American Idol 2025 Top 24: Vote for Your Favorite Contestants — Carrie Underwood, Yay or Nay? Grade the Season
Season 23 of American Idol heads into its Top 24 rounds, and the first viewer polls of 2025 are live. The Top 24 episodes were filmed at Disney’s Aulani resort earlier this year, and accurate spoilers circulated soon after production wrapped. Those early reports included how the contestants were split between two performance nights and the song choices many singers selected.
Ashanti served as mentor for Group 1, which is scheduled to air on Sunday, April 13 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. Josh Groban mentored Group 2, airing on Monday, April 14. Rapper-singer Jelly Roll is also on hand as a mentor and will remain involved through the remainder of the season. With voting opening during the Hawaii-filmed episodes, viewers will have the chance to cast ballots and predict who advances throughout this early stage.
Viewer voting begins while the contestants are still in Hawaii, so expect more polls and voting prompts after each episode airs. American Idol plans a special Top 20 reveal on Easter Sunday, April 20 — a three-hour presentation airing from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m. ET/PT — with the episodes becoming available to stream on Hulu the following day. The Top 20 episode will be recorded in front of a studio audience on April 16. Live show performances for this season will take place at Red Studios in Los Angeles; tickets are being distributed through audience-ticketing partners.
According to Disney/ABC, the Top 14 reveal is set to air on Monday, April 21 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. That announcement sets the stage for a fast-moving few weeks where viewers will see who advances from the Top 24 and which artists emerge as season standouts.
Who Are Your Favorite Contestants? How Would You Grade Carrie Underwood as a Judge?
The American Idol format often introduces contestants slowly: early episodes focus on personal stories and emotional moments before viewers fully hear each singer’s range and style. It’s not until contestants perform on stage with a full band — during rounds like Showstopper and Head-to-Head — that their musical strengths become clearer. For many viewers, those live performances are when contestants truly make their case.
From early impressions, a handful of singers look poised to be front-runners. Names frequently mentioned so far include Breanna Nix, Drew Ryn, Mattie Pruitt, and Canaan James Hill. Baylee Littrell, who is the son of Backstreet Boys member Brian Littrell, could benefit from a built-in fanbase because of his family ties. Other contestants such as Amanda Barise, Kolbi Jordan, Filo, and Thunderstorm Artis show strong potential to reach the Top 14. That said, it’s still early and many hopefuls could rise as dark-horse contenders as the live rounds progress.
Carrie Underwood — Yay or Nay? A Cautious Yay
Carrie Underwood brings a different energy to the judging panel than her predecessor. Where Katy Perry leaned into humor and showmanship, Carrie is more reserved and measured. Her fellow judges — Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan — and host Ryan Seacrest play supportive roles as she settles into the judging routine. This season’s narrative also acknowledges the personal milestone of Carrie’s 20th anniversary since winning American Idol, which adds context and a celebratory tone to her presence on the panel.
Carrie’s strengths are clear: she knows music across genres, she can speak knowledgeably about songs and performances, and her perspective as a former contestant brings empathy and constructive insight. Those qualities help her guide and evaluate contestants effectively. On the flip side, some viewers have noticed a strong country influence in her feedback and musical preferences; others have wished for a high-profile pop star to generate additional buzz and viral moments. Overall, Carrie earns a cautious “yay” for her musical credibility and understanding of contestants’ journeys.
Now is the time to weigh in: who are your favorites, how do you rate the judges, and what grade would you give the season so far? Cast your opinions and track how fan sentiment evolves as the competition continues.
Pick Your Favorite THREE Season 23 Top 24 Contestants
Poll: Choose your top three favorite contestants from the Season 23 Top 24. (Poll functionality removed; vote on the site where this article is hosted.)
American Idol 2025 – Favorite Judge
Poll: Who is your favorite judge this season? (Poll functionality removed; vote on the site where this article is hosted.)
Carrie Underwood – YAY or NAY
Poll: Do you approve of Carrie Underwood as a judge this season? (Poll functionality removed; vote on the site where this article is hosted.)
Grade the Season So Far
Poll: How would you grade Season 23 so far? (Poll functionality removed; vote on the site where this article is hosted.)
Stay tuned for episode recaps, updated spoilers, and more polls after each broadcast night. As the Top 24 rounds air and voting opens, expect shifting favorites, surprising eliminations, and breakout performances that will shape who makes it to the live shows in Los Angeles.