Though “American Idol” wrapped up its season 24 audition episodes on February 16, 2026, viewers have only seen a fraction of the singers who made it through to Hollywood Week.
According to 16-year-old hopeful JORR, who didn’t advance to the next round but whose audition was featured on the latest episode, 60,000 singers auditioned for the current season, and producers selected 200 to try out for judges Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and Lionel Richie. Some of their favorites were featured on the first four episodes of the season, but here are five very talented but still-unseen singers to watch for when Hollywood Week kicks off on February 23.
Jackson White Brought His Grammy-Winning Dad to His ‘American Idol’ Audition
Jackson White, a 20-year-old singer/songwriter from Nashville, posted on February 17 that though his audition didn’t air, he did earn a golden ticket from the judges. He also shared a behind-the-scenes look at his audition day, including hanging with his dad, Grammy-winning country singer Bryan White.
“Unfortunately my audition didn’t air this season,” Jackson wrote on Instagram, “but it went AMAZING and I got 3 yeses from @lionelrichie @carrieunderwood and @lukebryan !! It was such an awesome experience getting to walk in and sing while my dad @bryan_white played guitar with me !”
‘American Idol’ Hopeful Angelina Remondino Thanks Judges for Their Advice
Another young Nashville singer, 18-year-old Angelina Remondino, sailed through her audition, too. According to the Bluebird Cafe, an iconic stomping ground for rising country stars, Remondino started writing music at 15, inspired by an eclectic circle of artists including Chris Stapleton, Whitney Houston, Dolly Parton, Olivia Rodrigo, and Noah Kahan.
In a February 17 Instagram post, Remondino wrote, “So this happened…I got my golden ticket to Hollywood week! Although my audition was not aired I want to give a huge thank you to @lukebryan @carrieunderwood and @lionelrichie for all of their advice and encouragement.”
Isabella Defir is ‘Overjoyed’ About Moving On to Hollywood Week
One-half of the Memphis-based indie-pop duo Isabella&Sebastian, 20-year-old Isabella Defir is flying solo on “American Idol,” revealing on her personal Instagram feed that she earned her golden ticket to Hollywood Week. Defir revealed she’d auditioned for the show in a November post, and then shared photos from the experience on February 17.
“I CAN FINALLY TELL YOU GUYS I GOT A GOLDEN TICKET ON AMERICAN IDOLLLL,” she wrote in her caption, adding, “I am overjoyed and so so proud of myself. Earning this golden ticket means something to me I cannot put into words. I cannot wait to continue sharing my journey with you.”
Justin Koolik Left Finance to Pursue Music Full-Time
Folk-pop artist Justin Koolik, 22, hails from Boca Raton, Florida, but is now based in Nashville, according to the Idol Chatter blog. After graduating with a finance degree from Vanderbilt University, he decided to take a risk and pursue music full-time. So far, so good: he’s quickly growing a following and is scheduled to open for successful “American Idol” alum Cameron Whitcomb’s sold-out New York City show on April 4.
Informing his fans about his successful show audition, he captioned a February 17 post, “YOOO @americanidol UPDATE!!! I GOT THE GOLDEN TICKET!!! Huge thank you to @carrieunderwood @lionelrichie @lukebryan . Unfortunately my audition didn’t end up airing but I’m moving on to the next round!! Stayed tuned every Monday let’s goooo”
‘American Idol’ Contestant Eva Luna Smith Sings in Danish & English
Born in Denmark, folk singer Eva Luna Smith has spent most of her life in Long Beach, California, and has been making music since she was little — in English and Danish. In the spring of 2025, Smith graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, and told Shoutout DFW, “Whatever I do I will be surrounded by a career in music. Whether it be as a touring musician, a music therapist, an instructor, a ghost writer, or a session worker, I know I will work in music.”
Smith, who regularly performs with a group known as Fine Folk, revealed her successful audition in an Instagram post on February 17, writing, “While my audition for the lovely celebrity judges was not aired, you may very well see me on that Nashwood/ Hollyville stage in upcoming episodes!!”
Two two-hour Hollywood Week episodes will air on ABC on February 23 and March 2, both starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
