Fan-fave singers John Foster and Jamal Roberts have both advanced to the Top 7 of American Idol, joining Slater Nalley, Thunderstorm Artis, Gabby Samone, Breanna Nix, and Mattie Pruitt. This is undoubtedly one of the strongest lineups in the show’s 23-season history.
The contestants performed Monday night during the “Judge’s Song Contest” episode in which Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and Lionel Richie picked the tunes. After all was said and done, host Ryan Seacrest announced that John, Jamal, Slater, Thunderstorm, Gabby, and Breanna had made it into America’s Top 6, and that Josh King and Mattie were the Bottom 2.
As co-winners of the contest, Luke and Lionel chose to save Mattie, making Josh the latest person eliminated from ABC’s reality TV show. Ironically, Josh’s last performance on the show was “Home,” about a person’s desire to return home — he got his wish.
John Foster (age 18 from Addis, La.) performed “I Cross My Heart” by George Strait (chosen by Carrie). Carrie raved that he delivered an “absolutely perfect” rendition, claiming, “Hearing you sing that song felt comfortable. That was one of your best performances.” And Luke apologized for doubting him earlier in the competition, saying, “It was the perfect song for you. You’re singing better and better every week.”
Watch John perform “I Cross My Heart”:
Jamal Roberts (age 27 from Meridian, Miss.) belted out “I Believe” by Fantasia (chosen by Lionel). Carrie said he “delivered it beautifully.” Lionel raved, “Your execution of that song had me crying. You’re a phenomenon.” And Luke noted, “I don’t know if I’ve ever seen anybody connect the heart to the head to the voice like you’re able to do. You made tears well up in our eyes. That is God-given.”
Watch Jamal perform “I Believe”:
Neither John nor Jamal has never been in the bottom of the voting results. Their social media views are always through the roof, and they frequently top Gold Derby’s polls for who performed best on a given night. When asked the question “Who will win American Idol?” in our predictions center, our readers forecast that it’ll be either John, Jamal, or Slater.
American Idol Top 8: Who gave the best performance on ‘Ladies’ Night’?
After the Top 10 perform, host Ryan Seacrest “dims the lights” as two hopefuls are eliminated.
Lambert will also hit the stage to celebrate the 20th anniversary of her platinum-
Throughout the competition, John has performed scene-stealing numbers like “In Color,” “Callin’ Baton Rouge,” “Tell That Angel I Love Her,” “Neon Moon,” “Jailhouse Rock,” “I Told You So,” and “Something to Talk About.” And Jamal brought the house down with his renditions of “Tennessee Whiskey,” “Liar,” “Forever,” “Try a Little Tenderness,” “Shout,” “Heal,” and “Undo It.”
Next week on American Idol, there’s a double-dose of Disney. The Top 7 artists travel to Disney World where they’ll be mentored by Lin-Manuel Miranda. On Sunday, the Top 5 will be revealed, and on Monday that number drops down to the Top 3. Who are you rooting for to win Season 23? Be sure to sound off in our reality TV forum.
Who went home tonight on American Idol 2025 Top 8?
Josh King
Advancing artists tonight on American Idol 2025 Top 8
Breanna Nix
Gabby Samone
Jamal Roberts
John Foster
Mattie Pruitt (Judges save)
Slater Nalley
Thunderstorm Artis
Breanna Nix
Song:“Independence Day” by Martina McBride (chosen by Luke)
Luke said: “As I’ve heard your voice through the years, it has that Martina McBride purity. You just displayed that perfectly with that song. That is an amazingly challenging song. I didn’t understand the emotional ties you had to that song. And I’m sure you were thinking about that. Missing a word or two is no big deal. The ease at which you hit those high notes is tremendous.”
Mattie Pruitt
Song: “Always Been You” by Jessie Murph (chosen by Luke)
Luke said: “Great job. Listen, I think we’ve all heard that Jessie Murph thing in your voice. But I don’t think you have to worry about being compared to her like that. I think you have to take aspects of your voice and grow it but still sass, sass, sass. When I see Jessie Murph, it’s all sass. Try to channel some of that stuff moving forward. Vocally, it was amazing. But still give us more.”
John Foster
Song: “I Cross My Heart” by George Strait (chosen by Carrie)
Carrie said: “The reason I picked the songs for everybody is I’ve been in your shoes, and I feel like I know what will showcase your voice the best and what people out there want to hear and vote for. I was so right. That was absolutely perfect. Hearing you sing that song, it felt comfortable, it felt genuine. I feel like that was one of your best performances, John. And it made me so happy.”
Josh King
Song: “Home” by Michael Bublé (chosen by Lionel)
Lionel said: “You embodied that song. I mean, when I saw that song and I saw your name, I said, ‘The two of you need to be together right away.’ And the marriage was perfect.”
Gabby Samone
Song: “Hero” by Mariah Carey (chosen by Lionel)
Lionel said: “You have taken a Mariah song, as always, as you do, and turned it all into your song. You have a texture, you have a delivery, a stage presence that’s undeniable. And I’m just telling you, when I picked the song, I kept thinking, ‘It’s gonna be perfect.’ And you brought it to another level of ‘incredibility.’”
JAMAL ROBERTS
Song: “I Believe” by Fantasia (chosen by Lionel)
Lionel said: “You’re an emotional being. When you open your mouth to say hello to someone, it comes out so meaningful and knowing how you believe, it was the perfect song choice. Your execution of that song had me crying, had everyone crying. You’re phenomenal.”
THUNDERSTORM ARTIS
Song: “Faithfully” by Journey (chosen by Carrie)
Carrie said: You have such a uniqueness to your voice. I love Journey and I wanted you to sing Journey. If everyone else sings Journey, it sounds like karaoke. You understand that the road is no place to start a family. I had chills throughout that performance.”
SLATER NALLEY
Song: “Atlantic City” by Bruce Springsteen (chosen by Luke)
Luke said: “Slater puts out the vibe of that kind of music. I listened to the band perform that and props to Bruce Springsteen for writing it. Your style, I thought you would pick it, and I love the way you brought the energy to it.”
Then it was time to reveal the results of America’s vote. Ryan announced the Top 6: Slater, Thunderstorm, Gabby, Breanna, Jamal, and John. And the judges revealed their save: Mattie.
American Idol airs Sunday and Monday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. Streams next day on Hulu.
