American Idol 2025 Recap - Top 10 Revealed Iconic Idol Moments (Videos)

LIONEL RICHIE, RYAN SEACREST, CARRIE UNDERWOOD, LUKE BRYAN - American Idol 2025 — (Disney/Eric McCandless) LIONEL RICHIE, RYAN SEACREST, CARRIE UNDERWOOD, LUKE BRYAN

American Idol 2025 Recap – We’re live blogging the Top 10 Iconic Idol Moments performances. Top 10 REVEALED

American Idol season 23 continues as the Top 12 contestants perform songs celebrating Iconic Idol Moments. Season 3 winner, Fantasia, performs and mentors the contestants.

American Idol will broadcast LIVE COAST TO COAST. Fans can vote for their favorites in REAL TIME. But act fast. After the Top 12 perform, the Top 10 will be revealed at the end of the episode! Judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan are on the panel. Ryan Seacrest hosts.

HOW to VOTE

Viewers can cast their votes at idolvote.abc.com, the American Idol official phone app or via Text message (Text the contestant’s number to 21523). Voting begins at the BEGINNING of the broadcast. Fans can submit up to ten (10) votes for each contestant per voting method for a total of 30 votes for each contestant. Voting closes after the last commercial break. More at Voting Faq.

American Idol 2025: Full Season 23 Schedule

The judges walk out to Carrie Underwood’s winning coronation single, “Inside Your Heaven.” What a horrible song! She’s also wearing the dress she wore at the finale! Artist in Residence Jelly Roll is in the audience tonight.

Slater Nalley – Angel from Montgomery by John Prine – (Megan Danielle)

Carter Davis’ dad requested that Slater cover Angel from Montgomery in honor of his late son. Mentor Fantasia is impressed that the singer readily takes advice. She gives him tips on phrasing and suggests he loosen up. Watch Megan Danielle sing it.

This is the Slater Nalley I love. No need to flip songs from other genres. The singer and his raspy, authentic vocals shine in the Americana genre. He hits a dramatic key change on the second verse. Tonight’s performance maybe one of his best. The singer is fired up tonight.

Lionel says, “You sound like some old man singing now.” Lionel appreciates his stage presence. Carrie says, “I can imagine what your first album will sound like.” Luke loves his outfits. “Keep having fun.” Text 11 to 21523

CHÉ – Dancing on My Own by Robyn (Colin Stough)

“I’ve always been old school,” CHÉ says, sharing about losing his dad. Fantasia loves that CHÉ loves his family. Watch Colin Stough sing it.

Can CHÉ make it another week, or is he on borrowed time? One thing is true–the guy is in it to win it. He chooses smart songs to sing and then proceeds to sing the heck out of them, like it might be his last time on the Idol stage. Because it might be. Because he is not a front running contestant, he works his butt off.

Carrie appreciates that he took a popular song and made it his own. “It’s all the right package.” Luke says, “Great job. We can tell that you’ve turned the intensity up.” Lionel says, “When you came out, your delivery was spot on. Take it to the next level.” CHE’s family went back to England today and he’s sad. Text 1 to 21523

Fantasia gifted the contestants with bright blue scarfs. IT’S IMPORTANT she says.

Thunderstorm Artis – House of the Rising Sun (Haley Reinhart)

The song was a major moment for Haley Reinhart back in season 10. Fantasia is doling out good advice to the contestants including technical tips and words of encouragement. Many have covered the song, but the 60s hit by The Animals is the most well-known version. Watch Haley Reinhart sing it.

Thunderstorm accompanies himself on guitar. The song is perfect for him. His raspy voice displays the pain and regret that marks the song as one of the great folk ballads. At the end of the number he slings his guitar over his back and works the crowd. Maybe that was not necessary?

Lionel says, “You put your vibe on it.” Carrie says, “That was awesome. You made it your own. You were so into it, but I feel your joy.” Text 23 to 21523

Kolbi Jordan – Over the Rainbow by Judy Garland (Katharine McPhee)

The second version of this song this season (Slater Nalley also covered it). Kolbi shares about a sad time in her life. Mama Fantasia holds Kolbi’s hands as she sings. Watch Kat McPhee sing it.

Kolbi is bringing her own flavor to this so often covered song. While Kolbi mentions Kat, her version is actually a nod to her favorite singer Patti Labelle. Kolbi brings out the tricks, but she keeps it tasteful and jazzy. Good arrangement from the band!

Lionel is on his feet, “What the hell was that? That was divine. You just settled into that. Amazing.” Carrie says, “You felt everything you were singing.” She appreciated her simple notes. Luke compares the performance to a supernova. Text 3 to 21523

Fantasia sings her new single “Have Your Way”

For a minute I thought she might reprise “Summertime” which was her big Idol moment. But it makes sense that she’s here to promote new music, which is a Christian gospel song. She was a great singer back then, and she’s still one of a kind. “The world is going through a lot right now, and we need more God,” she says. Her new album is a Gospel album. “It’s time for me to use the gift that he gave me.” Her new Podcast is called “Flower Child.”

Jelly Roll, Abbi Carter (season 22 winner) and Chayce Beckham (season 19 winner) are on stage together. They all played the Stagecoach festival over the weekend.

Filo – And I Am Telling You (I’m Not Going) – (Jennifer Hudson)

Fantasia takes off her shoes, before coaching him to put his own spin on the song. Again, her tips are very specific. “I pray he takes my advice and he does it different,” she says. Watch Jennifer Hudson sing it

Filo is an over singer, so this song may not be the greatest pick for him. Or maybe it is, because “And I am Telling You” is made for over-singing! There are runs and adlibs galore, but he did manage to take Fantasia’s advice.

Carrie says, “You did have an iconic moment.” Luke says, “I love that Fantasia helped you to tap into something different.” Luke calls it his favorite performance so far. Lionel says, “The way you controlled it from beginning to end…you just never landed again.” He also calls it FIlo’s best performance. Filo is very emotional talking about his family. Text 17 to 21523

OH FUN. A bunch of finalists from Carrie’s season 5: Vonzell Solomon, Antony Fedorov, Mikalah Gordon, Lindsey Cardinale and Constantine Maroulis are on stage behind the judges table! Carrie gushes “We are all one big family.” On the show Carrie was closest to Lindsey, who attended her wedding.

Mattie Pruitt – Because of You by Kelly Clarkson

Mattie relates to the song after struggles in her own family. Fantasia pushes the young singer to “lose herself” in the song. Mattie is sometimes detached from what she’s singing, so that’s good advice. Watch Kelly Clarkson’s version.

This is one of my least favorite Kelly Clarkson songs. She wrote it at 15 and that tracks, because it offers an immature take on family trauma. But as Mattie is only 16, the song offers a realistic point of view. She did take Fantasia’s advice to dig deeper.

Luke says, “You’re just doing so good. Keep growing.” Lionel says, “You just stood there with confidence.” Carrie calls Mattie’s voice “so stinking good.” Text 22 to 21523

Canaan James Hill – Goodness of God by CeCe Winans & Roman Collins

Canaan shares he was bullied when he was younger. Fantasia calls him a “special kid” and suggests that he sing the song sitting down. Canaan is moved to tears by the end of rehearsal. Watch Roman Collins sing it.

He’s out of his chair as the song reves up. Canaan sometimes retreats inside of himself on stage. But it really doesn’t matter. He still brings the audience to a higher place as his spirit fills the room. He is as they say, anointed.

Lionel says, “You bless us with so much amazing talent and grace.” Carrie thanks him. Luke says, “He baptises me every time.” Text 16 to 21523

Gabby Samone – A Song For You by Donny Hathaway (Elliott Yamin)

Gabby is overwhelmed meeting Fantasia. She was only 3 when she won the show, but it’s still meaningful for her. The singer shares that the song reminds her of a time in her life when she was not confident. Watch Elliott Yamin sing it.

Gabby nods to Donny and Elliott. But she makes the song her own. She has style and a strong sense of who she is as an artist. Singing is more than good tone and hitting high notes, which Gabby illustrates every time she takes the stage. She’s a real star.

Carrie says, “Absolute perfection.” Luke says, “I’m speechless. You hold the room perfectly.” Lionel says, “I have nothing more to say,” he quotes Fantasia. Jelly Roll compares Gabby to a young Fantasia. Text 6 to 21523

Josh King – All By Myself by Eric Carmen (Pia Toscano)

Josh mentions that he sang background vocals for Fantasia at a church in North Carolina, and she remembers. She suggests that Josh stay behind the piano for the entire song. The late Eric Carmen, who wrote and recorded the original song was a virtuoso piano player, penned what was essentially an emotional piano ballad. Josh admits that he was a lonely child and that his Idol family are the best friend he’s ever had. Watch Pia Toscano sing it.

Finally a man covers the song, and it’s more of a nod to Carmen, the songwriter, than Celine Dion who made the song famous. So no, he doesn’t bring the BIG NOTES to his rendition, but he does bring the emotion in a quieter more heartfelt way than all the belters who have covered this song. He’s crying by the last line. Wow. Breanna is crying too.

Luke is impressed at Josh’s emotional growth. Lionel says, “There has never been a class this talented for us. You will never be alone again.” Carrie says, “You’re not alone.” She feels he helped people in the audience who feel the same way. Text 21 to 21523

Breanna Nix – Tell Your Heart to Beat Again by Danny Gokey

Breanna struggles with internet hate. And the MOST HATE COMES FROM CHRISTIANS. One wrote “You aren’t a Christian any more.” Bet the worst came after she covered Queen. Ha ha. Fantasia literally sings the alphabet to make a point. She advises Breanna to NOT READ THE INTERNET. and she is correct. Season 8 finalist Danny is on Facetime to encourage her. Watch Danny Gokey sing it.

This song is about losing his first wife suddenly to heart disease. That happened days before he auditioned in 2008. In any case, the song is perfect for her vocals. Christian music is really where her heart is.

Lionel says, “That’s how you do it. This has been a divinely guided show tonight. You keep raising the bar.” Carrie commends Fantasia for bringing out the best in all the contestants. Carrie advises the singers NOT TO READ REPLIES ON THE INTERNET. “Post and ghost,” she calls it. Luke says, “I post and drink.” He adds, “That is why you are in this competition.” Text 9 to 21523

John Foster – I Told You So by Randy Travis and Carrie Underwood

He feels, if it weren’t for Carrie championing him at his audition, he would not have advanced to Hollywood. He’s honoring her tonight. Fantasia suggests John throw in a modulation. That’s probably to help the singer make the song uniquely his. Watch Carrie Underwood’s version.

He’s without his guitar tonight, performing seated on a stool. John’s voice is similar in tone to Travis. The bad thing–he has to work harder to make his interpretation original. He doesn’t succeed on that front, exactly. But John’s voice is so beautiful, I can hear him on the radio right now.

Carrie says, “I’m blushing! You push yourself. I love watching you grow.” She thinks Randy would approve. Luke jokingly reminds John that her husband is a hockey player. He calls the performance amazing. “I am so proud of you,” Lionel gushes. Text 13 to 21523

Jamal Roberts – Heal by Tom Odell – (Leah Marlene)

Jamal LOVES Fantasia. “I’m trying to breathe,” he says before meeting her. Jamal confesses that he puts a lot of his pain into his music. Fantasia is incredibly impressed with him. “I know your story,” she says. “I’m going to cry.”

I did not have Jamal nodding to singer songwriter Leah Marlene on my Bingo card. He’s not working the stage this week. He’s sitting on a stool DELIVERING ALL THE FEELINGS. Jamal is PEAKING PEOPLE. He could win it all. His talent flows effortlessly through him. His raspy range and amazing phrasing are everything. HE JUST HAD A FREAKING MOMENT.

Lionel calls him “Divine.” Text 12 to 21523

American Idol Top 10 REVEALED

The Top 12 are on stage waiting for the results. 22 million votes were cast, says Ryan before revealing the Top 10 contestants one by one. CHE and Filo are eliminated and that sounds about right.

CHE earned a few more weeks on the show by sheer will power, so good for him. He had no promotion and his hometown is in the UK where nobody can vote for him. Filo is the first Platinum Ticket to leave the show. He’s surrounded by talented singers who know how to use their big voices without oversinging. In a lesser season, he might have lasted longer. But the judges are not overselling it–the singers this season are phenomenal.