WARNING: Spoilers for ‘American Idol’ Week 8 ahead!
The hunt for America’s next superstar is back! The long-running competition show “American Idol” has returned for its highly anticipated Season 24. The first several weeks wasted no time in delivering emotional backstories, surprising moments, and several early favorites who instantly caught the attention of the judges trio, Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood.
“American Idol” concluded the second part of “Hollywood Week: Music City Takeover,” which consisted of a single round of competition instead of the usual multiple rounds, with the biggest cut in the show’s history. Then, the remaining contestants moved onto the all-new “Ohana Round” last week, which takes place during the show’s three-episode “Hollywood Week.”
During the “Ohana Round,” 30 contestants performed for a group of “industry tastemakers,” who helped the judges narrow down the competition to the Top 20. The “industry tastemakers” included influencer duo Kaniyia Brown and Terry McCaskill, music creator Anthony Gargiula, dancer and choreographer Sasha Farber, actress Loren Gray, podcast host Evan Ross Katz, vocal coach Cheryl Porter, Grand Ole Opry announcer Kelly Sutton and “Rolling Stone” co-editor-in-chief Shirley Halperin.
Below, we’re previewing what to expect from the remaining 20 contestants and their performances.
Preview of the Top 20 at Disney’s Aulani Resort – Part 1
This week, the competition continues at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawaiʻi, where country music superstar Brad Paisley along with actress and singer Keke Palmer will mentor the Top 20 contestants. Palmer will also serve as a guest judge, and “American Idol” Season 21 winner Iam Tongi and Thunderstorm Artis will be performing.
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Disney“American Idol” live voting will begin on March 16, 2026 and March 23, 2026 at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT), coinciding with the start of the live broadcast. The votes will decide who, from the finalists performing that night, will be making it through to the Top 14 round of the competition.
How ‘American Idol’ Live Voting Works
There are five ways for viewers to vote for their favorite “American Idol” contestants, per ABC:
- Vote online at AmericanIdol.com/Vote
- Vote by SMS text
- Vote via social media commenting
Viewers can go to @AmericanIdol on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok when voting is open, and comment on the pinned official voting post for that night with the name of the finalist they want to vote for.
Viewers may vote up to 10 times per finalist per social media platform by including their name in the text of each comment. Only the first finalist named in their comment will receive their vote. Each comment equals one vote for one finalist only. Viewers must comment additional times (up to 10 per finalist) to cast multiple votes.
Viewers have to be at least 16 years old and located in the U.S., Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands to vote on ABC.com and at least 18 years old and located in the U.S. to vote on social.
For text message voting, viewers can text the number of the finalist they would like to vote for to “21523”. The number for each finalist will be listed below when voting begins.
For more information, head over to the “American Idol” voting FAQs here.
