The Top 14 contestants of “American Idol” Season 24 were officially revealed during the first live episode of the season on Monday (Mar. 30).
Tonight, Monday, April 6, that number will drop to just 12 before the remaining vocalists take to the stage to perform a medley of 1990s inspired tracks for the judges. In the end, however, it will be up to the audience – watching and voting live from the comfort of living rooms across the country – who will decide which contestants move forward and which fall short of becoming the next “American Idol.”
While the audience vote has been a mainstay of the longrunning singing contest since its inception in 2002, the producers of the currently-airing season are reportedly “panicking” over the “stark gender divide” across the Top 14, which features more than twice as many male contestants as female ones.
‘American Idol’ Producers Reportedly ‘Panicked’ Over Top 14 Gender Split
DisneyThe (unconfirmed) reports of behind-the-scenes panic amongst producers comes from an unnamed source who told The Sun, “Production is already discussing how the women who are left can feel highlighted and really shine.”
“Worst case scenario will be the women being cut one by one and a Top 8 of all men,” the source, allegedly someone close to the show, continued.
Regardless of producers’ wishes to maintain gender diversity on the season as long as possible, the decision, ultimately, is not up to them. Instead the power lies in the hands of the voting public.
“This is not what anyone who works at the show wanted,” the source added, “but it’s America’s vote. [The producers’] hands are tied.”
That being said, the source confirmed that “American Idol” bosses plan to “do everything they can to keep the women in the competition” without giving them “special treatment” over their male competitors.
“They want the women to stand out and connect with the audience – but they have to be careful. They can’t impact the vote,” the source continued.
Fans are Already Worried About a Potentially All-Male Finale
DisneyIt’s not that the show’s bosses would prefer a female winner. According to the unnamed source, the producers are more concerned with the “optics” of an all-male finale, a possibility that has already entered the fandom’s imagination on social media.
“How is it basically ALL guys again??” wrote one fan online, adding, “‘Idol’ needs to fix this.”
“The women are getting robbed every single season. I’m over it,” wrote another, while a third added, “The talent is there but the voting always skews male. It’s frustrating to watch.”
DisneyThe four women remaining in the competition as the Top 14 prepares to narrow to the Top 12 are: Keyla Richardson (29), Hannah Harper (25), Rae (24) and Kyndal Inskeep (29).
By comparison, ten male vocalists remain in the competition to become the “American Idol” Season 24 champion, including: Brooks (22), Jesse Findling (20), Lucas Leon (17), Daniel Stallworth (27), Philmon Lee (26), Jake Thistle (22), Braden Rumfelt (22), Julian Kalel (19), Jordan McCullough (27) and Chris Tungseth (27).
Two singers in the Top 14 will be eliminated at the top of “American Idol” Season 24’s “90s Judges’ Song Contest” episode, airing TONIGHT, Monday, April 6 at 8:00pm ET on ABC.
An additional third elimination will occur before the episode wraps up, barring any further unforeseen voting complications, such as those that derailed the live voting results last week.
That’s why Lionel saved Rae and not Jesse – who deserved it. Rae isn’t likeable for some reason.