Hannah Harper, Jesse Findling, Kutter Bradley, Genevieve Heyward, Keyla Richardson, Braden Rumfelt and more were revealed as part of the Top 20 during the first-ever “Ohana Round” on American Idol.
Idol judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan were tasked with narrowing the Top 30 down to the Top 20 during the first-ever “Ohana Round.” The process began with Idol hopefuls, contestants’ family members and a panel of industry tastemakers, including Kaniyia Brown, Terry McCaskill, Anthony Gargiula, Loren Gray, Evan Ross Katz, Cheryl Porter, Kelly Sutton and Shirley Halperin, selecting three Platinum Ticket recipients before the judges rounded out the Top 20 by choosing the remaining 17 contestants to advance.
It was then revealed that Jordan McCullough earned his Platinum Ticket through a vote by his peers (fellow American Idol hopefuls), while Brooks Rosser was selected by the contestants’ family members, known as the “Ohana,” and Kyndal Inskeep received her Platinum Ticket from a panel of industry tastemakers.
“Let’s hear one more time for the Platinum Ticket winners. With the three Platinum ticket spots safely secured, the judges must now choose the remaining 17 hopefuls to complete our Top 20,” Seacrest said.
Richie, Underwood and Bryan then went on to hand select 17 additional contestants from the remaining hopefuls to round out the coveted Top 20.
“This is the worst part [and] We did not take any of this lightly,” Underwood admitted, before Richie explained, “It’s not that we’re eliminating people who can’t sing. We’re now eliminating… because they might fall in the same category.”
After some deliberation from the American Idol judges, each judge revealed several of the finalists who will now move on to compete for America’s vote. Lionel Richie kicked things off by announcing that Philmon Lee, Madison Moon, Braden Rumfelt, Jake Thistle and Jesse Findling would advance to the next round.
Next, Carrie Underwood shared the fate of six contestants — Ruby Rae, Genevieve Heyward, Lucas Leon, Hannah Harper, Chris Tungseth and Julian Kalel, all of whom also advanced. Finally, Luke Bryan revealed that Rae, Daniel Stallworth, Abiyomi, Kutter Bradley, Makiyah and Keyla Richardson would round out the Top 20.
“Take a look America, this is your Top 20 on American Idol,” Ryan Secrest revealed, showcasing the complete Top 20.
Top 20 on American Idol
Jordan McCullough
Brooks Rosser
Kyndal Inskeep
Philmon Lee
Madison Moon
Braden Rumfelt
Jake Thistle
Jesse Findling
Ruby Rae
Genevieve Heyward
Lucas Leon
Hannah Harper
Chris Tungseth
Julian Kalel
Rae
Daniel Stallworth
Abiyomi
Kutter Bradley
Makiyah
Keyla Richardson
Unfortunately, with the unveiling of the Top 20 that also meant that 10 contestants were sent home, including Chloe Lauren, Sheldon Riley, Bryant Thomas, Michael Garner, Bella Emry, Brenna Brigman, Kiera Howell, Brianna Yancey, Jacquie Lee and Tianna, who were eliminated from the competition.
Now, over the next two weeks the Top 20 Idol hopefuls will perform for America’s votes at Disney’s Aulani Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawaii, competing for a spot in the next round with guidance from superstar mentors Brad Paisley and KeKe Palmer.
American Idol airs every Monday night at 8/7c on ABC, and is available to stream next day on Hulu.
