American Idol 2026 Recap: Songs of Faith (Top 12 Revealed)(Video)
American Idol Season 24 goes live for the first time this season, showcasing the Top 14 Idol hopefuls as they lift their voices in inspiring songs of faith. By the end of the night, only 12 finalists will continue in the competition.
Season 4 winner, Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan sit on the judges panel. Ryan Seacrest hosts.
American Idol Season 24 goes live for the first time this season, showcasing the Top 14 Idol hopefuls as they lift their voices in inspiring songs of faith. By the end of the night, only 12 finalists will continue in the competition.
VOTING FOR YOUR FAVORITES. No more American Idol phone app. Fans can vote on social media and by text message. Also, vote at AmericanIdol.com. It opens at the first commercial break.
The show kicks off with Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan singing “Jesus is Love” originally by the Commodores. The contestants join them on stage to sing backgrounds.
Ryan announces 17 million votes over the past two weeks. First, Ryan announces the Top 14 who will perform. So sad for folks who prepared a song!
Top 14!
Jordan McCullough, Chris Tungseth, Rae, Daniel Stallworth, Brooks, Philmon Lee, Braden Rumfelt, Keyla Richardson, Lucas Leon, Jake Thistle, Hannah Harper, Kyndal, Julian Kalel, Jesse Findling.
Eliminated:
Only ONE male contestant eliminated out of six. Hmm….
Abayomi, Genevieve Heyward, Kutter Bradley, Madison Moon, Makiyah, RubyRae
Keyla Richardson – Jireh by Elevation Worship & Maverick City
Last week, Keyla brought the house down with the pimp spot. Despite being first, Keyla is in her element singing a gospel song. She’s gonna go deep in the competition. Love her yellow outfit and sharp looking hair. There is her son cheering her on in the audience.
Lionel says she has a star look, star sound, and star strut. “What a way to kick off the show,” says Carrie. She’s touched Luke in a lot of ways. He says, “You’re just making this your moment. Ryan notes that Keyla became very emotional during rehearsal. She says she’s grateful.
Jesse Findling – Bless the Broken Road by Rascal Flatts
Jesse, who battles a stutter, sings with a beautiful tone and a ton of heart. He lays it out there on the stage without fear. At the end, he delivers a beautiful unexpected run.
Carrie feels that Jesse made it her own (She sang it on Idol too). Luke calls his voice very controlled. “Dig more and more,” he says. Lionel feels there is a purity and sincerity about his vote. (I agree!)
Pastor Luke Tillman drops by. He’s only a little kid, on social media delivering sermons, I guess. Good Lord. HE SAYS A PRAYER. Hm…. Isn’t Passover coming up soon? Just saying.
Lucas Leon – Gratitude by Brandon Luke
Another worship song I’ve never heard in my life. The song pick is kind of boring. Not a song to choose when two go home at the end of the night! Contestants with their hands in the air.
Luke calls it his favorite performance from Lucas. “Grow that,” says Lionel. “Now you take it to the next level.” Carrie felt he was genuine in singing it. She also sensed nerves. Ah. Poor guy missed his prom, so Ryan presents him with a prom king crown.
Daniel Stallworth – Brighter Days by Blessing Offer
Daniel, a school teacher, is a talented singer. And he makes it look so easy. His old school vibes are awesome. He takes the audience to church, to quote a cliche. Wish I had music teachers like this man!
Lionel calls him Mr. All Night Long. He calls it a “great great performance.” Carrie notes how serious he is when not singing. She likes that he’s settling into a fun space. “Have fun with all this,” says Luke.
Philmon Lee – Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Poor Philmon. Ryan set him up on stage at the microphone, and now he has to wait until the commercial break is over to sing. And this is a guy who struggles with stage nerves! Philmon sings a secular song, which can be kinda sorta religious. Last season, a bunch of the Top 20 sang secular songs. The night wound up being not so Jesus-y after all. In any case. Philmon has a solid, raspy voice but not a ton of charisma.
Carrie calls the performance “his moment” and noted some Shinedown. “Where has this guy been?” Luke wonders. “You are clearly stepping up,” says Lionel.
Rae – Up to the Mountain by Kathy Griffin
Ohh. My favorite song choice so far. Kelly Clarkson has covered this song and her version in incredible. Rae, who delivers those old fashioned big note is shining on this song. Her dress is so pretty!
Luke calls the performance “totally pro.” Lionel calls it a perfect performance. “Shut it down, take the prize home.” Carrie calls it “absolutely amazing.”
Jake Thistle – Have a Little Faith in Me by John Hiatt
I FREAKING LOVE THIS KID. He’s a folkie at heart. His song choice are always on point. Tonight he performs a great song by the incredible songwriter John Hiatt. It’s one of my favorite songs. BEAUTIFUL. I’m in love with his entire vibe. And also his raspy authentic vocals. He BRANGS it at the end.
Lionel says, “The heat is on.” He liked the back half better than the front. Carrie felt like she was at his show. “It makes me jealous.” Luke agrees, “You looked like a seasoned entertainer.”
Braden Rumfelt – Hard Felt Hallelujah
Braden has delivered some great performances so far, but this song is oversung on all the shows. I am not loving his. But it is Jesus night, and all the Jesus fans will probably love this. He does bring passion at the end.
Carrie calls his voice incredible. “Your hear because you should be.” Luke warns him not to be overwhelmed. He noted nerves. He seemed kind of robotic at first. Lionel advises him to “step into the light.”
Oh, that kid preacher is back. Get this kid off the internet. Please. It’s like child abuse sticking him out there to “preach.”
Daniel Fischel will host the Official American Idol Podcast. It drops every Wednesday.
Julian Kalel – Fix You by Coldplay
Julian dropped out of American Idol last season as he struggled with mental health issues. Him. Julian seems a little off his game this week, like he’s nervous or out of sorts. The song is a little too big for him. He’s a good singer and a talented songwriter. I hope he goes far.
“Really well done,” says Luke who feels he has star quality. Lionel feels he picked a song on his own lane. He basically suggests that Julian find a way to stand out. Carrie agrees.
Kyndal Inskeep – Nothing But the Blood of Jesus (Traditional)
Kyndal goes straight up for a traditional hymn, but performs it in her specific contemporary indie style. It’s not the church version you may be accustomed to. She almost goes into a trance as she sings. It’s the right move for this particular week.
Lionel says, “You are so contained,” he says. But she finally let it go. “Bring me more of that,” he adds. Carrie calls her an artist. She wonders by Kyndal isn’t super duper famous yet. “I’m just in awe watching you.” Luke says, “You are not timid after that performance.” Ryan pulls out his jokey bare feet because Kyndal is also barefoot. (He’s done this before. Can’t remember anything specific)
Jordan McCullough – I Can Only Imagine by MercyMe
Jordan is in his element after growing up in the church. The soulful singer puts his all into this popular worship song. He’s leading a congregation right about now, which is a thing he does every Sunday. He finishes with a huge note.
“Praise God,” Carrie exclaimes. “Thank you.” Luke feels he brings it up another notch every time. “It’s an art that you have.” Lionel says, “Will the congregation please say Amen.
Brooks Rosser – Imagine by John Lennon
Ohh. Imagining there is no heaven on Jesus night. Bold! He performs only with an acoustic guitar accompaniment to start. Brooks sings with such a beautiful, sweet and angelic voice. He’s a standout. “NO RELIGION TOO.” Oh boy. Do your thing dude. I love it.
Luke loves his voice. “I want you to write a million songs.” Lionel calls his voice amazing. “Your uniqueness to that voice is unbelievable.” Carrie says, “You just keep us guessing.”
Hannah Harper – At the Cross by Hillsong Worship
Hannah wrote the viral song String Cheese, and throughout his competition, she continues to rack up the social media and video members. This song is another dull contemporary Christian tune. Her family closes their family band shows with the song. So it means a lot to her. She’s crying.
Lionel calls her delivery pure. “Give it more of everything you have. She is one of Carrie’s absolute favorites. Luke calls the performance “perfection…I totally bought into it.”
Chris Tungseth – By Your Grace by Cody Johnson
His dad died of Leukemia and his mom is battling MS. I think Chris’s dad was a minister. Finally, he sings a bluesy country tinged song, which I always felt would be his lane. So far he’s performed a bunch of pop songs. But his song suits his soulful raspy voice. One of his best vocal deliveries so far. I hope performing last doesn’t hurt him. Voting his close soon.
Carrie calls the performance a big remainder of why they loved him after his audition. Luke agrees that he finally sang a tune that was him from top to bottom. Lionel says, “America take the wheel!”
Carrie Underwood – How Great Thou Art
The song is from Carrie’s Gospel album and she sang it last season for songs of faith. She is joined by Filo, Canaan and Kolbi. They were season 23 platinum ticket holders. Jeez, Carrie still has got the pipes.
Top 12 Results did NOT GO AS PLANNED!
TOM DIM THE LIGHTS. OR NOT!
Top 12 ELIMINATIONS WILL NOT BE ANNOUNCED TONIGHT. It sounds like the votes went sideways? The social voting got mixed up or something. Next week is the judges Song Contest with a 90s test. CRAY.
A Top 12 will be announced at the top of the show, and then a Top 11 at the end.
Here is what Ryan had to say in the above clip. He claims tens of millions of votes came in “at a rate we have never seen before.” He adds, “Truly unprecedented!”
And then he drops the bombshell “To be sure of complete accuracy with the numbers, I was literally just told, we are not going to announce eliminations tonight!
Oh boy! It’s the first time votes have been postponed, Ryan insists (although there have been vote glitches in the past). “Want to make sure we get every vote counted and every vote right. We’ll carry forward those votes and get everything verified.”
And then he announces that the Top 12 will be revealed at the top of next week’s show.
There is tons of murmuring in the audience as the judges and contestants all put on their best shock faces.
Probably what happened: The new “social voting” was overwhelming in a way the producers did not anticipate. I would imagine there are a ton of bots voting alongside real people. I read some folks accounts that the comments on the pinned posts, which counts as votes, were coming crazy fast. (The way it works–American Idol pins a post on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. Fans can post the name of the singer they want to vote for. Top 20 voting wasn’t a problem because fans had a much larger window in which to vote and producers had all week to count.
Could it wind up that the social voting is so unwieldy that American Idol will have to switch back to announcing the results the following week instead of in real time?
