Saying goodbye is never easy, and during the latest live episode of “American Idol,” fans watched three talented singers get cut as host Ryan Seacrest revealed the Top 11 of season 24. And the outcry was almost immediate, as viewers flooded social media, distraught over who went home.
At the very start of the episode on April 6, 2026, two contestants were immediately eliminated based on viewer votes cast during the previous week’s show: Julián Kalel and Jake Thistle. By the end of the night, Seacrest revealed two more singers who’d received the least amount of votes during the two-hour show — Rae, who was saved from elimination by judge Lionel Richie, and Jake Thistle, who wound up going home.
Julián Kalel Thanks Fans for ‘Believing in Me Since the Very Beginning’
The elimination of Julián Kalel was a shock for many fans who’ve watched the El Paso, Texas, native’s brave return to the show. Julián originally auditioned for season 23 and easily earned a golden ticket to Hollywood from Richie and his fellow judges, Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood. But he had to leave the show to prioritize his mental health. When Julián’s audition aired in February, his return was a powerful one, including his performance of an original song — “Lone Guitar” — about choosing to live after contemplating suicide.
When he didn’t make the Top 11, Julián wrote on Instagram, “Thank you for your votes, your voices, your support, and for believing in me since the very beginning. Journey ain’t over yet 🖤 love every single one of y’all.”
Among the countless encouraging comments he received from fans, his mom Andrea sweetly wrote, “I am more Proud and Honored to call You My Son, My Mijo, than you will Ever know. 😍❤️🔥
But others were very vocal about how upset to they were to see Julián go, including one who bluntly declared, “America Got it Wrong 😢”
Another disappointed viewer wrote, “I cannot believe you were voted off tonight, I’m so sad about it! You were one of the best in the competition, along with Jake honestly, and not hearing you two in the rest of the competition will not be the same. Thank you for making a difference with your voice on the show and sad as I am, I cannot wait to follow your music career and see the difference I know you’ll continue to make.”
Jake Thistle Says He’s ‘Super Grateful’ for ‘American Idol’ Journey
Jake Thistle, who’s been performing for audiences since he was little, handled his elimination with grace, writing on social media after the show, “What a ride! Had such an incredible experience on @americanidol meeting so many amazing folks and learning a ton. Super grateful for the opportunity to share my music with such a large audience, and it was an honor to be a part of a season with such a special group. I’ve always considered myself more of a songwriter than a singer, so I’m just so happy to have gotten to hang around with everyone as long as I was able to! See you guys on the road soon, there’s plenty more to come!!”
But his fans didn’t handle the news as well as the 22-year-old New Jersian, including one who wrote, “I was so excited to hear your 90s song tonight. You will be so so successful, I’m truly so heartbroken losing you and @juliankalelmusic in the same night. This can’t be accurate, your talent was unmatched. You are the best Jake. Jersey strong!!! 🌊🩵.”
Another fan lamented, “I’m sad! You should have been saved… Wishing you the best. Please continue your singing journey…can’t wait to hear more of you! ❤️😍”
Even fellow contestant Chris Tungseth wrote on his post, “I love you so much it actually puts a pit in my stomach”
Jesse Findling Admits He Was ‘In Shock’ When He Got Cut From ‘American Idol’
The third cut of the night took fans and Jesse Findling by surprise, too. After the show, the 20-year-old New Yorker admitted to ABC’s Red Carpet Press he was “kind of in shock when it happened, but now I’m just kind of looking back at everything that I did and I’m just proud of myself. I’ve grown so much. I’ve been saying there’s good things about staying on the show, there’s also good things about leaving. Everybody has to move on, right? There’s only gonna be one winner and even that person has to go home, too.”
“Top 3 performance of tonight easily,” one disappointed fan wrote on social media, adding, “Makes no sense”
Someone else shared, “I cannot wrap my head around this elimination. 😮💨 It just makes zero sense to me. @jessefindlingmusic I will continue to support and follow your career. You are truly amazing!!!!❤️”
Rae, whom Jesse was pitted against in the bottom two, also weighed in, writing, “Jesse is one of the most talented individuals, I’m so lucky to share a stage with him. And an incredible friend/ human. Can’t wait to reunite back home 💖💖”
On the next live episode of “American Idol,” airing on April 13 at 8 p.m. Eastern time, only one contestant is expected to go home as the show unveils its Top 10 of 2026.
I feel Jesse was a better singer than Rae. He has more talent