American Idol 2023 Spoilers Season 21 Top 20 Contestants
American Idol taped its three-hour Top 20 episode on Wednesday night, April 19. Host Ryan Seacrest called each performer forward to announce whether they would continue in the competition. The live taping resulted in six contestants being cut from the Top 26, and those outcomes have circulated online via trusted spoiler sources. Reports point to a finalized Top 20 for Season 21; below is a clear summary of who appears to have advanced and who was eliminated.
For context, the Top 20 episode is scheduled to air as a three-hour special on Sunday, May 23 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Season 20 winner Noah Thompson and runner-up HunterGirl are slated to perform their most recent singles during that broadcast, and Motown legend Smokey Robinson is listed as a featured performer. The Top 20 will perform for viewers’ votes, with the judges—Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan—selecting two wildcards while America helps determine the Top 10.
This write-up removes any direct links but preserves the essential information and context for fans tracking the competition. The leak originated from a long-standing Idol fan source that posts updates on social channels; while these results are widely circulated and likely accurate, they remain unofficial until aired by the program. If you plan to watch the episode live, please avoid sharing spoilers in viewing threads so others can enjoy the reveal uninterrupted.
A couple of notes:
Although unconfirmed by the show itself at the time of this report, the leaked lineup comes from a source with a strong accuracy history. Several eliminations stand out as surprising based on performance quality and fan metrics. Notably, Emma Busse was an unexpected name among those cut; she performed a Sam Smith cover in the Hawaii rounds that earned positive reviews and solid engagement on social platforms. Her departure surprised many viewers who expected her strong showing and poll numbers to carry her forward.
Other departures appear tied less to raw talent and more to limited screen time or song selection. Contestants like Malik Heard and Dawson Wayne didn’t receive enough airtime during the Hawaii episodes to build momentum, and a lack of visibility can be decisive in fan-driven voting rounds. Meanwhile, performers such as PJAE, Elijah McCormick, and Elise Kristine went early in the lineup and may not have chosen material that fully showcased their strengths when it mattered most.
One notable detail: with Elijah McCormick reportedly eliminated, Tyson Venegas appears to be the only remaining Platinum Ticket winner in the field. That outcome will likely spark conversation among viewers about how the Platinum Ticket contestants have fared this season. It’s worth remembering that Elijah previously won a fan-vote opportunity tied to the American Music Awards, beating competitors such as Haven Madison and Matt Wilson to secure that slot, which makes his reported exit more surprising to some followers.
American Idol 2023 Spoilers Season 21 Top 20 Contestants
- Colin Stough
- Iam Tongi
- Hannah Nicolaisen
- Haven Madison
- Kaeyra
- Lucy Love
- Mariah Faith
- Marybeth Byrd
- Matt Wilson
- Megan Danielle
- Michael Williams
- Nailyah Serenity
- Nutsa
- Olivia Soli
- Oliver Steele
- Paige Anne
- Tyson Venegas
- Warren Peay
- Wé Ani
- Zachariah Smith
ELIMINATED
- Dawson Wayne
- Elijah McCormick
- Elise Kristine
- Emma Busse
- Malik Heard
- PJAE
Fans tracking weekly polls and social metrics will want to compare these reported outcomes with prior projections to see how closely online sentiment matched the results. As always, the final confirmation will come when the episode airs and the series officially announces the Top 20 on television. Until then, treat these reported placements as probable but unofficial, and enjoy the live broadcast to see how the performances and voting unfold.