American Idol 2026 Spoilers: Top 30 & Top 20 for Season 24 and Aulani Round Song Picks
American Idol changed its format for Season 24, and this season’s adjustments have been notable. Auditions and the usual Hollywood Week were moved to Belmont University in Franklin, Tennessee, and Nashville hosted the early elimination rounds. After the conclusion of “Nashville Week,” the show cut the field to a Top 30 who advanced to the Ohana Round. That Ohana Round was then filmed at Disney’s Aulani resort in Hawaii, where the Top 20 performed across two nights late January.
The Top 20 performed for the veteran judging panel of Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood, with Ryan Seacrest continuing his role as host. A new element this season was the inclusion of an Industry Tastemakers group — a focus panel of music industry figures who observed the Top 30 performances and who helped select several special Platinum ticket recipients.
Platinum tickets remain part of the season’s twists. This year, three Platinum tickets were awarded by a “focus group” of Industry Tastemakers who watched the Top 30 perform in Hawaii, providing an extra path forward for a handful of contestants.
Three-week Ohana Round and mentors
The Ohana Round is being presented over three episodes. Week one highlights the Top 30 performing in Hawaii for Industry Tastemakers, fellow finalists and invited family or friends. From there, judges trimmed the field to the Top 20. Those Top 20 performers then sang across two separate episodes filmed at Aulani, with performances spread across what the network lists as week two and week three of the Ohana Round.
Country star Brad Paisley joined the show as a guest mentor for the Top 20 during the Ohana Round. Photos from the ABC media site also show Sasha Farber, known for Dancing with the Stars, present in Hawaii during the tapings. These mentors and guests added coaching and staging guidance as contestants prepared for their island performances.
According to program listings, the Ohana Round episodes are scheduled to air on Monday, March 9 for the Top 30 showcase, followed by Top 20 episodes on Monday, March 16 and Monday, March 23. The two-night Top 20 performances were filmed on Thursday and Friday, January 29 and 30.
Reliable sources have provided spoiler lists for both the Top 30 and the Top 20. While spoilers can change, the sources supplying these names are trusted and the majority of entries are expected to be accurate. Song spoilers are partial; as more information becomes available, additional updates may follow.
American Idol 2026 Season 24 Top 30 and Top 20 Contestant List
Top 30
UPDATE: These spoilers are reported as correct by our sources.
- Abayomi
- Bella Emry
- Braden Rumfelt
- Brenna Brigman
- Brianna Yancey
- Brooks Rosser
- Bryant Thomas
- Chloe Lauren
- Chris Tungseth
- Daniel Stallworth
- Genevieve Heyward
- Hannah Harper
- Jacquie Lee
- Jake Thistle
- Jesse Findling
- Jordan McCullough
- Julian Kalel
- Keyla Richardson
- Kiera Howell
- Kyndal
- Kutter Bradley
- Lucas Leon
- Madison Moon
- Makiyah Mustiful
- Michael Garner
- Philmon Lee
- Rae Boyd
- Ruby Rae
- Sheldon Riley
- Tianna Roberts
Top 20
- Abayomi
- Braden Rumfelt
- Brooks Rosser
- Chris Tungseth
- Daniel Stallworth
- Genevieve Heyward
- Hannah Harper
- Jake Thistle
- Jesse Findling
- Jordan McCullough
- Julian Kalel
- Keyla Richardson
- Kutter Bradley
- Kyndal Inskeep
- Lucas Leon
- Madison Moon
- Makiyah Mustiful
- Philmon Lee
- Rae Boyd
- Ruby Rae
Top 20 song choices (not in order)
Below are the song selections we have confirmed so far for the Top 20 performances. These picks are listed without a confirmed running order.
- “The Power of Love” by Huey Lewis and The News – Jake Thistle
- “Dancing On My Own” (Calum Scott version) – Brooks Rosser
- “Love on the Brain” by Rihanna – Braden Rumfelt
- “Bang Bang” (Jessie J, Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj) – Makiyah Mustiful
- “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan – Genevieve Heyward
- “Ain’t No Grave” (Bethel Music & Molly Skaggs) – Hannah Harper
- “Call Your Mom” by Noah Kahan – Kyndal Inskeep
- “You Found Me” by The Fray – Jesse Findling
- “It’s Not Over” by Daughtry – Kutter Bradley
- Daniel Stallworth (song choice not listed)
Ohana Night 2 song choices (not in order)
- “Since U Been Gone” by Kelly Clarkson – Madison Moon
- “Just to See You Smile” by Tim McGraw – Lucas Leon
- “Drag Me Down” by One Direction – Ruby Rae
- “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” by U2 – Jordan McCullough
These lists reflect the latest information from production sources and observers at the Aulani tapings. As the Ohana Round airs, viewers will be able to see these performances and judge how each contestant responds to coaching, staging and the pressures of live competition. We will update song and contestant details when additional official confirmations become available.