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American Idol Finalists Announced; Alicia Keys to Mentor Finale

5/5/2026

Summary

Seacrest Announces Finalists

Host Ryan Seacrest announced Hannah Harper, Keyla Richardson and Jordan McCullough advanced to the Season 24 American Idol finale.
The May 4 episode eliminated Chris Tungseth and Braden Rumfelt, leaving a Top 3 as judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Paula Abdul praised performances.
Alicia Keys will mentor and perform twice at the three-hour May 11 finale, while Season 5 alumni Taylor Hicks and Paris Bennett sang duets with the finalists on May 4.

Summary

Randy Returns

Randy Jackson returned as a guest mentor for the Season 24 Top 5 on May 4, 2026.
Viewers on X said he looked weak, while a Reddit thread cited his 2002 type 2 diabetes diagnosis, gastric-bypass (100 pounds loss) and 2019 spinal surgery, raising health concerns.
He said he was excited to work with the Top 5 despite concerns.
The mentor session occurred before the live shows selecting three singers for the May 11 finale.

Summary

Idol Reunion Streams

The May 4 “Class of 2006 Reunion” episode streams on Disney+ (subscriptions start at $11.99 per month) and ABC, later on Hulu.
Season 5 alumnus Bucky Covington, eighth-place finisher in 2006, duetted with the Top 5 after his 2007 debut hit No. 1 on the Top Country Albums chart.
Dancing with the Stars professional dancers performed a crossover during the reunion.
Host Danielle Fishel announced the reunion lineup on the official American Idol podcast.

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Seacrest Announces Finalists

Host Ryan Seacrest announced Hannah Harper, Keyla Richardson and Jordan McCullough advanced to the Season 24 American Idol finale.
The May 4 episode eliminated Chris Tungseth and Braden Rumfelt, leaving a Top 3 as judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Paula Abdul praised performances.
Alicia Keys will mentor and perform twice at the three-hour May 11 finale, while Season 5 alumni Taylor Hicks and Paris Bennett sang duets with the finalists on May 4.

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