'American Idol' reveals its Top 30. Here's who made the cut
'American Idol' reveals its Top 30. Here's who made the cut
KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY Tue, March 3, 2026 at 3:26 AM UTC
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'American Idol' reveals its Top 30. Here's who made the cut
The contestant pool is dwindling on "American Idol."
The competition swiftly marched through the second half of Hollywood Week performances in the March 2 episode, with Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan reducing the "Idol" hopefuls from 127 to 30 singers.
In between calling out contestants for poor song choices, the judges heaped praise on artists like Jesse Findling, who's earned not only Bryan's favor but also his jealousy, and Rae Boyd, who made a good case for winning Season 24 when she bravely tackled a Demi Lovato track.
Here are the "Idol" contestants who made it into "American Idol's" Top 30.
1 / 0All of the 'American Idol' winners since 2002, ranked
Since Kelly Clarkson was named the first-ever "American Idol" winner on Sept. 4, 2002, the singing competition show has helped launch the careers of Billboard-charting artists, singers who have helped define their genre, daytime TV personalities and precisely one EGOT winner (we're looking at you, J Hud).Though the “Idol” hitmaking machine now creaks rather than churns out superstars, the platform is still unparalleled when compared to its singing competition peers.
We’ve ranked the 23 “American Idol” winners based primarily on sheer talent, but with an obvious nod toward their success after the show.
Who made it through Hollywood Week?
In Episode 6, these contestants went to the "golden room" to await their chance at making it into the Top 30, joining others who advanced the previous week.
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Jake Thistle
Brianna Yancey
Braden Rumfelt
Chris Tungseth
Chloe Lauren
Jesse Findling
Kyndal Inskeep
Kutter Bradley
Julián Kalel
Trew the Star
Sheldon Riley
Mor
MaryJo Young
Ruby Rae
Rae
Genevieve Heyward
Jayson Garner
Brooks Rosser
Bella Emry
Daniel Stallworth
Hollywood Week, part one: Everyone who made the cut last week
Who's in the 'American Idol' Top 30 in 2026?
While some of the contestants had to compete in a sing-off to earn a spot in the Top 30, others sailed straight through based on their Hollywood Week performances. Here's who's still in the running to be the next "American Idol."
Makiyah
Jordan McCullough
Lucas Leon
Bella Emry
Madison Moon
Keyla Richardson
Braden Rumfelt
Chris Tungseth
Jake Thistle
Tianna Roberts
Philmon Lee
Brooks Rosser
Daniel Stallworth
Kutter Bradley
Bryant Thomas
Jesse Findling
Julián Kalel
Sheldon Riley
Brianna Yancey
Kiera Howell
Kyndal Inskeep
Hannah Harper
Ruby Rae
Jacquie Lee
Brenna Brigman
Rae
Genevieve Heyward
Abayomi
Michael Garner
Chloe Lauren
Who didn't make it into the Top 30?
Here's who was cut in the penultimate elimination round in Episode 6:
Jayson Arendt
Matty Reynolds
Kitti Taye
Landon Hughes
Julianne Post
Jackie Bluebird
And here's who was cut as the judges determined the Top 30:
Jakob Stobaugh
Trace Casanova
Mor
Julia Sienna
Lanii
Roelle
Trew the Star
Grant Satterfield
Jayson Garner
MaryJo Young
What is the 'American Idol' 2026 schedule?
"American Idol" airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
Episodes are available to stream the next day on Hulu.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'American Idol' 2026 reveals its Top 30 contestants
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
