On the evening of March 16, 2026, the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park, New Jersey, was abuzz with anticipation. Local fans packed the venue for a special viewing party, all eyes glued to the screens as Jake Thistle, a 21-year-old Paramus native and familiar face on the city’s vibrant music scene, took to the national stage on "American Idol." Thistle, who’s graced the Wonder Bar’s stage before, had advanced to the Top 20 of the storied singing competition, and his supporters were ready to cheer him on every step of the way.
Thistle’s journey to the Top 20 has been nothing short of remarkable. He’s not just a regular act at Asbury Park’s live music haunts; he’s even shared the stage with the legendary Bruce Springsteen. On the March 9 episode of “American Idol,” judge Carrie Underwood drew a striking comparison, saying, “It’s like watching a young Bruce Springsteen meets Bob Dylan,” after Thistle performed his original song “Sleep On Me,” according to USA Today Network New Jersey. That high praise set the tone for the excitement swirling around his latest national TV appearance.
The March 16 episode, airing at 8 p.m. Eastern and filmed at the Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawaiʻi, marked a pivotal moment for Thistle and the rest of the Top 20. For the first time this season, viewers had the power to decide who would advance. The episode was a sun-soaked showcase, featuring not just performances from the contestants but also mentorship from country star Brad Paisley and multi-hyphenate Keke Palmer, who doubled as a guest judge for the night. Special performances from Season 21 winner Iam Tongi and recent finalist Thunderstorm Artis added to the celebratory atmosphere.
Season 24 of “American Idol” has taken a few creative turns. The show launched its “Idol University” theme in January, moving the traditional Hollywood Week to Nashville for a one-round “Music City Takeover.” The new ʻOhana Round in Hawaiʻi, which whittled the field from 30 to 20 contestants, brought in a fresh voting panel: music industry insiders, family members, and the contestants themselves. Three coveted platinum tickets were handed out in this round—one chosen by industry tastemakers, one by families, and one by the contestants. The rest of the Top 20 were selected by the show’s judges at the end of the March 9 episode.
Among the platinum ticket recipients was Kyndal Inskeep, a 29-year-old singer-songwriter and Fishers, Indiana, native now based in Nashville. Inskeep’s emotional original song “Woman of Me,” dedicated to her mother, earned her the honor during the March 2 ʻOhana Round. “Hearing my name, it was huge,” Inskeep told IndyStar, reflecting on the moment. She’s no stranger to competition, having previously appeared on “The Voice” and released her own music since 2020. Yet, as she admitted, the “American Idol” stage brings a unique kind of pressure: “Even as an artist that’s been on the road and done the thing, it’s a little bit different on the show because you only have one shot. It’s you in your raw. How your voice sounds, your performance, whole nine.”
As the March 16 episode unfolded, fans across the country tuned in, but not everyone had a straightforward viewing experience. Due to a carriage dispute between DISH Network and Gray Media, ABC was blacked out for some viewers. Still, determined fans found alternative ways to watch. Streaming platforms like Fubo, DIRECTV, and Sling TV offered free trials and a variety of packages to ensure no one missed out on the action. For those unable to catch the broadcast live, the episode was available to stream on Disney+ and Hulu the following day.
The voting process itself was more interactive than ever. For the first time this season, viewers could cast their votes in three ways: online at idolvote.abc.com (or americanidol.com/vote), by texting the contestant’s number to 21523, or by commenting the contestant’s name on the official “American Idol” voting posts on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Each method allowed up to 10 votes per contestant, giving dedicated fans plenty of opportunity to support their favorites. Voting for the March 16 episode opened at the start of the East Coast broadcast and closed at 6 a.m. EST the following morning, with a second voting window set for March 23.
The Top 20 performances themselves were pre-recorded at the Aulani Resort on Oahu, Hawaii. Over the next two episodes, airing March 16 and March 23, the contestants would perform in two groups of ten. The results, determined entirely by public vote, would decide who advanced to the live shows—where weekly eliminations would continue until a winner is crowned. The March 23 episode was set to feature a guest performance from Skip Marley, keeping the star power high as the competition intensified.
Back in New Jersey, the excitement extended beyond Asbury Park. Mama’s Cafe Baci in Hackettstown, the very spot where Jake Thistle first performed publicly at age nine, also aired the episode on their TVs. Guests who mentioned Thistle’s name received a “special surprise” with their dinner, according to Austin Schiano of Mama’s Cafe Baci. “We are so proud of him and his success,” Schiano wrote in an email to USA Today Network New Jersey, reflecting the pride felt by Thistle’s hometown supporters.
For Thistle, Inskeep, and the rest of the Top 20, the stakes have never been higher. The new format, with its blend of industry mentorship, public voting, and social media engagement, has made this season of “American Idol” one of the most participatory yet. As viewers cast their votes and social momentum builds, the next American Idol could very well be a local hero, a road-tested songwriter, or a breakout star discovered in the glare of the Hawaiian sun.
As the competition heats up and the public takes the reins, the nation’s attention remains fixed on the unfolding drama. With hometowns rallying, mentors guiding, and fans voting in record numbers, “American Idol” season 24 is proving that even after more than two decades, the show still has the power to unite, surprise, and launch the next big star.