American Idol reveals Top 7 after emotional Disney Night showdown

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• 🔥 Quick Facts
• Magic at Disneyland Sets Stage for Epic Competition
• Jennifer Hudson Returns as Judge and Mentor
• Who Made the Top 7 After Shocking Eliminations
• The Shocking Eliminations That Left Fans Stunned
• Brooks Rosser Romance Reveal Steals the Night
• What’s Next After Disney Night: Taylor Swift Takes Center Stage
  • Sources

American Idol just crowned its Top 7 after an unforgettable Disney Night on April 20. Jennifer Hudson’s return as mentor and guest judge brought emotional performances, shocking eliminations, and one surprise romance reveal.

Magic at Disneyland Sets Stage for Epic Competition

The Top 9 arrived at Disneyland for one of American Idol’s most anticipated theme nights. Nine contestants took the stage to perform timeless Disney songs, each bringing their own interpretation to beloved classics. The live audience energy was electric, with fans on the edge of their seats watching which singers would advance.

Jennifer Hudson threw her iconic shoes in celebration multiple times. Judge Carrie Underwood praised the energy and emotional depth of the performances. The Top 9 had started their competition journey nervously, but by Disney Night, they were stepping into their power.

Jennifer Hudson Returns as Judge and Mentor

Jennifer Hudson, the EGOT winner and former American Idol contestant from Season 3, made her triumphant return to the show. She mentored all nine finalists at Disneyland, offering invaluable guidance based on her decades of entertainment experience. When Keyla Richardson performed “Circle of Life,” the same song Hudson once sang on Idol over 20 years ago, the moment became deeply personal.

Hudson got so emotional watching Richardson’s performance that she threw both of her shoes in celebration. Lionel Richie responded by simply saying, “Let the congregation say, ‘Amen!'” The judges Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and Lionel Richie added their critiques, but the real power came from Hudson’s unwavering belief in each contestant.

Who Made the Top 7 After Shocking Eliminations

After all performances were tallied and America cast their votes, two contestants were eliminated. The seven artists moving forward to the next round are: Daniel Stallworth, Keyla Richardson, Jordan McCullough, Chris Tungseth, Hannah Harper, Brooks Rosser, and Braden Rumfelt.

Contestant	Disney Song	Judge Feedback
Daniel Stallworth	“A Whole New World”	Praised for gospel roots and charisma
Keyla Richardson	“Circle of Life”	Hudson threw shoes in celebration
Jordan McCullough	“Colors of the Wind”	Called “perfect” by Underwood
Hannah Harper	“Almost There”	Redemption moment after criticism
Chris Tungseth	“Let It Go”	Showed more emotion this week
Braden Rumfelt	“Remember Me”	Called “a star” by Hudson
Brooks Rosser	“The Climb”	Revealed romance with Rae

“I loved it! It made my heart smile. You started with attitude, then you grew into your character. You did it perfectly. It’s one of my favorite performances you’ve ever done.”

— Luke Bryan, American Idol Judge, about Hannah Harper’s performance

The Shocking Eliminations That Left Fans Stunned

The two contestants sent home were Kyndal Inskeep and Lucas Leon. Inskeep, who had the most social media followers of all Season 24 contestants, was surprisingly eliminated despite delivering a redemptive performance of “Butterfly Fly Away.” She had suffered from voice issues the previous week and used Disney Night to prove she could bounce back. Lionel Richie told her, “You were born enough. That was fabulous.”

Lucas Leon also departed after performing “Life Is a Highway” from Cars. He received strong praise from Jennifer Hudson, who said, “You took every note. You owned the stage. You are well on your way, young man.” Yet America’s votes didn’t carry him forward. Both eliminations sparked immediate fan debate on social media about whether the right singers advanced.

Brooks Rosser Romance Reveal Steals the Night

Brooks Rosser performed “The Climb” from Hannah Montana with emotional vulnerability and strength. After his performance, the show brought out last week’s eliminated contestant Rae, and the two publicly revealed they are dating. The surprise appearance shocked the audience and confirmed what fans had been speculating for weeks.

Hudson said about Brooks, “You have such a special sound that does not come around every day. You’re brave. You deserve to be here.” Carrie Underwood added that she was “so proud” of him and excited to see his future. The combination of his strong vocal performance and romantic moment made Brooks one of the night’s most memorable stories.

What’s Next After Disney Night: Taylor Swift Takes Center Stage

The remaining seven finalists will perform next week on American Idol, featuring iconic Taylor Swift songs. Fans are already speculating about song choices and who might be the final contenders for the crown. Daniel Stallworth, Keyla Richardson, and Jordan McCullough are considered strong frontrunners moving forward.

Will Hannah Harper continue her redemption arc? Can Chris Tungseth show more of his emotional side? The Top 7 journey is just beginning, and May 2026 will see the field narrowed even further as American Idol Season 24 approaches its dramatic finale.

Sources

• TV Insider – American Idol 2026 Top 7 Disney Night recap and detailed performance reviews
• USA Today – American Idol sends home 2 singers, revealing the Top 7 results and judge reactions
• Deadline – Jennifer Hudson guest judge and mentor announcement for Disney Night episode