We are back with even more auditions on “American Idol” season 24 tonight on ABC. There will be even more hopeful singers stepping in front of the “American Idol” 2026 judges — Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan — and hope to start their journey of being named the winner of “American Idol” season 24. We have Ryan Seacrest in place as host, but who gets a ticket to Hollywood tonight on “American Idol” 2026? Find out with us during our “American Idol” live recap below.
Week 3 of Auditions
This season of “American Idol” rocks, and tonight’s new episode is going to be proof of that. We have even more hopeful singers stepping in front of the judges after week 2 of auditions last week. They are all trying to get a ticket to Hollywood and remain in the competition.
We have arrived at Monday night again, which means another night of “American Idol” 2026. You aren’t going to want to miss any of these auditions tonight on “American Idol” season 24. Follow along with our Live Recap below!
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD: THIS LIVE RECAP WILL BE UPDATED THROUGHOUT THE EPISODE, SO DO NOT KEEP READING IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO READ SPOILERS.
February 9 Live Recap – Week 3
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Week 3 Begins
A look back at Jamal Roberts and his journey, from his audition to a Grammy nomination now.
Jordan McCullough
He said he met Jamal, so “Goodness of God.” Jordan said he was going to bring the church here. He definitely did that, as his voice is amazing. Such control and range. I am a fan.
Judges’ Feedback: Carrie said he’s been given an incredible gift, and she’s so glad he uses it. Luke said his voice is big enough to fill any room. Lionel said it’s one of those moments where we discover your talent. They are all a big, giant yes, so he is headed to Hollywood.
Rock & Roll
The judges hear some loud music outside, so they head out. It is Noah Orion, who is performing with his band on a bus. They sing “Ace of Spades” by Motörhead, which starts a rock and roll montage. We see Zayuh Moro and Brett Carlisle, who sings with Great White. Carrie is loving the rock and roll, and the other judges love it too. All three of them are headed to Hollywood Week.
Madison Moon on ‘American Idol’
She is overwhelmed when walking. It seems like she can’t believe she is here. Madison said she does music full-time. She sings everything, but wants to do pop rock. She sings “Creep” by Radiohead. This is a big song, but it does have a slow start. I am unsure, but it kicks in, and she seems to have some great control of her voice. She hits some big notes with some long holds.
Carrie said she wants more. Madison said she sings harsh, which is scream rock. She sings again and brings out that scream, and Carrie is in love.
Judges’ Feedback: Luke said you can do that without hurting yourself. She is one of the best voices we’ve heard. Lionel said where does this voice end? Carrie said she is one of my favorites, Top 3 she’s calling. Three yes votes for her!
Philmon Lee
He comes in comfortably and is very calm. Right now, he does insurance sales. However, he wants to sign every night if he can. He credits it to his dad, who toured around with a gospel quartet. Philmon got into music after college and signed with a major label. Then the pandemic hit, and it never went anywhere. “American Idol” 2026 is another chance for him to do what he loves.
Philmon sings “When a Man Loves a Woman” by Michael Bolton. To be honest, I wasn’t sure how this would go. He’s just so calm, no nerves. However, that’s because he knows what he’s got is true talent. His voice is so good, and he nails this audition.
Judges’ Feedback: Lionel said that it was a great interpretation. Carrie said surprising. He is so chill and calm, but then he sings with his hands in his pockets. She was pleasantly surprised. Luke said making another Georgia boy proud. He looks like he was born to sing, and it’s his turn to shine. He gets three yes votes and is headed to Hollywood Week!
Livy
She is from a small town in West Virginia. She works at a Texas Roadhouse, so she brings in the rolls and peanuts for the judges. Her personality is amazing, and I love her, even before she sings. For her audition, she sings “Love Wins” by Carrie Underwood.
So, big risk taking on the judge’s song, but she has a very solid voice. That rasp is great. She has confidence and makes you feel the emotion of the song. I am a fan!
Judges’ Feedback: Carrie said she might be pushing too hard. They have her sing softer, and they love it. Luke said work on capturing the emotion. It is three yes votes. Lionel said she is a sweetheart. Calm down and put that magic out there.
Miyoko
She is from Ukraine, does not speak Japanese, but is singing it. Anime hit her. She is still learning English. She has a lot of energy and thinks she is going to take over the world with her voice.
Judges’ Feedback: Luke said he loves her energy and everything she is about. She is a star. Carrie said it’s very good and loves her energy. They don’t have an Anime Night, so she doesn’t think this is the avenue for her. Lionel said we don’t want the theater, we want that pop singer. He said the only way she’s going to know what they are talking about is to put her through. Carrie is a no, but the others are a yes, and she is going to Hollywood.
We then see a montage of Carrie and Luke disagreeing on contestants, but it’s all in good fun.
Vincent Fondale
He is from Ohio and has been singing with his band, Recess, for 18 years. They were close to breaking up in 2019, but wrote this original song. Now here he is singing it, which is called “The Sound of Giving Up.” He has a decent voice, but I feel like he is overdoing it and trying too hard at times.
Judges’ Feedback: Carrie said she is really excited about him, and she has no words. Luke said he has big notes, but the tender stuff didn’t connect with him. Lionel said he sounds like an old-seasoned guy. While Luke is a no, the others vote yes, and he is going to Hollywood Week!
Lanii on ‘American Idol’
She is 19 years old and clearly is nervous. Lanii said she is doing this for her dad, who is in the ICU. She said all of this is for him. Her dad has always believed in her, even when she doesn’t believe in it. He has struggled with addiction, and she said this could be her last chance to show him that she tried.
For her audition, she sings “Tell Me You Love Me” by Demi Lovato. While she is clearly nervous and lacks confidence, she has a good voice. She captures the emotions of the lyrics. I do feel she is young and new to this, but she could be worked to be better and better.
Judges’ Feedback: Carrie said she has an incredible. I don’t even know if you know what you could be capable of. Luke said some people’s journey to get here is harder than others. She is not trying to be something she’s not, and there’s something special about her. Lionel said she’s got him all messed up in the corner over here. It’s pretty uplifting to see the human spirit, and she’s a perfect example of it. It’s three yes votes, and she is headed to Hollywood Week.
Jackie Bluebird
We see Melinda Doolittle, a Top 3 finalist on season 6, join Ryan Seacrest. They head to Belmont University to let the students sing for them to try to scope for talent.
That is when they found Jackie Bluebird, who gets to come in and audition for the judges. She sings “You Know I’m No Good” by Amy Winehouse. It’s a good performance and she has that indie-type voice, which works for this song.
Judges’ Feedback: Carrie said that, hearing her sing, she feels like she can get some more air under those higher notes. Luke said he likes her voice and wants to roll the dice on her. Lionel said ditto. It’s three yes votes for her!
Nyla Martin
She is a junior in high school. She said her whole life has revolved around music, and she just sings everywhere. Nyla wants to be cool, calm, and collected, but is anything but. For her audition, she sings “Ain’t No Way” by Aretha Franklin. She is only 17 years old and has a huge voice. I also feel like she is overdoing it at parts, though.
Judges’ Feedback: Carrie said incredible voice. It’s hard to believe she is 17 years old with an instrument like that. Luke said he wants to see how much she can grow in this competition. Lionel said God granted her with an instrument. She needs to learn to edit, and she will be well on her way. Less is more. She is going to Hollywood Week!
Christian Brown
Christian is a delivery truck driver and comes in with his dad, who is country music singer Marty Brown. They kick things off singing “I’m From the Country,” and everyone is having fun. For his audition, Christian sings “Wildest Dreams” by his father. Yeah, this makes Marty very emotional, which is totally understandable. Christian definitely has a good voice.
Judges’ Feedback: Lionel said he could take both of them on the road right now and make a lot of money. Carrie said he has a surprising range to his voice. Luke said he’s definitely got all the tools to see some rounds in this competition. It’s three yes votes, so he is heading to Hollywood Week.
Julianne Post
She sings an original song, and I am not feeling it. Lionel loved it, and it is a yes. Carrie wasn’t sure how she’d fit on the show, so she is a no. Luke said she is a creative creature and is not sure what to do with her. It’s a yes, so she is going to Hollywood.
Trew the Star
He said his first memory of singing was watching “American Idol” with his mom. His siblings are with him, and they are all emotional about Trew being here. Their mom was into drugs, and they had a rough life as kids. He was just starting to understand and forgive her when she passed away in 2022. Yes, we see all the tears right now.
For his audition, he sings “Nothin’ Can Change This Love” by Sam Cooke. He has a very solid voice. Trew hits some runs that are so good. He then puts a rasp in there, and I love it. He definitely has good range.
Judges’ Feedback: Lionel hugs him and says we are proud of him. Carrie said he has a commanding voice, but her favorite part was his delivery. He was delivering a story to us, and it was believable. Luke said he got full-body chills, and it was real and genuine. His family comes in and gets to enjoy the moment, as he gets three yes votes from the judges.
Quick Yeses: Alabama took over, as we see Kutter Bradley and Kayla Finch both get a ticket to Hollywood.
Kiera Howell
She is from Alabama, also. She said she loves performing at festivals, as she is a talker and loves interacting with the people after the show. Kiera is leaning towards Christian rock, as she is singing “Don’t Tread On Me” by We the Kingdom. She starts a little slow, but then it kicks in, and she kicks it in. She hits some big notes and shows off some range.
Judges’ Feedback: Carrie said he feels like there’s some range in there, and she likes her voice a lot. Luke said she may have broken a Carrie Underwood note-holding record. Make sure you sing smart. Carrie said keep your song choices young and spunky. It’s a yes from all three judges, so she is going to Hollywood.
Roelle
She is from Puerto Rico. She moved to Death Valley, California, recently. Roelle felt like she never fit in in Puerto Rico with her music, so she looked up jobs in the United States that provided housing. She wanted to save money and then move to Los Angeles to pursue her music career. Roelle hasn’t seen her family in a while, but is doing this to find that music career. Carrie then reads a note from her mom, but then we see her mom is backstage to surprise her!
For her audition, she sings “Maybe.” by Sienna Spiro. She definitely has such a strong voice and makes you feel the emotions of the lyrics. Her mom is very emotional, enjoying the moment. It was definitely a very powerful performance.
Judges’ Feedback: Carrie said that it was really good. Her tone and range, you can feel so much emotion. Lionel said she opens her mouth and it’s just a songbird. Luke said that’s the first time he’s heard someone give the right experience with that song.
Before they vote, they surprise her with her mom! Such a touching moment, as the judges give her a ticket to Hollywood!
That’s it for tonight. What did you think of tonight’s auditions?
