Last updated April 6, 2026, 11:25 p.m. ET
The “American Idol” competition has narrowed down to its ultimate 11 contestants.
Following a week-long delay caused by a vote-counting issue that postponed the Top 12 reveal, the definitive results were announced during the April 6 “judges’ song contest” episode. This suspenseful wait kept both the audience and the contestants, who utilized the additional week to refine their performances, on tenterhooks.
At the beginning of the April 6 episode, two “Idol” aspirants were eliminated. Subsequently, after a save from Lionel Richie, who secured victory in the competition by having seven of his chosen songs performed, one additional singer was voted off, finalizing the Top 11.
“While it certainly generates anxiety, it also provides us with more opportunities to spend time together as a family,” Brooks Rosser shared with USA TODAY, having overcome the initial surprise of the Top 12 delay. Lucas Leon confessed, “I anticipate feeling quite nervous until next Monday [April 6].”
This week’s programming was tailored for ABC’s millennial viewership, as the Top 12 contestants were assigned to perform 90s hits handpicked by Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan. However, it proved a challenging evening for audience members in their thirties, given that the youthful contestants—ranging from teenagers to those in their late twenties—confessed unfamiliarity with several song selections, notably “Wonderwall.”
The intensity was further elevated by the presence of several celebrity attendees from 1990s pop culture: Danielle Fishel, known from “Boy Meets World” (and host of the official “Idol” podcast), Holly Robinson Peete and Mark Curry of “Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper” notoriety, Andrea Barber from “Full House,” and Reginald VelJohnson of “Family Matters.”
Presented below are the contestants who advanced and those who were eliminated as the initial Top 14 was refined to 11 finalists.
Who made it into the ‘American Idol’ Top 11 for 2026?
- Philmon Lee
- Braden Rumfelt
- Lucas Leon
- Hannah Harper
- Chris Tungseth
- Rae
- Daniel Stallworth
- Keyla Richardson
- Jordan McCullough
- Brooks Rosser
- Kyndal Inskeep
Which contestants were eliminated from ‘American Idol?’
- Julián Kalel
- Jake Thistle
- Jesse Findling