American Idol’s stay at the at the Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawaii, began tonight with 12 artists from the Top 24 performing for America’s votes for the first time in the 2025 season.
They were mentored by Grammy winner Ashanti and this season’s artist in residence Jelly Roll, who joined judges Carrie Underwood,Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan to critique the 12 artists performing: Ché, Penny Samar,Kolbi Jordan, Baylee Littrell,Victor Solomon, Gabby Samone, MKY,Zaylie Windsor, Breanna Nix, Isaiah Misailegalu, Slater Nalley and Jamal Roberts.
The second group of 12 will perform on Monday night. Then next Sunday night, the Top 20 will be revealed in a three-hour special episode of American Idol.
Here’s a spoiler-filled breakdown of the first 12 of American Idol 2025’s Top 24.
Related:American Idol Announces First-Ever Three-Hour Easter Sunday Special
American Idol 2025 Top 24 Part 1
Ché, 28Essex, England
Singer
Song: “Master Blaster” by Stevie Wonder
Lionel said: “We’ve got a new name for him: Ché Wonder. You just don’t jump on a Stevie Wonder song and be that cool. I was waiting for you to sweat a little bit. Some of those notes were ridiculous. You’re known for ballads, but tonight you were on a rocket. I love that switch-up. Fantastic.”
Penny Samar, 23Williamsport, PA
Café Manager
Song: “Good Luck, Babe!” by Chappell Roan
Carrie said: “I feel like you occupy your own lane in this group of talent that we have. From your look to your sound to the way you pull us all into the ride with you, you feel everything you’re singing, and that leaves us no choice but to feel it along with you. You should be really proud and happy with yourself.”
Related: Get a Sneak Peek of American Idol’s ‘Head to Head’ Battle of This Billie Eilish Song (Exclusive)
Kolbi Jordan, 26 (Platinum Ticket)Tulsa, OK
People & Culture Generalist (“HR”)
Song: “New Attitude” by Patti LaBelle
Luke said: “One of my favorite performances I’ve ever seen on this island. You controlled everything. You picked the right song. You just owned it. We knew it was in there. You were having a tough time during Hollywood Week, but America, she’s back.”
Baylee Littrell, 21Atlanta, GA
College Student
Song: “Happy” by Pharrell Williams
Lionel said: ‘I’m jealous. He hasn’t even started his career yet, and he walks out on stage, and the girls start screaming. No record. Nothing. It took me 40 years. What I’m happy about is you’re finally getting comfortable; you’re letting it go. Before, the microphone stand was stuck; now you leave it alone. Once you take it out, never put it back in the holster. Just keep working it. I love what you did.”
Related: Watch a Backstreet Boys Member’s Son Wow American Idol Judges With an Original Song
Victor Solomon, 26Peoria, IL
Fast Food Director
Song: “That’s My Kind of Night” by Luke Bryan
Luke said: “After seeing that, I’ve got to retire this song. I’m thrown a little bit because that’s what this show is about. Surprise. I could have guessed somebody doing my song, 24 people doing it, but I wouldn’t have guessed you. That’s what made it special. The little nuances of the arrangements, the thoughts behind that made it new and fresh. You can truly out-dance me. You did a super job. Awesome.”
Gabby Simone, 22Baltimore, MD
Child Care Specialist
Song: “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now” by Céline Dion
Carrie said: “I felt all the things. Your voice is so powerful, but you have so many nuances in it. So just when I think you’re going to wallop us over the head with some giant, full, belting note, you pull back and flip up into your head voice. And there’s something so sweet and tender about it. It’s so unexpected and such a treat for our ears. It makes it so much more emotional.”
MKY, 25East Los Angeles, CA
Singer
Song: “Adorn” by Miguel
Lionel said: “That was just an old-seasoned pro. What I loved is every time I was thinking, ‘He needs to move,’ you moved. I would say, ‘You need to relate to the audience,’ you bent down and started touching. All I can say, man, is you are a very young, old-seasoned pro. I love what you did.”
Zaylie Windsor, 18Safford, AZ
Musician
Song: “Heart of Glass” by Blondie
Luke said: “The fact that you’re 18 and you’re up here playing guitar and singing a Blondie song, you’ve worked up these cool things, I hope you appreciate how that’s professional stuff that I certainly couldn’t do at 18. Hold the room with a guitar, and you just did that. I think the sky will be the limit for you.”
Breanna Nix, 25Denton, TX
Stay-at-Home Mom
Song: “Still Rolling Stones” by Lauren Daigle
Carrie said: “The first note out of your mouth was like a growl, ‘I’m here.’ That was amazing. We joined you in your moment that beautiful big voice just overtaking everybody. So much power. So much heart behind it.”
Isaiah Misailegalu, 17Las Vegas, NV
High School Student
Song: “You Can Have It All” by Maoli
Lionel said: “What you have in your voice is magic. It’s silk. You are doing such a great job because without having any real professional experience, you are acting like you’ve been doing this your whole life. It’s really great.”
Slater Nalley, 17Atlanta, GA
High School Student
Song: “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Judy Garland
Carrie said: “I don’t understand how there’s this much talent and this much of a seasoned professional in somebody who’s at the very beginning of his career. I see you guys on stage and I’m, ‘where is this person going to be in 10 years?’ I truly think you have the talent and the voice that in 10 years it will be like, ‘this is one of the finest voices we’ve ever had in country music.’ It’s so good.”
Jamal Roberts, 26Meridian, MS
PE Teacher
Song: “Liar” by Jelly Roll
Lionel said: “You took Mr. Roll’s song and beat it up. You exploded off of that stage to the point where I had to compose myself. And if you had passed the collection plate, I would have given you all the money. No kidding. It was amazing.”
The second 12 members of American Idol’s Top 24 will perform on Monday night at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and then next day stream on Hulu.
Next, Make Your Vote Count! How to Vote Online or By Text on American Idol 2025
