Slater, the 18-year-old from Atlanta, Georgia, made a lasting impression from the moment he walked into the audition room. His self-penned song “Traces of You” — dedicated to a late student from his high school community — moved Carrie Underwood to tears. She said, “I couldn’t have imagined you doing that any better.”
On Monday, Slater delivered “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” from Toy Story and “Born to Be Wild” from D3: The Mighty Ducks, earning praise for his song choices and natural charm. Lionel Richie told him, “You’ve come a long way, son.”
Throughout the season, Slater built a reputation for versatility and sincerity, tackling classics and modern hits alike:
- “Over the Rainbow”
- “Your Song”
- “Angel From Montgomery”
- “Whoever’s in New England”
- “Atlantic City”
- “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”
- “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right”
He may be out of the competition, but his fanbase — and potential — are only just beginning to grow.
Thunderstorm Artis: A Voice of Grace and Experience
For Thunderstorm Artis, Idol marked a return to the national stage after his impressive third-place finish on The Voice in 2020. The 29-year-old Hawaiian singer brought warmth, wisdom, and authenticity to every performance — qualities that earned him high praise from the judges week after week.
His Disney Night set included:
- “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes” (Cinderella)
- “Find Yourself” (Cars)
Carrie Underwood summed it up beautifully: “You are all heart. We feel your heart behind it.”
During his Idol journey, Thunderstorm impressed with a wide-ranging set list:
- “Imagine”
- “Is This Love?”
- “Reckless Love”
- “Faithfully”
- “Colors of the Wind”
- “When We Were Young”
- “Out of the Blue”
Though his Idol run ends here, Thunderstorm leaves the competition with grace — and a legacy of emotionally resonant performances that resonated deeply with viewers.
The Road to the Finale
With Slater and Thunderstorm out, all eyes now turn to the Top 3:
- John Foster – the crooner with classic charm
- Jamal Roberts – the soulful powerhouse and fan favorite
- Breanna Nix – the rising country-pop storyteller
Each finalist brings something completely unique, setting the stage for what’s expected to be one of the most exciting and diverse American Idol finales in recent memory.
The Season 23 finale airs Sunday, May 18 at 8PM ET on ABC — and one of these three will be crowned the next American Idol.
