‘American Idol’ Results Tonight: Who Went Home and Who Made the Top 20?
Ryan Seacrest, Triston Harper
It was wall-to-wall music on a special three-hour edition of American Idol as the results of America’s first vote revealed the Top 20.
Judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Perry may have already done their job by picking the 24 best artists for this season of the singing competition, but they are still on hand to critique the singers and help America decide who goes through.
The Top 20 was chosen after almost 30 million votes were cast. Tonight’s vote will eliminate six more artists as America decides the Top 14 based on tonight’s performances. Those results will be revealed on Monday night.
Guest performances for the night included Teddy Swims with “Lose Control,” Paul Russell with “Lil Boo Thang,” and Idol alum Lauren Spencer Smith returned with “Fingers Crossed.”
Related: American Idol's Top 24 Perform on Night Two for America's First Vote of the Season
Who went home tonight on American Idol 2024 Top 20
Blake Proehl
Elleigh Marie
Haley Mia
KBlocks
Advancing artists tonight on American Idol 2024 Top 20
Abi Carter
Ajii
Emmy Russell
Jack Blocker
Jayna Elise
Jennifer Jeffries
Jordan Anthony
Julia Gagnon
Kaibrienne
Kayko
Kennedy Reid
Mackenzie Sol
Mckenna Faith Brienholt
Mia Matthews
Nya
Odell Bunton Jr.
Quintavious
Roman Collins
Triston Harper
Will Moseley
Related: American Idol's Top 24 Perform for America's First Vote of the Season
Here's how the night went:
Jack Blocker
Song: “Don’t Mess Around with Jim” by Jim Croce
Lionel said: “First of all, you prove me wrong time and time again. We started off so wrong in the beginning, I apologize. That is the perfect song. And what I love the most is your personality coming out, and onstage, your personality is equal to your singing performance. You did very well.”
Mia Matthews
Song: “Wildflowers and Wild Horses” by Lainey Wilson
Katy said: “Not to sound corny, but I think you found your roar. The way you looked at the camera and looked straight into our eyes, you’ve got a lot less fear and that’s what’s going to take you all the way to the top.”
Mackenzie Sol
Song: “I’ll Never Love Again” by Lady Gaga
Luke said: “First, it’s impressive how long you’ve focused and dedicated your life to music in this journey and you’re still growing in this thing. We made you sing for your life. The stress of it never ends. You’re constantly defining yourself in this business and we’ve watched you do that. You do it with a real genuine heart. You feel like a guy I want to cheer for. That was a great performance. I didn’t know you played piano, but I also like that you got away from the piano and started entertaining. It was great.”
Roman Collins
Song: “Never Would Have Made It” by Marvin Sapp
Lionel said: “Let the congregation say, ‘Amen.’ I don’t know if you know but I have never in my American Idol history seen the American Idol children congregation act like this before. I only have one thing to say to you if you don’t already know it. God has a plan for you.”
Kennedy Reid
Song: “Love Can Build a Bridge” by The Judds
Katy said: “I am just so proud of you. I’m so proud of what this show is all about. It’s your metamorphosis moment. Maybe you win this show; maybe you don’t. Who knows? God knows. But you got exactly what you’re supposed to get by coming to this show.”
Ajaii
Song: “Like a Stone” by Audioslave
Luke said: “There was a lot of energy in that performance. When you hit that moment where you did like the gallop, I was ready to storm the castle. Great job. Just don’t get too yell-y through they whole thing.”
Jennifer Jeffries
Song: “Grave Digger” by Matt Maeson
Lionel said: “If I could give you a big, giant bucket of confidence, just pour it on. What you have is a style and that’s more important than being a singer because I know what you sound like. You have that thing that’s identifiable only to you. You have a crack in your voice, you have a growl in your voice, embrace it. Don’t be afraid of it. I’m here to hear your vibe, your style and you have it.”
Emmy Russell
Song: “Want You” by Emmy Russell
Katy said: “That was one of my favorite original songs that you sang. I know you were just a little bit nervous, I just want more breaths, more long notes. Girl, go swimming. Learn how to hold your breath more. We need longer notes from Emmy and I know you have them. We need power. Come on, let’s go. The time is now.”
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Triston Harper
Song: “H-O-P-E” [Hold On Pain Ends] by Triston Harper
Luke said: “How do you get that much talent in a 15-year-old? It’s truly remarkable watching you. I believe this is what you’ll do the rest of your life. The day I knew I could play music the rest of my life was very important and, at 15 years old, I think you’ll be doing this forever. It will change you and your mother’s lives forever.”
Odell Bunton Jr.
Song: “The Door” by Teddy Swims
Lionel said: “I knew for a fact that you were just not singing to be singing, you were singing for those kids. You were singing for that family of yours. You were singing for that moment you could step out of that hotel and go into life. I think if anything goes wrong, we’re going to open a church because, I tell you, you have the ability to move people. That’s everything. Congratulations. You killed it.”
Related: American Idol Judges Give Out the First Platinum Ticket to the ‘Best Soul Singer of the Season'
Kayko
Song: “Over You” by Kayko
Katy said: “You are going to be a mega star. I’m excited for the next five years of your life. I’m going to see you on tour, and it might be the worm tour coming back with Kayko.”
Jordan Anthony
Song: “when the party’s over” by Billie Eilish
Luke said: “You did not get rattled by the slouching microphone. I loved the performance because you really showed us a lot of range. It was full of a lot of moments, and tenderness, and bigness and I think it was one of your best performances I’ve seen you do.”
Quintavious
Song: “Hollow” by Tori Kelly
Lionel said: “What is going on? You are electric. You walk out on stage like the quiet choir boy and then you explode and we’re sitting there going, ‘What the heck?’ What I am saying to you is that was amazing.”
Kaibrienne
Song: “girl I am now” by Kaibrienne
Katy said: “I think it’s kind of boring when somebody’s perfect because we all relate to this. There’s humanity in that performance. Don’t worry about falling apart in front of our audience. I think American Idol is a safe place to fall apart.”
Nya
Song: “Georgia on My Mind” by Ray Charles
Luke said: “I am a Georgia boy and the effortlessness of how you navigate these notes, you don’t ever sweat. You’re a former Broadway actress so maybe act like it’s a little bit tough. It’s truly impressive. You are one of my favorite voices in this competition. Truly amazing.”
Jayna Elise
Song: “My All” by Mariah Carey
Lionel said: “I think she has been waiting for this moment her whole life. That moment when she said, ‘This is my time. It’s now.’ My dear, you have a career."
Abi Carter
Song: “Welcome to the Black Parade” by My Chemical Romance
Katy said: “When I cheated and looked down and saw you were singing a My Chem song, I said, ‘What’s happening?’ I am really crying listening to you. You transported me to a whole different realm, a whole different energy, a whole different dimension. It was so good.”
Related: American Idol Judges Award the Second Platinum Ticket to the 'Best Thing We've Ever Heard'
Will Moseley
Song: “Makin’ Me Look Good Again” by Drake White
Luke said: “You are spoiling us because you are always solid, right on the money. How many months are you into your year of saying yes to making music? [May will be a year] You’ve had a helluva year. I think you’ll be in the finale.”
Mckenna Faith Brienholt
Song: “Both Sides Now” by Joni Mitchell
Lionel said: “She made a connection is what she did. I’ve known Joni Mitchell a long time and she would be so proud that you took her song and made it into your song because that’s exactly what you did. That was a big, tall order. It was so believable. It was so touching, I’m going to phone her up and say, ‘You’ve got to watch this’ to her because she needs to see this.”
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Julia Gagnon
Song: “I Believe” by Fantasia
Katy said: “I guess it looks like America believes that you belong. I really love what you gave us, that heartfelt delivery. Especially that falsetto, when you control it and put the reins on it, you really bring us in. That was amazing.”
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American Idol airs Sunday and Monday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC, and streams next day on Hulu.
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