American Idol 2025 Top 20 Polls: VOTE for your FAVORITE Performance, PREDICT who will LEAVE the show
American Idol has revealed the season 23 Top 20. As in previous years, host Ryan Seacrest announced which contestants were safe while the singers performed live. The Top 24 performed across two separate nights, with two contestants eliminated from each group to narrow the field to the Top 20. This episode combined performances with eliminations and set the stage for the first live round of competition.
The eliminations were not surprising…mostly
Midway through the three-hour episode, Ryan revealed that Grayson Torrence and Kyana Fanene were the first two eliminated. Grayson struggled to gain momentum and received limited screen time throughout the season. Kyana, though charming in her performances, likewise did not get the exposure needed to build a larger voting base; many fans feel she was underappreciated.
By the end of the night, Penny Samar and MKY were also sent home. Penny, like Grayson, had a low profile in the competition and didn’t break through during the critical early rounds. MKY’s elimination was more surprising to some viewers. When CHE was announced as safe, judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan appeared disappointed that MKY did not advance. MKY brought a retro soul vibe and confident stage presence, and he was frequently praised by the judges for his performance style. Some viewers thought his theatrical approach — including playful stage moves — might have been divisive with the voting audience, even though he offered a distinct vocal tone and charisma.
CHE, a talented R&B singer from the U.K., benefited from a strong showing and a favorable judges’ response. It’s often challenging for international contestants to match the voting base of American singers, but CHE’s advancement shows that compelling performances can overcome geographic limits when viewers connect with an artist.
Reports say some crew members were uncomfortable with the overtly Christian theme. Song picks were often NOT overtly religious
This episode featured an explicit “Songs of Faith” theme tied to the Easter holiday. Reports circulating after the broadcast said some crew members felt uneasy about centering a show night on overtly religious material, though others supported the theme. According to those accounts, Carrie Underwood was a vocal advocate for the faith-focused episode and played a role in bringing the idea to the show’s production.
Despite the emphasis on faith, contestants had room to make song choices their own. Of the Top 20 performances that night, roughly half leaned clearly into religious content, while others adapted secular material or interpreted songs in ways that aligned with the theme without being explicitly devotional. Guest performers were drawn from contemporary Christian and gospel genres, which reinforced the episode’s spiritual tone. It’s worth noting that contemporary Christian and gospel music do not resonate with every viewer, and not every contestant or crew member necessarily shares the same background or religious perspective.
American Idol 2025 Top 20 Polls
Now it’s time for viewers to weigh in. Ahead of the April 21 live episode, predict which six contestants will be eliminated and vote for your favorite Top 20 performances. Share which contestant’s exit you felt was the biggest snub — who was robbed? Polls will be tallied and results published on Monday afternoon, April 21.
The American Idol Top 14 Reveal episode airs Monday, April 21 on ABC at 8 PM ET/PT and will be available to stream the next day on Hulu.
Which SIX contestants will be eliminated from the Top 20 on Monday? (Pick SIX)
Poll placeholder: Which six contestants will be eliminated from the Top 20 on Monday? Cast your predictions and check back for poll results, which will be published Monday afternoon (April 21).
Vote for your favorite performance (PICK 2)
Poll placeholder: Select your two favorite Top 20 performances. Which voices stood out most to you this week? Results will be shared after votes are collected.
Which eliminated contestant was robbed?
Poll placeholder: Of the contestants who were sent home, who do you think was the most unfairly eliminated? Vote and explain if you like — fan reactions help shape the conversation heading into the live shows.