Meet the Top 20 "American Idol" Season 24 Contestants Battling for Your Votes Samantha StutsmanMon, March 23, 2026 at 9:02 PM UTC 0 Daniel Stallworth; Genevieve Heyward; Jesse Findling.Credit: Connie Chornuk/Disney via Getty ; Eric McCandless/Disney via Getty (2) American Idol season 24 premiered on Jan. 26 on ABC Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan returned to judge the Idol Universitythemed season Part 2 of the Top 20 performances airs on March 23 Class is officially in session at American Idol — and the Top 20 just made the honor roll.
Meet the Top 20 "American Idol" Season 24 Contestants Battling for Your Votes
Samantha StutsmanMon, March 23, 2026 at 9:02 PM UTC
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Daniel Stallworth; Genevieve Heyward; Jesse Findling.Credit: Connie Chornuk/Disney via Getty ; Eric McCandless/Disney via Getty (2) -
American Idol season 24 premiered on Jan. 26 on ABC
Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan returned to judge the Idol University-themed season
Part 2 of the Top 20 performances airs on March 23
Class is officially in session at American Idol — and the Top 20 just made the honor roll.
Season 24 of the beloved ABC singing competition kicked off on Jan. 26 with a superstar lineup at the judges' table: Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood and Lionel Richie.
This season, the show — which remains hosted by Ryan Seacrest — is leaning into its "Idol University" theme, "enrolling the next generation of icons."
After the high-pressure Ohana Round, where the remaining 30 contestants performed in front of a panel of "industry tastemakers," the class was cut down to 20 standouts. Among those advancing? Julián Kalel, who made a triumphant return after his season 23 journey ended early.
Here's everything to know about the Top 20 American Idol season 24 contestants.
01 of 20
Abayomi Lewis
Abayomi Lewis on 'American Idol.'Credit: Eric McCandless/Disney via Getty
Abayomi Lewis is a 16-year-old Haitian-American singer hailing from California's Bay Area, per ABC7.
"My grandmother has always told me since I was little, 'I have to see you on that TV,' " Lewis shared during her audition, where she sang KIRBY's "Black Leaves."
02 of 20
Braden Rumfelt
Braden Rumfelt on 'American Idol.'Credit: Connie Chornuk/Disney via Getty
Braden Rumfelt, 22, is a singer from Murphy, N.C., who once dreamed of playing college baseball before undergoing two lower-leg realignment surgeries. He found healing through music, often singing alongside his twin brother, Kellan.
"My dad would sit instruments at the bottom of our cribs, and he felt like that was going to give us these abilities," Rumfelt said. "Growing up in a family where it's cool to sing, that's got me to this point."
03 of 20
Brooks Rosser
Brooks Rosser on 'American Idol.'Credit: Eric McCandless/Disney via Getty
Brooks Rosser, 22, of Bel Air, Md., works as a medication technician at a dementia care facility — a role he was inspired to pursue after helping care for his grandmother following her diagnosis.
"When she first started showing dementia-like symptoms, I picked up the guitar. It would help her learn her words back, and it would help me get mine out," he said during his audition. "Music is one thing you can't forget."
04 of 20
Chris Tungseth
Chris Tungseth on 'American Idol.'Credit: Eric McCandless/Disney via Getty
Chris Tungseth, 27, who hails from Fergus Falls, Minn., works in construction and got his start singing in church. Music runs deep in his family — his late father, who died of leukemia in 2023, was an opera singer, while his mother, who has multiple sclerosis, is a pianist.
05 of 20
Daniel Stallworth
Daniel Stallworth on 'American Idol.'Credit: Eric McCandless/Disney via Getty
Daniel Stallworth, 27, an elementary school music teacher and church worship leader from Moss Point, Miss., performed "All Night Long" during the Top 20 round.
"You took that song and made it yours," Richie, who originally released the track in 1983, said. Bryan added, "[You] might be the best singer in the competition."
06 of 20
Genevieve Heyward
Genevieve Heyward on 'American Idol.'Credit: Connie Chornuk/Disney via Getty
Indie-rock artist Genevieve Heyward, 26, is originally from Wisconsin but now lives in Nashville, where she's pursuing music full-time. During her audition, she bonded with Underwood over their shared love of pickles.
07 of 20
Hannah Harper
Hannah Harper on 'American Idol.'Credit: Connie Chornuk/Disney via Getty
Hannah Harper, 25, had an unconventional upbringing, spending much of her childhood — from 2009 to 2016 — living on a tour bus and performing with her family's band.
She later returned to Missouri, where she met her husband and welcomed three sons. During her audition, she delivered an emotional performance of her original song "String Cheese," which she wrote about her experience with postpartum depression.
08 of 20
Jake Thistle
Jake Thistle on 'American Idol.'Credit: Eric McCandless/Disney via Getty
Jake Thistle, 21, is a singer-songwriter from Paramus, N.J., who picked up the guitar at age 9. Since then, he's shared the stage with major acts, including Stevie Nicks and the Foo Fighters, according to On Air With Ryan Seacrest.
09 of 20
Jesse Findling
Jesse Findling on 'American Idol.'Credit: Connie Chornuk/Disney via Getty
Jesse Findling, 19, is a college student at Binghamton University in New York who has had a stutter since childhood.
"Singing has always felt freeing for me because when I sing, I don't stutter," he said in his audition video.
10 of 20
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Jordan McCullough
Jordan McCullough on 'American Idol.'Credit: Connie Chornuk/Disney via Getty
Longtime American Idol fan Jordan McCullough, 27, is from Murfreesboro, Tenn., and got his start singing in his church choir.
After delivering a soulful performance of Bill Withers' "Grandma's Hands," McCullough earned a platinum ticket, advancing him to the Top 20.
11 of 20
Julián Kalel
Julián Kalel on 'American Idol.'Credit: Eric McCandless/Disney via Getty
Kalel, 19, of El Paso, Texas, first auditioned for American Idol season 23, earning a ticket to Hollywood before ultimately stepping away to focus on his mental health.
He returned for season 24, where the judges welcomed him back with open arms and awarded him another golden ticket.
12 of 20
Keyla Richardson
Keyla Richardson on 'American Idol.'Credit: Connie Chornuk/Disney via Getty
Keyla Richardson, 29, is a music teacher from Pensacola, Fla., who grew up singing in her church choir. She's also a single mom to her son, Drew.
"I've had a long musical journey, but I never gave up. I just want to keep going and give it one more try," she told the judges of her decision to audition.
13 of 20
Kutter Bradley
Kutter Bradley on 'American Idol.'Credit: Connie Chornuk/Disney via Getty
Kutter Bradley is a 22-year-old fire protection inspector from Florence, Ala. He brought his country-rock sound to the American Idol auditions with a rendition of "Here Without You" by 3 Doors Down.
14 of 20
Kyndal Inskeep
Kyndal Inskeep on 'American Idol.'Credit: Eric McCandless/Disney via Getty
Kyndal Inskeep, 29, is a singer-songwriter from Fishers, Ind. In a full-circle moment, fellow contestant Lainey Grace covered Inskeep's original song "Honest" just before her season 24 audition.
Inskeep then joined her onstage for a duet. While Lainey didn't earn a ticket to Hollywood, the judges were impressed by Inskeep's songwriting and vocal abilities.
15 of 20
Lucas Leon
Lucas Leon on 'American Idol.'Credit: Eric McCandless/Disney via Getty
Lucas Leon, 17, of Gallatin, Tenn., spends his free time playing music, writing songs and fishing. During his audition, he performed his original song "Fall in Love Someday" for the judges.
16 of 20
Makiyah
Makiyah on 'American Idol.'Credit: Eric McCandless/Disney via Getty
Makiyah, 24, is an assistant branch bank manager from Pine Bluff, Ark.
Her performance of Jennifer Hudson's "Love You I Do" prompted Underwood to say, "Easily the strongest voice we've heard. You are meant to be here right now."
17 of 20
Madison Moon
Madison Moon on 'American Idol.'Credit: Eric McCandless/Disney via Getty
Madison Moon, 21, is a full-time musician from Orlando, Fla., who has performed in a range of bands, showcasing her versatility across genres from metal to pop rock.
18 of 20
Philmon Lee
Philmon Lee on 'American Idol.'Credit: Eric McCandless/Disney via Getty
Philmon Lee, 25, is an insurance agent from LaGrange, Ga., though music runs in his blood — his dad was a touring gospel musician. After dropping out of college, Lee pursued music full-time and even signed with a major label.
But when the COVID-19 pandemic shut everything down, his momentum stalled, and his career was put on hold — leading him to pivot into insurance.
19 of 20
Rae
Rae on 'American Idol.'Credit: Eric McCandless/Disney via Getty
Rae, 24, is a musician and American Idol superfan from Frederick, Md. During her audition, she opened up to the judges about her dad's stroke that was nearly fatal.
"I just want to make him proud," she said ahead of her Hollywood Week performance.
20 of 20
Ruby Rae
Ruby Rae on 'American Idol.'Credit: Eric McCandless/Disney via Getty
Ruby Rae, 16, dedicated her audition to her community in Pacific Palisades, Calif., following the devastating wildfires in January 2025.
"We need a win after such a hard year. I'm here singing for my family and my community," she told the judges.
on People
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Source: Entertainment
Published: March 23, 2026 at 06:45PM on Source: PRIME TIME
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