American Idol 2025: Who all made it to the top 10?

American Idol Season 23 hit a major milestone on April 28 as the Top 10 were officially revealed in a high-stakes, two-hour live episode. Themed around "Iconic Idol Moments," the night was packed with throwbacks, big vocals, and even bigger emotions.

Season 3 winner Fantasia returned as a mentor, while Jelly Roll brought his signature heart to the sidelines, cheering the contestants on. In a moment that tugged at longtime fans’ heartstrings, judge Carrie Underwood rocked the very dress she wore during the 2005 finale, talk about a full-circle moment.

With only 12 American Idol contestants left at the start, each one gave it their all, performing songs made famous by past Idol stars. The goal? Win over America and earn enough votes to stay in the game.

With voting open only during the show's duration, tension mounted as each contestant delivered potentially career-defining performances before host Ryan Seacrest announced the results that would determine who continues their American Idol journey.

What happened in this episode of American Idol?

Seventeen-year-old Slater Nalley opened the night with a heartfelt take on Megan Danielle's version of "Angel From Montgomery." His calm, confident vibe earned a nod from Lionel Richie, who called him "solid as a rock."

Next up, Thunderstorm Artis brought the house down with "House of the Rising Sun," channeling Hailey Reinhart’s iconic 2011 performance. Richie loved the atmosphere he created, while Carrie Underwood pointed out how his joy still shone through, even with such a heavy song.

Then came Kolbi Jordan, one of the early Platinum Ticket winners. She slowed things down with a beautiful version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," inspired by Katharine McPhee’s 2006 run. Her performance left the judges clearly moved.

"What the hell was that!? That was divine," exclaimed Richie, while Bryan described her performance as "somewhere over a supernova."

Sixteen-year-old Mattie Pruitt delivered an emotional take on Kelly Clarkson's "Because of You," drawing inspiration from her uncle's battle with addiction. Bryan remarked how impressively she held her own against much older contestants.

Some of the night's most powerful moments came from deeply personal performances. Josh King opened up about surviving bullying before his heart-wrenching rendition of Celine Dion's "All By Myself," which had him fighting tears throughout. After breaking down at the song's conclusion, Richie assured him he would "never be alone again."

Gabby Samone's interpretation of "A Song For You" earned a standing ovation from all three judges. Seated on a stool in a sequined white suit, her tender delivery prompted Underwood to call it "absolute perfection." Visibly moved, Samone told the judges their feedback "means the world to me."

Breanna Nix shared her struggles with social media criticism before performing Danny Gokey's "Tell Your Heart to Beat Again." Fantasia arranged a surprise FaceTime with Gokey himself, who encouraged Nix to stay true to her faith. Her powerful performance moved Jelly Roll to tears, with Richie declaring it a "divinely guided night."

Fantasia’s impact and the final verdict

Fantasia's guidance proved invaluable throughout this episode of American Idol. For Filo, who tackled Jennifer Hudson's iconic "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," she encouraged creating his own version rather than mimicking Hudson. His emotional delivery brought all three judges to their feet, with Bryan calling it Filo's best performance to date.

Canaan James Hill benefited from Fantasia's staging advice for his rendition of "Goodness of God," which Richie praised for its "feeling and believability." John Foster boldly performed "I Told You So" directly to Underwood, who originally performed it with Randy Travis in 2006. The judge admitted she was "blushing" during his confident delivery.

When Seacrest revealed the results, John Foster, Josh King, Jamal Roberts, Mattie Pruitt, Slater Nalley, Gabby Samone, Canaan James Hill, Thunderstorm Artis, Kolbi Jordan, and Breanna Nix advanced to the Top 10. Despite strong performances, Filo and Ché Chesterman were eliminated. Chesterman's departure was particularly poignant as he had tearfully mentioned his fiancée and children returning to England earlier that day.

With the American Idol Top 10 now established, the competition enters its most intense phase. Each remaining contestant brings unique vocal styles and compelling personal stories that have connected with viewers nationwide.

For those advancing, the path forward demands continued growth and risk-taking. As Underwood noted to John Foster:

"I love that each challenge, you push yourself."

The eliminated contestants depart American Idol with valuable experience and exposure, while America's most enduring singing competition marches forward in its search for the next musical sensation who will join the legendary ranks of Idol winners.

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You can watch American Idol Season 23 every Sunday and Monday at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC, or stream episodes the next day on Hulu.