High schooler Slater Nalley, who made it into the top 10 of “American Idol” season 23, vied for viewers’ votes again on May 4, 2025, singing Reba McEntire’s “Whoever’s in New England.” Contestants performed songs made famous by “iconic women in music,” the theme of the episode that aired live from coast-to-coast. Viewers had less than two hours to vote for their favorites during the show, determining who would make it through to the top 8 of season 23.
SPOILER ALERT: Do not continue reading if you do NOT want to know whether Nalley made it into the top 8.
After voting closed during the final commercial break, host Ryan Seacrest was ready to reveal which members of season 23’s top 10 would advance to the top 8. So did Nalley make it through?
Yes. He made it through tonight.
And here’s a breakdown of tonight’s full results.
Slater Nalley’s Original Audition Song Went Viral
Nalley’s emotional audition went viral, including 5.9 million TikTok views, when he performed an original tune called “Traces of You,” written in honor of his favorite teacher’s late son, Carter, who passed away in 2016, per Atlanta Magazine.
Michele Davis accompanied Nalley to his audition, standing on the sidelines as he performed the song, which he wrote based on a poem about Carter that she gave him, knowing that songwriting was one of his gifts. All three of the judges were brought to tears by his tune.
Nalley has continued to impress the judges with his selections and distinctive rasp. After he performed “Angel From Montgomery” on the April 28 show, judge Lionel Richie said he loved seeing his confidence and called his stage presence “solid as a rock,” while Carrie Underwood said he’s “so identifiable” that she can imagine exactly what his first album will sound like.
Slater Nalley is About to Graduate From High School
While competing on “American Idol,” Nalley is also finishing up his senior year of high school with an on-set tutor. He attends the Lovett School, a private school in Atlanta, but doesn’t have college plans given his rise on “American Idol.”
“As of now, it looks like music is going to be it for me,” he told Atlanta Magazine in late April. “It’s what I’ve always wanted to do. I lie down and think about it every night.”
Nalley sent a video to his Lovett School classmates after making it into the top 14, telling the school community, “Thank you, Lovett, so much for everything you’ve done for me so far. It’s been incredible to see y’alls support.”
Aware that the top 3 contestants will get to make a hometown visit and perform for their supporters, he added, “I’d love to come back home and do a concert for you guys for the Hometown Heroes show.”
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Did Slater Nalley Make the Top 8 of ‘American Idol’ 2025?