On tomorrow night’s (Mar. 30) episode of “American Idol,” the Top 20 contestants will be narrowed down to just 12 as the long-running singing competition heats up.
As the live shows begin, the power over who goes home and who continues to the next round transfers from the judging panel (Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie & Luke Bryan) to the audience, who will have the power to vote to keep their favorite singers in the competition each and every week.
With just a few weeks remaining until the finale of “American Idol” Season 24 on May 11, 2026, here are the five contestants currently listed as the favorites to eventually win the competition according to Kalshi’s reality TV betting odds.
Predicted Fifth Place: Kyndal Inskeep
Disney29-year-old Kyndal Inskeep earned her Golden Ticket to Hollywood after wowing the “American Idol” judges with a performance of her original song “Prayer of a Trying Daughter” during the audition rounds.
After continuing to impress the judges during the Hollywood Round with her rendition of “Human” by The Killers, the Indiana native earned a stop in the Top 30 before travelling to Hawaii for the first-ever ‘Ohana Week.
During the tropical round, Inskeep secured her spot in the Top 20 after impressing a panel of industry professionals with yet another original song – “Woman of Me.”
Kyndal is currently predicted to wrap up a respectable fifth place finish on Season 24 of “American Idol,” with 4% of Kalshi voters listing the singer as their favorite to win.
Predicted Fourth Place: Keyla Richardson
DisneyFloridian Keyla Richardson celebrated her “American Idol” debut with three “yes” votes after impressing the judges with her sparkling audition – a cover of P!nk’s “Glitter in the Air.”
In the Hollywood Rounds, the 29-year-old earned her place in the Top 30 courtesy of her rendition of Jason Mraz’s “I Won’t Give Up,” before her styling of Christina Perry’s “a thousand years” secured her spot in the Top 20 during the ‘Ohana Week rounds.
Richardson is currently projected to finish this season of “American Idol” in fourth place, with 9% of Kalshi voters betting that Keyla will go on to win the entire competition.
Predicted Third Place: Braden Rumfelt
Disney22-year-old Braden Rumfelt managed to succeed in his “American Idol” audition after impressing the entire judging panel with his cover of Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush.”
After entering the Hollywood Round, the North Carolina native managed to advance to the Golden Room after performing Sam Smith’s “I’m Not the Only One” for the judges, securing his spot in the Top 30.
In the ‘Ohana Round, Rumfelt’s rendition of Alicia Keys’ “If I Ain’t Got You” – featuring his twin brother Kellen on the guitar — didn’t manage to earn him a Platinum Ticket, a boon from the judges eventually earned him a spot in the Top 20.
Braden is currently predicted to finish this season of “American Idol” in third place, with 11% of Kalshi voters betting that he’ll go on to be crowned the competition’s victor.
Predicted Second Place: Brooks Rosser
DisneyMaryland native Brooks Rosser – known mononymously as Brooks on “American Idol” – made certain he’d make it past his audition by singing both “Your Place at My Place” by Joshua Sloan and “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” by Bob Dylan for the judges.
Three “yes” votes later, the 22-year-old found himself in Hollywood, where a performance of Sam Barber’s “Drowning” secured him a spot in the Golden Room and, by extension, the Top 30 of Season 24.
In the ‘Ohana Round, continued to impress, convincing the “American Idol ‘Ohana” to award him a Platinum Ticket to the Top 20 with his cover of Noah Kahan’s “Everywhere, Everything.”
Brooks is currently expected to become the runner-up of “American Idol” in 2026, with 21% of Kalshi voters betting that he’ll eventually take home the grand prize.
Predicted Winner: Hannah Harper
Disney25-year-old Hannah Harper is currently projected to win “American Idol” in 2026, with 49% of Kalshi voters betting that the Missouri native will eventually be declared the victor of Season 24.
Harper made her memorable debut on the season performing her original song “String Cheese” for the judges. Not only did the track manage to earn Hannah a ticket to Hollywood, it’s also managed to gain mainstream popularity on platforms like TikTok, as well as reaching #14 on the Billboard Country Digital Songs chart since her audition.
She continued to impress during the Hollywood Round, earning her spot in the Top 30 with a cover of “A Little Past Little Rock” by Lee Ann Womack. In the following ‘Ohana Round, Harper secured her Top 20 placement after performing “Go Rest High on That Mountain” by Vince Gill.
“American Idol” returns to ABC screens nationwide with the season’s first live show – a “Songs of Faith” themed Easter episode – on Monday, March 30 at 8:00pm ET. Be sure to tune in to see which of the Top 20 earned enough fan votes to secure their spots in the Top 12!
