Updated April 6, 2026, 11:25 p.m. ET
“American Idol” is down to its final 11 contestants.
A week after a vote-counting hiccup delayed the Top 12 reveal, the final tally was made official during the April 6 “judges’ song contest” episode. The cliffhanger not only had viewers on the edge of their seats, but also the singers, who tried to make the most of their extra week in the competition.
Two “Idol” hopefuls were sent home at the top of the April 6 episode before one more singer was voted out in the Top 11 reveal at the end following a save from Lionel Richie, who won the competition with seven of his songs chosen.
“It definitely gives us anxiety, but it gives us more time to hang out as a family,” Brooks Rosser tells USA TODAY after he got over the shock of the Top 12 postponement. Lucas Leon admits, “I’m still going to be a little bit quaking in my boots until next Monday [April 6].”
This week catered to ABC’s millennial audience, with the Top 12 tasked with performing ’90s hits that were specially selected by Richie, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan. But it was also a rough night for 30-something viewers, as the young contestants – who range from their teens to late 20s – admitted to not knowing some of the song choices, including “Wonderwall.”
The pressure was heightened by some celebrity guests in the crowd representing 1990s pop culture: “Boy Meets World” star Danielle Fishel (who hosts the official “Idol” podcast), Holly Robinson Peete and Mark Curry of “Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper” fame, “Full House” star Andrea Barber and Reginald VelJohnson of “Family Matters.”
Here’s who stayed and who went home as the Top 14 whittled down to 11 finalists.
Who’s in the ‘American Idol’ Top 11 in 2026?
- Philmon Lee
- Braden Rumfelt
- Lucas Leon
- Hannah Harper
- Chris Tungseth
- Rae
- Daniel Stallworth
- Keyla Richardson
- Jordan McCullough
- Brooks Rosser
- Kyndal Inskeep
Who was sent home on ‘American Idol?’
- Julián Kalel
- Jake Thistle
- Jesse Findling