American Idol 2023 Top 20 POLL: Vote for your favorite performances — Who should go home? Who got robbed?
Sunday night’s American Idol revealed its Top 20 for 2023, and the episode marked several surprising turns. Six contestants were eliminated, and the remaining 20 singers each performed for America’s vote. Fans and viewers are now weighing in as the competition moves into a decisive week.
On Monday, April 24, the show returns for a three-hour episode hosted by Ryan Seacrest. By the end of that broadcast, ten contestants will be declared safe and will move on to perform on the Top 10 stage. Those ten will sing songs that celebrate victory and momentum, while the other ten will compete for two wildcard slots. The wildcards will be chosen by judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan, and the episode will conclude with a finalized Top 12.
Ahead of that episode, we’re asking readers to make their picks: which eight contestants do you think will be eliminated by voters and the judges? Which eliminated singer — if any — was most unfairly sent home? And which two Top 20 performances were your favorites? Cast your opinions and we’ll publish the poll results Monday afternoon.
Time to ditch the Platinum Tickets?
This season introduced Platinum Tickets as a special advantage, but out of the four recipients only Tyson Venegas advanced all the way to the Top 20. The other Platinum Ticket holders fell short, prompting discussion among fans about whether the gimmick has run its course. Platinum Tickets may have been a fun nod to the show’s anniversary, but their impact has been limited so far.
Elijah McCormick, another contestant who received heavy promotion, struggled to find his footing on the Top 20 stage. Performing early in the lineup can be a challenge, and song choice matters more than ever at this stage of the competition. In some cases, the show clearly attempted to build momentum around certain singers, but not every strategy landed.
A few surprising eliminations
Some of the departures felt unexpected. Emma Busse’s elimination surprised many viewers; she had delivered consistently strong performances throughout the season. Dawson Wayne and Malik Heard appeared to suffer from limited screen time, making it harder for voters to connect with them. Elise Kristine, who impressed at audition, never managed to create a memorable arc after that initial moment.
The show’s new stage and production design looked familiar in many respects, but the move away from the long-time CBS Studios home remains a notable change. Production shifts and studio renovations have forced several long-running programs to relocate their tapings in recent seasons, and American Idol is among the shows that have adapted to new surroundings. The visual tweaks were subtle, but the competition itself continues to be the central focus.
Favorite performances of the night
Vocal highlights of the evening included a powerful take on “Skyfall” by Wé Ani, a stirring rendition of “Holy Water” from Megan Danielle, and Nailyah Serenity’s interpretation of “Baby Love.” Lucy Love stood out with an original song titled “Boulders,” bringing songwriting to the forefront among the contestants. Kaeyra delivered an affecting performance of “Bruises.” Overall, the female singers that night displayed particularly strong vocal moments and emotional presence.
While viewers will always debate technical skill versus star quality, these standout performances reminded audiences why American Idol remains an important platform for emerging artists. Each week the balance between song choice, staging and authenticity determines who connects with voters.
How to participate in our Top 20 polls
We’ve set up three polls for readers to share their opinions and predictions:
- Pick the eight singers you believe will be eliminated in the upcoming results episode.
- Choose which eliminated contestant — if any — you feel was most unfairly eliminated (the “robbed” pick).
- Select your two favorite performances from the Top 20 episode.
We’ll compile and publish the results on Monday afternoon after the show concludes. Your votes and commentary help create a snapshot of fan sentiment heading into the next elimination round.
Final thoughts
This week’s Top 20 episode reinforced how quickly momentum can shift in a televised talent competition. Production choices, song selections and limited airtime all play significant roles in who advances. As the show narrows toward the Top 12, contestants must deliver memorable, career-defining moments to earn votes.
Tune in on Monday to see which singers secure their spots and which two will be saved by the judges as wildcards. In the meantime, make your picks and weigh in on who you think deserved more time in the spotlight.