American Idol 2023 Top 20 Poll Results: 6 Singers Eliminated

The American Idol 2023 Top 20 will be revealed on Sunday. The show taped on Thursday night (April 20), and while a few eliminations could leak, fans are asked not to spoil the results in comments. This season, the Top 26 were split across two nights at the Disney Aulani Resort in Hawaii, where each group of thirteen contestants performed on the beach in front of judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan.

For the first time this season, viewers took part in an overnight vote to determine the Top 20. After each episode, we ran a poll and compared it to Facebook view counts and engagement to get a sense of how contestants are tracking online. Remember: neither Facebook metrics nor online polls are scientific measures of the official vote, but they can hint at trends and surprises.

A total of six contestants—three from each night—will be eliminated following the overnight voting.

Facebook Stats (Views) – Top 3 Eliminated (Poll) (NIGHT 1)

Night 1 showed clear disparities between Facebook views and poll standings. Pjae sits at the bottom of both lists and looks vulnerable. Elise Kristine, who opened the night, also ranks low on both measures. Oliver Steele performed second, often called the “death slot,” and his Facebook numbers suggest he could be at risk. Warren Peay appears mid-pack in Facebook views but lower in the poll, while Iam Tongi dominated, drawing more than two million views and outpacing everyone else by a wide margin.

Facebook Stats (Views) – Top 3 Eliminated (Poll) (NIGHT 2)

Night 2 produced its own surprises. Nutsa joined Iam Tongi in the million-view club, but high view counts don’t always translate directly into votes—international viewers and social chatter can inflate numbers without impacting the official American vote. Hannah Nicolaisen, despite delivering a delicate rendition of Pink’s “Glitter in the Air” while under the weather, sits at the bottom of the Facebook list. Malik Heard and Dawson Wayne, who received less airtime in auditions, also rank low. Among the Platinum Ticket holders, Tyson Venegas posted strong Facebook views, while Elijah McCormick—who received heavy show promotion—appears in a more precarious position based on these online metrics.

Favorite performances

Fans voted for their favorite performances from each night. For Night 1, Iam Tongi clearly led the pack, while Wé Ani topped Night 2.

Night 1

1. Iam Tongi – “Don’t Let Go” by SpawnBreezie – 32.70%
2. Nailyah Serenity – “Lovin’ You” by Minnie Riperton – 10.66%
3. Zachariah Smith – “Lucille” by Little Richard – 10.16%
4. Kaeyra – “Don’t Let Go (Love)” by En Vogue – 8.35%
5. Oliver Steele – “Better Together” by Jack Johnson – 7.85%
6. Emma Bussee – “Lay Me Down” by Sam Smith – 7.44%
7. Matt Wilson – “Speechless” by Dan + Shay – 6.84%
8. Warren Peay – “Set Fire to the Rain” by Adele – 4.53%
9. Elise Kristine – “Holding Out for a Hero” by Bonnie Tyler – 3.32%
10. Haven Madison – “The Middle” by Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey – 2.92%
11. Lucy Love – “What’s Love Got to Do with It” by Tina Turner – 2.31%
12. Mariah Faith – “You Should Probably Leave” by Chris Stapleton – 2.21%
13. Pjae – “Golden” by Jill Scott – 0.70%

Night 2

1. Wé Ani – “Edge of Midnight” by Miley Cyrus & Stevie Nicks – 27.10%
2. Nutsa – “Paris (Ooh La La)” by Grace Potter & The Nocturnals – 10.74%
3. Tyson Venegas – “It Will Rain” by Bruno Mars – 10.30%
4. Michael Williams – “Tuesdays” by Jake Scott – 10.30%
5. Olivia Soli – “Emotions” by Mariah Carey – 9.18%
6. Colin Stough – “Midnight Train to Memphis” by Steeldrivers – 8.57%
7. Paige Anne – “Wrecking Ball” by Miley Cyrus – 5.71%
8. Hannah Nicolaisen – “Glitter in the Air” by Pink – 4.50%
9. Megan Danielle – “The Chain” by Fleetwood Mac – 4.42%
10. Marybeth Byrd – “Heart Like a Truck” by Lainey Wilson – 3.64%
11. Dawson Wayne – “Copycat” by Billie Eilish – 3.20%
12. Malik Heard – “Ain’t It Fun?” by Paramore – 1.65%
13. Elijah McCormick – “Good Vibes” by Chris Janson – 0.69%

Mentors Yay or Nay?

Viewers responded positively to the celebrity mentors overall, with Allen Stone receiving stronger approval ratings than Noah Cyrus.

Night 1 Allen Stone

• YAY! – 79.65%
• Nay – 20.35%

Night 2 Noah Cyrus

• YAY! – 60.08%
• Nay – 39.92%

Next week: Six hours of American Idol on ABC!

The Top 26 will be narrowed to the Top 20 on Sunday, April 23. Season 20 winner Noah Thompson and runner-up HunterGirl are scheduled to perform that night, alongside Motown legend Smokey Robinson. That episode runs three hours (8–11 pm ET/PT). The live shows begin Monday, April 24, when the Top 20 each sing again—either a celebration performance after making the Top 10 or a bid to be selected as one of the judges’ two wildcards. With twenty performances and a Top 12 reveal, Monday’s episode is also slated to run three hours (8–11 pm ET/PT).

Live, coast-to-coast episodes resume Sunday, April 30, for Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame Night with mentor and season eight alum Adam Lambert. That episode will include the Top 10 reveal. On Monday, May 1, the judges will choose songs for the Top 10 and a Top 7 will be announced. On Sunday, May 7, judges Lionel Richie and Katy Perry are expected to be in the U.K. for the King’s coronation, so guest hosts or substitutes may occupy their chairs—stay tuned for details; a Top 5 will be revealed that week.

Following that, the Top 5 will sing Disney songs on Sunday, May 14. The season finale is scheduled for Sunday, May 21. Schedules are subject to change, so fans should keep an eye on official announcements for any updates.

American Idol 2023: Full Season 21 Schedule (Updated 4/21)