American Idol 2023 Top 5 POLL Results, Power Rankings and a PREDICTION
The penultimate episode of American Idol Season 21 airs Sunday night with the Top 5 performing two Disney songs as part of America’s Vote for a spot in the Top 3. The three finalists will then return for a three-hour finale next Sunday, May 21, to compete for the season title. This week’s episode also falls on Mother’s Day, and contestants will spend time with family in Disneyland, which promises emotional moments alongside the performances.
Judges Lionel Richie and Katy Perry return to the panel this week after missing last week’s show to perform at King Charles’ coronation concert in the U.K. Luke Bryan will also be back in his chair. The Top 5 will each sing one classic Disney song and one song from a recent Disney film. Mentorship and guest performances will include Sara Bareilles opening with “When You Wish Upon a Star,” Sofia Carson mentoring the contestants at Disneyland, and Halle Bailey performing “Part of Your World” from the live-action Little Mermaid.
Contestants reportedly recorded their potential winner’s singles this week while rehearsing and filming at Disneyland. Zachariah Smith’s single is titled “American Grace.” Song assignments were revealed earlier in the week and have shaped predictions and fan expectations going into the live broadcast.
Facebook Likes
A quick look at engagement on the American Idol Facebook page from last week’s solo performances shows notable contrasts between likes and video views. While likes often reflect immediate fan sentiment, view totals can point to broader audience interest. Iam Tongi continues to lead in both likes and views by a large margin.
- Iam Tongi – “Guardian” – 50K likes, 1.1M views
- Colin Stough – “Hand in Pocket” – 16K likes, 328.6K views
- Wé Ani – “Uninvited” – 12K likes, 303.1K views
- Megan Danielle – “Head over Feet” – 11K likes, 432K views
- Zachariah Smith – “Ironic” – 8.3K likes, 223.6K views
American Idol airs live coast to coast on ABC Sunday at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT.
American Idol Top 5 Power Rankings
Below are rankings based on recent performances, viewer engagement and momentum heading into Disney Night. These reflect current trends and performance potential rather than a guarantee of voting outcomes.
5. Zachariah Smith
Zachariah has entertained consistently with personality and stagecraft, but at this stage the remaining contestants present stiffer competition. His survival to this round is a testament to his strategy and ability to engage viewers. Still, his path forward looks difficult given the vocal strength and emotional arcs of his rivals.
4. Wé Ani
Wé Ani remains a fan favorite for many readers and viewers who appreciate a unique voice and bold performances. She delivers show-stopping moments, and this week’s Disney pair—“Into the Unknown” and “The Climb”—could create breakthrough moments. That said, her distinct baritone and unconventional style may be polarizing for the broader television audience that often leans toward country and contemporary pop sounds.
3. Megan Danielle
Megan has earned praise from industry figures and former contestants for her authentic vocal delivery and range. Her background in country and Christian-influenced music resonates with a large segment of Idol viewers, and a sensitive, emotional take on a song like Brandi Carlile’s “Carried Me with You” could be a highlight. She balances technical skill with emotional connection, which makes her a strong contender for the finale.
2. Colin Stough
Colin’s steady improvement and the relatable, wholesome image he projects have created a clear upward trajectory. A stripped-down performance of a song like “Nobody Knows” with acoustic accompaniment could be a defining moment. Audiences respond strongly to performers who grow over the season, and Colin fits that narrative well.
1. Iam Tongi
Iam has become the frontrunner this season, combining a compelling personal story with broad stylistic versatility. He consistently turns diverse songs into deeply felt performances that connect with viewers, which is reflected in his strong engagement numbers. Given the momentum, many see him as the most likely winner heading into the finale.
Top 3 Prediction
Prediction: Iam Tongi, Colin Stough and Megan Danielle advance to the Top 3. That would send Wé Ani and Zachariah Smith home. An alternate ideal top three for some fans would include Wé in place of one of the above, reflecting the divided preferences among the audience.
American Idol Top 5 POLL Results
Below are the results from recent polls following the May 7 broadcast, reflecting reader preferences for favorite contestants, performances, and other season elements.
Favorite Top 5 contestant
These percentages show reader favorites among the current Top 5.
- Wé Ani – 30.79%
- Megan Danielle – 24.29%
- Iam Tongi – 23.45%
- Colin Stough – 14.97%
- Zachariah Smith – 6.50%
Favorite Top 8 performance
Fan votes for best solo performances from the Top 8 show strong support for dramatic, emotional renditions.
- Wé Ani – “Uninvited” – 30.23%
- Colin Stough – “Hand in My Pocket” – 19.97%
- Megan Danielle – “Head Over Feet” – 16.83%
- Iam Tongi – “Guardian” – 16.14%
- Zachariah Smith – “Ironic” – 8.34%
- Oliver Steele – “You Oughta Know” – 3.69%
- Haven Madison – “You Learn” – 2.87%
- Warren Peay – “All I Really Want” – 1.92%
Favorite Top 8 duet
Duets were a highlight for many voters, with one pairing standing out clearly.
- Megan Danielle and Colin Stough – “Dive” – 42.10%
- Oliver Steele and Iam Tongi – “Photograph” – 30.70%
- Warren Peay and Wé Ani – “Perfect” – 19.15%
- Zachariah Smith and Haven Madison – “Thinking Out Loud” – 8.05%
Who was robbed?
Most voters felt no one was unfairly eliminated, while opinions on eliminated contestants were split among the remainder of respondents.
- Nobody was Robbed – 54.63%
- Warren Peay – 19.91%
- Oliver Steele – 13.12%
- Haven Madison – 12.35%
Mentor/Judge Alanis Morissette Yay or Nay?
Alanis Morissette received strong approval from voters as a mentor and guest judge.
- YAY! – 84.33%
- Nay – 15.67%
Judge Ed Sheeran Yay or Nay?
Ed Sheeran’s presence on the panel divided some voters, though the majority were supportive.
- YAY! – 66.67%
- Nay – 33.33%