After spending time at Disneyland with their families, the top 7 contestants of “American Idol” season 23 took the stage again on May 11, 2025 — vying for spots in the top 5 on the live two-hour show. For the first time on the show, ABC is airing two back-to-back Disney Nights (instead of just one) as the competition is whittled down for the grand finale next week.
Each contestant performed two songs — one Disney tune and another dedicated to their moms for Disney Night on Mother’s Day. Once again, viewers had less than two hours to vote during the show, which aired live coast-to-coast starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time (here’s how to vote).
Host Ryan Seacrest announced the results at the end of the show, revealing the top 5 vote-getters. Scroll down for the coverage on each performance and the feedback from judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood. To see who got through, scroll down for the results!
Top 7 ‘American Idol’ Contestants Work With Lin-Manuel Miranda on Disney Performances
As in the past, the Mother’s Day episode featured emotional moments filmed with the contestants and their families at Disneyland. The singers chose Disney-themed songs inspired by their upbringings and the resilient women who raised them. But first, they worked with guest mentor Lin-Manuel Miranda…
GABBY SAMONE: Miranda helped Baltimore 23-year-old singer Samone on an admittedly hard song he wrote for “Moana,” “How Far I’ll Go,” and what inspired him to write it — dreaming of a life in the arts, so far from where he grew up. Samone sang the complicated lyrics with the judges sitting behind her, and then turned around to face the crowd from center stage. Richie said he loved her performance, and Underwood said, “Your voice was made for songs like that,” noting how “gorgeous” she also looked. Bryan told her that it was the “most clear I’ve heard you deliver from top to bottom.”
JAMAL ROBERTS: The 27-year-old dad of three chose to sing “Go the Distance” from the movie “Hercules” because, he said, he loves lyrics and connected to the words, noting the Hercules was “strong, but he had some weak moments.” Miranda was blown away by Roberts’ voice and how the song fit his story of overcoming challenges in his life. Wearing an iridescent suit, Roberts sang the song at center stage and got a standing ovation from all three judges. Underwood told him that with every song he tackles, “you always find a way to fit yourself in it,” and added, “you make it look easy.” Bryan said that Miranda didn’t even have to give Roberts much guidance because he already knows how to take a song “to the next level.” Seacrest said he noticed how joyful Richie looked as he listened; when he asked to explain, the music legend said that Roberts has something “so old school” about him, that he feels like he’s watching Otis Redding. Quite the compliment!
BREANNA NIX: The 25-year-old mom from Denton, Texas, told Miranda she chose “Reflection” from the movie “Mulan” because she can relate to how much she’s changed from the time she auditioned to now. Miranda helped her with navigating the song and keeping her eyes open during the big moments. Dressed in a flowing gold-and-cream gown, Nix walked toward the front of the stage as she sang the tender beginning lines, before launching into the more powerful chorus. Bryan marveled that she’s “always in total control,” and that the song was a “perfect choice” for her. Richie told her that she has “poise and grace,” and that she made a Disney song so “emotional.” Underwood said she was “fighting back tears” thinking how much she and the other contestants have grown, noting that Nix is “exactly where you belong.”
JOHN FOSTER: The 18-year-old country crooner sang “Almost There” from “The Princess and the Frog” because the movie was entirely set in his home state of Louisiana. Miranda encouraged him to “lean into your inner rock star” to bring it home, literally — if he makes the top three, he’ll get to make a hometown visit. Dressed in a gold suit coat with his trademark cowboy hat, Foster started out slow and then launched into the playful tune snapping his fingers, as the crowd clapped along. In fact, the crowd cheered so long for Foster, Richie could barely get a word in edgewise. But once he did, he said “the crowd said it all for me.” Underwood said she loved how he performs every song with authenticity, always to true to who he is. Bryan joked his “charisma, charisma, charisma” — smiling under his cowboy hat — is why he’s “almost there.”
SLATER NALLEY: Admitting to Miranda that he’s a huge fan, having seen “Hamilton” three times live, Nalley was thrilled to get to sing alongside him. The 17-year-old singer chose “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from “The Lion King” and was so appreciative of Miranda’s guidance on making the song his own. Wearing a blue suit and playing his acoustic guitar, Nalley gave a country-rock flavor to the classic tune, but forgot the words at the start. Underwood said she loved seeing how much Nalley loved seeing him work with Miranda, but did not critique his performance. Bryan applauded him for not letting the hiccup at the start keep him from moving forward. Richie told him he loved that he continues to be a “storyteller” with his music.
MATTIE PRUITT: The youngest contestant of season 23, 16-year-old Pruitt opted to sing “Remember Me” from “Coco,” telling Miranda that it reminded her of how much the people back home mean to her. Miranda challenged her to “go make Tennesee feel you.” Dressed in a sparkling magenta gown, Pruitt sang the ballad sitting on a stool at center stage, ending the song in a falsetto voice. Bryan gave her a standing ovation, and told her it was “one of my favorite performances” of hers because she seemed 16 — in a good way — with the purity of her voice. Richie told her he’s “so amazed” by the ways she’s “grown up” on the show. Underwood said, “That was a reminder of why you’re here.”
Given that it’s a Disney Night, ABC aired a trailer for “Zombies 4” starring the son of longtime “American Idol” backup singer Felicia Barton — who was a a previous finalist on the show.
THUNDERSTORM ARTIS: Miranda, who called Artis’ voice “incredible,” encouraged Artis to tell a story with the song with “Colors of the Wind” from “Pocahontas.” The Broadway star got emotional when he heard the 29-year-old dad’s rendition. Backed by an orchestral quartet and dressed in a denim jacket and white jeans, flashed his trademark smile at the end and drew a triple standing ovation from the judges. Richie told him, “You are an amazing storyteller, I love every way you perform these songs.” Underwood said it was her “favorite arrangement of the night,” noting that teared up again. Bryan said he was totally “immersed” in the moment he created with the song.
‘American Idol’ Top 7 Perform Their Emotional Mother’s Day Dedications
The second hour of the live show started with a cameo from Underwood’s mom, who sweetly told the contestants that watching them takes her 20 years back to when her own daughter was competing. The top 7 then began sharing their Mother’s Day dedications to the most important women in their lives.
BREANNA NIX: After sharing how much her own mom has supported her over the years, Nix sang “Idol” alum Lauren Alaina’s song “Like My Mother Does.” Nix — who has her husband and son Emerson in the audience — got choked up at the end of the tune, and needed a few extra beats to make it through the song. Underwood gave her a standing ovation and said, “I just realized I think I’m gonna cry my way through the second half of this show!” Bryan said he loves seeing the contestants connect with their moms on the Mother’s Day show and it was a perfect song choice for Nix. Richie said that her emotions was felt by everyone in the audience.
GABBY SAMONE: Sitting with her mom Charoletta at Disneyland, Samone got teary-eyed talking about how her mom raised eight kids and still had room in her heart to help anyone else who needed it. After her performance of “Home” from “The Wiz,” Bryan said it “may be my favorite performance you’ve done of the year,” blown away by her confidence. Richie said, “You were singing that song like you were closing the show.” Underwood said “your talent is just ridiculous and week to week, you just deliver with ease.”
SLATER NALLEY: The Atlanta teen said he chose to sing “Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright” by Bob Dylan because it reminds him of his mom Katie, who always encouraged him not to worry about things that were bothering him while he was growing up. Wearing a brown leather jacket and playing his acoustic guitar and a harmonica, Nalley sat on a stool at center stage throughout his performance, drawing cheers from the crowd throughout the tune. Richie told him the harmonica was a “secret weapon” and that he pulled off the song “amazing.” Underwood said Nalley was in his element and looked so “comfortable” onstage, adding that she loves to listen to Dylan songs when she’s sad — but that this tune didn’t make her sad at all. Bryan repeatedly said, “you’re an artist” and that Nalley’s voice is “so identifiable.”
JAMAL ROBERTS: Honoring his stepmother Tabitha, who died during the Covid pandemic, Roberts said she always supported his musical dreams. The Meridian, Mississippi, native wore a black-and-gold jeweled suit as he sang “A Change Is Gonna Come Back” by Sam Cooke. All three judges rose to their feet, and Underwood told him, “Jamal, you just proved why you are here in the top seven and why you should continue to be here.” Bryan marveled, “Woo, that is fun to watch go down right there,” noting how Roberts’ timing is impeccable, also telling him, “How good you are is really humbling and amazing to me.” Equally blown away, Richie joked that there is “no way” he is singing classic tunes the way he does without being an “old man.”
MATTIE PRUITT: Raised by her mom and her stepmom, Pruitt celebrated both women for “molding me into the person I am today.” Pruitt sang Lauren Alaina’s new song, “Those Kind of Women,” and her stepmom was shown in the audience with tears in her eyes. Richie noted that by combining storytelling with a bit of attitude and the “starwash” she has, it will turn her into a star. Bryan told her that it’s clear that she’s growing more “comfortable” and “confident.” Underwood says that they could sense she meant the words she was singing, and to keep performing that way.
THUNDERSTORM ARTIS: The dad of two appeared with his wife, Faith, for whom he dedicated an original song called “Out of the Blue.” The musician said he wasn’t looking for a relationship when his future wife appeared “out of the blue,” and how grateful he is for her and their little boys. Faith told him she’s happy to support all of his dreams, and was seen getting teary-eyed in the audience while holding their eight-month-old. The judges all gave him a standing ovation and Richie said, “You’re about to turn your Thunderstorm into a tornado.” He said that because he’s able to write those kinds of lyrics and melodies, “the sky’s the limit” for his career. Underwood said Artis is a true artist who’s brought some “really amazing songs” he’s written to the stage, and that they have no trepidations about him playing original tunes. Bryan agreed, saying it’s great to just get to “enjoy the Thunderstorm show.” Reading some of the lyrics of the love song, Seacrest joked, “I’ve never been more depressed to be single than right now.”
JOHN FOSTER: The 18-year-old closed out the show with his dedication to his mom Amanda, singing “Believe” by Brooks & Dunn. He said that his mom has always “taught me to believe” even when he hasn’t believed in himself. Sitting together at Disneyland, he cried hearing how proud she is of him. She could be seen crying in the audience holding a sign that said, “I Believe in You, Son.” All three judges gave him a standing ovation for his performance. Underwood called it a “perfect song choice” and thanked him for choosing it. Bryan said he keeps surprising him every week and that he can only imagine people at home are liking “the heck out of you,” adding, “you’re killing it, brother.” Richie said that he’s not only found his voice, but, “you’ve found your artist.”
LIVE RESULTS: Who Got Through to the Top 5 of ‘American Idol’ Season 23
Voting closed during the final commercial break, and the top 7 filed onstage to hear the results from Seacrest, who said there were 20 million votes cast — five million more than the prior Monday. Reading who got through to the top 5 — in no particular order — Seacrest announced the following contestants are advancing:
- SLATER NALLEY
- BREANNA NIX
- JOHN FOSTER
- JAMAL ROBERTS
- THUNDERSTORM ARTIS
That means Mattie Pruitt and Gabby Samone are heading home. The judges looked shocked by the final results. The top 5 will now compete again in less than 24 hours, on the May 12 live show, starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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Top 5 of ‘American Idol’ 2025