American Idol 2023: Top 26 Contestant Photo Gallery — Who Sings on Night 1 and Night 2?
The American Idol Season 21 Top 26 perform for viewer votes on Sunday, April 16 and Monday, April 17 at 8 PM ET/PT on ABC. The show’s Top 26 round was filmed at the Disney Aulani Resort & Spa in Hawaii, with contestants divided into two groups of 13. Each night featured a celebrity mentor: Allen Stone guided the performers on Night 1 (Sunday), while Noah Cyrus mentored Night 2 (Monday).
The Top 26 round was recorded in January in Hawaii, shortly before the season premiered on February 19. Various eyewitness reports and set photos surfaced after filming, producing unofficial song lists and early spoilers. Because American Idol had not officially confirmed every performance at the time, reported song choices are not printed here; they remain technically unverified spoilers.
One noteworthy update confirmed through official show photos is that contestant Paige Anne is indeed part of the Top 26. Earlier in the competition fans believed she had been eliminated during the Showstopper round after a head-to-head with Megan Danielle, but following the unexpected departure of another contestant after Top 26 was announced, Paige was officially added to the roster.
Viewers will have the opportunity to vote during the two broadcast nights. The results and the reveal of the Top 20 are scheduled for Sunday, April 23; that episode was filmed in advance on April 19. Fans seeking tickets or studio details should consult the show’s official channels for current availability.
AMERICAN IDOL TOP 26 PART 1 (Sunday April 16)
Allen Stone, who served as the celebrity mentor for Night 1, is a singer-songwriter best known for tracks such as the 2011 song “Unaware.” He also represented Washington on the televised American Song Contest. Under his guidance, the first group of 13 contestants took the stage in Hawaii to deliver performances that the judges and viewers would evaluate for advancement.
AMERICAN IDOL TOP 26 PART 2 (Monday April 17)
Noah Cyrus served as the mentor for the second night. Noah, who is the younger sister of Miley Cyrus, released the single “Snow in LA” last fall and has been recognized for collaborations such as the live performance of “This Is Us” with Jimmie Allen, which earned a CMT Award nomination in 2021. Rumors circulated that Paige Anne might perform a powerful ballad associated with her sister Miley, which made her mentoring session especially talked-about among fans.
History of American Idol in Hawaii
American Idol established a tradition of filming a portion of the competition at Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawaii beginning in 2019. That year the Top 40 traveled to the island for a key round. The Top 40 Showcase returned to Hawaii again in December 2020, before the pandemic paused many productions; later episodes were completed virtually. In 2021 auditions and some production elements adapted to pandemic conditions while main studio filming remained in California. The series returned to Hawaii for season 20 in 2022 to film the Top 24 round, and the following season continued the Aulani destination for the Top 26 performances.
As the American Idol season progresses, fans can follow performances, mentor commentary, and vote results across the broadcast nights. These Hawaii rounds remain a highlight each season, offering memorable performances against the unique backdrop of the Aulani Resort and the mentorship of guest artists.