The beginning of massive cuts to season 22’s Top 24 on “American Idol” has kicked off with a three-hour episode on April 14, 2024. Live results will be continually updated below.
With nearly 30 million votes counted after the previous week’s performances in Hawaii, the two dozen hopefuls will be cut by four, with each singer who makes the Top 20 performing again. According to ABC, tonight’s voting will open around 11 p.m. Eastern time and close at 9 a.m. Eastern time on April 15.
During the live show on April 15, host Ryan Seacrest will reveal which 10 contestants have been voted through to the next round, and then judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie will choose the remaining four who will make up the Top 14.
Spoiler Alert: The remainder of this article reveals the live results of the Top 20 vote and will be updated throughout the night.
‘American Idol’ Live Results: First Hour
After introducing the judges, Seacrest announced the first person to advance to the Top 20 was Jack Blocker, who squeaked through the audition process thanks to the “Idol” crew convincing Richie to change his vote and let him through. Blocker took to the stage with his guitar to play “You Don’t Mess Around With Jim” by Jim Croce.
JUDGE FEEDBACK: Richie apologized again for not immediately voting him through at his audition and said Blocker has proved him wrong. Perry told him that she respects that he has stayed authentic and true to himself, like “true artists do,” and Bryan said his look and feel are “dialed in.”
Next, Seacrest announced that Alabama country artist Mia Matthews had also made it into the Top 20. Because she performs in a trio with her mom and sister, Matthews said she’s needed her time on “Idol” to figure out who she wants to be as a solo artist. She performed “Wildflowers and Wild Horses” by Lainey Wilson on the guitar.
JUDGE FEEDBACK: Perry said, “Not to sound corny, but I think you’ve found your roar,” explaining that she’s performing with “a lot less fear.” Bryan said that as Matthews gets even more comfortable, he’d love to see her let loose even more. Richie said it was “wonderful to watch” her confidence grow and that he was “really proud” of her.
British-born Mackenzie Sol looked shocked when Seacrest announced he’d made it through to the Top 20. Though he’s gained a social media following for the pranks he conducts on his mom, Sol said he wants to be known instead for being a singer. The 23-year-old started out at the piano, playing “I’ll Never Love Again” by Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper (from “A Star Is Born”), and stood for the second half of his performance.
JUDGE FEEDBACK: This was the first performance that the judges didn’t give a standing ovation for. Bryan said Sol is “still growing in this thing” and that his kind-hearted personality makes him “a guy I want to cheer for.” Richie said he can feel Sol’s passion and that he “did a great job.” Perry said she wanted “a little bit more annunciation” and to keep having fun with it, in the same way he’s had fun pulling pranks.
Next up, Seacrest called Roman Collins’ name and “Idol” played a video of his dad, Dr. Hosea Collins, at their church talking about how Collins went into a diabetic coma as a newborn, predicted to be braindead if he came out of it. But after waking up and recovering, his dad preached, he defeated the odds and thrived as a gospel singer. Collins, 24, passionately sang “Never Would Have Made It” by Marvin Gaye, with Richie standing up and clapping throughout and Perry wiping tears.
JUDGE FEEDBACK: “Let the congregation say amen,” Richie exclaimed to begin the judges’ feedback, adding that he’s never seen a performance like Collins’ on the show and that “God has a plan for you.” Perry then joked, “Alright, Roman, I guess I believe again!” She got choked up saying that the miracle of his recovery was likely inspiring someone else to believe a miracle is possible in their life, too. Bryan, meanwhile, said Collins’ performance was “literally just spiritually beautiful” and “one of the most powerful things I’ve ever seen on this show.”
Mortician Kennedy Reid was stunned when she was named a Top 20 contestant, and shared that she received tons of hate for her appearance online after she first appeared on the show, explaining that she wears wigs because “I had a bleach fail at home.” Reid said she refused to “let those people win” and was taking her power back with her song choice, “Love Can Build a Bridge” by the Judds. Reid appeared on the April 14 with her natural hair slicked back, choosing to not wear a wig for the first time on “Idol.”
Keep checking back for live updates throughout the night!
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