American Idol 2023 Top 26 POLLS: Vote for your favorites from Night 1 — predict who will leave the competition
Thirteen of the Top 26 contestants took the stage on Sunday night, April 16, at the Disney Aulani resort in Hawaii. The remaining performers will appear in part two on Monday night, April 17. With half of the Top 26 now showcased, it’s time to react, discuss and make your predictions: who will advance, and who will be eliminated when the Top 20 is revealed next Sunday, April 23.
Sunday’s lineup delivered a remarkably high level of talent. Vocal quality, song choices and stage presence varied, but overall this felt like one of the stronger opening nights in recent seasons. Several contestants gave standout performances that could easily secure a spot in the next round, while a few others showed promise but need refinement. Season 21, in the ABC era, is shaping up to be especially competitive.
Who should go home?
If I had to pick three contestants to leave the competition after Night 1, my choices would be Haven Madison, Warren Peay, and either Elise Kristine or Zachariah Smith. Each of these artists has strengths and areas to improve, and my selections reflect where I think growth is still needed to compete at the next level.
Haven Madison shows real songwriting talent, which is an important asset. However, she may benefit from additional time to develop vocal control and stage confidence before competing on a national live broadcast every week. Elise Kristine has delivered terrific moments in the past, but her Night 1 performance didn’t land as strongly as some of her other work. Warren Peay impressed with ambition by tackling an Adele cover, but his presence and engagement on stage felt uneven compared with other country-leaning contestants; his textural choices (including his signature hat) may have distracted rather than enhanced the performance. Zachariah Smith brought a highly entertaining and theatrical presence, but his style risks becoming a novelty unless he broadens his repertoire to include a well-executed ballad that highlights vocal depth — a strategy that helped previous contestants like Taylor Hicks find broader appeal.
These picks are close calls. The talent pool is deep, and small improvements or a well-chosen song next week could easily change who advances and who goes home. That unpredictability is part of what makes this stage of American Idol compelling.
No, Lionel, Iam Tonga is not the first Hawaiian contestant to make it far on Idol
A brief clarification on a comment from judge Lionel Richie: when he said Iam Tonga was the first Hawaiian contestant to “make it this far,” that was likely meant in the context of recent seasons or the ABC-era format. Historically, Hawaii has produced contestants who advanced deep into the competition. During Season 3 in 2004, auditions were held in Hawaii and several Hawaiian singers progressed, including Camille Velasco and Jasmine Trias, who finished in the top ranks that season. That history is worth remembering as we celebrate Iam Tonga’s progress this year.
Overall, the Hawaii episodes have added a sunny, relaxed vibe to the show while still delivering intense competition. Mentors and judges offered constructive feedback, and the contestants responded with varying degrees of success and polish.
American Idol 2023 Top 26 Part 1 — Polls and reader participation
Now it’s your turn. Below are the discussion prompts and poll questions to consider. Share your picks, predict which three contestants will be eliminated, and vote for the performance that stood out the most to you. You can use the comments or social channels where this article appears to register your choices — encourage conversation, explain your reasoning, and see how other fans are reacting.
Which three contestants will be eliminated?
Pick three names from the Night 1 performers you believe will not make the Top 20. Consider vocal consistency, stage presence, song choice and how each contestant’s style fits the broader competition.
- Haven Madison — songwriting strength but needs vocal and performance refinement
- Warren Peay — bold song choice but uneven presence
- Elise Kristine — strong overall track record but an off night
- Zachariah Smith — highly entertaining, risks becoming a one-note act unless he shows range
- Other Night 1 contestants — evaluate based on tonight’s performance and potential for growth
Vote for your favorite performance
Which contestant delivered your favorite moment from Night 1? Consider vocal technique, emotional connection, arrangement and how memorable the performance was. Name your top pick and why it stood out to you.
Allen Stone — Yay or Nay?
Monday’s mentor, Allen Stone, offered warm, encouraging guidance and practical tips. His relaxed, personable approach — including friendly remarks like “Call me Uncle Al” — resonated with many contestants and viewers. Do you think his mentorship helped the singers? Vote yes or no and explain whether his style effectively supported the contestants’ performances.
I’ll publish follow-up polls and summarize results after part two airs on Monday. Until then, cast your informal votes, debate the outcomes, and enjoy the rest of the Hawaii episodes — the competition is just getting started and surprises are likely as the Top 20 approaches.