It’s crunch time on American Idol. The long-running reality show is about to crown its latest winner, following weeks of auditions, sing-offs and eliminations.
Now in its 24th season, Idol returned to screens in January with a fresh batch of singers hoping to follow in the footsteps of past winners Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Jordin Sparks.
Just three vocalists remain in this year’s contest following a tense semifinal, which saw original judges Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson return. Two more contestants — Chris Tungseth and Braden Rumfelt — were voted out.
Ahead of the grand finale, here’s all you need to know about the finalists.
When is the ‘American Idol’ final on TV?
The three-hour American Idol final will air on ABC and Disney+ at 8 p.m. ET on May 11, and will be available to stream on Hulu on May 12.
Alicia Keys will perform and serve as a guest mentor to the finalists — marking her first appearance on Idol since Season 9 in 2010.
Other performers will include Season 2 runner-up Clay Aiken, country star Brad Paisley, heavy-metal veterans Mötley Crüe, singer-songwriter Jason Mraz and rapper Nelly.
The star-studded line-up will be rounded out by Tori Kelly, En Vogue, Blues Traveler, Cameron Whitcomb, Lee Ann Womack, Shinedown and Gin Blossoms.
Fans can vote for their winner via the American Idol website, app or social media. A record-breaking 26 million votes were cast in last year’s final, which was won by P.E. teacher Jamal Roberts.
Who are the ‘American Idol’ finalists?Keyla Richardson
Keyla Richardson previously appeared on reality series Sunday Best in 2019.
(Eric McCandless via Getty Images)
Richardson is a 29-year-old music teacher from Pensacola, Fla.
The gospel singer has been a standout contestant on Season 24 since her audition, when she brought judge Luke Bryan to tears with her cover of Pink’s “Glitter in the Air.” Lionel Richie hailed her rendition of The Beatles’ “With a Little Help From My Friends” during Idol’s Top 20 stage as “the greatest performance I have ever seen on this stage.”
She is no stranger to reality TV, having appeared on BET’s reality competition Sunday Best in 2019. She subsequently topped Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart with her single “So Good” and made her acting debut in the 2022 film Due Season.
Jordan McCullough
Worship leader Jordan McCullough has reached the American Idol final.
(Eric McCandless via Getty Images)
McCullough is a worship leader from Murfreesboro, TN.
He first won over the Idol judges during his audition with a soulful rendition of “Goodness of God” by Bethel Music and Jenn Johnson. His musical identity remains grounded in his beliefs. He told Parade that his Christian faith is “always going to be the foundation” of his career, adding that he’s open to exploring multiple styles of music and releasing songs that “inspire.”
McCullough previously auditioned for Season 17 of The Voice in 2019, but none of the coaches turned their chairs — a setback that makes his deep run on Idol all the more notable.
Hannah Harper
Hannah Harper auditioned with an original song about postpartum depression.
(Eric McCandless via Getty Images)
Harper is a stay-at-home mother of three from Willow Springs, Mo.
Before Idol, Harper balanced music with family life, working as a worship leader for seven years while raising her children. She initially pursued a career in physical therapy but chose to stay home, never expecting to go beyond performing with her family band.
Her path shifted after she began posting videos on TikTok, where fans encouraged her to focus on singing. She auditioned for Idol with “String Cheese,” an original bluegrass gospel song about postpartum depression, which Underwood called “the most relatable song I think I’ve heard.”