Everything We Know About the Official Top 20 on ‘American Idol’ Season 21

As American Idol Season 21 continues, the competition is narrowing its search for the next music superstar. In April 2023, the Top 26 contestants were chosen to battle it out to become the Top 20.

See who made the cut and which six singers didn’t make it all the way. We’ve got the full scoop on the official American Idol Top 20!

After battling against one another at Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawai’i, the Top 26 went down to 20. The following contestants made it to the Top 20:

• We Ani

• Paige Anne

• Marybeth Byrd

• Megan Danielle

• Mariah Faith

• Kaeyra

• Lucy Love

• Haven Madison

• Hannah Nicolaisen

• Nutsa

• Warren Peay

• Nailyah Serenity

• Zachariah Smith

• Olivia Soli

• Oliver Steele

• Colin Stough

• Iam Tongi

• Tyson Venegas

• Matt Wilson

• Michael Williams

The Top 20 selections didn’t include some of the competition’s standout contestants. Fan-favorite Elijah McCormick was sent home after not securing America’s votes. Other eliminated contestants were PJAE, Elise Kristine, Emma Busse, Dawson Wayne, and Malik Heard.

The first live episode of American Idol Season 21 airs on Monday, April 24. This is also when the season's Top 12 will be chosen. Be sure to tune in at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

During Sunday’s episode, the show also shared how to vote for the Top 20 singers. To vote for your favorite singer, text the American Idol contestant’s designated number to 21523. Each Top 20 contestant has their own number from 1-20, so fans would select the number from there.

Another way folks at home can vote is by using American Idol’s app, which is available on most smartphones. Additionally, the show’s voting website is a perfect source if you prefer voting on a computer instead of the phone.

American Idol airs new episodes Sundays (and some Mondays) at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.