American Idol 2025: Gabby Samone Delivers Her Own Iconic Idol Moment with “A Song For You”
American Idol Season 23 returned on Monday night with another live coast-to-coast voting show. Season 3 winner Fantasia came home to mentor the Top 12 as the show whittled the group down to 10. The theme, Iconic Idol Moments, was meant to celebrate big “moment” performances from past Idols. But 23-year-old, Baltimore native, Gabby Samone managed to create a moment for herself with “A Song for You” by Donny Hathaway. (Read our Recap)
The was was previously an idol moment from Season 5 third place finisher, Elliott Yamin. Gabby called Elliott’s rendition one of her favorite versions of the song. She recalled that Fantasia won when she was just 3 years old. “You don’t know how much you mean to me,” Gabby shared with Fantasia, as she admired her as a black woman who won American Idol. “I feel like I’m just learning how to love myself,” Gabby shared. Fantasia reacted, “My prayer for her is that she understands it’s okay now to come out of your shell.”
Gabby opened the song with a smooth vocal and a simple and quiet backing. She has learned how to create quiet moments that build up into big booming belting notes. The balance wasn’t always there for her early in the competition, but she is absolutely peaking at the right time. She hit every run with purpose and so much emotion. This may just be the best vocal of the season so far. The ending was beautiful, and the crowd silent as she hit the final line before applauding.
“I feel like this is where I’m supposed to be tonight”
The studio audience chanted her name as Gabby teared up. Carrie Underwood called it “absolute perfection.” Luke Bryan said, “When you render Fantasia speechless, you have done something. I’m speechless.” Lionel Richie added, “I think Fantasia said it best at the end. I have nothing more to say.” Host Ryan Seacrest noted that Gabby “mesmerized an entire nation” with the performance. The singer replied, “I feel like I’m becoming myself,” adding, “I feel like this is where I’m supposed to be tonight.” The in-house mentor, Jelly Roll observed that Fantasia winning felt a lot like Gabby’s performance tonight. High praise came from everyone all around. Production promoted her heavily and seem to be a big fan.
Gabby wasn’t the only one who rendered the studio audience speechless as my pick to win it all, Jamal Roberts, literally had the crowd speechless for quite some time with a rendition of “Heal” by Tom Odell, previously performed by Leah Marlene. Also, Kolbi Jordan performed a beautiful jazzy rendition of “Over The Rainbow” which had previously been a big moment for Katharine McPhee. Finally, John Foster stepped away from the guitar to deliver a pleasing “I Told You So” which Carrie had previously duetted with original singer Randy Travis in 2009 when she returned to the Idol stage.
American Idol returns next week with Iconic Woman’s Songs on Sunday (May 4) and Judges Song Contest on Monday (May 5) American Idol airs Sundays and Mondays at 8 pm ET coast to coast on ABC, streaming on HULU next day
