In a night packed with emotion, enchantment, and unexpected twists, American Idol Season 23 delivered a Disney-themed double feature like never before. On May 11, the top 7 contestants returned from an unforgettable trip to Disneyland with their families—only to face the reality of elimination as they battled for a coveted spot in the top 5. For the first time in Idol history, ABC aired two back-to-back Disney Nights, turning the stage into a whirlwind of magic and music.
And with just two hours to cast their votes, fans responded in force—an astounding 20 million votes poured in, smashing the previous week’s record by five million.
Top 5 Revealed — Shock, Cheers, and Goodbyes
As host Ryan Seacrest called the contestants to the stage for the live results, tension filled the air. The audience held its breath as the names of the Top 5 were announced—in no particular order:
- Slater Nalley
- Breanna Nix
- John Foster
- Jamal Roberts
- Thunderstorm Artis
That meant heartfelt goodbyes for Mattie Pruitt and Gabby Samone, two fan-favorites whose exits left the judges visibly stunned. But the show must go on—these five now prepare to perform again in less than 24 hours, May 12 at 8 p.m. ET.
Disney Night: Lin-Manuel Miranda Mentors the Top 7
Mentorship took a magical turn as Broadway titan Lin-Manuel Miranda joined the show, helping each contestant find the heart of their chosen Disney classics. With Mother’s Day adding emotional weight, the contestants drew inspiration from the strong women who raised them.
JAMAL ROBERTS – “Go the Distance” (Hercules)
The 27-year-old Mississippi dad brought the house down with an emotional powerhouse performance that had all three judges on their feet. Wearing a gleaming iridescent suit, Jamal belted the anthem of perseverance with soul, strength, and sensitivity. Miranda was left in awe, while Carrie Underwood praised how Jamal “fits himself into every song,” and Lionel Richie compared him to none other than Otis Redding, saying, “You’ve got that old soul magic.”
BREANNA NIX – “Reflection” (Mulan)
The Texas native and mother of one channeled deep personal growth into her stirring rendition of “Reflection.” Dressed like royalty in gold and cream, she transformed the ballad into a moment of strength and vulnerability. Underwood admitted she was fighting back tears, while Richie called her performance “poised and graceful.” Luke Bryan simply said, “Perfect.”
JOHN FOSTER – “Almost There” (The Princess and the Frog)
Performing a Disney song set in his home state of Louisiana, the 18-year-old cowboy crooner delivered a toe-tapping, crowd-pleasing rendition. Clad in gold and his signature hat, he brought the room to life, and the judges could barely speak over the applause. Richie said it best: “The crowd said it all.”
THUNDERSTORM ARTIS – “Colors of the Wind” (Pocahontas)
With his signature smile and unmatched storytelling, Thunderstorm stunned the room. Miranda got emotional just listening to rehearsals, and his live performance backed by a string quartet was so heartfelt, Underwood called it her “favorite arrangement of the night.” All three judges stood in ovation.
SLATER NALLEY – “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” (The Lion King)
Despite a lyrical slip-up at the start, 17-year-old Slater recovered with grace, strumming his acoustic guitar in a heartfelt rendition. Bryan applauded his composure, and Richie noted he remains one of the show’s most genuine storytellers.
MATTIE PRUITT – “Remember Me” (Coco)
The 16-year-old youngest contestant gave a beautifully pure performance while seated on a stool in a sparkling magenta gown. Her vulnerability drew a standing ovation, and the judges praised her growth and emotional authenticity.
GABBY SAMONE – “How Far I’ll Go” (Moana)
Taking on Miranda’s own challenging composition, Gabby showed newfound clarity and strength in her vocals. Underwood called her voice “made for this song,” and Bryan said it was her “clearest performance yet.”
Mother’s Day Performances – A Tidal Wave of Emotion
In the second hour, the show shifted into a deeply emotional tribute to mothers and mother figures, with each contestant performing songs that celebrated the women who shaped their lives.
Jamal Roberts honored his late stepmother with Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” in a black-and-gold suit that matched the song’s timeless spirit. The judges stood in awe—Bryan called his performance “humbling,” and Richie teased, “There’s no way you’re not a 60-year-old soul singer.”
Breanna Nix broke hearts with “Like My Mother Does,” tearfully honoring her mom in front of her husband and son. Underwood stood with tears in her eyes, telling her, “You are right where you belong.”
Gabby Samone brought the house down with “Home” from The Wiz, a tribute to her powerhouse mom who raised eight children. Bryan said it was his “favorite performance from you all season.”
Thunderstorm Artis sang an original love song, “Out of the Blue,” for his wife and mother of his children. The judges unanimously called him a true artist, with Richie declaring, “The sky’s the limit.”
Slater Nalley paid tribute to his mom with Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice,” channeling raw emotion through harmonica and acoustic guitar. Bryan beamed, “You’re an artist. Period.”
John Foster closed out the night with a heartwarming Brooks & Dunn classic, “Believe,” while his mom held a sign in the audience that read, “I Believe in You, Son.” The judges were visibly moved—Richie said, “You’ve found your artist.”
Mattie Pruitt dedicated “Those Kind of Women” to both her mom and stepmom, proving her emotional maturity far beyond her years. Bryan told her, “You’re becoming the artist you were meant to be.”
What’s Next?
With the Top 5 now locked in, the finale is just one week away. The stakes are sky-high, and with every performance raising the bar, it’s anyone’s game.
Can Jamal Roberts keep delivering those show-stopping, soul-filled performances? Will Breanna Nix continue her rise as America’s sweetheart? And will John Foster’s Louisiana charm carry him all the way to the winner’s circle?
Stay tuned. American Idol returns live May 12 at 8 p.m. ET with another night of unforgettable music
