It’s up to you! Everyone in the Top 20 of “American Idol” season 24 has now performed in Hawaii, vying for viewers’ votes. On March 23, 2026, ABC aired the last of three episodes from Disney’s Aulani Resort & Spa, with 10 of the Top 20 singing their hearts out after receiving guidance from celebrity mentors Keke Palmer and Brad Paisley.
The first 10 contestants performed on the March 16 episode, but voting is closed for those singers. However, voting is open for the second group until 6 a.m. Eastern time on March 24. The results will be announced on the first LIVE show of the season, on March 30, after which only 12 contestants will remain.
Before the contestants’ performances got underway, the episode began with a song from Bob Marley’s son, Skip Marley, and then host Ryan Seacrest reminded viewers of the three ways to vote. Here’s a rundown of each “Idol” hopeful’s segment:
Philmon Lee Promises He Won’t Stop Believin’
Philmon Lee admitted to Paisley and Palmer that he’s been nervous throughout the “Idol” journey, “just trying to be perfect, I’m a huge critic of myself.” He also got choked up noting that his family back in Georgia is proud and amazed that he made it this far. The mentors encouraged him to make his nerves fuel his performance and focus on just getting the beginning notes out of his song pick, Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin.”
Though he looked a tad nervous up on the stage and started the song very softly, Philmon found his rhythm and earned a standing ovation from judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan, as well as Palmer, serving as a guest judge for the round. Richie admitted he was “a little scared” about the timid start, but applauded Philmon for finding his way. Underwood said that she loved how he put his “own spin on it” but encouraged him to “just relax.” Bryan agreed, telling Philmon to find his “inner tiger” in order to raise his energy on stage.
HOW TO VOTE FOR PHILMON: You can vote for Philmon up to 50 times. First, you can vote up to 10 times for any one contestant online at AmericanIdol.com/Vote. Second, you can text a contestant’s unique number (Philmon’s is number 11) to 21523 up to 10 separate times. Third, you can type in Philmon’s first name up to 10 times on each social media platform’s official voting post (here for Instagram, here for Facebook, and here for TikTok). All votes must be cast by 6 a.m. Eastern time on March 24.
Rae Earns ‘American Idol’ Judges’ R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Once Maryland native Rae got over being starstruck with Palmer, she rehearsed her song choice — Aretha Franklin’s “Respect,” which she chose because she “grew up with Aretha” and her mom, Lori, used to tell her that someday she’d “command the stage” like the Queen of Soul did. And she did, indeed, own the stage, even ending the song on her knees.
The judges were on their feet by the time Rae was on her knees, with Richie dubbing her “Aretha Rae.” Palmer hilariously said, “Somebody needs to ring the fire alarm because you just set the whole show on fire!” Underwood told Rae that they always knew she could sing, but that the live audience seemed to be the “missing ingredient” that made her come alive onstage and truly “entertain.” Bryan stunned her by telling her that not only had she earned his respect, but that “you’re one of our best singers, if not the best singer.”
HOW TO VOTE FOR RAE: You can vote for Rae up to 50 times. First, you can vote up to 10 times for any one contestant online at AmericanIdol.com/Vote. Second, you can text a contestant’s unique number (Rae’s is number 12) to 21523 up to 10 separate times. Third, you can type in Rae’s first name up to 10 times on each social media platform’s official voting post (here for Instagram, here for Facebook, and here for TikTok). All votes must be cast by 6 a.m. Eastern time on March 24.
Lucas Leon Makes Friends With Brad Paisley
Lucas Leon, a high schooler from Gallatin, Tennessee, told Paisley he’s a “massive fan” and that he plays one of his songs every time he performs in the area. Paisley then said Lucas could accompany him to the Grand Ole Opry in the coming months, which thrilled the teen. The country star was impressed that Lucas turned Tim McGraw’s “Just To See You Smile” into his own rendition, telling him “differentiating yourself is the name of the game on a show like this.”
Lucas also got a standing ovation from the judges, as Bryan said to the others that “it was lovely.” Richie told the teen that he “made that so comfortable, I almost forgot you were a contestant.” Palmer fully agreed, and Underwood noted that there “is something really special about the simplicity” of his voice, appreciating that Lucas doesn’t “oversing” and that it’s “so easy to listen to you.” Bryan noted that Lucas could push himself more and choose songs that “pull you outside of your comfort zone” in the future.
HOW TO VOTE FOR LUCAS: You can vote for Lucas up to 50 times. First, you can vote up to 10 times for any one contestant online at AmericanIdol.com/Vote. Second, you can text a contestant’s unique number (Lucas’ is number 13) to 21523 up to 10 separate times. Third, you can type in Lucas’ first name up to 10 times on each social media platform’s official voting post (here for Instagram, here for Facebook, and here for TikTok). All votes must be cast by 6 a.m. Eastern time on March 24.
Jordan McCullough Proves His Platinum Ticket Worthiness
Jordan McCullough earned the Platinum Ticket from his peers during the Ohana Round, and decided to push himself more, choosing to perform U2’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For,” which he said is “definitely outside of my genre.” After listening to his interpretation, Palmer said the way he started was “a crazy choice” and “definitely bold” but Paisley said he thought Jordan’s risk would pay off.
Jordan started out with a slow and souful delivery of the chorus, with just an organ beneath him. Eventually, the pace picked up with the band joining him — but at the end, he got choked up and later told Seacrest, “It’s so ironic to sing a song about not finding what you’re looking for — I’ve done many things, I’ve tried many things, but tonight, looking out and seeing all of you guys, I feel like I finally have found what I’m looking for.”
The judges, all standing, were clearly moved and Richie said, “I think Jordan has used up all the notes in the music business,” marveling that he turned a U2 song “into a spiritual.” Underwood agreed, calling Jordan’s rendition “incredible” and saying that it was a gift to be “in this heavenly-made place, listening to your anointed voice.”
HOW TO VOTE FOR JORDAN: You can vote for Jordan up to 50 times. First, you can vote up to 10 times for any one contestant online at AmericanIdol.com/Vote. Second, you can text a contestant’s unique number (Jordan’s is number 14) to 21523 up to 10 separate times. Third, you can type in Jordan’s first name up to 10 times on each social media platform’s official voting post (here for Instagram, here for Facebook, and here for TikTok). All votes must be cast by 6 a.m. Eastern time on March 24.
Abayomi Sings Her Mom’s Praises for Performance
After a performance from a local children’s choir, it was time for the youngest contestant in the Top 20, Abayomi from San Francisco. She opted to perform “Mamma Knows Best” by Jessi J., dedicated to her own mother, Dorothy,, who’s a rapper, teacher, and earning her Bachelor’s Degree. Abayomi said, “My mom has always been there for me, she’s the reason I started performing.” Palmer and Paisley brought Dorothy into the mentor session, and she sweetly said she feels like Abayomi was “destined” to be there and is a winner no matter what happens.
Abayomi commanded the stage, as her mom and grandma screamed throughout her performance. Richie told the 16-year-old that she was like a “steamroller … absolutely in charge, in power, you were rolling down the road just killing it.” Underwood called her “a Disney star in the making.” Palmer said that “no matter what happens from here on out, you belong on that stage.” Bryan agreed, saying she doesn’t “operate like a 16-year-old” and pointed out her scatting skills, too.
HOW TO VOTE FOR ABAYOMI: You can vote for Abayomi up to 50 times. First, you can vote up to 10 times for any one contestant online at AmericanIdol.com/Vote. Second, you can text a contestant’s unique number (Abayomi’s is number 15) to 21523 up to 10 separate times. Third, you can type in Abayomi’s first name up to 10 times on each social media platform’s official voting post (here for Instagram, here for Facebook, and here for TikTok). All votes must be cast by 6 a.m. Eastern time on March 24.
Madison Moon Takes On ‘American Idol’ Winner Kelly Clarkson
Palmer performed her song, “All They Type,” before it was Madison Moon’s turn. The rocker brought her dad, Sam, who was a musician when he was young, to her mentorship session and they harmonized beautifully together. Then Madison rehearsed her song choice, Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone,” acknowledging it was a “very bold” decision to take on the first-ever “Idol” winner’s tune. She sounded great, except for a voice crack with one big note. Palmer told her to just “lean in” if that happens during her performance.
She did it — which had the judges surprised — and had the crowd rocking, as well her dad singing along. Underwood told her she’s “the only one who could pull this off, and you did,” noting that “nobody wants to sing this song because it’s really hard, and you tackled it, girl.” Richie said Madison has “power … in spades.” Bryan urged her to “keep that rocker energy,” saying that she “nailed it.” Madison got teary-eyed, sharing how grateful she was for the experience and to be there with her family in the audience.
HOW TO VOTE FOR MADISON: You can vote for Madison up to 50 times. First, you can vote up to 10 times for any one contestant online at AmericanIdol.com/Vote. Second, you can text a contestant’s unique number (Madison’s is number 16) to 21523 up to 10 separate times. Third, you can type in Madison’s first name up to 10 times on each social media platform’s official voting post (here for Instagram, here for Facebook, and here for TikTok). All votes must be cast by 6 a.m. Eastern time on March 24.
Chris Tungseth Lets His Hair Down for ‘American Idol’ Performance
Chris Tungseth, who grew up in Minnesota, told producers that he chose to perform OneRepublic’s “Apologize” because when he was 12, he used to listen to it on repeat while he was on his paper route. They had a discussion about how he could make it fun but feel intimate, with Palmer suggesting he let down his hair and maybe leave a couple buttons open on his shirt for a relaxed look. Chris stood at the microphone throughout his ballad, and seemed to loosen up as he got into the song, even harmonizing with the background singers.
Richie said it was obvious he was thinking too hard during the first verse, but relaxed during the second verse. Palmer said she loves his vibe, but wants to hear more of what makes him Chris. Underwood told him, “I love your voice so much. You just have this laid-back vibrato, it doesn’t sound like anybody else.” She also noted that he has a “mysterious, sexy look” that he needs to own. Bryan said he wants to hear more, too, telling him to “set yourself free” on the stage. After he left the stage, Chris was surprised by Seacrest, who had just FaceTimed OneRepublic lead singer Ryan Tedder and got to tell him how much he appreciates his music.
HOW TO VOTE FOR CHRIS: You can vote for Chris up to 50 times. First, you can vote up to 10 times for any one contestant online at AmericanIdol.com/Vote. Second, you can text a contestant’s unique number (Chris’s is number 17) to 21523 up to 10 separate times. Third, you can type in Chris’s first name up to 10 times on each social media platform’s official voting post (here for Instagram, here for Facebook, and here for TikTok). All votes must be cast by 6 a.m. Eastern time on March 24.
Ruby Rae Sweetly Dedicates Her Performance to Her Big Brothers
After a segment showing the contestants having fun at the resort, it was time for teen contestant Ruby Rae to work with the mentors on her song choice, “Drag Me Down” by One Direction, which she thought of as “a thank you to my three older brothers because they were my biggest supporters when I was dealing with some mean girls back in middle school.” Ruby showed pics of her after shaving her head on a whim, and said she lost friends because of it, but that her brothers “had my back” at that time. Paisley encouraged her to use that experience as fuel for her performance.
Ruby, 16, sang the song well, but didn’t showcase her ability to hit the high notes until late in the song. Underwood told her she’s “always this ray of sunshine,” but said, “I want to challenge you a little bit to find your sassy side.” Richie thought Ruby might lose her breath but was impressed by her hitting the big notes. Palmer, meanwhile, said she wanted Ruby to make sure to take her time and “let the band catch up to you instead of you being a little bit in front of them,” but said overall her rendition was “fabulous.”
HOW TO VOTE FOR RUBY: You can vote for Ruby up to 50 times. First, you can vote up to 10 times for any one contestant online at AmericanIdol.com/Vote. Second, you can text a contestant’s unique number (Ruby’s is number 18) to 21523 up to 10 separate times. Third, you can type in Ruby’s first name up to 10 times on each social media platform’s official voting post (here for Instagram, here for Facebook, and here for TikTok). All votes must be cast by 6 a.m. Eastern time on March 24.
Julian Kalel Captivates the Crowd & ‘American Idol’ Judges
Julian Kalel had a meaningful mentorship session with Palmer and Paisley, telling them that he chose his song — Zach Bryan’s “Tourniquet” — because to him, it means “picking someone else up when they’re hurting and always telling someone, ‘I have your back.'” Julian has spoken previously about how he had to leave “American Idol” in the last season (his participation was never aired) due to a mental health crisis. Now, he said, he hopes there are people watching who might be struggling but know that he sees them and understands them. Paisley told him his voice was “captivating” and that his delivery was “magic.”
The judges looked mesmerized as Julian sang with his acoustic guitar. After his performance, he said he hoped it felt “like a hand on your back.” Underwood gushed, “You are such an artist, you’re such a poet, and you’re so believable when you start singing and playing,” calling it a “joy just to listen to you.” Richie said that it’s so exciting to see Julian “stand in the light of your artistry,” and Bryan said, “That was like frontrunner of the competition kind of stuff, like ‘A Star is Born’ kind of moment.” He added, “It’s so fun when someone’s just got it, and you’ve just got it.”
HOW TO VOTE FOR JULIAN: You can vote for Julian up to 50 times. First, you can vote up to 10 times for any one contestant online at AmericanIdol.com/Vote. Second, you can text a contestant’s unique number (Julian’s is number 19) to 21523 up to 10 separate times. Third, you can type in Julian’s first name up to 10 times on each social media platform’s official voting post (here for Instagram, here for Facebook, and here for TikTok). All votes must be cast by 6 a.m. Eastern time on March 24.
Keyla Richardson Brings the House Down With a Little Help From Her Friends
For the first time on “American Idol,” single mom Keyla Richardson was without her mini-me, son Drew, who had to head back home to school. Keyla told Palmer and Paisley that she chose to sing “I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends,” made popular by Joe Cocker and The Beatles. Keyla recalled “a time when I didn’t feel like I was good enough” and felt lost and confused, but credited a circle of friends that she called “destiny helpers” with lifting her out of the valley. Palmer teared up listening to her sing, and hugged Keyla while telling her, “Such a special voice. Wow. That voice was ancestral, girl.”
The judges were up on their feet within the first few notes, wide-eyed and dancing as Keyla took over the stage. Pacing back and forth afterward, Richie could hardly contain himself, shouting, “I have never! I have never! I’ve been on ‘American Idol’ since I was that big. I have never had any contestant walk out on this stage and tear the place up. The place got blown up! That Janis Joplin sounding, Tina Turner sounding — I don’t know who you are, but that right there was the greatest performance I have ever seen on this stage.”
HOW TO VOTE FOR KEYLA: You can vote for Keyla up to 50 times. First, you can vote up to 10 times for any one contestant online at AmericanIdol.com/Vote. Second, you can text a contestant’s unique number (Keyla’s is number 20) to 21523 up to 10 separate times. Third, you can type in Keyla’s first name up to 10 times on each social media platform’s official voting post (here for Instagram, here for Facebook, and here for TikTok). All votes must be cast by 6 a.m. Eastern time on March 24.
