On April 13, 2025, American Idol kicked off its season 23 ninth episode on ABC, featuring an exciting Hawaii Round. The stunning backdrop of Disney’s Aulani Resort set the scene for the first half of the Top 24 contestants as they showcased their vocal talents before a live audience.
This episode marked a pivotal shift in the competition, as the public vote officially commenced. Viewers now hold the power to influence the outcome of who remains in the competition and who is eliminated. Judges Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie returned to provide insight and commentary, although their votes no longer determine the fate of the contestants.
The Night’s Performances
Country star Jelly Roll served as the evening’s mentor, guiding each contestant through personalized one-on-one sessions before they took to the stage. One of the standout moments of the night was when Jamal Roberts delivered a highly praised performance of Jelly Roll’s “Liar.”
Jamal seized the stage with fervor, even knocking over a stool in his emotional rendition, which left a lasting impression. Following his performance, Lionel Richie remarked,
“You beat that song to death, in the best possible way,”
“This is now Jamal’s song.”
“When you go out there, the transformation is wild. This crowd was blown away.”
Kolbi Jordan also captured attention with her remarkable return performance of “New Attitude”by Patti LaBelle after previously battling illness during Hollywood Week. She radiated confidence, prompting Carrie Underwood to say,
“You are an Oklahoma representative I can get behind.”
“That’s one of my favorites on this island so far. You just owned it.”
“The stage might still be on fire.”
In a display of versatility, Victor Solomon chose to perform Luke Bryan’s “That’s My Kind of Night,”putting his own twist on the country classic while dressed in a cowboy hat and suspenders. Carrie Underwood remarked,
“Your voice fits every genre,”
Other notable performances included Breana Nix rendering “Still Rolling Stones,”which Carrie described as having “power and control.” Julia Gagnon impressed with “Rumour Has It”by Adele, earning accolades from Lionel Richie for her “natural power.” Abi Carter brought a unique interpretation to “Welcome to the Black Parade”by My Chemical Romance, performing a delicate piano version that Jelly Roll found to be “spiritual.” Josh’s feedback was encouraging, as he declared,
“You’re not just singing, you’re making us feel.”
As season 23 progresses, fans can look forward to new episodes of American Idol each Sunday on ABC. With public voting now open via official American Idol platforms, the competitive stakes are higher than ever.