The competition is heating up on “American Idol” season 24, as the number of contestants remaining entered single digits on April 13, 2026. As the Top 11 performed songs made famous by Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees, viewers had two hours to cast their votes.
At the end of the live episode, host Ryan Seacrest revealed who’s moving on to the Top 9. We covered every performance and the results LIVE — below you can read in detail how it went and the judges’ feedback for each performer.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Kicks Off With Chris Tungseth
ABC promised a rocking episode, with this year’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame night. Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo will take the stage and judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan are ready to rock, too.
The first contestant to perform was Chris Tungseth, who worked closely with Benatar and Giraldo on his song pick, “Cold As Ice.” They knew it was important for him to do well, since last week’s performance didn’t blow the judges away. This week, Bryan told him that he seemed way more comfortable and brought great energy. Tungseth told Seacrest that it felt fun to move out of his comfort zone on the tune.
Rae Was Ready to Rock With Pat Benatar
After a commercial break, “American Idol” revealed that 2004 contestant Jennifer Hudson will mentor the Top 9 as they visit Disneyland. She has become a superstar since her time on “Idol,” and will even join the judges on the panel next week, Seacrest said.
Next up, Rae got to FaceTime her mom — a huge Pat Benatar fan — as she sat down for her mentorship session on her song choice, “MacArthur Park” by Donna Summer. Underwood, who performed the same song when she was a contestant, said Rae “clocked me,” singing it better than she did, and noted that she loved the “drama” Rae brought to it. Bryan told Rae she did a “great job” and Richie said he loved that she wasn’t afraid to put her “stamp on that hit record.”
Braden Rumfelt Takes On ‘Superstition’ Thanks to His Brother
Braden Rumfelt said his twin brother convinced him NOT to do another slow song like the previous week, so he chose Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition.” During his mentorship session, he kept cracking them up and Giraldo said he had no doubt the 23-year-old substitute teacher would “deliver.”
Underwood said that she thinks after her “constructive criticism last week,” Braden took her advice and came to play. All three judges thought he did a great job on the classic tune.
Brooks Rosser Reveals How He ‘Sees’ Music
Brooks Rosser admitted he didn’t feel great about last week’s performance, and chose Jackson Browne’s ballad “These Days” because it speaks to him. He opened up to Benatar and Giraldo in a powerful exchange about how he is color blind, but sees and feels colors when he closes his eyes and sings or listens to music.
The judges were wowed by Brooks’ presence on stage, with Richie telling him his voice is God-given and Underwood admitting she did not want his performance to end. “Please let your confidence thrive and flourish,” Bryan told him, urging him to feel good about his talent. Seacrest also told Brooks that the performance was “mesmerizing.”
Daniel Stallworth is Livin’ on a Prayer
After an amazing performance by Benatar and Giraldo, Daniel Stallworth went into his mentorship session with them, but he felt very nervous about singing Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ On a Prayer.” They gave him some help on his delivery, and he said he really wanted it to be one of his best performances. Whatever happened between that session and his performance worked!
Underwood said that while watching his mentorship session, she did not think she’d like Daniel’s performance but admitted, “I was wrong — it was awesome!” Bryan agreed, telling Daniel, “You’ve got the magic.” And Richie said that Daniel “brought Bon Jovi to church!”
Keyla Richardson Sends a Stevie Wonder Classic Soaring
After a commercial break, WWE’s The Miz made a raucous entrance to promote Wrestle Mania and spun Seacrest around onstage in a hilarious skit, until he was allowed to take over hosting duties momentarily, introducing Keyla Richardson.
The single mom, in her mentorship session, told Benatar and Giraldo that she got very emotional after her last performance seeing her son Drew in the audience. Now singing “Signed, Sealed, Delivered,” Benatar encouraged her to sing it straight to her kiddo. After practicing, the rockers did tell Keyla it sounded too much like Stevie Wonder’s version, so Giraldo suggested she start the song slowly — an idea she LOVED.
Keyla absolutely rocked the tune and the crowd went wild. Afterwards, Bryan said he was “speechless” and that he’s never seen her go to “that level.” Underwood said Bryan “squeezed my hand so hard” because he was so stunned by the performance, and Richie completely agreed that it was an incredible performance.
Lucas Leon Tickles the Ivories for an Elton John Classic
Before the next performance, Seacrest and Richie announced the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees. They include Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, Oasis, Sade, Luther Vandross, Wu-Tang Clan, Queen Latifah, and MCLYTE (former “Idol” judge Mariah Carey was a nominee but did not get through this year).
Next up, 18-year-old Lucas Leon performed Elton John’s “Bennie & The Jets” for Benatar and Giraldo, who encouraged him to stretch outside his comfort zone and have fun on the piano, since he’s such a talented player.
All three judges gave him a standing ovation, and Richie told him it’s one of his favorite songs and that he liked how he let loose toward the end of the song. Underwood thought it was “great,” and Bryan said he smiled the whole time and that his performances make him “happy,” noting that he’s always impressed with how much Lucas has grown.
Kyndal Inskeep Reveals Vocal Struggles But Hopes for the Best
Like others, Kyndal Inskeep said she didn’t feel so great about her performance last week and that there’s no chance to be “mediocre” anymore. She gave Benatar and Giraldo a couple of choices, between the Police and Janis Joplin, and they loved her rasp. Benatar smiled, “If you want to make a splash, do ‘Message in a Bottle.'”
However, Kyndal decided to go with Joplin’s “Piece of My Heart” and admitted that her voice has had a hard time this week. Underwood said it seemed like Kyndal was giving up on herself, but made sure she knew her voice is incredible. Bryan said she chose the perfect song, especially given her vocal issues, but celebrated that she pushed through. Richie agreed, saying they’ve all had weeks like that, and Seacrest encouraged fans to vote for her, telling her to “feel better.”
Philmon Lee Gets ‘Hot Blooded’ Over Equipment Issues as He Belts Out Hit
Philmon Lee got very helpful tips from Benatar and Giraldo, who encouraged him to lower the key a bit and also really deliver the message of his song choice, Foreigner’s “Hot Blooded.” With suggestions in place, they said the insurance salesman’s raspy delivery would be perfect. Philmon seemed to tug at his ear pieces a lot, but made it through and ended on a powerful high note.
Bryan told Philmon to embody the song’s message even if he’s dealing with equipment issues. Richie agreed, saying it’s important to go from singing to embodying a character that delivers the message. Underwood agreed, too, saying it was the perfect song for his voice and that she can’t wait to see him let loose on a future song.
Hannah Harper Wins Over the Judges in a ‘Landslide’
Hannah Harper admitted she never listened to rock music growing up in her traveling family bluegrass band, so she chose Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide.” She talked with Benatar and Giraldo about the challenges of raising a family while pursuing a dream, and they assured her she can do it with her husband and three little ones.
Hannah’s rendition got a standing ovation from Underwood, who looked emotional as she listened and told her it was “absolutely gorgeous.” Bryan said, “It made me forget I was judging ‘American Idol'” because it was so “special.” Richie agreed that he made the classic her own.
Jordan McCullough Thrills the Audience & Judges With Queen
Worship director Jordan McCullough got some great feedback from Benatar and Giraldo on Queen’s “Somebody to Love,” encouraging him to take the audience to church. They were so impressed by his voice and delivery, Benatar joked, “I quit!”
The judges were so pumped and Underwood literally screamed to him over the cheering crowd, “Can you hear me!? That was sooo much fun!” Bryan said, “Everything about that is what ‘American Idol’ is all about … Watching your fellow competition cheer you on.” Richie told him, “That was clearly a drop-the-mic-moment. I am telling you, it was amazing!”
Who Got Through to the Top 9 & Who’s Going Home?
The moment of truth came after the final commercial break, as viewer voting ended. Seacrest appeared with the results, to announce which contestants in the Top 11 would continue on.
In no particular order, Seacrest said the first person through to the Top 9 is Brooks Rosser. Next he named Daniel Stallworth to the Top 9. Braden Rumfelt advanced, as did Lucas Leon. Next up, Jordan McCullough made it through. Then Hannah Harper’s name was called. After that, Keyla Richardson advanced, and then Chris Tungseth. There were then three left with only one able to go through — and that spot went to Kyndal Inskeep. That means Rae and Philmon Lee are heading home.
The Top 9 will perform next Monday, April 20, on Disney Night with “Idol” alum Jennifer Hudson serving as a mentor and judge.
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