Many “American Idol” fans were praying their favorite season 23 contestants would make it through to the show’s Top 20 during the first-ever “Songs of Faith” episode on April 20, 2025.
Amid many inspiring performances on the show’s first Easter-themed episode, beginning with judge Lionel Richie singing “Eternity” flanked by the top 24 contestants, host Ryan Seacrest had a tough job. In the end, he had to inform four talented singers that their prior week’s performances, filmed at Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawaii, didn’t garner enough of the nearly 30 million votes cast by viewers to advance them to the next round.
EntertainmentNOW provided live updates throughout the three-hour episode, as well as details on how to vote for the best performances of the night. Results of the votes cast on April 20 will be revealed on the April 21 episode, when Seacrest announces who’s made it through to the Top 14. (Scroll down for details on the three ways to vote)
‘American Idol’ Top 20 Live Results — First Group of 12
During the Easter show, Seacrest revealed one-by-one which contestants made it through to the Top 20, divided up into two groups of 12, based on which night they performed on during the Hawaii episodes. Each singer who hears their name called then immediately must perform the song of faith they’ve chosen, hoping to earn viewers’ votes again for the Top 14. Below, we’re reporting on each person who’s made it through, details about their performance, and their unique number for voting via text.
Canaan James Hill — The 17-year-old aspiring preacher from Dallas, performed a soulful rendition of “Better Days” by Le’Andria Johnson. Judge Carrie Underwood told him, “You understood the assignment!” To vote for Canaan, text 16 to 21523
Drew Ryn — The 28-year-old from Chino Valley, Arizona, performed Coldplay’s “Yellow,” noting that it the song feels to her like having “a conversation with the Lord.” Judge Luke Bryan told her she’s a “diamond in the rough” who keeps surprising them. To vote for Drew, text 15 to 21523
Desmond Roberts — The 26-year-old music teacher from Orange County, California, sang Jon Batiste’s “Worship,” which earned him a standing ovation from all three judges. Richie said his vocals were “amazing.” To vote for Desmond, text 14 to 21523
Filo — Platinum ticket recipient Filo, the 23-year-old from Dublin, California, gave a rousing performance of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” backed by a Gospel choir. Richie told Filo, “You aced it” and Bryan told him it “felt theatrical in the right way.” To vote for Filo, text 17 to 21523
Josh King — The 24-year-old pianist from Charlotte, North Carolina, sang a tender version of Joe Cocker’s “You Are So Beautiful.” He “melted” Underwood, Bryan said, when he revealed he was thinking of his mom as he sang the tune. To vote for Josh, text 21 to 21523
Thunderstorm Artis — Guitar in hand, the 29-year-old from Haleiwa, Hawaii, delivered an acoustic rendition of “Reckless Love” by Cory Asbury. Bryan told he loved his “energetic rock side” that felt like a “Christian rock concert that was amazing,” which Richie and Underwood encouraged him to keep showing them more of. To vote for Thunderstorm, text 23 to 21523
Amanda Barise — Tearful over making it through to the top 20, the 27-year-old soul singer from New York City sang Alicia Keys’ “If I Ain’t Got You.” Underwood told her she “crushed it” and Bryan said it felt like her “shining moment” on the stage. To vote for Amanda, text 24 to 21523
John Foster — The 18-year-old college student and country singer from Addis, Louisiana, sang an original song called “Tell That Angel I Love Her.” At the end of his performance, which the judges loved, Foster was brought to tears after dedicating the tune to a best friend named Maggie, whom he later said died suddenly in 2022. To vote for John, text 13 to 21523
Mattie Pruitt — Days after turning 16, the high school student from Eaglesville, Tennessee, sang “Idol” alum Lauren Daigle’s “Rescue.” Richie said that the “cry” in her voice is her signature, while Underwood said she had chills throughout the song, but looks forward to seeing her stage presence blossom. to To vote for Mattie, text 22 to 21523
Olivier Bergeron — The 23-year-old Canadian truck driver from Kedgwick, New Brunswick, looked shocked to be the last from the first group of 12 contestants to make it through the 20. He performed a rock ballad of “Stay” by Rihanna featuring Mikky Ekko. Richie loved how “intense” and focused he is on stage, but encouraged him to open his eyes and Underwood encouraged him to thoughtfully relay the message of the song. To vote for Olivier, text 19 to 21523
GOING HOME: After revealing the voting results for the first group of 12 contestants, the two who remained in that group and will be leaving the competition are Kyana Fanene and Grayson Torrence.
‘American Idol’ Top 20 Live Results — Second Group of 12
After a powerful performance of “Hard Fought Hallelujah” by Jelly Roll and Brandon Lake, the next group of 12 took to the stage to find out their fate. Here’s who’s moving on to the top 20 from that group and their unique numbers for voting via text.
Breanna Nix — The 25-year-old stay-at-home-mom from Denton, Texas, sang Patty Griffin’s “Up to the Mountain.” Bryan celebrated the “purity” and “control” of her voice, and Underwood said her entire “Idol” journey has been amazingly “solid.” To vote for Breanna, text 9 to 21523
Victor Solomon — The 26-year-old fast food director from Peoria, Illinois, took the audience to church with his version of “For Every Mountain” by Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers. Bryan told him he gets “every aspect of entertainment,” including his bright red silk suit and tie, and Richie tells him he’s “electrifying.” To vote for Victor, text 5 to 21523
Baylee Littrell — The 22-year-old Georgia college student sang “Gone Without Goodbye,” a song written about 9/11 by his dad, Backstreet Boys member Brian Littrell, who cheered him on in the audience. Underwood told him it was his best vocally during the season, and Bryan said he’s learning more about him with each performance. To vote for Baylee, text 4 to 21523
Isaiah Misailegalu — The 17-year-old high school student from Las Vegas performed Allen Stone’s “Give You Blue.” He told Underwood, who called him “smooth,” that it was the first song he worked on with his dad that inspired him to pursue music. Richie said he loved the “texture of that falsetto.” To vote for Isaiah, text 10 to 21523
Gabby Samone — The 23-year-old from Baltimore sang “I Am Changing” from “Dreamgirls,” which blew the judges away. “I think you’re a star,” Bryan told her, telling her he was “captivated by what you do.” Richie implored viewers to vote and Underwood said she was more than a star — rather a “superstar.” To vote for Gabby, text 6 to 21523
Slater Nally –– The 17-year-old Atlanta high school student played his acoustic guitar while performing “Soulshine” by The Allman Brothers Band, a tune his dad used to play for him whenever he was feeling down. Richie told Nally he “killed it” and Underwood loved seeing him “at ease.” To vote for Slater, text 11 to 21523
Zaylie Windsor — Shocked to move ahead to the top 20, the 18-year-old singer from Safford, Arizona, performed “Silver Springs” by Fleetwood Mac, playing her acoustic guitar along with the band. It was clear the judges weren’t sure about her song choice, but love her “unique sound,” as Richie said. To vote for Zaylie, text 8 to 21523
Jamal Roberts — The 27-year-old PE teacher and dad from Meridian, Mississippi, delivered a rousing rendition of Jason Nelson’s “Forever.” It got all three judges on their feet and led Bryan to tell him, “Jamal, you’ve just got the magic!” Richie told him “that was some outrageous singing!” To vote for Jamal, text 12 to 21523
Ché Chesterman — The 28-year-old singer from Essex, England, delivered a powerful version of “Redemption Song” by Bob Marley and the Wailers, with his kids and fiancée in the audience for the first time. Ché said it’s a song he’s loved all his life and Bryan told him he can’t wait “to buy all of your albums.” To vote for Ché, text 1 to 21523
Kolbi Jordan — The 26-year-old HR manager from Tulsa, Oklahoma, nabbed the last spot in the top 20 and sang her own rendition of the traditional hymn “Amazing Grace.” Bryan called the Platinum Ticket recipient’s performance “breathtaking” and Richie said she’s brought “so much excitement to this show.” To vote for Kolbi, text 3 to 21523
GOING HOME: After Seacrest revealed the voting results for the second group of 12 contestants, the two who remained in that group and will be leaving the competition are MKY and Penny Samar.
How To Vote for the ‘American Idol’ Top 14
EntertainmentNOW/DisneyWith the top 20 contestants now revealed, viewers don’t have much time to cast their votes and get their favorites into the top 14. All votes must be in by 9 a.m. Eastern time on Monday, April 21.
As in the previous week, viewers have three ways to vote and can cast up to 10 votes for each of their favorite singers on each platform — up to 30 votes per contestant. The first two ways to vote are through ABC’s website and via the “American Idol” app, either via Apple for iPhones or via Google for Androids. The site and app require signing in — you can create a free account or use an existing MyDisney account.
The third way to vote is by texting a favorite contestant’s unique contestant number — provided above — to 21523, up to 10 times for any one contestant.
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‘American Idol’ 2025 Top 20 Results: Who Got In & What Happens Now