If you're like me, you probably spent last May clutching a pillow while Ryan Seacrest did that dramatic pause he’s perfected over twenty-some years. We finally know who won, who lost, and who probably should have had another shot at the title. With American Idol Season 24 just days away from its January 26, 2026 premiere, everyone is looking back at the 2025 carnage to see how we got here.
Honestly, the way the 2025 season ended was a bit of a whirlwind. Jamal Roberts taking the crown was a massive moment—he’s only the second Black man to ever win the show. But to get to that victory, a lot of fan favorites had to go home.
The Brutal Cut: Who Got Eliminated on American Idol Right Before the Finale
The biggest shocker of the late season happened during the Disney Night semi-finals. We went into that night with five singers and came out with three. It was a bloodbath. Slater Nalley and Thunderstorm Artis were the ones who got the "dim the lights" treatment for the final time.
Slater was a total firecracker. He performed “Born to Be Wild” and had Lionel Richie literally losing control of the crowd. But even with that energy, he couldn't jump over the hump to the Top 3. Then there was Thunderstorm Artis. If that name sounds familiar, it's because he was a finalist on The Voice a few years back. He sang “Find Yourself” from Cars, and while Carrie Underwood called him "all sunshine," the votes just didn't materialize.
The people who survived that night?
- Jamal Roberts (The eventual winner)
- John Foster (The runner-up)
- Breanna Nix (The third-place finisher)
Seeing Thunderstorm go home was particularly weird for long-time reality TV watchers. It felt like he was the "pro" in the room, but American Idol voters usually prefer a "growth" story over someone who already feels like a finished product.
Looking Back at the Season 23 Elimination Trail
It wasn't just the finale that hurt. Earlier in May, we saw a massive culling of talent. One night, specifically the "Judge's Song Contest" and "Ladies Night" episodes, saw a revolving door of exits. Kolbi Jordan was a huge loss. She was a Platinum Ticket winner—one of the few chosen during auditions to skip parts of Hollywood Week—yet she got booted after singing "The Chain" by Fleetwood Mac.
That's the thing about this show. You can be the "chosen one" early on and still end up as the person who got eliminated on American Idol before the Top 5.
Josh King was another one that stung. He was in the bottom two alongside Mattie Pruitt. Because Luke Bryan's songs were picked the most that night, he had the power to save one person. He saved Mattie. Josh, a talented pianist from North Carolina, was sent packing. Rumor has it a lyrical stumble on Michael Bublé’s “Home” was the nail in the coffin for him.
The Full List of Major 2025 Departures
If you missed the middle of the season, here’s a quick rundown of some of the names that were safe one minute and gone the next:
- Gabby Samone: She had early buzz from the Jennifer Hudson Show, but she exited during the Top 6/7 transition.
- Filo: The Egyptian-born singer from California was cut during the "Iconic Idol Moments" night.
- Ché: A powerhouse who previously tried out for X Factor UK, but couldn't quite capture the American vote.
- Canaan James Hill: One of the youngest in the competition at 17. He struggled during "Ladies Night" and was sent home early.
Why Do the Best People Get Voted Off?
There’s a lot of talk every year about "voter fatigue" or "genre bias." In 2025, we saw a lot of country singers like John Foster go very far. John, a student from LSU, relied on that traditional country sound that the Idol core audience eats up.
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Breanna Nix, on the other hand, had this incredible soul-pop vibe. She nearly went home a few times but kept clawing her way back. She's the perfect example of someone who stayed in the game by evolving, while someone like Kolbi Jordan maybe peaked too early.
What’s Next: The 2026 Season and a Massive Twist
Now, look. If you’re still mourning your favorite who got eliminated, you need to gear up for what's coming. Season 24 premieres January 26, 2026.
ABC is shaking things up. For the first time ever, Hollywood Week is moving to Nashville. They're calling it the "Music City Takeover." But here’s the kicker: they are getting rid of multiple rounds. It’s going to be one single round.
The producers are calling it the biggest cut in the show's history. Basically, they’re going to take hundreds of people to Nashville and pare them down to the finalists in one night. It’s going to be brutal. If you thought the 2025 eliminations were hard to watch, this "make-or-break" performance night is going to be a stressful night of television.
Who is Coming Back?
The gang is all here. Ryan Seacrest is back (obviously). Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Carrie Underwood are all returning to the judges' chairs. Carrie really found her footing last year. People were worried she’d be too nice, but she’s actually been quite sharp with her technical critiques.
We already have some names for the new season, too. Keep an eye out for Jake Thistle, a 21-year-old rocker from New Jersey who’s been making waves in the Asbury Park scene. He’s already confirmed he’s part of the Nashville group.
Actionable Tips for Following Season 24
If you want to avoid the "who got eliminated" spoilers and actually participate this year, you've gotta be ready for the new schedule.
- Mark the Calendar: January 26, 2026, is the premiere. It’s moving to Mondays this year, which is a shift from the usual Sunday/Monday split we saw in the past.
- Download the App: Voting usually happens during the live window. If you aren't watching live on the East Coast, you might miss your chance to save your favorite.
- Follow the Nashville Round: Since Hollywood Week is now just one round, the social media buzz that night will be insane.
The 2025 season taught us that no one is safe—not even Platinum Ticket holders or former Voice stars. With the new Nashville twist in 2026, the stakes for being who got eliminated on American Idol are higher than they’ve ever been.
Stay tuned to ABC and Hulu to catch the first round of auditions. The talent pool this year is reportedly deeper than Season 23, and with the "Music City Takeover" looming, these singers have zero room for error.