Tonight on American Idol, the Top 7 travel to Disneyland Resort and light up the stage with Disney classics as America votes live for their five favorite performers. With the help of special guest Lin-Manuel Miranda, each hopeful will also sing a special Mother’s Day tribute as judges Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan provide feedback.
After the Top 7 perform, host Ryan Seacrest “dims the lights” as two hopefuls are eliminated.
On Monday, May 12, the Disney magic continues as the Top 5 honor their favorite heroes and villains with two performances each. At the end of the night, three finalists will advance to the Season 23 finale and sing for the title on Sunday, May 18.
The “Disney Night No. 1” episode of American Idol airs live coast-to-coast on Sunday, May 11 (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT). Follow along with our live blog below to see each performance and find out who went home. Plus, vote for your favorite in our poll once the entire Top 7 has performed!
8 p.m. — Previously, on American Idol: The Top 7 finalists were announced on May 5 after competing in the “Judges’ Song Contest.” John Foster (“I Cross My Heart”), Jamal Roberts (“I Believe”), and Breanna Nix (“Independence Day”) won Gold Derby’s poll as your favorite performers. After millions votes were cast, Josh King (“Home”) was eliminated after the judges decided to save Mattie Pruitt (“Always Been You”), who had also landed in the bottom two. Who will be sent packing next? And who will advance to the Top 5? Let’s find out!
Disney Songs
Gabby Samone
Age: 23
Hometown: Baltimore
Performance: “How Far I’ll Go” from Moana
Carrie’s comments: “Your voice was made for songs like that. It was a really great performance.”
Lionel’s comments: “You have that shot-stopping — ‘I know it’s coming’! I just loved your performance.”
Luke’s comments: “That is the most clear I’ve heard you deliver a song from top to bottom.”
Jamal Roberts
Age: 27
Hometown: Meridian, Miss.
Performance: “Go the Distance” from Hercules
Carrie’s comments: “With everything we throw at you, with every song you tackle, you put yourself in it. You make it look easy.”
Lionel’s comments: “You have an ability. You put on flashy clothes and it gets bigger than that!”
Luke’s comments: “You’ve just got that special stuff.”
Breanna Nix
Age: 25
Hometown: Denton, Texas
Performance: “Reflection” from Mulan
Carrie’s comments: “I was fighting back tears. You just look like you belong exactly where you are.”
Lionel’s comments: “You have poise and grace. What I love the most is when you finally just stretch out.”
Luke’s comments: “You are always in total control. That song was a perfect choice for you.”
John Foster
Age: 18
Hometown: Addis, La.
Performance: “Almost There” by The Princess and the Frog
Carrie’s comments: “No matter what you do — John Foster is John Foster. You brought it to you, you still sound like you. They were loving it.”
Lionel’s comments: “That was amazing. The crowd said it all for me.”
Luke’s comments: “Charisma, charisma, charisma. That’s why you’re still in this thing and that’s why you’re almost there.”
Slater Nalley
Age: 18
Hometown: Atlanta
Performance: “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from The Lion King
Carrie’s comments: “I loved seeing your excitement working with Lin-Manuel. I learned something about you!”
Lionel’s comments: “You’re a storyteller. You don’t need all the power in your voice to tell that story.”
Luke’s comments: “You go blank right before you were about to sing. That stuff happens, but what a recovery and great job on the finish.”
Mattie Pruitt
Age: 16
Hometown: Eagleville, Tenn.
Performance: “Remember Me” from Coco
Carrie’s comments: “That was a reminder of why you’re here.”
Lionel’s comments: “I am so amazed. You’ve grown up. I’m loving this new you.”
Luke’s comments: “That was one of my favorite performances I’ve ever watched you do. It was so innocent, pure, and real.”
Thunderstorm Artis
Age: 29
Hometown: Haleiwa, Hawaii
Performance: “Colors of the Wind” from Pocahontas
Carrie’s comments: “That was my favorite arrangement of the night. It was beautiful and I was about to cry.”
Lionel’s comments: “You are an amazing storyteller. I love every way you perform these songs.”
Luke’s comments: “You totally had me immersed in the moment.”
Mother’s Day Tributes
Breanna Nix
Age: 25
Hometown: Denton, Texas
Performance: “Like My Mother Does” by Lauren Alaina
Gabby Samone
Age: 23
Hometown: Baltimore
Performance: “Home” from The Wiz
Slater Nalley
Age: 18
Hometown: Atlanta
Performance: “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right” by Bob Dylan
Jamal Roberts
Age: 27
Hometown: Meridian, Miss.
Performance: “A Change is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke
Mattie Pruitt
Age: 16
Hometown: Eagleville, Tenn.
Performance: “Those Kind of Women” by Lauren Alaina
Thunderstorm Artis
Age: 29
Hometown: Haleiwa, Hawaii
Performance: “Out of the Blue” (original from Thunderstorm Artis)
John Foster
Age: 18
Hometown: Addis, La.
Performance: “Believe” by Brooks & Dunn
Eliminations
Dim the lights! Based on America’s vote (more than 20 million), these artists were eliminated on May 11:
Gabby Samone
Mattie Pruitt
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