>Jake Thistle</td><td>"Sleep on Me" (original song)</td></tr><tr><td>Brooks</td><td>"Everywhere, Everything"</td></tr><tr><td>Madison Moon</td><td>"Faithfully"</td></tr><tr><td>Daniel Stallworth</td><td>"The Climb"</td></tr><tr><td>Chris Tungseth</td><td>"Iris"</td></tr><tr><td>Jesse Findling</td><td>"Photograph"</td></tr><tr><td>Julián Kalel</td><td>"Surrender" (original song)</td></tr><tr><td>Kutter Bradley</td><td>"Amarillo Sky"</td></tr><tr><td>Kyndal Inskeep</td><td>"Woman of Me" (original song)</td></tr><tr><td>Philmon Lee</td><td>"All I Want"</td></tr><tr><td>Makiyah</td><td>"Stand Up"</td></tr></tbody></table>

Top 20 (March 16 & 23)

American Idol season 24

The top 20 contestants were split into two groups of ten and performed a song each at Aulani. The first group's performances aired on March 16, while the second group aired on March 23. Brad Paisley and Keke Palmer both served as guest mentors during the round. Contestants are listed in the order they performed.

<table><thead><tr><th>  This contestant was saved by America's vote.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>  This contestant was eliminated.</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table><thead><tr><th>Contestant</th><th>Song</th><th>Result</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Makiyah</td><td>"Bang Bang"</td><td>Eliminated</td></tr><tr><td>Jake Thistle</td><td>"The Power of Love"</td><td>Safe</td></tr><tr><td>Genevieve Hayward</td><td>"Pink Pony Club"</td><td>Eliminated</td></tr><tr><td>Daniel Stallworth</td><td>"All Night Long"</td><td>Safe</td></tr><tr><td>Kyndal Inskeep</td><td>"Call Your Mom"</td><td>Safe</td></tr><tr><td>Kutter Bradley</td><td>"It's Not Over"</td><td>Eliminated</td></tr><tr><td>Jesse Findling</td><td>"You Found Me"</td><td>Safe</td></tr><tr><td>Hannah Harper</td><td>"Ain't No Grave"</td><td>Safe</td></tr><tr><td>Braden Rumfelt</td><td>"Love On The Brain"</td><td>Safe</td></tr><tr><td>Brooks</td><td>"Dancing On My Own"</td><td>Safe</td></tr><tr><td>Contestant</td><td>Song</td><td>Result</td></tr><tr><td>Philmon Lee</td><td>"Don't Stop Believin'"</td><td>Safe</td></tr><tr><td>Rae</td><td>"Respect"</td><td>Safe</td></tr><tr><td>Lucas Leon</td><td>"Just to See You Smile"</td><td>Safe</td></tr><tr><td>Jordan McCollough</td><td>"I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For"</td><td>Safe</td></tr><tr><td>Abayomi</td><td>"Mamma Knows Best"</td><td>Eliminated</td></tr><tr><td>Madison Moon</td><td>"Since U Been Gone"</td><td>Eliminated</td></tr><tr><td>Chris Tungseth</td><td>"Apologize"</td><td>Safe</td></tr><tr><td>Ruby Rae</td><td>"Drag Me Down"</td><td>Eliminated</td></tr><tr><td>Julián Kalel</td><td>"Tourniquet"</td><td>Safe</td></tr><tr><td>Keyla Richardson</td><td>"With A Little Help From My Friends"</td><td>Safe</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table><thead><tr><th>Performer</th><th>Song</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Iam Tongi</td><td>"Good for My Soul"</td></tr><tr><td>Iam Tongi & Thunderstorm Artis</td><td>"Island Style"</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table><thead><tr><th>Performer</th><th>Song</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Skip Marley</td><td>"One Love/People Get Ready"</td></tr></tbody></table>

Finals

American Idol season 24

<table><thead><tr><th>  This contestant was saved by America's vote.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>  This contestant was saved by the judges.</td></tr><tr><td>  This contestant was eliminated.</td></tr><tr><td>  This contestant won American Idol.</td></tr><tr><td>  This contestant was the runner-up.</td></tr><tr><td>  This contestant finished in third place.</td></tr></tbody></table>

Top 14 – Songs of Faith (March 30)

Each contestant performed a song from the songs of faith songbook. No eliminations took place on March 30 as the social media votes weren't totaled by the end of the 10 pm eastern broadcast, the elimination will happen during the 4/6 broadcast.

<table><thead><tr><th>Contestant</th><th>Song</th><th>Result</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Keyla Richardson</td><td>"Jireh"</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Jesse Findling</td><td>"Bless The Broken Road"</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Lucas Leon</td><td>"Graditude"</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Daniel Stallworth</td><td>"Brighter Days"</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Philmon Lee</td><td>"Simple Man"</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Rae</td><td>"Up To The Mountain"</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Jake Thistle</td><td>"Have A Little Faith In Me"</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Braden Rumfelt</td><td>"Hard Fought Hallelujah"</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Julián Kalel</td><td>"Fix You"</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Kyndal Inskeep</td><td>"Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus"</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Jordan McCollough</td><td>"I Can Only Imagine"</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Brooks</td><td>"Imagine"</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Hannah Harper</td><td>"At The Cross"</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Chris Tungseth</td><td>"By Your Grace"</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

<table><thead><tr><th>Performer</th><th>Song</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie & The Top 20</td><td>"Jesus Is Love"</td></tr><tr><td>Carrie Underwood, Canaan James Hill, Kolbi Jordan & Filo</td><td>"How Great Thou Art"</td></tr></tbody></table>

Podcast

American Idol season 24

An official American Idol podcast, hosted by Danielle Fishel, will launch on April 1, 2026.

Voting information

American Idol season 24

Starting this season, the American Idol app, which was used for voting in recent seasons, was discontinued, and voting for this season occurs on the show's website and socal media accounts as well as via text messages.

Ratings

American Idol season 24

<table><thead><tr><th>No.</th><th>Title</th><th>Air date</th><th>Timeslot (ET)</th><th>Rating/share (18–49)</th><th>Viewers (millions)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>"Auditions, Part 1"</td><td>January 26, 2026</td><td>Monday 8:00 p.m.</td><td>0.6</td><td>6.22</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>"Auditions, Part 2"</td><td>February 2, 2026</td><td>0.6</td><td>5.47</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>"Auditions, Part 3"</td><td>February 9, 2026</td><td>0.4</td><td>4.49</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>"Auditions, Part 4"</td><td>February 16, 2026</td><td>0.4</td><td>4.75</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>"Hollywood Week In Music City - Part 1"</td><td>February 23, 2026</td><td>0.5</td><td>5.52</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>"Hollywood Week In Music City - Part 2"</td><td>March 2, 2026</td><td>0.4</td><td>5.19</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>"'Ohana Round"</td><td>March 9, 2026</td><td>0.4</td><td>5.09</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>"Top 20 at Disney's Aulani Resort in Hawai'i - Part 1"</td><td>March 16, 2026</td><td>0.4</td><td>4.70</td></tr><tr><td>9</td><td>"Top 20 at Disney's Aulani Resort in Hawai'i - Part 2"</td><td>March 23, 2026</td><td>0.4</td><td>4.79</td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td>"Songs of Faith"</td><td>March 30, 2026</td><td>TBD</td><td>TBD</td></tr><tr><td>11</td><td>"90s Judges' Song Contest"</td><td>April 6, 2026</td><td>TBD</td><td>TBD</td></tr><tr><td>12</td><td>"Rock & Roll Hall of Fame"</td><td>April 13, 2026</td><td>TBD</td><td>TBD</td></tr></tbody></table>