‘American Idol’ Stuns Fans as Top 5 Revealed After Magical Disney Night & Surprising Voting Shake-Up

Season 23 of American Idol delivered another unforgettable night on May 11, 2025, as the Top 7 contestants returned from a heartwarming trip to Disneyland with their families to perform live during the show’s first-ever back-to-back Disney Nights. But while the music was magical, the results left fans — and even the judges — stunned.

In a twist that no one saw coming, the Top 5 were revealed at the end of the live two-hour broadcast, following a whirlwind of performances and coast-to-coast voting that closed during the final commercial break. Over 20 million votes were cast — five million more than the previous week — proving just how fiercely competitive this season has become.

As the tension built, host Ryan Seacrest announced the five singers moving on to next week’s grand finale (in no particular order):
🎤 Slater Nalley
🎤 Breanna Nix
🎤 John Foster
🎤 Jamal Roberts
🎤 Thunderstorm Artis

That means fan favorites Mattie Pruitt and Gabby Samone were unexpectedly sent home — a decision that visibly shocked judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and guest judge Carrie Underwood.

Tonight’s episode, which also honored Mother’s Day, was filled with emotion as contestants performed Disney classics inspired by their childhoods and the strong women who raised them. Before taking the stage, the singers had the unique opportunity to work with special guest mentor Lin-Manuel Miranda, who helped guide them through both vocal delivery and storytelling.

The journey isn’t over yet — the Top 5 return for another live episode on May 12 at 8 p.m. ET. With the finale just days away, the pressure has never been higher.