For millions of viewers across the country, the latest round of American Idol delivered not just music, but a seismic shift in the show’s power dynamics. On March 23, 2026, the second half of this season’s Top 20 took to the stage at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawaii, performing for their shot at the next round—and this time, it was America, not the judges, who held the keys to their fate.
Until now, superstar judges Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan have wielded all the power, trimming the field down to just 20 hopefuls. But as host Ryan Seacrest announced at the top of the episode, the baton has officially been passed to the viewers. And, for the first time in the show’s storied history, fans can now vote not only via text message and the official website, but also through social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. It’s a change that has the potential to shake up the competition—and perhaps even the outcome.
This week’s episode was the second part of the Top 20 round, with the remaining 10 contestants—Philmon Lee, Rae, Lucas Leon, Jordan McCullough, Abayomi, Madison Moon, Chris Tungseth, Ruby Rae, Julian Kalel, and Keyla Richardson—taking their turn in the spotlight. Each performer was supported by mentors Brad Paisley and Keke Palmer, who returned to guide the contestants through this crucial phase. According to American Songwriter, Paisley and Palmer’s advice was instrumental, helping contestants find their confidence and refine their stage presence during this high-stakes round.
The episode opened with a burst of energy, as Skip Marley performed his father’s classic anthem “One Love,” setting a hopeful mood. Later, mentor Keke Palmer took the stage herself, performing her single "All They Type," and reminding everyone that even the mentors know a thing or two about handling the pressure.
But the main event, of course, was the contestants themselves. Each singer brought something unique to the table, and the judges didn’t hold back with their feedback. For Philmon Lee, who performed Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” Carrie Underwood praised, “I love that you made the song your own. If there’s one thing I could tell you to do more—just relax.” Luke Bryan encouraged him to “amp your performance energy up a little bit,” while Keke Palmer enthused, “The vocals were hitting. I’m so proud of you.” Lionel Richie admitted, “You stepped up. The first half I was a little scared, and then you leaned into it.”
Rae electrified the room with Aretha Franklin’s “Respect.” Underwood told her, “We always knew you could sing, but you can entertain. We had fun—that was amazing.” Bryan declared, “You’re one of our best singers, if not the best singer,” and Palmer exclaimed, “Somebody needs to ring the fire alarm because you just set the whole show on fire!” Richie quipped, “Aretha Rae—I don’t know what vitamin pill you took, but you pulled it out and gave it to us.”
Lucas Leon’s rendition of Tim McGraw’s “Just to See You Smile” was described by Underwood as “powerful, beautiful, and there is something really special about the simplicity.” Bryan advised him to “keep delivering and keep making us feel comfortable—but also keep adding the pressure and intensity.” Palmer joked, “You transported us into your world. I’m single as a Pringle and I felt romantic!” Richie added, “You made that so comfortable. I almost forgot you’re a contestant.”
Jordan McCullough, performing U2’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For,” earned high praise. Underwood said, “We’re in this heavenly place listening to your anointed voice. Praise the Lord! That was incredible.” Bryan called him a “powerhouse singer,” Palmer urged, “American—vote. We need you in this competition. You are incredible,” and Richie noted, “Turning a U2 song into your song is the way you win competitions.”
Sixteen-year-old Abayomi wowed the judges with Jessie J’s “Mamma Knows Best.” Underwood saw a “Disney star in the making,” Bryan told her to “be confident,” Palmer noted, “It is not easy to command a stage in a competition like this, but you did just that,” and Richie exclaimed, “This 16-year-old is driving a steamroller. You killed it!”
Madison Moon, with her take on Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone,” drew Underwood’s admiration: “She’s the only one that could go for this and pull it off. You’ve got incredible pipes.” Bryan encouraged her to “keep that rocker energy,” Palmer called her “one of the best singers I’ve seen in a really long time,” and Richie said, “You blew my wig off my head! Power—you have it in spades.”
Chris Tungseth’s “Apologize” by OneRepublic was met with Underwood’s observation, “You’ve got this mysterious, sexy vibe going. It’s one of your superpowers.” Bryan wanted to “hear that power you got,” Palmer wanted to “hear more of you,” and Richie praised, “From [the second verse] on, you let go and delivered the goods.”
Ruby Rae’s performance of One Direction’s “Drag Me Down” prompted Underwood to challenge her to “find your sassy side.” Bryan acknowledged, “It’s hard to get out of a 16-year-old mentality, but you do have a great voice.” Palmer advised, “Take your time with it and let the band catch up to you,” and Richie warned, “You were overthinking. Don’t do it—you’ve got the goods.”
Julian Kalel, singing Zach Bryan’s “Tourniquet,” was called “such a poet” by Underwood, who added, “You’re so believable when you start singing and playing—it’s so honest.” Bryan said, “That was a ‘Star is Born’ moment. You’ve just got it,” Palmer praised, “I can tell how much this means to you. Your voice is beautiful,” and Richie found it “really exciting to see you stand there in the light of your artistry.”
Keyla Richardson, Pensacola’s own, brought down the house with The Beatles’ “With a Little Help from My Friends.” Underwood told her, “The thing that I love about you is that you don’t think about what you’re doing. It just flows out of you. From the heavens, to Keyla, and out to us.” Bryan joked about her audition, Palmer compared her to Fantasia Barrino, and Richie declared, “That was the greatest performance I have ever seen on this American Idol stage.”
For viewers eager to support their favorites, the process has never been more accessible—or more strategic. Voting opened at the start of the East Coast broadcast and closed at 6:00 a.m. ET (5:00 a.m. CT/4:00 a.m. MDT) on March 24. Fans could vote up to 10 times per contestant per method—website, text, and each social media platform—adding up to 50 votes per artist. Social media voting, a brand-new addition, requires fans to comment the contestant’s name on the official pinned post on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, with one vote per comment and no repeats or multiple names in a single comment. According to idolvote.abc.com, the new system aims to make the competition more interactive and inclusive than ever before.
For contestants like Keyla Richardson, who advanced to the Top 20 after a stirring audition and a memorable journey through the Ohana Round in Hawaii, the support from her hometown has been palpable. Richardson, a music teacher and lifelong singer, told the Pensacola News Journal, “I just want to let the world know, never give up. Always chase your dream, don’t let nobody stop you chasing your dream. You just keep going, no matter what.”
With America’s votes now in, all eyes are on the March 30 episode, when the Top 14 will be revealed in the season’s first live show. For the contestants—and the fans who’ve rallied behind them—it’s a nail-biting wait, but one thing’s for sure: the future of American Idol has never been more in the hands of the people.