Did Gabby Samone Make the Top 5 of ‘American Idol’ 2025?

Baltimore singer Gabby Samone, who made it into the top seven of “American Idol” season 23, vied for viewers’ votes again on May 11, 2025. It was the first of two Disney nights, during which contestants had to perform music from Disney’s vast song catalog. Viewers had less than two hours to vote for their favorites during the show, determining who would make it through to the top 5 of season 23.

SPOILER ALERT: Do not continue reading if you do NOT want to know whether Samone made it into the top 5.

Voting closed during the final commercial break, and the results were handed over to host Ryan Seacrest to reveal which members of top 7 would advance to the top 5. So did Samone make it through? Sadly, no, she did not make it through.

Gabby Samone Came a Long Way on ‘American Idol’

Samone, 23, comes from a family of eight that often struggled to make ends meet, she has shared on “American Idol.” She’s been amazed by the opportunities that have come with appearing on the show, and has high hopes for a stable future as an artist.

When she made it into the top 8, Samone shared on Instagram, “Around this time last year I was homeless living in my sister’s basement and I was just mentally checked out and now I am on American idol living my dream so THANK YOUUU!! ❤️”

Although Samone has a powerful voice, she had very little experience performing while growing up in Baltimore. She told Billboard that judges Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and Lionel Richie helped her to break out of her shell.

“They told me to be confident and that’s what I’ve been rethinking because I’m naturally an introverted person,” she told the outlet. “Being on stage is weird to me and awkward. I can see my growth throughout the show because of what they said to me.”

She continued, “I can be a superstar and when I get on that stage, I can let it out. I can be vulnerable and relate to people and be confident.”

Jennifer Hudson Encouraged Gabby Samone to Audition for ‘American Idol’

Samone headed into season 23 of “American Idol” with the support of Jennifer Hudson, who has become an EGOT winner since competing on the third season of “American Idol” in 2004. Hudson discovered an Instagram video of Samone singing several years ago and invited her to perform on “The Jennifer Hudson Show” in 2022.

The two kept in touch and when Samone considered auditioning for “Idol,” Hudson cheered her on, even recording a video for her once she’d made it through to Hollywood.

“My first season here, I got a chance to highlight a phenomenal singer named Gabby Samone,” Hudson said in her video. “She is a rising star and was featured on ‘American Idol.’ I am super proud of her! She even gave me a shout-out!”