American Idol 2026 Top 9 Revealed After Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night Eliminations

American Idol narrowed its field from 11 contestants to 9 during Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night, following a live-voted episode that combined iconic music, guest mentorship, and two emotional eliminations.

The April live show featured performances inspired by Rock & Roll Hall of Fame artists, with viewers deciding which contestants would continue to the next round.

A Major Turning Point in the Season

With the finale drawing closer, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night marked one of the season’s most important episodes.

The remaining contestants each had to perform songs associated with legendary artists, knowing that two singers would leave the competition by the end of the night.

Source: YouTube/americanidol

At this stage of the season, every performance carried significant weight.

Guest Mentors Bring Rock Experience

This week’s live show featured mentorship from:

• Pat Benatar
• Neil Giraldo

Their experience in live performance and classic rock helped contestants refine both song choices and stage presentation.

Mentorship often plays a key role in helping singers prepare for high-pressure themed episodes.

Full Top 11 Performances

The Top 11 contestants and their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night songs were:

• Chris Tungseth — “Cold as Ice”
• Rae Boyd — “MacArthur Park”
• Braden Rumfelt — “Superstition”
• Brooks Rosser — “These Days”
• Daniel Stallworth — “Livin’ on a Prayer”
• Keyla Richardson — “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)”
• Lucas Leon — “Bennie and the Jets”
• Kyndal Inskeep — “Piece of My Heart”
• Philmon Lee — “Hot Blooded”
• Hannah Harper — “Landslide”
• Jordan McCullough — “Somebody to Love”

The episode showcased a wide range of genres, giving viewers a clearer picture of each contestant’s strengths heading into the final stretch.

Rae Boyd and Philmon Lee Eliminated

At the end of the live show, host Ryan Seacrest revealed the two contestants leaving the competition.

The two singers eliminated after viewer voting were Rae Boyd and Philmon Lee.

Their exits marked another emotional moment in a season already defined by close results and shifting momentum.

The Official American Idol Top 9

The contestants advancing to the Top 9 are:

• Chris Tungseth
• Braden Rumfelt
• Brooks Rosser
• Daniel Stallworth
• Keyla Richardson
• Lucas Leon
• Kyndal Inskeep
• Hannah Harper
• Jordan McCullough

Each remaining contestant now moves one step closer to the finale, where fan support and consistency will become even more important.

What’s Next: Disney Night

The Top 9 will return for Disney Night on April 20.

The themed episode is expected to feature Disney songs, live voting, and another round of eliminations as the competition continues to narrow.

Special guest mentor Jennifer Hudson — a former American Idol finalist — is also set to return to the show.

Her appearance is expected to bring both experience and insight to the remaining contestants.

The Final Stretch Toward the Season Finale

Only a few episodes remain before the Season 24 winner is crowned.

As the field narrows, song choice, emotional connection, and audience support are becoming more important than ever.

Contestants who can deliver memorable performances while staying consistent are likely to have the strongest path forward.

Conclusion

American Idol’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night delivered strong performances, emotional eliminations, and a clearer picture of the season’s leading contenders.

With the Top 9 now set and Disney Night ahead, the race toward the Season 24 title is entering its most competitive stage yet.