Top 11 and Judges’ Song Contest Winner Revealed

The Live Shows continued with the 2026 Judges’ Song Contest on the Monday, April 6, episode of American Idol. After final week’s vote-counting snafu, the episode started with Ryan Seacrest revealing who’s transferring on to the Top 12 and which two artists have been eradicated.

The contestants from the Top 14 who have been eradicated have been: Jake Thistle and Julián Kalel.

For this week’s ’90s-themed Judges’ Song Contest, judges Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie every chosen a tune from the Nineteen Nineties for the Top 12 artists, who then bought to choose which of the three tracks they’d carry out. The choose who had essentially the most picks on the finish of the night time had the chance to save lots of one of many backside two artists from elimination, rounding out the Top 11.

Scroll down for a recap of the night time’s performances and to seek out out the Judges’ Song Contest winner. Plus, who’s transferring on to the Top 11?

Hannah Harper

Hannah Harper’s three tune decisions have been “Heads Carolina, Tails California” by Jo Dee Messina, “Unbreak My Heart” by Toni Braxton, and “Only Love” by Wynonna Judd. She went with the primary choice, which she truly sang throughout her first audition for Idol producers.

Hannah guessed that Bryan was the one who selected the tune for her, however it was truly Underwood. “That’s what happens when you get the perfect voice with the perfect song and there’s just magic happening all on that stage,” Underwood raved. “You sounded so great. I loved the modulation. You looked like you were having fun. I feel like Hannah’s starting to come out of her shell a little bit. We want a little more of that, please.”

Bryan stated Hannah did a “great job” and that he was glad Underwood picked a extra “uptempo” tune for Hannah to select from. Richie added, “The thing that makes it so wonderful is you just stepped into it and made it yours. I love it.”

Jordan McCullough

Jordan McCullough’s Top 12 tune choices have been: “Go Rest High on That Mountain” by Vince Gill, “I Swear” by John Michael Montgomery, and “Always Be My Baby” by Mariah Carey. Even although the latter was the selection he was most confused by, he ended up singing “Always Be My Baby” for his efficiency.

So, who picked the tune alternative? Jordan guessed Underwood, however it was truly Richie! “I knew it,” Richie gushed. “I knew it in my bones. I said, what would be the most left of center? No one will ever see it coming. And then I said, who can sing this? You, of course!”

“Lionel, you were right,” Underwood admitted. “We were wrong, you were right, and you were right for picking it. You have all the tools in your toolbox and you use them so well.”

Finally, Bryan weighed in, including, “Very smart song choice. Step outside your comfort zone, totally the right move for you. Great job.”

Daniel Stallworth

Next up was Daniel Stallworth, who had the next three songs to select from: “Can We Talk” by Tevin Campbell, “It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over” by Lenny Kravitz, and “I Want You Back” by *NSYNC. Daniel selected to sing the Kravitz hit.

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The choose who chosen that tune was Bryan, though Daniel guessed that Richie picked it. That put the judges at a 1-1-1 after the primary three performances.

“The fact that you didn’t really know that song and delivered it that way … I learned so much about you just then. You elevated to a different kind of person with that performance,” Bryan stated.

Underwood praised Daniel for “stepping outside the norm” and doing his “own thing” with the tune. “You know what you can’t teach? You can’t teach vibe,” Richie identified. “You got a vibe.”

Lucas Leon

For Lucas Leon, the judges gave these three tune choices: “It’s Your Love” by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” by Toby Keith, and “Ain’t That Lonely Yet” by Dwight Yoakam. Although Lucas initially deliberate to sing “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” to carry the vitality up, he ended up deciding on “It’s Your Love” as an alternative.

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Lucas predicted that Richie selected the tune, and he was proper! “Your voice with that song, resonated to the point of believability. I love what you did,” Richie applauded.

“I had a hard time trying to figure out what to pick for you, and you surprised me on that song,” Underwood admitted. “It felt believable, it felt genuine, I liked your voice on it.” Bryan concluded by including, “I’m so glad you picked that. The last two times we’ve seen you perform, you really grew into a more artistic mindset. You’re working the room and it’s really working for you.”

Chris Tungseth

The subsequent efficiency was from Chris Tungseth, who was given these three tune decisions: “She Talks to Angels” by The Black Crowes, “Kiss From a Rose” by Seal, and “I’ll Be” by Edwin McCain. The third tune was the one one Chris had heard of, so he selected to sing that.

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Chris’ prediction was that Underwood chosen the tune, and he bought it proper. “I put a lot of thought into each [choice] and I could just hear your voice on that one,” she defined. “It was really interesting to me, and I’m going to be super honest, I feel like there were some real magical moments and a few not so great moments. I really want to go back and listen to this, but the magical ones were magical. I do feel like that was the right song choice for you.”

Bryan agreed with Underwood. “A little bit of your back-phrasing of your vibrato maybe got behind you a little bit,” he famous. “But the soul of your voice is just so good and so you. It is authentically you.”

Richie jumped in so as to add, “You have an identifiable voice and what you have to do with it is experiment with it more. Don’t be safe. Don’t be safe if you get past this.”

Philmon Lee

Philmon Lee returned to the stage subsequent after selecting one in all his three tune choices: “Say It Ain’t So” by Weezer, “I Believe” by Blessed Union of Souls, and “Hard to Handle” by The Black Crowes. He sang “Hard to Handle.”

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While Philmon guessed that Underwood picked the tune, it was truly Bryan, which introduced the rating again to a 2-2-2 tie. “You started with a different arrangement and I was like, ‘He didn’t pick my song!’ I love the way you went with that,” Bryan identified. “Right at the right moment, you went to the original version and Carrie started levitating out of her chair. You’re a great singer. Lean in every time.”

Underwood admitted that she thought Philmon wanted a “breakout, standout moment” on the present, and she stated, “That was it. I’ve never heard the song done in any sort of arrangement like that. Hats off to the band, hats off to you.”

Richie agreed that he by no means heard the association achieved like that earlier than. “You had it under control. That’s saying a lot for your vocal ability,” he concluded.

Kyndal Inskeep

Kyndal Inskeep was the following contestant to carry out. She needed to decide between the next songs: “Torn” by Natalie Imbruglia, “You’re Still the One” by Shania Twain,” and “Iris” by Goo Goo Dolls. Kyndal stated she bought “chills” when the Goo Goo Dolls tune was talked about, in order that’s the one she went with.

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In rehearsals, Kyndal predicted that Underwood was the one that picked the tune, however in the course of the dwell present, she guessed Bryan. Both guesses have been incorrect, although, because it was Richie who selected “Iris!”

“I came out envisioning you with this other kind of energy,” he defined. “It just fits you perfectly.”

Underwood stated, “That song has really stood the test of time and I feel like we’ve gotten a lot of that song over the past few years, which is great, but the thing that you do with it is we know you’re going to make it fresh, you’re going to make it your own, you’re going to rearrange it, and that’s exactly what you did. It fits you just as much as it fits them.”

Bryan praised Kyndal’s artistry. “You knew right off the bat it was the one you wanted. That’s a good thing to see you be that confident in something,” he shared. “Great job.”

Brooks

Brooks Rosser was tasked with selecting a tune from the next: “Dreams” by The Cranberries, “Losing My Religion” by R.E.M., and “Linger” by The Cranberries. Brooks realized immediately that he was being pushed out of his comfort zone, and he selected to sing “Linger” to show he might do it.

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Although Brooks appeared fairly assured that Underwood made the tune alternative, it was truly Richie, which put him up 4-2-2 within the competitors. “I really wasn’t sure but I lucked out on this one. Your voice is one of those unique voices where it really just has to hone in on something genuine and you, and I wasn’t quite sure of this, but I’m so happy I won, thank you,” Richie admitted.

Underwood truly selected the opposite Cranberries tune, so she was on the identical wavelength as Richie. “I feel like the back half you were kind of uncomfortable,” she admitted. “People have to realize you have not done things like this, at all, ever before. Get your brain, shut it down. Just do what you do because you got it. Your voice is incredible.”

Bryan agreed together with his fellow choose and urged Brooks to “find just a little more confidence,” including, “I know we’re throwing so many different things at you. I know this is a lot for you, but we’re really pulling for you and I think you’re really, really special.”

Rae

Rae’s three tune decisions this week have been: “Love Will Lead you Back” by Taylor Dane, “I’ll Make Love to You” by Boyz II Men,” and “Walk Away Joe” by Trisha Yearwood. She admitted that each one three songs have been “new” to her, so she knew this could be a problem, however she went with “Love Will Lead You Back.”

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Her guess was that Underwood was the tune selector, and it was the appropriate intuition. “I love Taylor Dane and when I was thinking about you and who you kind of remind me of, her picture … she’s gorgeous, she has an incredible voice, and it just made sense for you, to me. You crushed it,” Underwood gushed.

“It felt like [you didn’t know the song] in the beginning but at the end it really came to life with who you are. It was a great job,” Bryan stated. Richie stated he was “amazed” that Rae didn’t know the tune earlier than the present. “Your voice, because of your signature, you just took it to that other place,” he raved. “It was so well done.”

Braden Rumfelt

For his efficiency, Braden Rumfelt was given these choices: “All By Myself” by Celine Dion, “I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith, and “Freedom! ’90” by George Michael. Despite realizing it could be a problem, Braden selected “All By Myself” for his efficiency.

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Braden initially wished to guess Richie, however he modified his thoughts to Underwood. It seems his first prediction was right, and Richie added one other level to the board.

“This was a Hail Mary,” he admitted. “I didn’t think for a moment you were going to pick this, but you did. That’s a tall order you just did, and believe it or not, there were some moments there you didn’t have a grip on it, but you did it.”

Bryan stated Braden did a “great job” and recommended him for being “brave on that and just going for it.” Underwood admitted she wants to return and take heed to the efficiency once more in case her “ears were fooling her in the room,” however she let Braden know he has a “great voice.”

Jesse Findling

Jesse Findling’s three tune choices have been: “Hallelujah” by Jeff Buckley, “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” by Bryan Adams, and “Wonderwall” by Oasis.” “Hallelujah” was the one tune he was acquainted with at first, however he took the chance and discovered “Wonderwall” to carry out on the present.

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Jesse stated he was “really confident” that Bryan chosen the tune, as he had picked it for another person just a few seasons in the past. Unfortunately, he was incorrect. Once once more, it was Richie’s tune alternative.

“This was a Hail Mary again. I didn’t think it was going to match. It did,” Richie applauded Jesse. Underwood was shocked by Jesse’s tune choice, however stated, “You did your thing and you worked!”

Bryan concluded, “All hail you and King Lionel over there. You did your thing with it. Great song choice. That was one of my favorite things I’ve seen you do.”

Keyla Richardson

The remaining efficiency of the night time was from Keyla Richardson, who had to select from “Zombie” by The Cranberries, “Breathe” by Faith Hill, and “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now” by Celine Dion. Keyla didn’t know any of the songs beforehand, and she picked “Zombie” to carry out.

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Keyla thought that Richie picked the tune, and she was proper. Talk a few dominating night time for Richie! “I feel as though I’m not liked by my judges,” he joked. “I feel like the public may turn against me.”

He praised Keyla for “holding” the viewers’s consideration all the way in which to the top. “Amazing, Keyla,” he confirmed. With her few seconds to talk, Underwood urged followers to vote, and Bryan stated, “I love you. I’m really mad at Lionel right now. Great job.”

Who gained the Judges’ Song Contest?

Richie gained the 2026 Judges’ Song Contest by a landslide. The remaining tally got here all the way down to seven for Richie, three for Underwood, and two for Bryan. That implies that Richie earned the ability to save lots of one of many backside two contestants.

Who made the Top 11?

At the top of the episode, Seacrest revealed which 10 artists acquired sufficient votes to undergo and which singers have been within the backside two.

The artists routinely within the Top 11, in no specific order, have been: Chris Tungseth, Kyndal Inskeep, Daniel Stallworth, Hannah Harper, Jordan McCullough, Braden Rumfelt, Philmon Lee, Keyla Richardson, Brooks, and Lucas Leon.

That left Rae and Jesse within the backside two, and Richie with a tricky determination to make. “I look to my wonderful judges for help and security and they gave me nothing,” Richie revealed. “Both of you did an amazing, amazing job. It’s very difficult.”

Ultimately, he selected to save lots of Rae, placing her within the Top 11, which meant Jesse was eradicated.

American Idol, Season 24, Mondays, 8/7c, ABC