In a dramatic turn of events, the popular singing competition show American Idol revealed its Top 14 contestants on Monday night, April 21, 2025, after a thrilling live performance episode. This marked the first live show of the season, following a faith-themed episode aired on Easter Sunday, which had already seen four contestants eliminated.
During the live, two-hour episode hosted by Ryan Seacrest, the Top 20 contestants were individually called to the stage to learn their fates. Based on America’s votes, the Top 10 artists were automatically advanced to the next round, while the remaining contestants had to perform for a chance at the judges' save.
The contestants who made it to the Top 10 based on viewer votes included Kolbi Jordan, Thunderstorm Artis, Filo, John Foster, Mattie Pruitt, Canaan James Hill, Breanna Nix, Jamal Roberts, Slater Nalley, and Gabby Samone. Each of these artists delivered powerful performances, showcasing their vocal talents and emotional depth.
Kicking off the night, Kolbi Jordan, a 26-year-old from Tulsa, Oklahoma, performed a rendition of Whitney Houston's "I'm Every Woman," which earned her a spot in the Top 14. After her performance, she expressed her joy, saying, "I’m so excited to be in the Top 14!"
Thunderstorm Artis, a 29-year-old father from Haleiwa, Hawaii, celebrated his advancement with a stunning rendition of Billie Eilish's "i love you." His performance was met with resounding applause, further solidifying his position in the competition.
Filo, a 23-year-old from Dublin, California, also made the Top 14 after delivering a powerful performance of Adele's "Skyfall." His emotional rendition left the audience in awe, and he received a standing ovation from the judges.
John Foster, the 18-year-old country singer from Addis, Louisiana, performed Brooks & Dunn's classic "Neon Moon," showcasing his vocal prowess and stage presence. Foster expressed gratitude for making it to the next round, stating, "I hope to get better and better to keep deserving America’s vote."
Meanwhile, the competition proved to be fierce for those in the "Danger Zone." Isaiah Misailegalu, Drew Ryn, Olivier Bergeron, Josh King, Ché, Baylee Littrell, Desmond Roberts, Zaylie Windsor, Victor Solomon, and Amanda Barise were all at risk of elimination. Each of these contestants had to perform for the judges in hopes of securing one of the final four spots in the Top 14.
Isaiah Misailegalu, a 17-year-old from Las Vegas, sang "Sleepwalker" by Sammy Johnson but ultimately did not earn enough votes to continue. Despite receiving praise from judge Luke Bryan, who said, "I don’t know if I’ve heard you hit a bad note all season," he was eliminated.
Drew Ryn, a 28-year-old from Chino Valley, Arizona, was also in the Danger Zone. She performed Lady Gaga's "Million Reasons" but was told by the judges that she needed to bring more energy to her performances. Despite her efforts, she too was cut from the competition.
Olivier Bergeron, a 22-year-old truck driver from Kedgwick, New-Brunswick, sang "It's Not My Time" by 3 Doors Down but did not receive enough votes to advance. Judge Carrie Underwood had previously championed him, saying, "You’ve done so much already in this competition," but it wasn’t enough to save him.
Josh King, a 24-year-old pianist from Charlotte, North Carolina, attempted to win over the judges with a performance of Rick Astley’s "Never Gonna Give You Up," which earned him a standing ovation. However, he was still among those eliminated.
Ché, a 28-year-old dad from Essex, England, performed John Lennon’s "Jealous Guy" but failed to secure a spot in the Top 14. Despite receiving praise for his vocal abilities, his song choice was deemed less impactful by the judges.
Ultimately, the judges saved Desmond Roberts, Josh King, Ché, and Amanda Barise, allowing them to continue their journey in the competition. Desmond Roberts, a 26-year-old from Corona, California, performed "Titanium" by David Guetta featuring Sia, showcasing his vocal strength and earning a spot in the Top 14.
As a result, the six contestants who were eliminated included Isaiah Misailegalu, Drew Ryn, Olivier Bergeron, Baylee Littrell, Zaylie Windsor, and Victor Solomon. The competition continues to heat up, with the Top 14 set to perform again on April 27, 2025, during the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame show, with James Taylor serving as a mentor.
American Idol continues to captivate audiences with its blend of talent, emotion, and competition, as fans eagerly anticipate the next round of performances and the journey towards crowning the Season 23 winner.
