American Idol 2026 Recap: Top 12 Judges Song Contest (Top 11 Revealed) (Video)
American Idol Season 24 is back with another live show. Drama ensued last week when a voting glitch meant the two contestants eliminated from the Top 14 would be revealed at the top of this week’s show. By the end of the night, the Top 12 will become a Top 11.
Season 4 winner, Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan sit on the judges panel. Ryan Seacrest hosts.
American Idol 2026: What Should the Top 12 Sing?
The Top 12 will perform ’90s hits secretly picked by Luke, Lionel and Carrie. The judges with the most contestant picks wins the contest! Plus, stars of ABC’s “TGIF” ’90s lineup hang with the hopefuls.
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.
First, Ryan announces the Top 12, which he claims was “incredibly close:
Julian Kalel and Jake Thistle are eliminated! WHAT TWO OF MY FAVORITES I HATE THIS SHOW.
OH look at Carrie all dressed up like a Barbie doll. A bunch of actors who starred in 90s sitcoms are here. Really, this theme is about pimping Danielle FIshel, the host of the new American Idol podcast.
The winning judge will save a contestant from elimination.
Hannah Harper – Heads Carolina, Tails California by Jo Dee Messina
This is not a great song choice for Hannah. She’s off pitch in spots and does not seem entirely comfortable on stage. She dresses like an old lady. THEY say Hannah is running away with this competition. Hm.
Hannah guesses Luke picked the song because he’s “ye haw.” But actually, it was Carrie. “You sounded so great. I loved the modulation. Hannah is coming out of her shell a little bit.” Luke loves being Yee Haw. Great song choice, he says. “You just stepped into it and made it yours,” says Lionel.
Song choices: Heads Carolina, Tails California by Jo Dee Messina, Un-Break y Heart by Toni Braxton, Only Love by Wynonna. WINNER: Carrie
Jesse Frederick is on hand to sing TV themes.
Jordan McCullough – Always Be My Baby by Mariah Carey
You Idol fans will remember season 7 winner David Cook NAILING a flip of this song his season. Jordan seems a bit surprised at Mariah Carey pick. But of course, he’s gotta be kidding! Because he turns out a soulful crowd pleasing version of the song. HOLY ADLIBS y’all.
HA HA HA Ryan mentions that Mariah was once and Idol judge. COUGH. Jordan thinks Carrie chose the song. But no…it’s Lionel. “Masterful job,” he adds. Carrie feels Lionel nailed the song choice. “You took it and did your thing with it.” Luke picked “Go Rest High on the Mountain.” But believes Jordan was smart to step out of his comfort zone.
Song choices: Always Be My Baby by Mariah Carey, I Swear by John Michael Montgomery, Go Rest High on That Mountain by Vince Gill. WINNER Lionel
Daniel Stallworth – It Ain’t Over Until it’s Over by Lenny Kravitz
Daniel sits at the piano to sing this Lenny Kravitz hit. The music teacher is a natural talent. He brings easy chart and poise to the stage. He’s reminiscent of the great soul singers from the past He eventually gets up from the piano to work the crowd. He connects to the audience so well.
Daniel guesses Lionel picked the song. But he did not. It’s Luke’s pick. Well, I’m surprised he even knows who Lenny is. He loves that contestants are stepping out of his comfort zone. He didn’t know the song. Carrie picked Can We Talk. “You really did your own thing with it.” Lionel says, “You’ve got a vibe.”
Song Choices: Can We Talk by Tevin Campbell, I Want You Back by *NSYNC, It Ain’t Over “Til It’s Over by Lenny Kravitz WINNER: Luke
Lucas Leon – Should’ve been a Cowboy by Toby Keith
Lucas accompanies himself on the emotional ballad playing an acoustic guitar. For some reason, I forget Lucas every week. Yet, his tone is solid, pretty. He’s only 18 years old too. He adds a little growl here an there. It’s an impressively impassioned performance.
Lucas was born 07 and didn’t live the 90s. he believes Lionel chose the song. And he is CORRECT. He says, “I love what you did.” Carrie had a hard time choosing a song. “It felt believable, it felt genuine.” Luke is glad he picked the song. He thinks Lucas is growing into a more artist mindset.
Song Choices: It’s Your Love by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, Should’ve Been a Cowboy by Toby Keith, Ain’t that Lonely by Dwight Yoakam WINNER: Lionel
Chris Tungseth – I’ll Be by Edwin McCain
Chris ONLY knew of Edwin McCain. Ah. Remember when singer chose this song to cover on the reg? Hm. Not loving this song choice for Chris. His voice is better suited for soulful songs. A smoother vocal is needed here. He improves as the performance goes on. He seems a little off pitch tonight? It ends beautifully, though, on a soft note.
Chris thinks Carrie chose the song. And she did! Carrie felt there were a few not so great moments. She’s correct. Though she felt there were some magical moments. Luke loves the soul in his voice. “You have an identifiable voice,” says Lionel. “Don’t be safe if you get past this.” Uh oh. He could have killed “She Talks to Angels,” but he picked the song he knew, unfortunately.
Song Choices: She Talks to Angels by The Black Crowes, Kiss from a Rose by Seal, I’ll Be by Edwin McCain WINNER: Carrie
Philmon Lee – Hard to Handle by The Black Crowes
Song choice is EVERYTHING and Philmon chose the best song of the three for himself. It’s his best performance so far. He still needs to work on his stage presence. But that raspy rock voice is ON POINT tonight.
He guesses that Carrie chose the song. But it was actually Luke. All tied up! “You’re a great singer. Lean in every time.” Carrie felt Philmon had a break out moment. Lionel has never heard the song arranged like that. “You had it under control.”
Song Choices: Say it Ain’t So by Weezer, I Believe by Blessid Union of Souls, Hard to Handle by The Black Crowes. WINNER: Luke
Kyndal Inskeep – Iris by Goo Goo Dolls
As she usually does, Kyndal flips the song to her particular indie style. She displays an unusual and unique style when she sings. But she needs to be careful not to make all the covers sound the same. Still, the song has some beautiful moments. Her head voice is lovely.
Kyndal thinks it’s Carrie but then guesses Luke. But it was Lionel! He envisions Kyndal coming out with no shoes on. What does that have to do with the Goo Goo Dolls. Carrie feels the song is covered too much, but feels that Kyndal made it fresh. Luke calls her approach “artistic.”
Song picks: Torn by Natalie Imbruglia, You’re Still the One by Shania Twain, Iris by Goo Goo Dolls. WINNER: Lionel
Brooks – Linger by Cranberries
He does not know “Losing My Religion” by REM. HOW. He’s not comfortable with any of the song choices, it seems. He picked a song he knows. Still, he’s nervous tonight–a little deer in the headlights. He’s having some of the issues Chris had before him–pitch problems. Having others pick songs for the contestants CAN be challenging, that’s for sure.
He guesses Carrie. But it was Lionel. HE’S WINNING! Lionel had a tough time picking a song for Brooks. Carrie chose Dreams. She loved the beginning, but she felt he was uncomfortable on the back half. I agree. Luke wants Brooks to find more confidence. “We are pulling for you. You are really really special.”
Song Choices: Dreams by The Cranberries, Losing My Religion by R.E.M, Linger by Cranberries. WINNER: Lionel
Rae – Love Will Lead You Back by Taylor Dayne
Rae knows NONE OF THE SONG CHOICES. Oh boy. Still, she chose the song that suits her. Taylor dropped several major hits back in the day, and sing with that big diva voice Rae recalls with her style. She nails the song, but doesn’t do anything interesting with it? Still, this gal possesses a major set of pipes.
Rae guesses it’s Carrie “who knows a diva ballad.” And that is correct! Rae reminds Carrie of Taylor. “You crushed it.” Luke is impressed that she didn’t know the song. He felt she came to life at the end of the song. “You sang it as if you knew every inch of it..so well done,” says Lionel.
Song Choices: Love Will Lead You Back by Taylor Dayne, I’ll Make Love to You by Boyz II Men, Walkaway Joe by Trisha Yearwood WINNER: Carrie
Braden Rumfelt – All By Myself by Celine Dion
Braden chooses All By Myself because he loves Celine Dion (NOTE: Eric Carmen wrote the song and released the original back in the 70s. I’M JUST SAYING.). But Braden loves flipping female songs, which I guess this song ultimately is,and he does a good job. He’s got big dramatic pipes and he delivers.
Braden guesses….Carrie. LIONEL PICKED IT. He’s the WINNAH. Again, Lionel felt it was a tall order and felt he didn’t always have a grip on it. Luke says, “Great job on that.” Carrie picked GEORGE MICHAEL OF COURSE! She LOVES her some George. Carrie felt he faltered a bit on it at times. Hm I think he did a solid job?
Song Choices: All By Myself by Celine Dion, I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing by Aerosmith, Freedom! 90 by Carrie Underwood WINNER: Lionel
Jesse Findling – Wonderwall by Oasis
Jesse picks a song he does not know very well, rather than Hallelujah, which he DOES no. Good thinking. Hallelujah is SO OVER DONE. Wonderwall is a quintessential 90s tune, besides being ICONIC. He acquits himself beautifully here.
Jesse guesses Luke because he chose it a few years ago. LIONEL AGAIN. Holy cow. I’s over y’all. Lionel didn’t think Jesse would choose his song. Carrie says, “You did your thing and it worked.” Luke says, “Great song choice. One of my favorite things I’ve seen you do.”
Song Choices: Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley, (Everything I Do I Do For You by Bryan Adams, Wonderwall by Oasis. WINNER: Lionel
Keyla Richardson – Zombie by The Cranberries
SHE DOES NOT KNOW ANY OF THE SONG PICKS. Good lord. THESE KIDS. She rearranges the song to sound more orchestral and dramatic. It’s a good song about The Troubles in Northern Ireland, which were raging in the 90s. STILL relevant today, though. She nails a song she does not know and totally makes it her own.
She guesses Lionel chose the song. OH BOY AGAIN! He’s literally embarrassing his fellow judges. “The public may turn against me!” Carrie begs America to vote.
Song Choices: Zombie ty The Cranberries, Breathe by Faith Hill, It’s All Coming Back to Me Now by Celine Dion WINNER: Lionel
Lionel WINS garnering a WHOPPING 7 OUT OF 12 POINTS and is presented with a trophy. He’ll choose a contestant to save.
RESULTS:
Which two finalists are in danger of leaving tonight. CHRIS IS SAFE YAY. He looked truly surprised.
Top 11
Chris Tungseth
Kyndal
Daniel Stallworth
Hannah Harper
Jordan McCollough
Braden Rumfelt
Philmon Lee
Keyla Richardson
Brooks
Lucas Leon
Rae – SAVED BY LIONEL
Bottom two
Rae – SAVED
Jesse Findling – ELIMINATED
Unsurprisingly, Lionel SAVES Rae. She had no business in the bottom 2 to begin with.
