News

The May 3 episode of “American Idol” will see the Top 20 cut down to the final 11 artists still in contention for the season 18 title. The 20 artists hoping to sing on the first live show of the season are: Faith Becnal, Franklin Boone, Dewayne Crocker, Jr., Samantha Diaz (“Just Sam”), Cyniah Elise, Kimmy Gabriela, Julia Gargano, Arthur Gunn, Aliana Jester, Dillon James, Louis Knight, Grace Leer, Francisco Martin, Nick Merico, Makayla Phillips, Lauren Spencer Smith, Sophia Wackerman, Jovin Webb, Jonny West and Olivia Ximines.

Ten of them will hear from host Ryan Seacrest that they number among America’s favorites and have earned places in the Top 11. The three judges — Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie — will confer and throw a lifeline to one artist from the remaining 10 who will get to round out the Top 11. Each of them will sing live from their home in the hopes of winning enough...

For the first time ever, the Top 20 contestants on “American Idol” performed from the comfort of their own homes amid the current Covid-19 pandemic. Each of the artists was sent state-of-the-art equipment that allowed them to sing for America’s vote on Sunday, April 26. Judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan continued to critique the performances from their own homes while Ryan Seacrest hosted.

On Sunday, May 3 the field of 20 will be cut in half and the Top 10 will sing live. But who has the best shot at moving forward? Check out our official Power Rankings of the 11 women who remain in the field. These rankings are based on their most recent performances and overall progress in the competition. Who has momentum after Sunday’s performances? And who may be in danger of elimination? Below are our rankings based on who is most likely to advance.

See ‘American Idol...

American Idol stayed true to its name on Sunday, broadcasting from nearly every corner of the country as the Top 20 contestants of Season 18 performed for viewers’ votes from the comforts of their own (occasionally stunning!) homes.

The 20 remaining singers, as formally revealed last week, were sent special packages — each contained three iPhones for multiple angles, as well as professional microphone and lighting kits — which they used to convert their homes into makeshift performance venues.

More from TVLineAmerican Idol Top 20, RankedAmerican Idol's Top 20 Is Set — Who's Singing Remotely?TV Ratings: Zoey's Playlist, Good Girls Dip Opposite Idol Top 20, CBS Finales

With Ryan Seacrest,...

“American Idol” wasn’t about to let the Covid-19 pandemic stop America from voting for the season 18 winner. The producers have sent the same set of camera equipment and lighting to each of the Top 20 contestants. Just as the artists are housebound, so are the three judges — Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie — who will weigh in with their thoughts live. You can have your say too by voting in the poll below.

The Top 20 will compete in a special episode slated to air on April 26. The Top 10 will perform on May 3 in the first of three live shows (all branded “Live Coast to Coast Feed”) hosted, as ever, by Ryan Seacrest. The season 18 “American Idol” winner will be crowned on the May 17 finale.

We were originally supposed to have six live shows, starting with a Top 14 on April 12. The Top 10 were to take to the stage on April...

Ten weeks after the third season of “American Idol” hosted by Ryan Seacrest began on ABC, America finally gets a chance to vote as the Top 20 perform on the April 26 episode. As the coronavirus caused the cancellation of the live shows at the studio, the contestants will be performing from their homes. This change in venue means they will have to shine vocally, instead of relying on the production values and the live audience to stand out from their competition.

The three judges — Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie — will weigh in with their thoughts from the comfort of their homes. To date, they have been the ones who decided who went forward in the competition, handing out golden tickets to Hollywood to more than 15o contestants. These would-be winners then competed both individually and in groups before the judges decided on the Top 40. In turn, this two score of talent travelled to Hawaii,...

American Idol went completely remote Sunday night, taking its top 20 to their own homes in the wake of social distancing measures. It was distinctly different from Idol episodes of the past, but the top 20 filmed themselves singing songs for America’s vote. Coaches Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Katy Perry also provided remote commentary, but the results are now out of their hands. Perry was dressed like a bottle of hand sanitizer throughout, and Ryan Seacrest also hosted remotely.

Kimmy Gabriela got things started from Lakeland, Florida, singing “Leave My Lonely.” She sang in her backyard and gave ...

Show support for your favorite artist in the Top 20 of “American Idol” by casting a vote for them during the first live show of season 18 on Sunday, April 26. We have dug some digging and discovered the various methods by which you can make your voice heard. Scroll down for all the voting details.

As he did for 15 season on Fox, Ryan Seacrest is hosting this revival on ABC. The three returning judges — Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie — decided on the finalists. Which of these 20 artists — — do you want to see go all the way and be the American Idol” season 18 winner?

You can cast up to 10 votes per artist in each of three ways: online at AmericanIdol.com/vote; in the official app, which is available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play; and via text. You must be at least 16 years of age and in the U.

While many aspiring singers look up to superstars on the radio for their inspiration, 17-year old Kimmy Gabriela from Lakeland, Florida has someone much closer to home. “My dad,” says the high school student. “He was a musician when he was young and he toured and was in music videos.” Now Gabriela hopes to follow in his footsteps as she pursues her own dreams on “American Idol.” She was one of 20 Season 18 finalists featured on the “American Idol” special, “This is Me” airing on April 12 and April 19 on ABC.

Besides being about music, “American Idol” is about people, their stories and their dreams. Host Ryan Seacrest narrates this deep dive into the contestants where we hear more personal stories, see highlights from their audition process and learn what it took for them to convince judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan to select them as finalists.

“From a very...

Sometimes it pays to be a pack rat. Just ask “American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest.

As most fans know, the ongoing coronavirus epidemic has changed the way that the 20 finalists will compete on live shows this season. Just to be safe, they are filming the contestants from the safety of their own homes in towns across North America, including Canada.

Throughout, the three judges — Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie — will share their critiques from the safety of their own domiciles on a special episode airing on April 26. In all, filming will be done in 25 locales when you include mentor Bobby Bones and Ryan. The Top 10 will perform on May 3 in the first of three live shows. Season 18’s winner will be announced on the May 17 finale.

SEESpoiler alert: Did America pick the right female country singer to enter ‘American Idol’s’ Top 20? [Poll]

Ryan, however, has a special treat...

On Sunday night, “American Idol” aired “This is Us” Part 2 special that showcased fan favorites like 16-year-old Broadway-style belter Claire Jolie Goodwin, Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader Kyle Tanguay and Courtney Timmons, who was plucked off the street by host Ryan Seacrest and was given an unofficial audition. As a result, her rendition of Andra Day‘s “Rise Up” racked up 68 million views online.

But the focus was mainly on sharing both seen and unseen performances of such Top 20 artists as Francisco Martin, Kimmy Gabriela, Faith Becnel, Dillon James, Aliana Jester, Louis Knight, Jovin Webb, DeWayne Crocker Jr. and Cyniah Elise.

However, most “American Idol” viewers were probably on pins and needles over which of the two female country artists — Grace Leer or Lauren Mascitti — who were vying to be the last finalist won the most fan votes to compete in the Top 20.

This talented twosome has quite a bit in common.

Following the Hawaii showcase for Season 18 of “American Idol,” Lauren Mascitti and Grace Leer were awaiting their fates when some explosive news arrived. Only one of them could advance to the Top 20, but judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan couldn’t make a decision. Instead they left it up to America to decide and the contestant moving forward was revealed on the second “This Is Me” episode airing April 19 on ABC.

Lauren (a registered nurse) and Grace (who works in technology sales) are both 28-year old country singers currently living in Nashville, Tennessee. Lauren impressed the judges throughout the auditions with her original compositions and traditional country sound. In Hawaii she sang “Two More Bottles of Wine” by Emmylou Harris in hopes of cracking the Top 20. Grace, who got her start on “American Juniors” 17 years ago, is the more powerful vocalist and took on “(You Make Me Feel...

In addition to solidifying this season’s Top 20, Sunday’s episode of American Idol also gave us a preview of how the live performances will look moving forward.

Following another two-hour block of behind-the-scenes footage, the show took us to Ryan Seacrest’s living room, where the host announced whether America decided to send Grace Leer or Lauren Mascitti through to the next round. Though the big reveal wasn’t recorded live, the consistently clear video quality of Grace and Lauren’s home streams was still somewhat encouraging as we prepare to head into months of episodes filmed remotely.

More...

Sorry, Lauren Mascitti and Grace Leer, but “American Idol” only has room for one of you in Season 18. Last week viewers were tasked with voting one of these aspiring country singers into the Top 20, and we’ll all find out who received the most votes when the second “This Is Me” episode airs Sunday, April 19 on ABC. Think of it as the first official vote results episode of the 2020 cycle. This will also serve as the last episode of “American Idol” before the live shows, which have been indefinitely delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

See‘American Idol’: Which of the fan favorites showcased on Part 1 of ‘This is Me’ won you over? [Poll]

Besides their love of country music, Lauren (a registered nurse) and Grace (who works in technology sales) have something else in common: they’re both 28 years old and currently living in Nashville, Tennessee. Lauren impressed the...

The Top 21 contestants for Season 18 of “American Idol” have been chosen by judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan. Following regional auditions, 167 contestants received a golden ticket and competed in Hollywood Week where they were narrowed down to a field of 40. Those 40 artists performed in a showcase at the Disney Aulauni Resort and Spa in Hawaii and from that select group, 21 singers were chosen to advance and compete for America’s vote. See our official Power Rankings for the Top 12 women still in the running to become the Season 18 champion below.

Prior to singing for America, an unprecedented early vote will take place to eliminate one of two contestants: Lauren Mascitti or Grace Leer. Following the Hawaii showcase, the judges could not come to a definitive conclusion on which of these country singers should advance, so they left it up to voters at home to decide. Before the Top 20 sing for America’s vote,...

“American Idol” revealed the Top 21 on the April 5 episode, which concluded the showcase section of the competition. In these shows taped in Hawaii weeks ago, the Top 40 were divided into two groups. Each one of these hopefuls then had to perform in front of judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie.

That trio of talent then determined if each contestant deserved a place in the Top 21. Which of these contestants do you think deserves to win “American Idol” season 18? Cast your vote in the poll below and then sound off in the comments section as to your choice for champ.

Due to the current coronavirus pandemic, the live shows have been axed. But “American Idol” viewers will still get to decide the winner. Ryan Seacrest says details are still being worked out but expect to be able to watch live performances and hear comments from the judges in real-time before fan voting lines open.

Following up on the March 29 episode of “American Idol,” the three judges — – pop princess Katy Perry, country superstar Luke Bryan and Oscar-winning singer/songwriter Lionel Richie — see the rest of the Top 40 perform. In last week’s episode, eight contestants advanced to the next round. Who will join them? Follow along with our live blog from Night 10 of Season 18 below.

Once the live playoffs of “American Idol” season 18 begin, you will be able to predict the outcome of each episode in our predictions center. You can already make forecasts for the outcomes on such reality TV shows as “Survivor,” plus the winners of the Academy of Country Music Awards and both the daytime and primetime Emmy Awards.

See ‘American Idol’ Winners: Where Are They Now (Seasons 1 – 17)?

Refresh this page for our live blog updates

Below, follow along with all the action on the Night 10 episode of “American Idol,” which features...

What is with American Idol and cliffhangers this season? After making us wait a whole week to learn of Dillon James’ fate, the show threw yet another curveball on Sunday, extending the battle for the Top 20 — and moving it to a totally new arena.

With only one spot remaining, the judges revealed that they can’t (and won’t!) choose between the two remaining contestants, Grace Leer and Lauren Mascitti. In the judges’ defense, both women are 28-year-old country powerhouses from Nashville, so comparisons are bound to be drawn. That said, I’m not really sure why they weren’t...

And then there were 40. Monday’s episode of American Idol wrapped Hollywood Week by revealing which singers are proceeding to the next round in Hawaii… and who is saying “aloha” to the competition for good. (“Aloha” doubles as a farewell greeting too, Ok? Trust me, I Googled it.)

But before we get to the results, let’s break down some of the most memorable performances (for better or worse) from the Solo Round:

More from TVLineGood Doctor Finale Earthquake: Whose Lives Were at Risk at the End of Part 1?black-ish Stars Visit mixed-ish for Flash-Forward to Bow's Big Day --...

The third of three episodes of “American Idol” showcasing Hollywood Week airs on March 23. Over the course of the three episodes devoted to Hollywood Week (the others aired last Monday and this Sunday) the contestants sing in three rounds: lines of 10, groups, and solos. The judges will winnow the list down to just 40 who will sing in a showcase set to air next Sunday and Monday.

Those contenders will be culled down to just half that number and that Top 20 will be judged on both solo performances and celebrity duets over the course of three episodes. Once the live playoffs of “American Idol” season 18 begin, you will be able to predict the outcome of each episode in our predictions center.

Below, follow along with all the action on the Night 8 episode of “American Idol.”

8:00 p.m. — It’s the last night of Hollywood week as the remaining contestants take...

The American Idol contestant pool was whittled down Monday to a top 40 on the third night of Hollywood Week. Following a genre challenge and duets in the previous episodes, the remaining contestants had to sing solo showcases. Judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie made more cuts. Last season’s runner-up Alejandro Aranda also dropped by Hollywood Week to offer guidance.

One of the standout performances came at the top when Kimmy Gabriela sang “I’m Here” from The Color Purple. She brought Perry to her feet and exceeded her performance in the duets. Sophia Wackerman also tried to ...

“Just when you think you know what’s going to happen, something happens that you never would have expected,” Luke Bryan eloquently stated atop Sunday’s American Idol. And dag-gummit, he was right.

Hollywood Week continued with yet another curveball for the remaining contestants: The time-honored (and long-dreaded) Group Round has been replaced by a Duet Round, leading to a frantic frenzy of pairings. Honestly, the stress of everyone having to choose a partner gave me flashbacks to gym class, where I wasn’t exactly anyone’s first choice for a dodgeball teammate. (Then again, find me a TV recapper who was.