American Idol season 23 has narrowed down its top 20 contestants from a talented pool of singers — but the competition is just getting started.
When the season premiered in March, Idol hopefuls around the country auditioned in front of judges Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan for their shot at earning a golden ticket to Hollywood. Nearly 150 finalists were selected, hoping to get one step closer to success. Eventually, however, some fan favorites were sent home in what host Ryan Seacrest called “the biggest cut” in the show’s history.
Among those moving forward were 18-year-old Zaylie Windsor — who Underwood compared to a young Taylor Swift during her initial audition — and 22-year-old Baylee Littrell, the son of Backstreet Boys singer Brian Littrell.
Once decided, the top 24 hit the stage again at the Aulani resort in Hawaii with help from mentors Ashanti and Josh Groban, as well as Idol artist in residence Jelly Roll. Viewers at home were finally given the chance to vote following the solo performances, with the fates of the final contestants in America’s hands for the remainder of the season.
American Idol airs on ABC Sundays and Mondays at 8 p.m. ET. Scroll below to meet the season 23 finalists — and to find out who was eliminated from the competition first:
