American Idol 2025 Recap – We’re live blogging the Top 10 Iconic Women of Music performances. Top 8 REVEALED
American Idol season 23 continues as the Top 10 contestants perform songs celebrating Iconic Women of Music. Country music star Miranda Lambert mentors the contestants.
American Idol 2025 Top 10 Contestant Rankings
American Idol will broadcast LIVE COAST TO COAST. Fans can vote for their favorites in REAL TIME. But act fast. After the Top 10 perform, the Top 8 will be revealed at the end of the episode! Judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan are on the panel. Ryan Seacrest hosts.
American Idol 2025: Details on Ladies Night and Judges Song Contest
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
John Foster – Something to Talk About by Bonnie Raitt
John reveals that Miranda was his first crush. And he flirts with her! Miranda helps John stage manage his performance.
It’s subtle, but John brings more personality to this performance than usual. Halfway through the song he picks up the mic to interact with the audience, AND EVEN THE CAMERA. Oh boy, the girlies are going to love that. His easygoing style and confidence tonight are infectious.
Carrie says “You are the one that we have watched grow the most. You feel more comfortable. Keep leaning into that. Keep getting loose.” Luke says, “Your charisma meter is peaking off the charts.” Lionel points out a little girl in the audience remarking, “potential fan in the audience.” John explains his ear tug at the end of each performance as a message to people back home – Text 13 to 21523
Kolbi Jordan – The Chain by Fleetwood Mac
Kolbi chose the song to “shock people” She felt picking an Aretha or Patti tune would be too obvious. Miranda is full of compliments for Kolbi. Her only advice is to “hold back” when appropriate.
Kolbi is in trouble this week according to her low Facebook views, so it’s time to step out of the box. Sporting a sparkled cowboy hat, she brings an earthy soul vibe to the classic 70s hit. She takes Miranda’s advice and incorporates a slow build. She saves her best wails for last.
Luke says, “I loved your attitude, your mannerisms. Your personality is amazing. We got to see a lot of your personality in this performance. ” Lionel says, “You scared ME to death! You had that gangster look.” He likes her stage presence and confidence. Carrie calls it a “great moment.” She loved the “curve ball.” – Text 3 to 21523
Josh King – Rolling in the Deep by Adele
Miranda calls Josh quirky, but all over the place. She asks him to “pull it back a click.” She supports his choice to “go bluesy.” He calls blues music his foundation.
He’s performing behind the piano. His flip of the song, featuring bluesy, raspy vocals, is working for him. He grabs the mic to perform a harmonica solo. How has NOBODY made the obvious comparisons between Josh and season 5 winner Taylor Hicks? Josh is in it to win it.
Lionel says, “I have never seen someone go for the arsenal.” He loves Josh’s energy. Carrie says, “Everyone is singing for their lives! Everybody is bringing their A game.” Luke says, “I love seeing you fighting. You are leaving it all out there.” – Text 21 to 21523
Miranda Lambert sings her massive 20 year old hit Kerosene
Like Carrie Underwood, whom Miranda has recorded with, the country singer is celebrating a 20th anniversary. She dropped her debut album Kerosene 20 years ago. She performs the title song on the Idol stage. Miranda calls spending time with the Top 10 a blast. Her new album is out now.
Breanna Nix – Water Under the Bridge by Adele
Breanna was deciding between two songs. Miranda helped her choose “Water Under the Bridge.” The two then conducted a “sass” exercise before she hit the stage with a “sassy” song.
The tune isn’t “sassy” exactly. Adele doesn’t really do “sassy.”But midtempo number still allows Breanna to find her big moments, including a dramatic key change and an almost whistle tone. She’s hitting all the notes tonight.
Carrie says, “This was the right song choice for sure. I feel like everybody is trying different things tonight. A perfect moment for you.” Luke says, “It was like an Adele vibes moment.” He especially liked the back half of the song. “Perfectly well done.” Lionel says, “You turn it into your song. You know how to get to a note and choke it to death!” – Text 9 to 21523
Canaan James Hill – Love Wins by Carrie Underwood
It’s the first time Canaan will perform a secular song on Idol. Although “Love Wins” can be sung like a Gospel song. Miranda helps Canaan push himself and boost his confidence.
Technically, “Love Wins” is a “secular” song, but with its message of love and understanding, it can be sung from a spiritual place. In the end it’s not a departure from what he’s accomplished with big gospel songs. Canaan is an amazing singer, but he needs to lighten up. SMILE a little! Love is a good thing!
Luke says, “You got through it! It was nice to see you challenge yourself. Always continue to push yourself.” Lionel says, “You made that song a great storytelling moment. What the world needs now is more messages like that.” Singing for Trump brings it home, right Carrie? Carrie says, “Everytime you say the word love, you can say the word God.” – Text 16 to 21523
Auditions for NEXT SEASON which is a thing! Yay! Are officially open. Go to AmericanIdol.com/Auditions. NEXT SEASON STARTS RIGHT NOW WITH YOU declares Ryan.
Thunderstorm Artis – When We Were Young by Adele
For the first time, Thunderstorm will accompany himself on piano. Miranda worried that he’d sing as if he was in his own world. She likes that he’s committed to making the song his own.
Thunderstorm started off strong in the competition, but has lost steam the last couple of weeks. Can he get that momentum back? I’m not sure what the problem is. Every time he takes the stage, he displays originality and passion. He’s a unique and compelling stylist.
Lionel says, “You make cool cool. You have a way of taking us down to a solid viewers point of view. I’m so in love with what you just did.” Carrie says, “I just got really scared. You people need to vote out there.” Luke says, “You are amazingly crafty with how you deliver the songs. That was my favorite performance you’ve ever done. Such a pro.” Thunderstorm also got compliments from Miranda. The producers are giving him a little extra support this week. – Text 23 to 21523
Slater Nalley – Whoever’s in New England by Reba McEntire
Miranda suggests that Slater raise the key, and if the high note is too much, it’s not necessary to attempt it. Slater changes the key, but may still sing the high note.
The contestants are bringing their A games this week. Eliminations are going to be painful. Slater strips it back and shows off his vulnerability and his raspy twang. There is a reason he started off the competition strong. Tonight he’s reminding viewers why they love him. Oh he went for the high note! Swinging for the fences.
Carrie says, “Great song choice. You went for it. I think it paid off.” Luke says it’s important to keep audiences guessing. “What a cool move, picking that song, playing guitar.” Lionel says, “What you did is understood how you got here. Just be you. It’s fantastic.” Miranda is real proud of Slater. – Text 11 to 21523
Abi Carter performs her new single “Burn”
Last year’s American Idol winner Abi Carter is back in the house to perform her new single “Burn.” She’s fresh off of playing the Stagecoach festival which takes place in her hometown, Indio, California. Her theatrical performance ends with unexpected high notes. She’s heading on tour soon to promote her new album.
Jamal Roberts – Undo It by Carrie Underwood
He considers Carrie a “strong woman.” He loves the chorus. Miranda stresses that he needs to put his own spin on it. He’s leaving the “uh uh uh” to the background singers. But Miranda helps him bring more of the chorus into the arrangement.
Jamal never disappoints. Tonight is no different. He plays off the background singers during the chorus, which is a smart decision. It adds more heft to the performance. He’s owning the stage as he delivers growly adlibs. He’s literally standing in line with the background vocalists as he finishes the song. Very well staged.
Luke tosses Jamal’s hat to Carrie to wear. Lionel says, “You are mesmerising and I love it.” Carrie notes some missed lyrics but reacts with a “WHO CARES.” I didn’t even notice. Her fans probably did, though. – Text 12 to 21523
Mattie Pruitt – The House That Built Me by Miranda Lambert
The two sang Miranda’s song together. Mattie plans to play guitar for the first time in front of a live audience. Miranda supports Mattie pushing herself and taking risks.
Mattie is another contestant who started off strong, but has faded somewhat. She’s barely 16 and although she has a strong voice and unique tone, she doesn’t have the experience to use her talent to the fullest. Tonight, performing on a stool, she keeps the vocal simple, yet allows herself to show off her raspy alto. It’s one of her best performances. She’s crying by the end.
Lionel says, “You held your emotions perfectly. We felt every moment of that.” Carrie says, “That was really quite brilliant. I’m trying to hold my own tears in.” Luke calls it “huge growth.” He adds, “It helps you do things emotionally you haven’t done yet.” Miranda is also moved to tears. “I wanted to see Mattie, and I saw you.” – Text 22 to 21523
Gabby Samone – I Was Here by Beyonce
Gabby blew Miranda away. She shares her struggles with confidence and that she experienced homelessness and depression. Miranda went through the same things. “I don’t cry all that much,” Miranda remarks about her tearful reaction to Gabby in rehearsal.
The singer brings an elegant theatricality to all of her performances. But she’s always tasteful, even while she brings on the belty high notes. Gabby takes the stage like a STAR.
Carrie says “wow” and “vote.” Luke notes her growth. Lionel also begs America to vote. – Text 6 to 21523
RESULTS
TOM DIM THE LIGHTS AND HERE WE GO. Ryan reveals that 22 million votes came in tonight. First, it’s Breanna. Next, it’s Mattie. Also safe tonight is Jamar. America also saved John. Next, Josh is in the Top 8! Gabby is safe! Slater is also safe. And the final contestant advancing to the Top 8 is Thunderstorm. Kolbi and Canaan are eliminated. And the final two Platinum Ticket holders are eliminated.
Canaan started the competition off strong as a front runner. But he didn’t show much range on the Idol stage, while fellow contestants were willing to take risks. Even the “risk” performing a secular song tonight wasn’t much of a departure from the Gospel he sings every week. Still, he’s ripe for a Christian label to offer him a deal.
Kolbi had a few moments on the Idol stage, but despite that Platinum ticket, never became a front runner. Her old fashioned style never progressed much during the competition.
I’m not mad at the results tonight!
Tomorrow, the Top 8 sing songs the judges picked for them.
American Idol 23 Top 8
Breanna Nix
Mattie Pruitt
Jamar Roberts
John Foster
Josh King
Gabby Samone
Slater Nally
Thunderstorm Artis
ELIMINATED
Canaan James Hill
Kolbi Jordan
