American Idol 2026 Auditions 4 Recap – We’re Live Blogging the Season 24 Auditions 4
American Idol season 24 continues tonight (Feb 16). Auditions took place at Belmont University. Season 4 winner, Carrie Underwood, Lionel RIchie and Luke Bryan sit on the judges panel. Ryan Seacrest hosts. Who will make it through to the Hollywood Nashville Round? We’re live blogging the FINAL night of auditions here.
American Idol 2026: Auditions 3 Preview (Photos)
American Idol 2026: Everything to Know About Season 24
American Idol 2026 Spoilers: Top 30, Top 20 Season 24 Contestant List
Rae – 24 – (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman by Aretha Franklin
Rae has been dreaming of this moment for years. She grew up watching the show. She describes herself as a “superfan.” Meanwhile, Rae has a beautiful soulful voice that features an effortless delivery. Her vocals flow like honey. Gorgeous. She goes for a high note. It’s a tiny bit precarious, but points for going for it.
Luke can’t believe she has never audition. “You’ve got some pipes,” says Carrie. Lionel loves her choices. Her entire family is here, including her dad who recently suffered a stroke. Dad is outside the room in tears. –
Mor – 22 – Strong (Original)
Mor Ilderton is a country folk singer-songwriter from Teays Valley, West Virginia. He was a The Voice Season 26 contestant, a member of Team Michael Buble but got stolen by Gwen Stefani in the Battles. He then dropped out prior to the Knockouts. Mor was raised by his grandmother. Before playing music, Mor was active in sports. Grandma surprises him at his audition. His story is terrible. His father murdered his mother when Mor was only two years old.
He becomes emotional as he false starts his song a couple of times. The song is about seeing his mother’s photo for the first time. It’s emotional! He pours everything he’s got into his performance. His voice could be more dynamic? But it doesn’t lack passion. He’s a good story teller.
Carrie feels he “went somewhere else” during his performance. Lionel compliments his writing. “You’ve got all the tools,” says Luke. Then grandma surprises him. Big hug. 3 yeses.
Next, it’s a montage of nos from Luke, which is a preface for an audition from a cop. Below, see a couple of auditions from the preview photos.
Jorr – 15
Luke thinks Jorr sounds like a 15 year old. Well, he is 15? I wouldn’t knock him for saying no.
David Euell
Luke said he sounded like he took a bunch of Benadryl. Oof. Very Simon like comment.
Julia Sienna – 20 – I Would by Connie Talbot.
Julia arrives in the audition room dressed in her cop uniform. She promptly handcuffs Luke for “saying no too many times.”
Julia is a singing cop (she arrives in her uniform). She can sing! Her tone is very pretty. She delivers an emotional performance. After Luke compliments her, she still won’t uncuff him! Carrie calls her strong and gorgeous. Lionel believes she has “natural abilities.” – 3 yeses. She finally uncuffs Luke.
Jake Thistle – 21 – Can’t Find My Way Home by Blind Faith
Jake sings with an appealing raspy voice. But is he anything extra special? Luke compares him to Bryan Adams.
Luke loves his confidence. Lionel calls him “fresh.” Jake started playing when he was 9. Carrie is excited for him. The judges are impressed by his poise. – 3 yeses.
Landon Hughes – 19 – Little Maggie by Stanley Brothers
Landon is a college soccer player from Kentucky. He’s got a very appalachian accent. He hated home growing up. But away at college, he missed home. Listening to Bluegrass albums connected him to home.
OK. Landon is the real deal. He’s a fast picker and sings with an old man’s voice. He’s obviously studied the masters. Bluegrass is a fav genre. Love it. Not sure where it fits on American Idol though.
He makes Carrie happy. She wonders if he can handle other genres in the competition. He insists that he loves all kinds of music. Lionel warns him to be surprising. Luke is skeptical of his voice. The judges decide to give him a chance – 3 yeses. Landon breaks down.
Landon McGraw – 18
Lionel suggests to Landon, who is a rootsy type folk singer, that he growls too much, like he has a hemorrhoid. After some coaching Landon improves – Still, 3 yeses
Vika – 22
Vika sounds like Amy Winehouse. Luke was not feeling her highly stylized vocals and joked that she should sing Happy Birthday that way. And she does. “That’s already better than anything you’ve done.” – Still, 3 yeses
Brenna Brigman – 18 – Fallin by Alicia Keys, My Church by Maren Morris
Brenna sings at the piano, and while she has an instrument with potential, she does have a tendency to oversing. Carrie felt the piano was distracting. She’s a vocal coach. OK then. Sarah’s boss is there for support. Her students send her a good luck video. Carrie wants to hear another song. She sings “My Church” by Maren Morris. Here, she doesn’t try to show off and it’s better. Carrie compliments her range. Luke thinks she needs a little more work, but potential. Same with Lionel – 3 yeses
Matty Reynolds – Undressed by Sombr
It’s an interesting song choice, but Matty is a shouter. He’s probably better off in a band. He shares that he writes his own music. And he works at a golf course. Time for Luke to play folk with an orange and a broom! Luke stinks at this game.
Lionel feels he needs identity. No other comments, but 3 yeses
Bella Emry – 22 – I’m a Little Crazy by Morgan Wallen
From Bend, Oregon and “works all the time” at a restaurant and for her parent’s business. She’s been watching Idol since she was little. Presently, she does not perform for people. Still, she sits on a stool, strumming her guitar with confidence. Her voice is lovely. But could she have issues if she were to hit the big stage with a band?
Carrie is surprised that she does not perform. “You seemed very comfortable telling a story.” Luke calls her raw and unpolished. “You delivered that song in your own way.” Lionel calls her vibe “cool.” – 3 yeses
Bartly – 23 – Texas Sun by Leon Bridges
Bartly does music full time in Austin, Texas. He’s been playing guitar since he was 2. Bartly is a folky country singer, but the R&B music he grew up on shines through his tenor vocals. He sings with the right amount of rasp to add a pleasant texture.
Carrie loves his voice. But she’s not sure about his song choice. He’s got to choose the right songs. “Soulful top end,” Lionel observes. – 3 yeses
Chloe Lauren – 25- Maybe by Sienna Spiro
Chloe lives in a small South Carolina town with her husband and 2 year old son. She becomes emotional talking to the judges. She didn’t believe she’d ever get a break. She started singing at 4. But she got married. Motherhood interfered with her dreams. Her husband encouraged her. She admits that she’s never performed in front of people before.
She’s not a country singer, which I expected. She’s not poised at all like the other newbie, Bella. But nevertheless, she reveals a beautiful, rich tone. Her nervousness actually drives her performance in a good way. She does hit a few clunkers along the way, however.
Lionel calls her unique. Carrie describes the texture of her voice as “special.” Luke believes she can hit notes even high than she displayed in her audition – 3 yeses
Jayson Garner – 17 – On My Knees by the Red Clay Strays
Jayson is a Christian singer from Emory, Texas. His delivery is spirited. No doubt, he is a hit at church. He’s a showman too, playing his acoustic guitar behind his neck. He loves 50s rock and roll, and it shows. Got some Elvis in him.
Carrie loves his energy. Luke doesn’t believe his vocals are all the way there, but is intrigued. Lionel warns him not to turn into a gimmick (he has a point). Carrie advises him to work on the softer side of his voice. 3 yeses Jayson demonstrates a few Taekwondo moves.
Abayomi – 15 – Black Leaves by KIRBY
The young singer is Haitian. Her grandmother encouraged her to audition for Idol. The woman in her family inspire her. She’s an “award winning poet.” She also writes songs. Her song choice came as a representation of strong black voices.
Oh, she sings like a young Billie Holiday. Impressive. Her phrasing and intonation is well beyond her 15 years. Lionel looks very happy.
“15 going on 72,” says Lionel. Carrie found her performance captivating. Luke appreciates her artistic approach. – 3 yeses
Clare Mairèad – 25
Clare’s favorite Idol is Adam Lambert. She’s a super fan. Her dad had to explain that she could not marry him because “he liked boys” so she became an ally.
She’s a hard rock singer with a powerful voice, but she’s a bit cliched. – NO
Mia Soleil Sanchez – 14 – In the Stars by Benson Boone
Mia accompanies herself on piano. She is SOOOOO young, but even though she has already competed on America’s Got talent, the judges feel she’s too young at 14. And they are correct.
Jackson Inman – 18
Jackson is from Amory, Mississippi. A small town that has produced several American Idol singers, including winner Trent Harmon and 3rd place finisher Colin Stough.
Luke doesn’t believe he’s ready – NO.
Mary Jo Young – 24 – Don’t Call Me (Original)
Oh. It’s my “namesake” Mary Jo Young! She made the Top 24 on season 19. What is she doing back? At one point, she signed with Atlantic, which is the current record label partner of 19 records, but she’s gone Indie since. Her social media following is as impressive as ever. She had no performing experience first time around. She blew her duet with Benson Boone in Hollywood. But she’s been touring! Her confidence has grown.
She performs a clever original for the judges. She does seem more confident. Mary Jo always had the vocal goods. But now, she’s open on stage in a way she was not before. Still, why is she back?
Carrie likes the song and compliments her personality. Lionel thinks she’s doing quite well. Luke is glad she’s back. “I was a real big fan of yours.” – 3 yeses
Chris Tungseth – 27 – Lonely Road (Original)
From Minnesota, Chris currently works as a roofer. He feels blessed to have “the greatest family in the world.” His dad was an opera singer and then a pastor. At 10 years old, his mother was diagnosed with aggressive Multiple Sclerosis. Then his dad was diagnosed with Leukemia, and eventually died. His siblings moved home.
The song is about his relationship to his late father. It’s beautiful and heartfelt. The family becomes emotional listening to him sing.
Carrie loves everything about him. “You have an incredible voice…very impressive.” Lionel believes he has a ministry, a strong connection to people. Lionel relates to losing his dad. Luke compares Chris to Chris Stapleton. After, he calls him mom to give her the good news. – 3 yeses
Hollywood Week is next! It takes place in Nashville, but still called Hollywood. OK. Get ready for the biggest CUT IN AMERICAN IDOL HISTORY. Only 30 will survive.
