Less than 24 hours after the top 10 contestants of season 23 on “American Idol,” were whittled down to the top 8, they’re back to vie for viewers’ votes again on May 5, 2025. Once again, viewers have less than two hours to vote during the show, which airs live coast-to-coast starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time (here’s how to vote).
Host Ryan Seacrest will announce the results at the end of the show, revealing the top 6 vote-getters. Judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood will then decide if they want to save one of the bottom two, creating a top 7. The contestants who do move on will get to head to Disneyland with their families for the show’s annual Mother’s Day special. Scroll down for all the results!
‘American Idol’ Judges’ Song Choice Challenge: Performance Recaps
The May 5 episode brings the return of the Judges’ Song Contest, with each judge anonymously suggesting a song they’d love each contestant to perform. The top 8 will each choose one song to perform, and the judge whose songs are selected most by the contestants wins bragging rights.
EntertainmentNOW is providing LIVE coverage of every little detail of the night, so keep checking back for updates.
BREANNA NIX: The judges’ choices for Nix were Martina McBride’s “Independence Day,” “The Blessing” by Elevation Worship, and Ariana Grande’s “Dangerous Woman.” Nix immediately gravitated toward “Independence Day,” tearfully sharing that it reminds her of how her mom faced domestic abuse in the past. Nix belted out the song, missed a couple of words, but “didn’t miss a beat,” Underwood told her. Nix and Jelly Roll guessed that Bryan chose the song for her and she was right! He said it’s an “amazingly challenging song” and that it displayed the “Martina McBridge purity” of her voice with her high notes.
MATTIE PRUITT: The 16-year-old received the following song selections from the judges — “Always Been You” by Jessie Murph, “I Need You” by LeAnn Rimes, and Chris Stapleton’s “Parachute.” Pruitt worked with the vocal choices on the two songs by female artists and, in the end, she chose Murph’s song. Pruitt and Jelly Roll both guessed that Bryan chose that song and they were right again, which caused Bryan to do a little happy dance! He then told Pruitt not to worry about being compared to Murph, and that while it was vocally “amazing” he still wanted a little more sass. Richie joked that he wasn’t having any fun with the song contest, and Underwood said “feels like we’re taking baby steps in the sass department” and that “we just need more from you, girl.”
In homage to the judges, contestants are singing some of their greatest hits — kicking off with Gabby Samone, Jamal Roberts, and Josh King performing Lionel Richie’s “Dancing on the Ceiling.” Richie clearly LOVED their “fantastic” rendition.
JOHN FOSTER: The judges picked “Two Dozen Roses” by Shenandoah, George Strait’s “I Cross My Heart,” and Willie Nelson’s “Crazy” for Foster. Because Strait has been a huge influence for him and he wanted to dedicate the song to his girlfriend, Brooklyn, 18-year-old Foster went with that choice. Foster’s girlfriend was jumping up and down and giggled when Seacrest asked how she felt. Foster and Jelly Roll thought Underwood chose the tune and they were right, putting her on the board; she told Foster his rendition was “absolutely perfect” and so “genuine.” Remembering how he doubted Foster’s vocal skills in his audition, Bryan told him that “no one has ever proved me more wrong.”
JOSH KING: The three song choices 24-year-old King received were “You Make My Dreams (Come True” by Hall & Oates, “Great Balls of Fire” by Jerry Lee Lewis, and “Home” by Michael Bublé. It was an easy pick for King, who said he believes the lyrics of “Home” so much and that it’s one of his favorite songs by the artist, whom he’s seen in concert multiple times. King and Jelly Roll thought Underwood chose it, but it turned out Richie did — finally putting him on the board. Richie said that King “embodied that song” and Underwood said she was glad he had a song that he knew well and was very comfortable with. Bryan told King it was a “perfect song choice for you.”
GABBY SAMONE: The judges gave 23-year-old Samone “The Power of Love” by Celine Dion, Alicia Keys’ “Girl On Fire” and Mariah Carey’s “Hero” to choose from. It was a tough choice, but felt like “Hero” tells her story of finding herself on the show. Samone and Jelly Roll guessed that Richie picked the song, and he was thrilled to confirm they were right. “You have taken a Mariah song and turned it all into your song,” Richie said, celebrating her stage presence and that she “took it to another level of incredibility.” Underwood said it was a perfect song choice and that it “felt like your moment.” Bryan agreed, marveling at the power of her voice and “you give me all the star vibes.”
After a commercial break, Slater Nalley, Thunderstorm Artis, and John Foster performed Luke Bryan’s “Huntin’ Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day.” Bryan loved how they all added their “signature sauce” to his song and “you all out sang me, quite frankly.”
JAMAL ROBERTS: After delivering the surprising news that he just became a dad to a third baby girl, Roberts got his song choices from the judges: “I Believe” by Fantasia, Stevie Wonder’s “Fantasia,” and “Grenade” by Bruno Mars. He decided on Fantasia’s tune because, he said, love is fueling his journey, from his love for his hometown to his love for his daughters. He delivered a powerful performance and teared up at the end, Roberts and Jelly Roll guessed it was Underwood’s choice, but it wound up being Richie, who took the lead in the Judges’ Song Contest. Richie said Roberts’ execution of the song had “everybody in this room crying.” Underwood said Roberts delivered it “beautifully” and Bryan said, “I don’t know if I’ve ever seen anybody connect the heart to the head to the voice … like you’re able to do it. That is God given and you have it.”
After a break, Mattie Pruitt and Breanna Nix took on a Carrie Underwood song, “There Must Be Something in the Water” as the judge sang along at the judges’ table. Underwood teared up during it and said she felt “very honored” that they took it on together.
THUNDERSTORM ARTIS: The Nashville-based singer who hails from Hawaii was given his choices from the judges — Noah Kahan’s “Northern Attitude,” The Beatles’ “Let It Be,” and Journey’s “Faithfully.” He initially thought he’d do Kahan’s, but realized that he really connected with the lyrics of “Faithfully,” the story of a family man on a concert tour — perfect, given that his wife’s name is Faith. Artis sweetly thanked her after the song, telling her, “The world might have my gift, but you have my heart.” Artis guessed that Bryan chose the song, and Jelly Roll thought it was Richie — but it turns out that it was Underwood who picked it. She said that most people singing Journey sound like they’re singing karaoke, but that Artis gave her chills. Bryan said his head was “spinning” over what all of the contestants were taking legendary songs and making them their own. Richie also said it was “amazing” and that he knew Journey’s Steve Perry would love it, too.
SLATER NALLEY: With the last performance of the night, Nalley was given the choices of “Hope the High Road” by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, “Atlantic City” by Bruce Springsteen, and Brooks & Dunn’s “Believe.” Nalley has seen Isbell in concert eight times, but Springsteen’s song felt like a more fun option for him to play with. Nalley and Jelly Roll both guessed that the song was chosen by Bryan, and they were right, which meant Bryan and Richie tied! He said he thought Nalley’s vibe fit the song’s style just right, and he loved the “energy” he brought to it. Richie said Nalley “pulled that off with such amazing abilities” and then joked he was impressed he could pull off a red fringe shirt!
Live Results: Who Got Through to the ‘American Idol’ Top 7?
Voting ended during the commercial break, and the top 8 contestants joined Seacrest at center stage. Here’s who got through:
- SLATER NALLEY
- THUNDERSTORM ARTIS
- GABBY SAMONE
- BREANNA NIX
- JAMAL ROBERTS
- JOHN FOSTER
That meant Mattie Pruitt and Josh King were in the bottom two. Bryan and Richie, tied in the Judges’ Song Contest, tried to get Underwood to help them decide, but she refused — not wanting to be responsible for sending someone home. They chose to save Pruitt, which means King is going home. The top 7 will perform next on Mother’s Day in another live two-hour show.
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Top 7 of ‘American Idol’ 2025: Tonight’s Live Results