The April 27 episode of American Idol featured the contestants vying to make it to the top 5 singing songs from the catalog of Taylor Swift in round one, and then paying tribute to the “spirit of California” in round two with song choices somehow tied to the state.

Enter, comedian Nikki Glaser who was an unexpected choice for a guest judge who does have a penchant for Swift and is a self-proclaimed Swiftie.

On this important night of the competition, the top 7 belted out their tunes or delivered the subtleties in their vocals in front of Glaser and series hosts: Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood and Lionel Richie.

After the smoke cleared, here is who America voted into the top five, and who next Monday will be competing for the top three and a trip to the American Idol finals. Take a look at their round one Taylor Swift song choices and performances.

Jordan McCullough

McCullough performed Taylor Swift’s 2006 song “Tim McGraw” and followed it up with Bonnie Raitt’s classic “I Can’t Make You Love Me” was his second song of the night. McCullough brings gospel, country, R&B and pure excellence to every thing he performs and has been a favorite since the season began.

Chris Tungseth

Tungseth performed two haunting tracks. First, Taylor Swift’s duet with Bon Iver, “Exile” which is our favorite song on her Grammy Award-winning album, Folklore, and later, Billie Eilish’s Oscar and Grammy winning song from Barbie, “What Was I Made For?” Tungseth, the former college football player, showcased a more sensitive side to his vocals throughout the show.

Hannah Harper

Harper has the makings of all the past American Idol winners, especially since she is the pure-bred country artist reminiscent of the great Allison Krause. She performed Taylor Swift’s 2010 tune, “Mean” and later Merle Haggard’s “That’s the Way Love Goes.”

Keyla Richardson

Richardson delivered Taylor Swift’s 2019 balled “Lover” in her own style, and later a rendition of Etta James, “I’d Rather Go Blind.” Richardson had the ability to make her performances unique on to herself and not like the originals from Swift or James.

Braeden Rumfelt

Rumfelt made an excellent song choice in Taylor Swift’s “Cardigan” from the album Folklore. He was able to go from soft and tender to building the dramatic moments of the tune. Later, he performed Maroon 5’s “This Love” and gave us some Adam Levine vibes. For our money from the very start of the competition, Braeden should be the one to beat, but America may feel differently.

So, who do you think should move on to the Top 3 next Monday? Jordan, Chris, Hannah, Keyla, or Braeden? Let us know via the comment section below.

This week, ABC announced that all three American Idol music superstar judges, Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood would be returning for its upcoming season, ending speculation that Underwood may be replaced after some viewer backlash in her freshman season behind the judges chair.

Now with all three judges signed on and awaiting confirmation that host, Ryan Seacrest will be back to, American Idol is revving up its ninth season on ABC and Hulu and 24th overall, when it returns in 2026. The first stage is finding the singers around the country will compete to be your next “American Idol.”

According to ABC, American Idol has ranked as a top unscripted series during its eight seasons on ABC, ending on a high note with last season’s finale ranking No. 1 on the night, No. 1 for the week in primetime, and earning the best Total Viewer audience in two years. The series continues to dominate on social media as the No. 1 Most Social Reality Series across TV so far in 2025, collecting 1.65-plus billion social video views this year. Season eight winner Jamal Roberts’ first single Heal also debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Gospel chart in May 2025.”

Photo: ABC

Season nine auditions kick off today on Tuesday, Aug. 26, with the return of “Idol Across America,” the live virtual nationwide search for the next superstar, taking place across all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. Those auditioning will be given the opportunity to showcase their talents face-to-face with an “American Idol” producer, from anywhere in America, across any official audition date for a chance to proceed to the judge auditions. Contenders will also be allowed to audition during open call dates, and auditions will be open worldwide to all those eligible.

Photo: ABC

For information on how to sign up for “Idol Across America” and to register to virtually audition in front of an “American Idol” producer, please visit their website americanidol.com/auditions. Contenders may audition on any “Idol Across America” date, regardless of location. Full eligibility requirements, details on specific dates, submission forms, and terms and conditions, are included on the website.

Now below, watch the official video announcement that Luke, Lionel and Carrie are back for the upcoming season of American Idol.

So, were you happy with the threesome’s chemistry during season 8 on ABC, or were you hoping for a change in the judges chair, and if so, who would you prefer to see? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/GXlQGH_YQlI

Now below, watch the official announcement that Luke, Lionel and Carrie are back for the upcoming season of American Idol. So, were you happy with the threesome’s chemistry during season 8 on ABC, or were you hoping for a change in the judges chair, and if so, who would you prefer to see? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

Sunday, May 18th three-hour season 23 finale of American Idol brought plenty of drama, plenty of hankie-inducing moments and some incredible vocal performances from the final three, those that were in the top 10, and the guest performers.

So, who was it going to be? 18-year old John Foster, stay-at-home mom, Breanna Nix, or the PE kids school teacher, Jamal Roberts? During the finale’s first round of competition, the top three had to perform two songs before the first vote from America of the night.

Country singer, John Foster performed “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)” and “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” R&B singer, Jamal Roberts performed, “First Time” and “Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me),” and faith singer, Breanna Nix performed, “In Jesus Name (God of Possible)” and “The Climb.”

Photo: ABC

When voting closed, host Ryan Seacrest announced that Breanna Nix was eliminated, thus it was down to John Foster and Jamal Roberts for the American Idol Season 23 crown.

Throughout the finale stars such as Patti Labelle, Jelly Roll (who was the guest mentor all season), Jennifer Holliday, the return of Jessica Simpson singing publicly after 15-years and more, took to the stage alongside Idol top 10 finalists, with whom they shared the spotlight with.

At one point, series judges, Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan took to the stage together to sing for the first time this season when they all chimed in to Richie’s classic, “Stuck on You.”

However, it was the hometown packages of the three finalists that were the most moving. One, showing how John Foster wrote a song “Tell That Angel I Love Her,” in a heartfelt tribute to the late Maggie Dunn and Caroline Gill. Two girls he was close friends with in high school. who were killed during a high speed police chase on New Year’s Eve 2022 when a police officer hit their car while pursuing another car.  He performed that song in the final round of competition.

Photo: ABC

Jamal Roberts, who is a father of three, was shown being loved by the young children at the school where he is their Physical Education teacher in Meridian, Mississippi, before taking to the stage and performing his new single, “Heal.”  He previously performed the song earlier in the season, and just like that, his performance had the entire audience and judges on their feet for quite awhile.

When the smoke cleared, and it was time to get down to the final results, Seacrest revealed there was a record-setting at home vote of over 26 million cast for the two remaining contestants. Next, Ryan opened the card with the results, and named Jamal Roberts as this season’s American Idol.  Immediately afterwards, Roberts took to the stage to perform once again as confetti rained down and he was swarmed by his now former competitors and fellow.

Taking to his Instagram after his victory, Roberts wrote, “I’m still trying to process this… God is so good. 🙏🏾 From my first step on that stage to this unbelievable moment, I never dreamed a kid from my hometown would one day be called American Idol. This journey has been bigger than me, and I’m so grateful for every person who believed in me when I was just chasing a dream. Most of all, I hope my girls see this and know that with faith, hard work, and heart, anything is possible. To my city, my family, and everyone out there grinding for something greater, this is our victory. Now, I get to make music with the best in the world and share my story. But this isn’t the end… it’s just the beginning. From the bottom of my heart…. THANK YOU! None of this happens without y’all. 💙

So, happy that Jamal is your new American Idol? Comment below. But first check out the moment Ryan Seacrest revealed this year’s winner.

 

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