American Idol 2025 Recap – We’re live blogging the Top 24 Part 1 in Hawaii
American Idol season 23 continues with the Top 24 round which the show filmed at the Disney Aulani Resort in Hawaii. Part 1, featuring R&B singer Ashanti as a mentor aired Sunday (April 13). Part 2 featuring Josh Groban airs TONIGHT ( Monday, April 14). Artist in Residence Jelly Roll will be on hand both nights to help.
HOW to VOTE
Judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan won’t be choosing contestants, because which singers advance is now up to AMERICA! Viewers can cast their votes at idolvote.abc.com, the American Idol official phone app or via Text message (Text the contestant’s number to 21523). Voting begins at the BEGINNING of the broadcast. Fans can submit up to ten (10) votes for each contestant per voting method for a total of 30 votes for each contestant. Top 24 voting locks at 6 am ET/3am PT the next morning. More at Voting Faq.
Ryan Seacrest hosts.
American Idol 2025 Top 24 Contestant Preview
American Idol 2025 Spoilers: Top 24 Season 23 Contestant List & Song Picks
American Idol 2025: Full Season 23 Schedule
Mentor Josh Groban will perform later on in the episode.
John Foster – Callin’ Baton Rouge by The Oak Ridge Boys/Garth Brooks
John is a HUGE Josh Groban fan. Who woulda thunk? He picked an energetic song for a change up. Josh and Jelly convince John to sing without his guitar, at least through parts of the song. He brings the guitar on stage with him, but kinda ditches it on the chorus. He seems a little uncomfortable. John sings with a wonderful tone and sound, but hasn’t developed a distinct musical personality yet. He’s still a teen, though.
Carrie calls it a great way to kick off the evening. Luke describes the performance as a “Hawaiian hoedown.” Lionel adds, “You’re going to be the national hero. The song showcased your energy.” Text 13 to 21523
Desmond Roberts – Do I Do? by Stevie Wonder
Desmond had to quit his job as a music teacher to compete on American Idol. He and his family were willing to take the risk. Josh’s advice to the singers is specific and technical. He’s good. The show stuck Desmond at the beginning of the night, which isn’t good for garnering votes. Meanwhile, he’s a strong singer. Yeah, Stevie is done to death on these shows. But the band’s arrangement and Desmond’s confident delivery transform it into something new. He’s a little pitchy at times, but the beatboxing and scatting are fun.
Lionel says he’ll call Stevie to suggest he check it out Desmond’s rendition. “Your voice is just stellar,” he says. Luke liked the arrangement, and the way he jelled with the band. “Pro, great job.” Carrie says, “You always bring the unexpected. You make it seem so easy. Not over the top.” Text 14 to 21523
Drew Ryn – I’m With You by Avril Lavigne
Her Auntie Kimmie loved Disney. Pluto dropped by to say hi. He was her late aunt’s favorite. Josh suggests she stop thinking so much. “Focus on the intimacy of the softer stuff.” He’s GOOD. Josh gave Drew good advice. She can be wound so tight, even when she hits those massive notes, she doesn’t always seem effortless. Still, there is no denying her vocal talent.
Carrie says, “You know what you’re capable of. You know who you are. It was really great.” Luke says, “It was total control from start to finish.” Lionel says, “You were totally in control of that song. I love every minute of it.” Drew admits that as a kid, she wanted to be Avril. Text 15 to 21523
Canaan James Hill – Glory To Glory To Glory by Fred Hammond & Radical For Christ
Jelly Roll points out that Canaan advanced straight to the Top 24, skipping the Head to Head round. Canaan mentions that his allergies are killing him. He had to drop the key in rehearsal but is determined to sing in the higher key on stage. Allergies make his voice even raspier, and that’s not a bad thing. His high notes are not as clean, but it’s not hurting his passionate performance. He brings the spirit. It’s all good.
Carrie loves his personality. She mentions the allergies and calls them a “blessing” because it forced him to simplify. Luke describes his voice as “dynamic.” He says, “Your ability to have church on the beach is pretty amazing.” Lionel says, “Your voice is your signature.” He’s looking forward to him singing secular songs outside of the church. Text 16 to 21523
Josh Groban sings his new song “Be Alright”
He dedicates his uplifting performance to the contestants he mentored. He’s sure their futures are bright. Josh calls the pairing with Jelly the “odd couple.” Currently he’s playing a Las Vegas residency called “Gems.”
Filo – Who’s Lovin’ You? by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles/The Jackson 5
Jelly loves Filo’s mom who is already crying during rehearsal. Finally, she is warming up to her son pursuing music. Jelly and Josh have no notes. Filo is a talented singer, but he does tend to overdo the runs. He slows it up even more than the original. The arrangement allows him to show off his soulful, raspy tone. But it also gives him space to add a bunch of runs. However, he manages to hold back somewhat, until the end of the performance, where his high notes sound strangled. A crying mom joins Filo on stage.
Lionel says, “You’re the only person I know that can hold a note and give us three different voices.” Is that good? Carrie says, “You have been one of my favorites. I feel I’m on your journey with you.” Luke says, “VOTE AMERICA VOTE.” Text 17 to 21523
Kyana Fanene – I Am by Stan Walker (Miori version)
Her father, who walked out of her life, is Polynesian. After he left, she disdained that side of the family. But here in Hawaii, she finally met a bunch of them who live there. Kyana has had little screen time so far. But every time she’s seen, it’s a reminder that that she is a hidden gem. She’s singing in another language for parts of the song. It’s an ambitious choice, and she’s nailing it. I’d say she outsang a couple of the so called front runners here.
Lionel says, “You did a great, great job.” Luke says, “You have this total vibe going on.” Carrie says, “I had chills. It was like a shift in the air. It all worked together beautifully.” Text 18 to 21523
Olivier Bergeron – I Am Not Okay by Jelly Roll
Jelly calls Olivier a truck-driving “Everyman.” The French-Canadian singer says “it’s hard to be a dreamer where I’m from.” Jelly is CRYING AGAIN. TISSUES. Josh calls Olivier “brave.” Olivier has cruised under the radar. That’s partially because he’s Canadian and doesn’t have a voting fan base. International contestants have an uphill battle. Olivier is solid on the verses, but wavers somewhat on the chorus. One last push at the end of the performance, and he ends strong.
Carrie says, “You have grown so much. Keep pushing. Get more of that confidence.” Luke suggests he get “some angst and rage” going. Lionel felt he blossomed about half way through the song. “Don’t hesitate,” he advises. Jelly declares, “I AM A BIG FAN, I AM FRIENDS AND FAMILY.” He loves Olivier! Text 19 to 21523
Grayson Torrence – Ceilings by Lizzy McAlpine
Her mom, who is in Hawaii, has struggled with poor health for years. Jelly encouraged Grayson to convey more with her body language. He urges her, “Open your eyes!” She’s plans to focus on mom in the audience. On stage she kept her eyes open. Kinda. It’s hard to break habits in a few days. Her tone is pretty and sweet. But she needs to bring MORE to her performances. She tends to hold back.
Lionel says, “What comes with an artist is doubt. Trust. God put you in this place for one thing only.” Carrie says, “You have this special ability to tell a story.” Luke says, “You took a different route with an emotional song. It shows another level of your artistry.” Text 20 to 21523
Josh King – I’m Still Standing by Elton John
He admits struggling during Hollywood Week. Meeting Josh was a massive dream come true for Josh. The Joshes spend time joking around. Josh the mentor suggests he sing the words more distinctly. Josh is better performing on the piano. This might be the weakest performance of the night. This EJ classic is meant to be rousing, but it lays flat here, until he hits a high note and plays harmonica. THEN he comes alive. He’s a musician first, a singer second.
Luke says, “I’m excited for you. You just did a whole performance. Everything looks great.” Carrie says, “I’m so proud of you.” She feels Josh has come a long way. Lionel says, “You just lit up the audience. You are a showman.” Text 21 to 21523
Mattie Pruitt – Wide Awake by Katy Perry
At 15, she’s the youngest contestant this season. Her song choice is different than anything she’s chosen so far, she admits. Her mother, who originally didn’t plan to be in Hawaii, surprises her during rehearsal. It turns out, mom auditioned for American Idol years ago, while pregnant with Mattie. Katy Perry songs can be hard to sing! They are built for the former judge’s stylized vocals. Mattie gives the song a generic, big voice treatment and it doesn’t quite work. It’s not her best effort. Still, she she’s proven capable of great things and will surely advance to the next round and beyond.
Carrie says, “You’re so good. I am honored to be along for the ride. You made it your own.” Lionel says, “You have a growl in your voice that is so identifiable to you. The future is yours.” Luke says, “Get in that rock star mode.” Text 22 to 21523
Thunderstorm Artis – Is This Love? by Bob Marley & The Wailers
Thunderstorm lives with his family in Nashville, but he grew up on Hawaii’s North Shore. His song choice reminds him of home. Jelly suggests that on stage, Thunderstorm find his wife in the audience. As long as the band does not overpower him, Thunderstorm is reliably great. Stylistically, vocally and musically, there is no other artist like him. His tone and phrasing are simple and tasty.
Lionel says, “You have something extremely unique. You, your voice and your guitar.” Carrie says, “Everybody here was hanging on every single word.” Luke says, “You really know what you’re doing.” Text 23 to 21523
Amanda Barise – Defying Gravity by Idina Menzel & Kristin Chenoweth
Amanda admits that Josh was one of her first crushes as a little girl. Oh. Josh knows her singing from Instagram. She chose the song because it embodies her time on the show, she feels. Getting looser is the key, Jelly advises. The arrangement is funky. But Amanda sings it like a Broadway ballad. It takes her a minute to find her groove in the song. It’s her most interesting and original performance so far. It’s like “Defying Gravity the Smooth Jazz version”!
The judges got their hands in the air. Woot woot! Lionel says, “Drop the mic. You were so in the pocket. That was an amazing performance. VOTE VOTE VOTE.” Carrie says “I am in awe. You feel like a superstar ready to go. You’re amazing. You look more like a superstar every time I see you.” Luke gives Jelly and Josh their props. He calls this season “the best Hawaii experience we’ve ever had.” Josh, from the audience, declares he’s a fan. Text 24 to 21523
