American Idol 2026 Recap: Top 11 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (Top 9 Revealed) (Video)
American Idol Season 24 is back with another live show. Tonight (April 13) The Top 11 perform iconic hits from Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees as America votes live for the Top 9.
Additionally, inductees for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class of 2026 ceremony are revealed.
Season 4 winner, Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan sit on the judges panel. Ryan Seacrest hosts.
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. The results will be revealed at the end of the live broadcast.
Carrie opens the show by performing Rebel Yell by Billy Idol. Right away, Billy joins her on stage. Carrie loves her rock songs, that’s for sure. These days, Billy’s face is kinda…plastic. Decent duet. OH. Billy made the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame cut! Well, good for him.
Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo are this week’s mentors.
Chris Tungseth – Cold as Ice by Foreigner.
Chris notes that his performance last week bombed. He also mentions that he has little experience performing in front of audiences. The Pat and Neil suggest that he bring the song down a half step. The singer performs without a guitar this week. He’s managing the “what to do with my hands” deal pretty well. At least this is better than last week, where he was pitchy and unsure throughout the performance. But still, he needs to bring it harder on this big rock classic. He has an interesting tone and style, but needs make better song choices. Unfortunately, it appears that he does not know himself as an artist well enough to to know his lane.
Lionel says it’s all about attitude. “trust yourself.” Carrie liked the song choice. She calls it one of her favorite performances from him all season. Luke appreciated the way he paced it. Luke mentions the WIND MACHINE blowing his flowing locks. Ha ha.
JENNIFER HUDSON WILL MENTOR DISNEY WEEK NEXT WEEK! And she’ll be a judge! Cheating on The Voice. In fact, she was JUST a mentor on season 29, working with Kelly Clarkson. Jennifer has previously coached on both the UK and US versions of The Voice. Welcome home JHUD!
Rae – MacArthur Park by Donna Summer
Rae’s mom LOVES Pat Benatar. Note: Donna’s version of the song is a cover (Richard Harris sang the original Jimmy Webb tune in the 60s). Neil gives Rae tips on how to work the mic. Rae was inexplicably in the Bottom 2 last week and she needed to be REALLY careful about song choice this week. This is a BIG difficult song to sing. Rae mentioned Carrie sang it her season. I don’t believe it was a memorable performance. She’s hitting the notes, but the entire performance is over the top. She’s not doing herself any favors. Being even MORE dramatic isn’t the way to win over the audience. She positions herself behind the judges and she’s on her knees.
Carrie LOVES THE DRAMA and loves her dress. “I still don’t know what that song means.” Carrie feels she did a much better job than she did 20 years ago. Luke calls it “great” and feels her vocals have been “great” all season. He’s glad she’s here. Lionel loves the classic songs. He appreciates that Rae is not afraid to put her stamp on it. Rae worked hard on her mental health this week, she says. Man, she was obviously shook to almost get eliminated.
Braden Rumfelt – Superstition by Stevie Wonder
The pair suggest that Braden pick up the mic and work the crowd. I wish the arrangement was funkier. Strings? Really? Kinda corny! But Braden is delivering a solid vocal performance, even if it is a bit Las Vegasy. Stevie’s original is gritty, hard and real. The performance needs more than big notes.
Luke calls it a great song choice and great energy. Lionel says, “way to put some barbeque sauce on the career.” C’mon Lionel. You know better. Carrie says, “This week, Braden came to play.”
Brooks Rosser – These Days by Jackson Browne
Brooks also was not happy with his vocal last week. However, he feels more confident this week. Oh man. He’s singing one of my FAVORITE SONGS EVER. He sees shapes and colors when he sings. There’s a technical term for that! (edit: It’s called Synesthesia). Neil feels he’s tapping into something spiritual.
He’s accompanied by a cello. What a great song pick for Brooks. And the arrangement is so simple. Absolutely beautiful. So much more assured compared to last week. Best performance of the night so far.
“God has given you his blessing, your voice,” says Lionel. “I didn’t want the song to end,” says Carrie. “You seemed so in the moment. Perfection.” Luke adds, “You create moments. Please let your confidence thrive.”
Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo take the stage
The couple perform some of Pat’s enduring hits, including “Heartbreaker.” She’s still got it. Oh. She also sings “Ring of Fire” before going back to “Heartbreaker.” The two just released a book. They are grandparents! This summer, they go out on tour with Bryan Adams.
Daniel Stallworth – Living on a Prayer by Bon Jovi
It’s Daniel’s first time performing a rock song. He struggles in rehearsal. Pat gives the soulful singer tips on how to hit high notes. The song, however, is less a rock song in Daniel’s hands, and more of a slow funk. So not really a rock song. But his rearrangement is decent and he manages to bring groovy vibes to the performance. He works the crowd like a pro.
Carrie didn’t think she’d like the song based on rehearsal, but after watching it, realizes she was wrong. “Stay you…you’ve got the magic.” says Luke. “The way to bring Bon Jovi to church,” says Lionel.
Uh. “The Miz” shows up for Ryan’s job. Har har har. He’s pimping American Gladiators…or something. He fake fights Ryan. MORE HILARITY. Oh. Actually, he’s pimping the ESPN WrestleMania live event taking place this weekend.
Keyla Richardson – Signed Sealed Delivered by Stevie Wonder.
Pat suggests that Keyla sing the song to her son. Neil suggests that she “twist up” the arrangement to put her stamp on it. They slow up the beginning.
Her son is SO cute singing along in the audience. Keyla is just effortlessly GREAT. She tosses off the song like it’s a walk in the park (Stevie songs, are NEVER easy to sing). While the performance starts off slow, she doesn’t waste time kicking it up a notch. Her ad libs are energetic. She brings the audience to their feet.
Luke is speechless. “Never seen you take it to that level.” Lionel says, “Let the congregation say AMEN.” Carrie calls the performance, “Absolutely amazing.” She feels the contestants are bringing it this week.
Next, Ryan and Lionel announce the new Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class: Phil Collins, Iron Maiden, Oasis, Sade, Billy Idol, Joy Division/New Order, Luther Vandross Wu-Tang Clan Earl Influencers include Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Gram Parsons. Musical Excellence: Linda Creed, Arif Martin, Jimmy Miller and Rick Rubin. TV host Ed Sullivan gets a special non-performer award.
Lucas Leon – Bennie and the Jets by Elton John
Lucas, a “countryish” artist picked the EJ hit to stretch beyond his comfort zone. Pat stresses that it’s important to leave the comfort zone. Lucas is a little nervous about it all.
The singer accompanies himself on piano. His raspy vocal delivers the song well, even if he doesn’t bring anything new or startling to the performance. He manages to work the audience from the piano, though. Nice smiles throughout–very engaging.
Lionel urges him to “let the vocals go.” Carrie mentions how entertaining he was behind the piano. I said it! Luke feels 18 year old Lucas has the charisma thing. “You keep growing.”
Kyndal – Piece of My Heart by Janis Joplin
Kyndal also laments last week’s performance. Yeah, last week was problematic for so many of the contestants. She’s deciding between “Piece of My Heart” and “Message in the Bottle.” Pat says she’s got to pick the song she feels comfortable with, but votes for the Police classic.
And in the end, Kyndal goes for the safe pick. “Piece of My Heart.” Her raspy voice fits the song perfectly. But Message in a Bottle would have been more interesting. Janis Joplin covers do manage to bring the house down, however. Kyndal is definitely feeling the heat at this point.
Kyndal is having voice issues, she admits. Carrie felt she gave up on herself a little at the end of the song. Yeah. She’s feeling the stress. Luke does feel she chose the right song. Lionel agrees on the song pick. “You did a great job.”
Philmon Lee – Hot Blooded by Foreigner
Neil loves Philmon’s rasp. He suggests he take it down a half step to accommodate the high notes. Pat urges him basically, to bring sex appeal to the performance. Philmon, for the most part, isn’t very charismatic on stage. His vocal instrument is solid, but he does not bring star power. Last week’s impressive performance was the exception rather than the rule of the season.
Luke says, “Don’t be scared. Get back to embodying what the song is.” Lionel was waiting for him too look at the audience. Carrie is looking for more swagger. Apparently, Philmon had some issues with his in ear.
Constantine Maroulis from season 4 in the house! I wonder if he and Carrie will have a little chat after the show. Heh. Apparently, he’ll be appearing on the American Idol podcast this week.
Hannah Harper – Landslide by Fleetwood Mac
Jo Dee Messina gave Hannah a shout out after she sang her song last week. Whoa. Hannah goes secular this week. Neil says Hannah represents pureness in family. Pat mentions that she and Neil brought their kids on the road. Hands down, it’s her best song choice so far. “Landslide” is a gorgeous song, and Hannah delivers a heartfelt version of the timeless tune. The arrangement is slightly country, but it works. Yep. Her best performance so far.
Lionel calls it a “classic song with a classic performance.” Carrie says, “It sounded like you…beautiful.” Luke says it was like being at an awards show. “Really special.”
Jordan McCullough – Somebody to Love by Queen
The song is a moment in church, Neil says, you have to command the stage. Pat suggests he move around the stage. “The power in his voice is sensational,” adds Neil. Woah. Jordan is delivering a FEARLESS vocal. This is what the judges mean when they urge tentative contestants to let their vocals GO and leave it all on the stage. He ends it all on a sensational high note.
“That was so much fun!” says Carrie. “You just proved that anyone can rock.” Luke says, “This is what American Idol is all about.” He adds, “Everybody has had a great night.” Lionel call the performance a “drop the mic moment.”
RESULTS
TOM DIM THE LIGHTS.
Top 9
Brooks
Daniel Stallworth
Braden Rumfelt
Lucas Leon
Jordan McCullough
Hannah Harper
Keyla Richardson
Chris Tungseth
Kyndal Inskeep
ELIMINATED
Philmon Lee
Rae
The eliminations this week make sense. Although Philmon had a good week last week, he generally lacks charisma and stage presence. While I do have mixed feelings about Rae, she picked the WRONG SONG this week and was TOO over the top with her delivery. It’s a shame because that gal can SANG. I also have a feeling her “personality” rubs some people the wrong way, which I don’t get. But women are always expected to meet ridiculous expectations when it comes to how they present themselves.
Additionally, hopefully Kyndal gets her act together. She’s losing her mojo halfway through the competition. She’s got what unfortunately afflicts a few unfortunate baseball pitchers–the yips. She’s second guessing herself like crazy. She’s talented and should go far in the competition, so hopefully she talks to a friend or someone who understands what she’ going through.
