American Idol 2024: Vote for your FAVORITE Top 24 Contestants
The American Idol 2024 Top 24 will perform for viewer votes for the first time on Monday and Tuesday, April 7 and 8. This season’s performance round moves off the mainland to the Disney Aulani Resort in Hawaii, a familiar setting for many of the ABC-era finales and live shows. R&B-pop artist Tori Kelly and country-turned-cross-genre star Jelly Roll join the production as guest mentors, helping contestants prepare for their big performances.
After an abbreviated Hollywood Round, producers condensed what has traditionally been an extended “Hollywood Week” into a single, intense day of competition. The condensed format—dubbed by some as the “Idol Arena”—combined a solo round and a duet round into one high-stakes episode. More than 100 hopefuls competed for a much smaller number of advancing slots; ultimately the judges narrowed the field to a Showstoppers Top 56.
Over the following evening, those 56 singers performed on stage backed by a full band in front of a live studio audience. Each contestant chose their song, and the judges—Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan—used those performances to make their selections for the Top 24. In several instances judges arranged head-to-head pairings on stage to compare singers directly and decide who would move forward.
Related coverage has included conversation around audition dynamics and contestant reactions, such as reports about Julia Davo and Alyssa Raghu, which have generated online discussion among Idol fans.
A bunch of pairs
ABC’s press photos and on-air coverage show several contestants sitting in pairs when called before the judges. Not every pair shown in publicity materials sang back-to-back on television, but the paired seating became a visible part of the episode’s drama.
Not all pairings were featured as on-air sing-offs. Contestants shown sitting together included:
Emma Murdock and Elleigh Marie
Michael Rice and Scarlett Lee (neither made the Top 24)
Dawson Slade and Will Mosley
Sophia Ava Marie and Haley Mia
Justice Murphy and Jayna Elisa
Nick Connors and Quintavious
Of those pictured in pairs, only three pairings were presented that way during the broadcast. For clarity, some contestants who sat together did not actually face off in a direct sing-off on air—McKenna and Mia, for example, did not perform against each other during their televised segment.
Pairs shown on air included:
Mackenzie Sol and Ziggy
KB Richins and Alyssa Raghue
McKenna Breinholt and Mia Matthews
This format and the visible pairing strategy added an extra element of competition and narrative to the selection process, as judges weighed not only vocal skill but song choice, presence and audience response.
Now it’s time for viewers to weigh in. The Top 24 performances will be judged by America’s votes as well as by the momentum each singer has built during auditions and the Hollywood rounds. Voting opens when the episodes air, and fans will have the opportunity to support their favorites throughout the live voting window.
American Idol Favorite Top 24 Contestant (Pick 3)
We’re running a reader poll to see which Top 24 contestants are currently most popular. Pick your top three favorites from the group and make your voice heard. Poll results will be shared with readers later this week so fans can see which contestants are trending online.
Favorite Judge ahead of the Top 24
Which judge do you most enjoy this season? Whether you prefer Lionel Richie’s seasoned perspective, Katy Perry’s pop expertise, or Luke Bryan’s country insight, cast your pick in our judge poll and let us know who you think shapes the competition the most.
Idol Arena Format, YAY or NAY
The condensed “Idol Arena” format sparked debate among viewers and contestants alike. Was compressing Hollywood Week into a single day an effective way to heighten drama and efficiency, or did it shortchange singers who needed more time to develop? Share your opinion in the poll: do you approve of the format change or would you prefer a return to the longer Hollywood Week?
Grade season 22 so far
How would you grade Season 22 so far? From auditions to the Top 24 reveal, the season’s pacing, casting choices and production changes have given fans plenty to discuss. Submit your grade and any comments, and check back for a roundup of results and commentary from fellow viewers.
Stay tuned: following the Top 24 performances, we’ll post results and analysis, spotlight standout performances and track which contestants gain momentum as voting progresses.