American Idol 2026

[ShortCutie7]

Caught this tonight… haven’t seen a season premier of AI in its entirety in years so maybe my expectations were different, but here are some of my thoughts (of course potential spoilers if you haven’t watched tonight’s eposode):

-Both music teachers were great!

-The banana ball guy had noticeable pitch issues and did not deserve to go through (side note: I hadn’t even heard of the banana league until about a month ago and now I see them everywhere).

-The young man with the stutter was phenomenal and could very well win.

-They didn’t let the guy who sang “Sherrie” through because they thought he wouldn’t fit stylistically (and they didn’t ask him for another song), but they went crazy over the guy with red hair who sang with almost identical registration?

-It was so heartwarming when they showed the songwriter hearing the teenaged contestant sing her song! But they are now saying “no” to people for being too young when they have had finalists that age? But then they let through the girl who wrote the touching song who was the same age and “mature” but (IMO) not nearly as strong vocally?

-On that note, did it seem like almost everyone they showed got a yes? And where were the really bad/funny contestants? Were they just replaced by the gimmicks like the fake contestant and shower singer/proposal (who could also make it far)?

Anyway, lots of inconsistencies but an enjoyable episode!

[ShortCutie7]

I don’t have too much to say about tonight’s episode… the main standouts for me were the teenager who sang “Vampire” and the gospel singer. I also agree with the judges that the young man with the twin has HUGE potential!

[ShortCutie7]

Taking notes as I go tonight since no way I’ll remember everything lol. This is my favorite kind of Idol episode. Obviously spoilers.

Bryant- good but not as Impressive as his audition 

Keyla- phenomenal

Livy- good performance, vocals tonally flat

Vika- the combination of “cursive” style and loud doesn’t work

Makiyah- great voice! 

First cut- right choices (as far as I could tell), but wish they would have shown everyone 

Jordan- perfect choice for him!

Madison- risky but pulled it off beautifully!

Second cut- both deserved to make it but again wish they had at least montaged those who didn’t so we got a taste of who they were and what they sang

Brett and Noah- didn’t care for either of them, glad neither made it

Trace- fun performance but would have benefited from a more known song that could show his vocal abilities for this round 

Roelle- love how she connects to the material! I didn’t notice whatever lyric mistake she made (I have never heard the song before) and the missed note was BECAUSE she was emotionally locked in

Hannah- reminds me of Dolly Parton! Not the strongest technical vocalist but incredibly likable.

Next cut- pleasantly surprised they put Trace through! Hope if he gets to sing again, he does a ballad.

Finally a montage!  What little I heard did sound shaky.

Philmon- took a while to get in sync with the band rhythmically (and surprised the judges didn’t seem to notice). Great tone and agility!

Lucas- great idea to show a different side! What an old soul… very rare that I care for a younger male contestant (especially in a more “country” style) on these shows but he’s great!

Carmen- I knew we’d get drama from her! Her voice is too light for the song/style.

Next cut- right choices, wish we could have seen Kira.

Abayomi- killed it!

Michael- meh, I liked his audition more and surprised he made the cut 

Khloe- better songwriter/musician than singer. Not ready for this competition vocally 

Jake- reminds me of Rod Stewart… seems to have a limited range but very polished 

Chris- like Roelle, connects beautifully with the song… this is a skill that can’t be taught! Wasn’t blown away by his audition but loved this. I didn’t get the criticism of the arrangement after he left the stage… maybe they said that after a different singer and the editors spliced it there?

Chloe- speaking of arrangements, this was a great one! Seemed a little low-energy but great voice.

Braden- excellent choice! Would have loved to hear him play a bit more with registers/dynamics but what he did was great!

Ooh, I love the cliffhanger! Hope they get to do some duets at some point.

[BuffaloKyle]

All I know about American Idol lately is that murder case going on:

Former "American Idol" contestant Caleb Flynn charged with murder, staging crime scene in wife's death in Ohio - CBS News