On May 4, 2026, “American Idol” goes back to the future. At the end of the two-hour live episode, host Ryan Seacrest will reveal the Top 3 contestants who will compete in the season 24 finale, meaning two finalists will be sent home.
The jam-packed episode will feature the final five contestants — Chris Tungseth, Hannah Harper, Jordan McCullough, Keyla Richardson, and Braden Rumfelt — competing for viewers’ live votes during the show (here’s our guide to how to vote). We’re covering this exciting night of competition and fun surprises every step of the way, so keep checking back for recaps on the performances, judges’ feedback, and live results!
Get Ready for a Jam-Packed Night of Blasts From the Past on ‘American Idol’
ABC has promised lots of blasts from the past during this consequential episode, including original judge Randy Jackson mentoring the contestants, and a 20th reunion of multiple 2006 finalists, including winner Taylor Hicks.
Paula Abdul is also serving as a guest judge, critiquing the final five performers alongside Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie. She was teary-eyed sitting down at the judges’ table, hugging Seacrest and Underwood — whom she judged when she won the show in 2005. On top of all that, several pros from“Dancing With the Stars” will be part of the high-stakes night, too. Let’s get to the details of how everyone did…
Keyla Richardson Digs Deep
SONG 1: “River Deep — Mountain High” by Ike & Tina Turner — The first contestant to meet up with Randy Jackson was Keyla Richardson, performing “River Deep — Mountain High” by Ike & Tina Turner.” When Jackson heard her rendition, he used one of his classic lines, telling her she was “in it to win it!” She said she was excited to have the DWTS pros dancing with her for the experience of a full show.
Keyla had the crowd chanting for her and Richie told her, “That’s the way you start the show off!” Abdul said it was a “pleasure and honor” to meet her, and that her vocal range is like a weapon 0 it can go from a whisper to a thunderstorm,” calling it the sign of a true performer. Her only bit of criticism, she said, was, “Remember that your whisper has to be equally as dangerous as your top note.” Underwood said tonight is “great training ground” for having backup dancers, and that Keyla nailed her interaction with them. Bryan, meanwhile, said it was “a lot to take in” with the high energy and dancing, but that Keyla grounded the whole “crazy” moment.
SONG 2: “Living For The City” by Stevie Wonder with Season 2006 Winner Taylor Hicks, who came in saying that she’s his favorite singer of the season. Jackson could not believe she’d never heard the song before, but she and Hicks worked it out and looked like they had a great job rehearsing. Both were grooving on stage and really let loose at the end, making their way to the judges’ table. So fun!
The crowd went wild and so did the judges. Abdul said she’d never seen Keyla have so much fun, and that Hicks remains “Mr. Showman” and that the two of them “brought the house down.” Underwood said she didn’t think to put them together, but that it was a great pairing and that it was so much fun (she even suggested he compete on DWTS). Richie hilariously called it “stupid” in the best way possible!
Chris Tungseth Gets Vulnerable
SONG 1: “Northern Attitude” by Noah Kahan — Working with Jackson, Minnesota-born and bred Chris shared that he chose this song because he’s been learning to be more vulnerable with others. Jackson encouraged him to make sure he reveals that in his performance, by delivering it with feeling. Chris stood at the mic with his acoustic guitar as the dancers performed behind him.
Abdul started the judging, telling Chris that he has a “tender” quality to his voice, but said that she wished he didn’t smile so quickly during his performance because the words carried such an “achiness.” Underwood said it was a “good vocal choice” and that his voice has the ability to fill the room and “hits us in all the right places.” Bryan noted that he was hitting big notes while in his mentorship session with Jackson and he’d love to see him grow that. Richie agreed with Abdul, saying, “Hold on to your ugly face” a little longer and that it was evident he was a bit distracted by the dancers — but that everything else was great.
SONG 2: “The Thunder Rolls” by Garth Brooks with Bucky Covington — Covington performed this tune during season five and said he hopes he can help Chris get into the Top 3.
Underwood was thrilled to see Chris come out of his shell, telling him it was the most comfortable she’s seen him all season. Bryan and Richie agreed, and Abdul said it was the perfect pairing. Bucky was hilarious, and the two joked that they looked like long lost brothers!
Braden Rumfelt Doesn’t Quite Lose Control
DisneySONG 1: “Lose Control” by Teddy Swims — When Jackson worked with Braden, he was shocked when the 23-year-old said he was “not in it to win it,” eventually convincing him to change his tune. He also encouraged him to embody the lyrics and not just sing with his hands in his pockets, and wondered if Braden would be able to pull off that song. Braden seemed to take his advice to heart as he belted out the tune, earning a standing ovation from Richie, Abdul, and Bryan.
Underwood hilariously got “distracted” by Seacrest’s open shirt and bulging abs — but then told Braden that she’d love to see him move a little more. Bryan said he was having “sensory overload,” and also noted that Seacrest’s “obviously doing a lot of push-ups,” but that he loved Braden’s performance. Richie told Braden to remember “you can’t mess up” so not to be too much in his head and “let it go.” Abdul, meanwhile, told him, “I absolutely love your voice” and that he’s so talented, but he’s got to “own the stage” and that she needs him to believe in himself and “stare down the barrel of the camera.”
SONG 2: “The Show Must Go On” by Queen with Paris Bennett — Braden was paired with Paris, who was 17 when she was a beloved finalist on season five. They chose a giant song, but Paris assured him he could pull it off with her. And she was right!
Bryan and Richie joked that “we’ve drifted into stank face,” and Abdul thanked Paris for bringing out the best in Braden — noting that she’d never seen him perform like this. Underwood agreed, saying it was “amazing” and that she wishes they’d had this reunion show earlier in the season.
Hannah Harper is Contagious
DisneySONG 1: “Fever” by Peggy Lee — When Hannah told Jackson that she wanted to sing “Fever” by Peggy Lee, he was confused, and said she has to deliver it was passion, like she’s singing it to her husband. Hannah sang at the mic standing right next to the judges, while Jan and Rylee from DWTS danced behind her on the main stage. She eventually scurried back to the main stage in her golden gown to finish the song.
The crowd chanted Hannah’s name, and Bryan said it was “so uniquely different” than what they expected from her. Richie said, “That was exactly what was needed” because she surprised them. Abdul said that there’s no one who sounds like her, and that she’s “lovely to look at, lovely to listen to.” She loved that her little movements were perfect and Underwood agreed, telling her she was “so proud” of her for continuing to grow.
SONG 2: “Broken Wing” by Martina McBride with Kellie Pickler — Hannah loved connecting with Kellie, whom Jackson was thrilled to hear she’d been paired with. And the song was particularly moving, since Kellie is making her own comeback with her appearance, having stayed out of the spotlight since losing her husband to suicide in 2023.
The judges loved their duet with Richie saying it was “the perfect voice blend” for a “dynamic” performance. Abdul said the “melody choices were exquisite” and that it was beautiful. Underwood said she was trying to figure out what made tonight so special and that it’s because they’re part of a special club that made it “magical.” Bryan loved seeing Kellie up there, who said the “talent is unbelievable” and that it was “good to be home.”
Jordan McCullough Shares Brotherly Love
DisneySONG 1: “Footprints in the Sand” by Leona Lewis — Jordan McCullough got choked up talking about his song choice, dedicated to his six younger brothers who have looked up to him, noting that he has “learned so much” from them. He cried saying that one of his youngest brothers has been so proud to tell his friends that his big brother is on “American Idol.” Randy loved his compassion and helped him choose the best key for his voice, encouraging him to sing with “conviction.”
Jordan received a standing ovation from all of the judges and Abdul was in tears. Richie told him he does “spinal cord singing” because it goes right to their spinal cords. Abdul said she knows she talks to much, but that his voice is “otherworldly” and that she loves him. Underwood said Jordan is “a perfect example of not overdoing it” but that he fully embodied the song. Bryan said “no one has made me this big a believer” in their talent and that Jordan is “one of the best singers we’ve ever had.” Jordan was very humbled by their comments, cutely shrugging.
SONG 2: “A Song For You” by Donny Hathaway with Elliott Yasmin — Their rendition was incredibly powerful, and the judges couldn’t quite believe the power of it. Abdul was in tears hearing them singing together, calling it “a masterclass,” like a “Grammys duet performance.” Underwood said, “I do not have the words in my vocabulary” to explain how amazing their performance was and told viewers to please vote.
Who Got Eliminated From the 2026 Top 5?
After voting is closed during the final commercial break of the evening, Seacrest returned with the Top 5 finalists and a card with the results of the night’s voting. Here’s who made it through to the Top 3: Hannah Harper, Keyla Richardson, and last but not least, Jordan McCullough. That means Braden Rumfelt and Chris Tungseth are heading home.
The three-hour season 24 finale airs next Monday, May 11 starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
