Just 24 hours after reducing the Top 14 to 12 contestants, 'American Idol' fans will be responsible for eliminating two more singers on the April 22, 2024, episode. During the two-hour show, contestants will be advised by pop star Meghan Trainor, who spent part of 2023 serving as a judge on 'Australian Idol.'
Voting opens at the beginning of the episode and will close around 9:50 p.m. Eastern time. Host Ryan Seacrest will reveal the Top 10 results at the end of the episode.
Spoiler Alert: As usual, Heavy will report the results live throughout the night. So keep checking back or refreshing your browser for updates. If you do not want to know the results, do not read any further.
'American Idol' Top 10: First Hour
The show started with Ryan Seacrest and the contestants all on the stage. Before introducing judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, he said the night would be dedicated to Billboard Number one hits.
The performances started with Abi Carter, who was the last one to perform on the previous night’s show. During her mentorship session with Trainor, she immediately gave her a bear hug and told her what a huge fan she is of her. Carter’s singing Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well,” which she said was scary given all the pressure of impressing the Swifties. Trainor encouraged her to “riff” at the end of the song rather than just playing the piano.
- JUDGE FEEDBACK: Richie gave her a standing ovation, but the other judges did not. Bryan said he was having a hard time distinguishing last night from tonight, and that it was not as “shiny” as the previous night’s performance. “Don’t get too comfortable at the piano,” he told her, encouraging her to work the room with some energy. Though a few people booed Bryan, Richie agreed with him but cushioned it by saying that he wanted to hear more. Perry said that Carter is so good at slower, intimate songs, she just needs to give “angelic” every time and not necessarily run around the stage.
Next up, Seacrest introduced Will Moseley, who said going from Gene Simmons as the mentor the night before to Meghan Trainor was like “flipping a light switch.” He said he loved her lightheartedness, including wiping his brow when he was sweating. She told Moseley that his smile “lights up the universe” and encouraged him to show it and have a good time. Moseley played Chris Stapleton’s “Starting Over.”
- JUDGE FEEDBACK: Richie said he loves that he recognizes Moseley’s voice right off the bat and that it was a perfect song choice. Perry said she loved seeing his smile, because it’s good to see the emotion in his voice also on his face — in his eyes, cheeks and mouth. Bryan said it’s okay for him to “act a little bit” and that he’s “solid every time you get up here.”
After a commercial break, it was Jayna Elise's turn; she remembered singing “All That Base” when she was part of KidzBop. Trainor worked with Elise on some of her vocal tricks, wanting her to balance showing off her voice but also respecting how her song — Rihanna’s “Diamond” — is meant to sound.
- JUDGE FEEDBACK: Perry told Elise that her delivery is “so controlled” and “measured,” that she has reached her ultimate groove. Bryan said that her looks are really pro and never to “let off the gas” with her performances. Richie said he marvels at how Elise can “take any song and turn it into you — that’s amazing.” He added that her stage presence is something they can’t teach, but that she has it “in spades.” After the judges’ feedback, Elise said she dedicated that song to former runner-up Willie Spence, who sang that song on the show but, sadly, died in 2022.
Next, Trainor collaborated with 19-year-old country singer Mia Matthews. When the teenager expressed that Kelsea Ballerini is her favorite artist, Trainor offered to FaceTime her — and she answered, conversing with both of them. “Idol! So enjoyable, so great,” she exclaimed. As Matthews rehearsed her selected song — Miranda Lambert’s “Only You” — Trainor provided her with advice on projecting confidence while singing.
- JUDGE FEEDBACK: Matthews received a standing ovation from Bryan and Richie. Bryan began by expressing amazement at how much she appeared “like a star” on stage while interacting with Trainor, and praised her progress. Richie also noted Matthews’ significant growth and expressed confidence in her future success. Perry described her as a “certified looking star,” but urged her to bring something new to her performances — adding movement and physicality to elevate her artistry. Although Trainor was not physically present in LA with the contestants, she joined via FaceTime to commend Matthews on her performance.
The following contestant, after a commercial break, was R&B singer Roman Collins. He surprised Trainor by announcing that he would perform “Roar” by Katy Perry, which she admitted she would be too nervous to attempt herself. Collins mentioned that he planned to slow down the song, a decision which she praised as “very smart and brave.” He performed at the piano, a departure from his previous performances. Towards the end of the song, he stepped away from the piano, returning to his more energetic, soulful style. Completing the performance near the judges’ table, Perry embraced him warmly.
- JUDGE FEEDBACK: Following the enthusiastic audience response, Richie commented, “You have never failed to take it over the top! You have a vibe about you that’s almost like, we’re waiting for you to explode.” He praised his rendition of “Roar,” describing it as amazing. Perry shared that her parents always text her to say they’re praying for him, indicating their admiration for his performance. Bryan admitted to being surprised by the slower, quieter start, but acknowledged that when he stood up, Collins took it to another level, something that “world-class entertainers” do.
