American Idol 2023 Top 26 Poll Results: Who Are Your Favorite Singers?
Following the recent airing of the American Idol Showstopper Round, fans participated in a reader poll to name their Top 3 favorite contestants from Season 21’s Top 26. The poll also asked readers to grade the season so far, pick their favorite judge, and weigh in on whether the Platinum Ticket should return next season. The results show strong support for a few front-runners and reveal interesting trends about fan engagement and voting eligibility.
Nutsa earned the No. 1 spot in this poll, largely driven by a passionate online following after she received what some called a “villain edit” during Hollywood Week. Her high placement in the poll is notable, though much of that support came from outside the United States, where fans cannot vote on the official show. Iam Tongi, who also benefited from international support given his Pacific Island heritage, received substantial domestic votes as well and remains a consistent fan favorite. Wé Ani, known to many from a prior run on another singing competition, finished third and continues to impress viewers with a distinctive vocal style.
American Idol Season 21 Earns a Strong A
Poll respondents gave American Idol Season 21 an overall grade of A so far, reflecting widespread approval of the talent and the season’s performances. Many fans praised the singers and expressed hope that production will allow the performers to shine without over-direction. When it came to the judges, Lionel Richie emerged as the most popular, while Katy Perry and Luke Bryan received fewer votes in comparison. A portion of voters expressed dissatisfaction with the judging panel as a whole.
On the subject of the Platinum Ticket, reader opinions were divided. A plurality voted against continuing the Platinum Ticket, while a significant portion supported keeping it. A smaller share of respondents said they were indifferent, indicating mixed feelings among viewers about special advantages during early rounds.
American Idol Season 21 Voting Begins
Official American Idol voting begins this week and will determine which contestants advance to the Top 20. Fans are encouraged to use the official American Idol app or the ABC website to cast their votes. The voting window and live event schedule are important: the Top 20 show is set to tape in front of a studio audience on Wednesday, April 19, the Top 20 episode will air Sunday, April 23, and the Top 12 reveal is scheduled for Monday, April 24. These episodes will shape the rest of the season as audience voting takes over.
During the Top 26 performances, mentors joined the singers to offer guidance: singer-songwriter Allen Stone mentored the contestants who performed on Sunday, and pop artist Noah Cyrus mentored the group who performed on Monday. These mentorship moments provided additional preparation for contestants as they moved into the voting phase.
Favorite Contestant (Pick 3)
- Nutsa – 17.32%
- Iam Tongi – 15.76%
- Wé Ani – 8.74%
- Zachariah Smith – 7.72%
- Elijah McCormick – 7.62%
- Colin Stough – 4.79%
- Tyson Venegas – 3.97%
- Oliver Steele – 3.86%
- Lucy Love – 3.29%
- Haven Madison – 2.64%
- Megan Danielle – 2.51%
- Kaeyra – 2.49%
- Marybeth Byrd – 2.43%
- Emma Bussee – 2.17%
- Warren Peay – 2.13%
- Paige Anne – 1.77%
- Matt Wilson – 1.65%
- Hannah Nicolaisen – 1.31%
- Olivia Soli – 1.27%
- Dawson Wayne – 1.20%
- Elise Kristine – 1.16%
- Michael Williams – 1.14%
- Nailyah Serenity – 0.93%
- Pjae – 0.80%
- Malik Heard – 0.68%
- Mariah Faith – 0.65%
Grade the Season at Top 26
- A – 50.53%
- B – 34.67%
- C – 10.46%
- D – 2.35%
- F – 2.00%
Favorite Judge Ahead of Top 26
- Lionel Richie – 39.53%
- Katy Perry – 25.38%
- Luke Bryan – 22.61%
- They all suck – 12.48%
Should the Platinum Ticket Continue?
- No – 43.15%
- Yes – 37.73%
- Don’t care – 19.11%
These poll results give a snapshot of fan sentiment as American Idol moves from curated rounds into audience-driven voting. As the live-voting portion of Season 21 begins, viewer participation will be decisive. Fans who want their favorites to advance should prepare to vote during the official windows and follow the show’s schedule closely.