{"id":23068,"date":"2026-05-05T08:50:06","date_gmt":"2026-05-05T08:50:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grow24.us\/?p=23068"},"modified":"2026-05-05T08:50:06","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T08:50:06","slug":"the-top-3-on-american-idol-are-revealed-after-two-shocking-cuts-on-the-class-of-2006-reunion-night-as-last-minute-fan-votes-flip-the-results","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grow24.us\/?p=23068","title":{"rendered":"The Top 3 on American Idol are revealed after two shocking cuts on the \u201cClass of 2006: Reunion\u201d night as last-minute fan votes flip the results"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Class is back in session on American Idol and this time, it\u2019s a full-blown reunion.<\/p>\n<p>At the American Idol 20th high school reunion, the Top 5 take the stage alongside returning fan-favorite contestants from the Class of 2006 as America votes live to determine which three singers will advance to next week\u2019s finale.<\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-4\"><\/div>\n<p>It\u2019s a milestone night for the franchise, with Season 5 standouts Taylor Hicks, Kellie Pickler, Paris Bennett, Bucky Covington, and Elliott Yamin all returning to duet with the remaining hopefuls: Hannah Harper, Jordan McCullough, Keyla Richardson, Braden Rumfelt, and Chris Tungseth. With the finish line in sight, every performance carries extra weight as the finalists fight to survive another live vote.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tvinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/american-idol-dancing-with-the-stars-crossover-1014x570.jpg\" alt=\"American Idol' and 'Dancing With the Stars' Crossover: Performance Pairings for Top 5 Revealed\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Adding to the nostalgia, original judges Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson are back in the building, mentoring the contestants as they prepare for one of the biggest nights of the season. Paula will also join Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan at the judges\u2019 table, bringing the show full circle as two more contestants are eliminated ahead of the May 11 finale. Reigning American Idol winner Jamal Roberts will also return to perform during the live show.<\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-5\"><\/div>\n<p>The night will also feature a ballroom twist, as Dancing with the Stars pros bring some added flair to the performances, giving the singers yet another challenge as they balance vocals, stage presence, and live pressure.<\/p>\n<p>Read on for our live recap of the American Idol \u201cClass of 2006: Reunion\u201d episode as the Top 5 perform, familiar faces return, and America decides who makes it into the finale.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-49920 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/spotlightfocus.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/The-Top-3-on-American-Idol-are-revealed-after-two-shocking-cuts-on-the-Class-of-2006-Reunion-night-as-last-minute-fan-votes-flip-the-results.jpg\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 813px) 100vw, 813px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spotlightfocus.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/The-Top-3-on-American-Idol-are-revealed-after-two-shocking-cuts-on-the-Class-of-2006-Reunion-night-as-last-minute-fan-votes-flip-the-results.jpg 813w, https:\/\/spotlightfocus.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/The-Top-3-on-American-Idol-are-revealed-after-two-shocking-cuts-on-the-Class-of-2006-Reunion-night-as-last-minute-fan-votes-flip-the-results-300x162.jpg 300w, https:\/\/spotlightfocus.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/The-Top-3-on-American-Idol-are-revealed-after-two-shocking-cuts-on-the-Class-of-2006-Reunion-night-as-last-minute-fan-votes-flip-the-results-768x415.jpg 768w\" alt=\"\" width=\"813\" height=\"439\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Previously on American Idol<\/h2>\n<p>Last week\u2019s \u201cTaylor Swift Night\u201d pushed the Top 7 through one of the most competitive rounds of the season, as the contestants tackled songs spanning the superstar\u2019s entire catalog while America voted live.<\/p>\n<p>By the end of the night, America\u2019s vote narrowed the field to five finalists as Brooks and Daniel Stallworth were eliminated.<\/p>\n<h2>Who was eliminated?<\/h2>\n<p data-skm-boomerang-el-2=\"processed\">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.<\/p>\n<p>The contestants in the bottom two were C<strong>hris Tungseth and Braden Rumfelt<\/strong>, which meant they were eliminated in the Semifinals.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"7th Elimination | Top 5 Perform\/ Final Top 3 Revealed | American Idol 2026\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/VWzZsksNq48?feature=oembed\" width=\"790\" height=\"444\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-origwidth=\"790\" data-origheight=\"444\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2>Top 5 live performances (updating live beginning at 8 p.m. ET \/ 5 p.m. PT)<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Keyla Richardson<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Age:<\/strong>\u00a029<br \/>\n<strong>Hometown:<\/strong>\u00a0Pensacola, Fla.<br \/>\n<strong>Performance:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cRiver Deep \u2014 Mountain High\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>Carrie\u2019s comments:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cYou sound great, you look gorgeous \u2014 all good things.\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>Luke\u2019s comments:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cYou were the anchor of a crazy, entertaining moment.\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>Lionel\u2019s comments:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cThat\u2019s the way you start a show! What I love the most is the attitude.\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>Paula\u2019s comments:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cYour vocal range is like a weapon \u2014 you can go from a whisper to a thunderstorm.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Keyla Richardson Fires Up &quot;River Deep \u2013 Mountain High&quot; With Dancing Pros! | DWTS x IDOL Crossover\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/UKGr0f5SD-c?feature=oembed\" width=\"790\" height=\"444\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-origwidth=\"790\" data-origheight=\"444\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>Chris Tungseth<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Age:<\/strong>\u00a027<br \/>\n<strong>Hometown:<\/strong>\u00a0Fergus Falls, Minn.<br \/>\n<strong>Performance:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cNorthern Attitude\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>Carrie\u2019s comments:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cWhen you find the right songs and the right notes\u2026it fills the room.\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>Luke\u2019s comments:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cYou were hitting really big notes.\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>Lionel\u2019s comments:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cHold on to your ugly face as long as you can \u2014 and then let it go. Other than that you were on point.\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>Paula\u2019s comments:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cYou have a beautiful tender ache in your voice.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Chris Tungseth Shines on Noah Kahan's &quot;Northern Attitude&quot; With Rylee + Gleb | DWTS x IDOL Crossover\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Jcmc5c7deLc?feature=oembed\" width=\"790\" height=\"444\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-origwidth=\"790\" data-origheight=\"444\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>Braden Rumfelt<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Age:<\/strong>\u00a022<br \/>\n<strong>Hometown:<\/strong>\u00a0Murphy, N.C.<br \/>\n<strong>Performance:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cLose Control\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>Carrie\u2019s comments:<\/strong>\u00a0N\/A<br \/>\n<strong>Luke\u2019s comments:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s too much for me, but I\u2019m loving this night. Sensory overload!\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>Lionel\u2019s comments:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cYou can\u2019t mess up. The crowd did not come to rehearsal. So just relax, enjoy it, and be in the moment. You\u2019ve got the voice to do it.\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>Paula\u2019s comments:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cI absolutely love your voice. It makes me feel like I\u2019m wrapped in the coziest blanket. Just own the stage. I need you to believe in yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Braden Rumfelt Lets Go On &quot;Lose Control&quot; While Witney + Jan Waltz | DWTS x IDOL Crossover\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/k5nOUFAw1Dc?feature=oembed\" width=\"790\" height=\"444\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-origwidth=\"790\" data-origheight=\"444\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>Hannah Harper<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Age:<\/strong>\u00a025<br \/>\n<strong>Hometown:<\/strong>\u00a0Willow Springs, Mo.<br \/>\n<strong>Performance:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cFever\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>Carrie\u2019s comments:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cI\u2019m so proud of you. You\u2019re growing more and more every single week. Keep bringin\u2019 it.\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>Luke\u2019s comments:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cIt was incredible. It was sexy, it was sultry, it was not what we expected from you.\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>Lionel\u2019s comments:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cThat was exactly what was needed. Surprise us \u2014 you did just that.\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>Paula\u2019s comments:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cThere is nobody that sounds like you in this competition. It\u2019s beautiful to see how America has become so invested in you.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Hannah Harper Sizzles on &quot;Fever&quot; As Rylee + Jan Dance The Foxtrot! | DWTS x IDOL Crossover\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2ziyAZ0ZQbo?feature=oembed\" width=\"790\" height=\"444\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-origwidth=\"790\" data-origheight=\"444\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>Jordan McCullough<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Age:<\/strong>\u00a027<br \/>\n<strong>Hometown:<\/strong>\u00a0Murfreesboro, Tenn.<br \/>\n<strong>Performance:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cFootprints in the Sand\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>Carrie\u2019s comments:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cYou are such a perfect of example of not overdoing it. You sing with your whole body and we feel that. It was perfect.\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>Luke\u2019s comments:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cNo one has made me as big of a believer as you. You\u2019re one of the best singers we\u2019ve ever had.\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>Lionel\u2019s comments:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cLet the congregation say Amen!\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>Paula\u2019s comments:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cYour gift, what you have, I don\u2019t know where it comes from, but it\u2019s not from here. It\u2019s not normal. You make me question my own existence. I love you.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Jordan McCullough Wows On &quot;Footprints in the Sand&quot; As Witney + Gleb Soar! | DWTS x IDOL Crossover\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ydgjMPruzw0?feature=oembed\" width=\"790\" height=\"444\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-origwidth=\"790\" data-origheight=\"444\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"idol-duets\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Idol Duets<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Keyla Richardson<\/strong>\u00a0<strong>with Taylor Hicks<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Age:<\/strong>\u00a029<br \/>\n<strong>Hometown:<\/strong>\u00a0Pensacola, Fla.<br \/>\n<strong>Performance:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cLiving For the City\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>Carrie\u2019s comments:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cI wouldn\u2019t have put you guys together, but it worked! You sound incredible.\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>Luke\u2019s comments:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cTaylor, your energy elevated Keyla\u2019s game. I loved every second of it.\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>Lionel\u2019s comments:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cThat was stupid!\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>Paula\u2019s comments:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cI\u2019ve never seen you have so much fun. The two of you brought the house down.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Keyla Richardson feat. Taylor Hicks | Living For The City | Top 5 Perform | American Idol 2026\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/mXOsCY4HJZ8?feature=oembed\" width=\"790\" height=\"444\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-origwidth=\"790\" data-origheight=\"444\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>Chris Tungseth<\/strong>\u00a0<strong>with Bucky Covington<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Age:<\/strong>\u00a027<br \/>\n<strong>Hometown:<\/strong>\u00a0Fergus Falls, Minn.<br \/>\n<strong>Performance:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cThe Thunder Rolls\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>Carrie\u2019s comments:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cYou looked more comfortable than I have seen you look all season. Yes! More, more, more!\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>Luke\u2019s comments:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cBattle of the hair. That was one of the best vocals I\u2019ve heard you deliver.\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>Lionel\u2019s comments:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cYour attitude was on point.\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>Paula\u2019s comments:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cAnother pairing that was perfection. Bucky, I miss you like my son!\u201d<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Chris Tungseth feat. Buckey Covington | The Thunder Rolls | Top 5 Perform | American Idol 2026\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/fSXHx6G7as4?feature=oembed\" width=\"790\" height=\"444\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-origwidth=\"790\" data-origheight=\"444\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>Braden Rumfelt<\/strong>\u00a0<strong>with Paris Bennett<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Age:<\/strong>\u00a022<br \/>\n<strong>Hometown:<\/strong>\u00a0Murphy, N.C.<br \/>\n<strong>Performance:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cThe Show Must Go On\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>Carrie\u2019s comments:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cI wish that we had had this night earlier in the competition. It would have catapulted you even further. That was amazing.\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>Luke\u2019s comments:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cWay to show up and stand toe-to-toe with her! Stank face!\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>Lionel\u2019s comments:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cWhatever possessed you, you killed it. Unbelievable!\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>Paula\u2019s comments:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cI just saw a different Braden. Thank you, Paris, for bringing this out of him.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Braden Rumfelt feat. Paris Bennett | The Show Must Go On | Top 5 Perform | American Idol 2026\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/K7t_MmbU5yA?feature=oembed\" width=\"790\" height=\"444\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-origwidth=\"790\" data-origheight=\"444\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>Hannah Harper<\/strong>\u00a0<strong>with Kellie Pickler<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Age:<\/strong>\u00a025<br \/>\n<strong>Hometown:<\/strong>\u00a0Willow Springs, Mo.<br \/>\n<strong>Performance:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cBroken Wing\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>Carrie\u2019s comments:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cWe are all part of this special club. That was magical.\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>Luke\u2019s comments:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cLook at Pickler up there!\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>Lionel\u2019s comments:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cThe perfect voice blend. The two of you together made one dynamic performance.\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>Paula\u2019s comments:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cAnother perfect pairing. What a beautiful job.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Hannah Harper feat. Kelly Pickler | A Broken Wing | Top 5 Perform | American Idol 2026\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Eqs-FWqxwfw?feature=oembed\" width=\"790\" height=\"444\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-origwidth=\"790\" data-origheight=\"444\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2>Elimination<\/h2>\n<p>\u201cDim the lights!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Ryan Seacrest revealed the Top 3 based on America\u2019s vote. The two contestants who received the fewest votes and were eliminated from the competition were \u2026 Braden and Chris.<\/p>\n<h2>Next Week<\/h2>\n<p>The Top 3 return for one final night of performances as America votes to crown the Season 24 winner. Alicia Keys will mentor the finalists and take the stage herself.<\/p>\n<p>The Season 24 finale is set for a three-hour live event on Monday, May 11 (8:00\u201311:00 p.m. ET), as the Top 3 finalists take the stage one last time for America\u2019s vote \u2014 with the winner crowned the next American Idol. Alicia Keys will serve as both mentor and performer.<\/p>\n<p>The finale is also stacked with guest performances from Blues Traveler, Cameron Whitcomb, Clay Aiken, En Vogue, Gin Blossoms, Jason Mraz, Lee Ann Womack, M\u00f6tley Cr\u00fce, Nelly, Shinedown, Tori Kelly, and Brad Paisley \u2014 a mix of music legends and current hitmakers closing out the season in style.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Class is back in session on American Idol and this time, it\u2019s a full-blown reunion. At the American Idol 20th high school reunion, the Top 5 take&#8230; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":23069,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23068","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/grow24.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23068","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/grow24.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/grow24.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grow24.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grow24.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=23068"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/grow24.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23068\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23070,"href":"https:\/\/grow24.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23068\/revisions\/23070"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grow24.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/23069"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/grow24.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=23068"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grow24.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=23068"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grow24.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=23068"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}