The latest stage of American Idol Season 24 took contestants far from the usual Nashville setting and into a tropical atmosphere. For the newly introduced Ohana Round, the show relocated to Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, creating a unique environment where performers sang not only for judges but also for their loved ones, peers, and industry insiders.
This new round added a fresh layer of emotion and strategy to the competition. By the end of the night, the field narrowed from 30 hopefuls to 20, setting the stage for the next phase of the season.
What Is the “Ohana Round”?
The Ohana Round is a brand-new format introduced for the 2026 season. The word ohana—often used in Hawaiian culture—refers to family and community, and the show leaned into that idea by broadening who could influence the results.
During the round, contestants performed in front of three key groups:
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Family and friends (“the ohana”)
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Industry professionals and tastemakers
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Their fellow contestants
Each group played a role in deciding who advanced, creating a more layered decision-making process than in previous rounds.
The twist changed the stakes dramatically. Contestants weren’t just trying to impress judges—they were connecting with people who represented different perspectives of the music world: emotional supporters, professional critics, and competitive peers.
A New Twist on Platinum Tickets
One of the biggest surprises came before the Top 20 were announced. Traditionally, Platinum Tickets are awarded earlier in the competition by judges. This season, however, the power shifted away from the judging panel.
For the first time, three Platinum Tickets were awarded during the Ohana Round, each chosen by a different group:
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Contestants’ Choice: Jordan McCullough
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Family & Friends (Ohana): Brooks
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Industry Experts: Kyndal Inskeep
This format gave the contestants’ community and industry insiders a rare opportunity to directly shape the competition.
Judges Finalize the Top 20
After the three Platinum Ticket winners were revealed, 17 additional spots in the Top 20 were filled by the judges:
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Carrie Underwood
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Luke Bryan
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Lionel Richie
Together, they evaluated performances from the remaining contestants and selected the singers who would continue their journey toward the live shows.
The American Idol 2026 Top 20
Here are the contestants who advanced after the Ohana Round, along with highlights of their performances and backgrounds.
Standout Performers
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Jordan McCullough – Murfreesboro, Tennessee – Worship director
Performed Grandma’s Hands by Bill Withers -
Brooks – Bel Air, Maryland – Dementia care medication technician
Performed Everywhere, Everything by Noah Kahan -
Kyndal Inskeep – Fishers, Indiana – Singer-songwriter
Performed original song Woman of Me
Additional Top 20 Contestants
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Abayomi, 16 – San Francisco, California – “Rise Up” by Andra Day
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Bella Emry, 22 – Bend, Oregon
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Braden Ramfelt, 22 – Murphy, New York – “If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys
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Brenna Brigman, 18 – Arlington, Texas
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Brianna Yancey, 18 – Alpharetta, Georgia
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Bryant Thomas, 26 – Mobile, Alabama – “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac
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Chris Tungseth, 27 – Fergus Falls, Minnesota – “Iris” by Goo Goo Dolls
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Daniel Stallworth, 27 – Moss Point, Mississippi – “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus
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Genevieve Heyward, 26 – Lake Geneva, Wisconsin – “Your Song” by Elton John
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Hannah Harper, 25 – Willow Springs, Missouri – “Go Rest High on That Mountain” by Vince Gill
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Jake Thistle, 21 – Paramus, New Jersey – Original song “Sleep On Me”
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Jesse Findling, 19 – Massapequa Park, New York – “Photograph” by Ed Sheeran
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Julián Kalel, 19 – El Paso, Texas – “Surrender” (original)
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Keyla Richardson, 29 – Pensacola, Florida – “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri
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Kutter Bradley, 29 – Florence, Alabama – “Amarillo Sky” by Jason Aldean
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Lucas Leon, 17 – Gallatin, Tennessee – “The House That Built Me” by Miranda Lambert
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Madison Moon, 21 – Orlando, Florida – “Faithfully” by Journey
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Makiyah, 24 – Pine Bluff, Arkansas – “Stand Up” by Cynthia Erivo
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Philmon Lee, 25 – LaGrange, Georgia – “All I Want” by Kodaline
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Rae, 24 – Frederick, Maryland – “I’ll Be There” by The Jackson 5
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Ruby Rae, 16 – Pacific Palisades, California – “Till Forever Falls Apart” by Ashe and FINNEAS
The Industry Professionals Who Voted
The industry panel responsible for selecting one Platinum Ticket included several influential figures across music, media, and digital culture:
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Cheryl Porter – Vocal coach
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Sasha Farber – Professional dancer from Dancing with the Stars
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Loren Gray – Singer and influencer
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Anthony Gargiula
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Shirley Halperin – Co–editor-in-chief of Rolling Stone
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Kelly Sutton – Host at the Grand Ole Opry
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TikTok creators Terry McCaskill and Kaniyia Brown
Their collective vote ultimately awarded the industry Platinum Ticket to Kyndal Inskeep.
What Happens Next?
With the Top 20 confirmed, the competition moves closer to the live performance stage where viewers will begin deciding the outcome through nationwide voting.
New features this season—including the Ohana Round and expanded social engagement—signal that the show is evolving while keeping its core mission intact: discovering standout vocal talent.
New episodes of American Idol air Monday nights on ABC and are available for streaming the next day on Hulu.
For the remaining contestants, the path to the finale has officially begun—and the pressure is only getting louder. 🎤
