On May 12, 2025, after 19 million votes were cast during a two-hour live episode of “American Idol,” host Ryan Seacrest revealed which contestants among the top 5 would move on to the finale: John Foster, Breanna Nix, and Jamal Roberts. That meant Slater Nalley and Thunderstorm Artis were out of the competition.
Shortly after the top 3 were revealed, Nalley, 18, and Artis, 29, both posted Instagram videos thanking fans for their support. Artis acknowledged his disappointment about not making the top 3, but expressed gratitude for the journey. His wife Faith, frequently seen in the studio audience with their two little boys, weighed in with her own take on the results, declaring that her husband “deserved to be in that finale” and later asserted that he should have been the winner.
Thunderstorm Artis’ Wife Says He ‘Left It All Out on That Stage’
Shortly after he was cut from season 23 of “American Idol,” Artis hopped on social media to share a video, graciously thanking fans and everyone involved with the show. Artis, who came in third on “The Voice” in 2020, acknowledged he was disappointed about not advancing as far on “American Idol.”
The Hawaiian singer’s comment section was filled with love from supporters, including from his wife, whom he married four months after they met, in 2020, according to Swooon.
Faith commented on her husband’s post, “Love you SO MUCH honey ❤️ you left it all out on that stage and I couldn’t be more proud 😭 I think you deserved to be in that finale, but top 5 is HUGE. The boys and I are forever grateful for your hard work! We love you so much baby 😘”
Within 24 hours, nearly 700 people had liked Faith’s comment. Many also replied with messages for her, including one who wrote, “he did deserve to be in finale! But……have the feeling very good things will be coming to him. May he stay humble, true to his family and remain the grounded gentleman he is today. Don’t let fame ruin his aim. 🙏🏼”
Another person replied to Faith, “even the judges seemed shocked, but we know he’s got incredible talent and will continue to grow his tremendous success”
Thunderstorm Artis’ Wife Says ‘You Won in My Heart’
After the May 12 “American Idol” episode ended, Faith shared video footage in her Instagram Stories of Artis singing that night. Over the video, Faith wrote, “So dang proud of how far my man made it on this show. You won in my heart babe. The world was blessed by you and you made an imprint on many. This is not the end.”
The following day, the first day off Artis had in a couple of months given the frenzied pace of filming “American Idol,” Faith shared a photo of their three-year-old son Ezekiel by a hotel pool. Over the photo, she wrote, “Spending the day here coming down from the last few months. Will get back to messages after some much needed family time.”
Late that night, Faith shared a screenshot in her Stories that showed her husband’s song “Out of the Blue,” written for her and performed on the Mother’s Day episode, was at number five on Apple Music’s “singer/songwriter” chart.
Over the image, she wrote, “Proud of you is an understatement!!! God has so much in store for you my sweet hubby! You deserved to win American Idol, but this is HUGE and there are going to be way bigger and better things ahead 💜”
Although Artis won’t be competing in season 23 anymore, he will be singing alongside his top 14 peers and celebrity performers on the May 18 finale. He’s also begun to promote some of his upcoming appearances, including a June 20 concert in Bend, Oregon, and a set at the North Carolina Folk Festival in September.
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Wife of Thunderstorm Artis Says He ‘Deserved’ to Make ‘American Idol’ 2025 Finale