‘American Idol’ Recap: Who Made the Top 3? Find Out Who’s Singing in the Finale

We’re down to the Top 5 on Season 24 of American Idol! The remaining artists returned to the stage during the live May 4 episode for two more performances. For one, they were joined by Dancing With the Stars pros, and for the other, they each teamed up with a Season 5 contestant for duet.

The episode was a 20-year reunion for the Season 5 alum, and also featured the return of original Idol judges Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson. Jackson mentored the Top 5 contestants, and Abdul served as a guest judge, offering commentary on the panel with Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie.

Scroll down for a recap of the performances. Plus, find out which two singers were eliminated and who made the Top 3 (which means they’ll be singing in the finale next week).

Keyla Richardson

Keyla Richardson kicked off the night with her own rendition of Tina Turner‘s “River Deep – Mountain High.” She was joined by DWTS stars Gleb Savchenko, Rylee Arnold, Jan Ravnik, and Witney Carson.

ABC

“That’s the way you start a show off,” Richie promised. “What I love the most though, the attitude. Always remember, don’t work too hard, but what you sounded like was everything. I love the way you do your thing!”

Abdul said it was an “honor and pleasure” to meet Keyla. “Your vocal range is like a weapon,” she assured her. “It feels like every moment is inevitable and that’s the mark of a true performer.”

She did offer some constructive criticism, though: “Your whisper has to be equally as dangerous as your top note.”

Chris Tungseth

For his first performance of the night, Chris Tungseth sang “Northern Attitude” by Noah Kahan, and he was accompanied by Savchenko and Arnold.

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Abdul told Chris that he has a “gorgeousness” to his voice and Underwood said it was a “really good vocal choice” for the hopeful.

“You were on point. The fact is, when the dancers came out, it distracted you a little bit, but it was great,” Richie added.

Braden Rumfelt

Braden Rumfelt took the stage with dancers Ravnik and Carson. His first song was “Lose Control” by Teddy Swims.

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Underwood urged Braden not to be afraid to bring out his “sexy” side in the future, and Bryan agreed: “Swag it up,” he said. “Love the performance. Loving this night, it’s fun. This is like sensory overload.”

Richie told Braden not to “think too much” and “just relax, enjoy it, and be in the moment.” Abdul concluded the critiques by telling Braden that she “absolutely loved” his voice, but added, “Own the stage. Your voice can fill arenas, but I feel like you’re out there standing in the wings. I need you to believe in yourself.”

Hannah Harper

Hannah Harper hit the stage to sing “Fever” by Peggy Lee, which is quite different from the songs she normally performs. Arnold and Ravnik joined her in the background.

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It was hard for the judges to get their commentary in amid the screaming crowd. “I thought it was incredible,” Bryan gushed. “I thought it was so uniquely different for you. It was sexy, it was sultry. I love that it was not what we expected from you.”

Richie said the performance was “exactly what we needed” and applauded Hannah for surprising them.

Jordan McCullough

Closing out the first round was Jordan McCullough, who sang “Footprints in the Sand,” while Carson and Savchenko danced a rumba.

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“I love you. Your gift, what you have, I don’t know where it comes from, but it’s not from here. It’s otherworldly,” Abdul raved. “It’s not normal.”

Underwood applauded Jordan for not “overdoing it” and gushed over his “natural stage presence.”

Keyla Richardson and Taylor Hicks

Keyla returned to the stage next. This time, she was joined by Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks for a rendition of “Living for the City” by Stevie Wonder. Keyla didn’t even know the song before rehearsals, but she pulled it together for the show.

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Abdul called the performance “unbelievable” and said there was “magic” between Keyla and Taylor. “What a great way to start the duets,” she admitted. “Brilliant!”

While Underwood said she wouldn’t have thought to put Keyla and Taylor together, she said she loved the combination. She also suggested Taylor for next season of Dancing With the Stars — not a bad idea!

Chris Tungseth and Bucky Covington

Chris teamed up with Bucky Conington for a duet of Garth Brooks “The Thunder Rolls.”

“You looked more comfortable than I have seen you look all season!” Underwood told Chris, while Bryan applauded Bucky for “bringing that out” in Chris. “It was one of the best vocals I’ve heard you deliver,” Bryan admitted.

Abdul said the pairing was “perfection” and told Chris he did a “great job.”

Braden Rumfelt and Paris Bennett

For Braden’s duet, he was paired with Season 5’s Paris Bennett. They sang “The Show Must Go On” by Queen.

ABC

“Braden, way to show up and stand toe-to-toe with her!” Bryan said, while Richie told him, “Whatever possessed you at that moment, you killed it, both of you together.”

Abdul said this was a “different Braden” than she’d seen before and thanked Paris for bringing it out of him.

Hannah Harper and Kellie Pickler

For her duet, Hannah teamed up with Kellie Pickler, who was making her first televised appearance since her husband’s February 2023 death. They sang Pickler’s audition song, “A Broken Wing,” by Martina McBride.

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“All I can say is … the perfect voice blend and complement. The two of you together made one dynamic performance. Incredible,” Richie gushed.

Abdul applauded the “melody choices” Hannah and Kellie made. “Another perfect pairing,” she added, while Underwood called the performance “magical.”

Jordan McCullough and Elliott Yamin

The final performance of the night was from Jordan and Elliott Yamin, who sang “A Song for You.”

ABC

Abdul was choked up as she told Jordan that he has the “same gift” as Elliott. “This was a master class. This was a Grammys duet performance,” she said. “I love you both.”

Underwood said she didn’t have “enough words in my vocabulary to give you the praise that you deserve right now,” and Bryan told Jordan, “That was like a Lamborghini and a Ferrari and I don’t know who’s the Lamborghini and who’s the Ferrari and it doesn’t matter. It was amazing to watch and witness.”

Who made the Top 3?

The three artists with the most votes were: Hannah Harper, Keyla Richardson, and Jordan McCullough. That means these three singers will be competing in the May 11 finale for a chance to win Season 24.

Who was eliminated?

The contestants in the bottom two were Chris Tungseth and Braden Rumfelt, which meant they were eliminated in the Semifinals.

American Idol, Season 24 Finale, Monday, 8/7c, ABC