American Idol 2023 Top 12 POLL Results, Power Rankings
American Idol season 21 (2023) moves to live coast-to-coast broadcasts beginning Sunday, April 30. That shift changes the voting dynamic: instead of overnight voting, viewers now cast votes in real time during the performances. The live window opens as each contestant sings and closes within minutes after the final performance, with Ryan Seacrest revealing eliminated contestants shortly thereafter.
With live coast-to-coast voting comes new text numbers for the Top 12 contestants. Several singers have voiced concerns on social media about the rapid pace and short voting window, which can be especially stressful when fans must act quickly to support their favorites. Performing late in the lineup no longer offers the same overnight advantage; real-time voting rewards immediate momentum and quick mobilization by fans.
This week will see multiple eliminations: two contestants will go home at the end of Sunday’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame themed episode (April 30), and three more will be sent packing by the close of Monday’s Judges Song Contest (May 1). These double-episode eliminations make every performance critical for the Top 12.
Sunday and Monday’s special guests
Season 8 alum Adam Lambert returns to mentor the Top 12 for the Rock Hall of Fame episode on Sunday, sharing stagecraft and rock-focused guidance. On Monday, season 21 winner Chayce Beckham will perform his new single “Til the Day I Die” while the judges select songs for the remaining Top 10. Note that while ABC lists both shows as live coast-to-coast at 8 pm ET / 5 pm PT, local listings can vary—some affiliates run local programming in the early evening—so west coast viewers should confirm their local schedules.
These guest appearances add industry perspective and promotional energy during a pivotal elimination week. As the season approaches its final month, every performance and coaching moment could shift momentum in the polls and among viewers.
American Idol Top 12 Power Rankings
Below are the power rankings for the Top 12 contestants heading into Sunday and Monday’s live shows. These rankings consider recent performances, fan engagement, streaming activity, and social media presence—factors that commonly influence real-time voting during live episodes.
Lucy Love and Nutsa both needed judge saves last week, which places them near the bottom of this list. That doesn’t guarantee elimination, but live voting makes outcomes harder to predict until performances are complete.
12. Lucy Love – Lucy is a distinctive singer with a unique style that sometimes polarizes voters. She can oversing on occasion, but her original material showed promise. Consistency and song choice will be essential for her survival.
11. Nutsa – Nutsa enjoys strong international streaming and social engagement, but many of her digital fans are outside the United States. Because only U.S. residents (including Puerto Rico) are eligible to vote in American Idol’s system, overseas support doesn’t always translate into votes in real time.
10. Tyson Venegas – Tyson’s powerful vocals have kept him in the competition, but as a Canadian contestant he faces the same voting limitations as other non-U.S. performers. If he doesn’t connect with a broader American voting base this week, he risks elimination.
9. Marybeth Byrd – A talented country singer, Marybeth needs standout moments to separate herself from country peers like Colin Stough, Warren Peay, and Megan Danielle. Distinctive song choices could help her advance.
8. Oliver Steele – Oliver is a gifted singer-songwriter who deserves more recognition. He’s versatile musically, but he must create memorable performances that highlight his songwriting and vocal strengths to climb higher.
7. Haven Madison – Haven may not be the strongest vocalist in the Top 12, but her songwriting, pop sensibility, and relatable personality give her a niche with younger viewers. Her unique lane and consistent charm could carry her forward.
6. Megan Danielle – Megan is comfortable across country and blues styles, but she resonates most when performing Christian contemporary or gospel-tinged material. Leaning into that emotional connection could be a winning strategy.
5. Zachariah Smith – Not the most vocally flawless contestant, Zachariah is a natural entertainer who picks nostalgic material that appeals to older demographics. His showmanship and song selection make him a steady threat.
4. Wé Ani – A former third-place finisher on The Voice (as Wé McDonald), Wé Ani entered Idol with an established profile. Her experience, vocal improvement, and ambition make her a strong contender to advance deep into the competition.
3. Colin Stough – Colin rose in the rankings after a breakout performance of Robyn’s “Dancing On My Own.” He often shines in stripped-down settings, and must adapt when full-band arrangements are required. More performance experience before Idol might have smoothed that transition, but he remains a top contender.
2. Warren Peay – Warren’s popularity on social platforms and streaming numbers don’t always show up in every poll, but his dedicated fanbase and strong performances make him dangerous. He could easily make the Top 3.
1. Iam Tongi – Currently the front-runner in many polls, Iam enjoys high search volume, streams, and viewer support. The show’s editorial focus on him reinforces his leading position, though peaking too early can be a risk as the season progresses.
American Idol Top 12 POLL Results
Below are the results from the polls posted earlier this week reflecting fan preferences for the Top 12 finalists.
Favorite Top 12 Contestant
Iam Tongi tops this site’s poll, followed by Wé Ani. Despite Warren Peay’s strong social engagement, his support on this particular blog’s poll sits lower—poll samples can vary widely from larger, nationwide voting trends.
- Iam Tongi – 29.80%
- Wé Ani – 20.69%
- Colin Stough – 9.10%
- Tyson Venegas – 7.67%
- Megan Danielle – 6.92%
- Zachariah Smith – 5.27%
- Oliver Steele – 4.51%
- Marybeth Byrd – 4.44%
- Nutsa – 3.99%
- Haven Madison – 3.69%
- Warren Peay – 3.01%
- Lucy Love – 0.90%
Which Top 20 Contestant was robbed?
Poll respondents named Kaeyra overwhelmingly as the most robbed contestant, suggesting many viewers felt she deserved to advance further. Nailyah Serenity and Olivia Soli also received notable support. The results highlight how viewer sentiment and judge saves don’t always align with public opinion.
- Kaeyra – 40.24%
- Nailyah Serenity – 11.80%
- Olivia Soli – 10.93%
- Nobody was Robbed – 9.63%
- Michael Williams – 7.89%
- Matt Wilson – 6.24%
- Paige Anne – 5.72%
- Hannah Nicolaisen – 4.08%
- Mariah Faith – 3.47%
As American Idol proceeds through this live voting era, both performances and fan mobilization will determine who advances. With multiple eliminations across two consecutive live episodes, song choice, audience connection, and real-time voting power are more important than ever for the Top 12 contestants. Watch the live shows to see which singers harness that momentum and which fall short when votes are counted.