American Idol Season 24 is heating up, and your votes are the only thing standing between your favorite singer and the finale. After last night’s dramatic Taylor Swift Night episode on April 27, 2026, the competition is now down to the Top 5 — and every single vote counts more than ever. Whether you’re a first-time voter or a seasoned Idol fan, this complete guide walks you through every way to vote, how many votes you can cast, and everything you need to know to keep your favorite contestant in the running.
Table of Contents
What Happened on American Idol Last Night? (April 27, 2026)
In one of the most exciting episodes of the season, the Top 7 took the stage for a full-on Taylor Swift tribute night — the first in American Idol history. Alongside the Swiftie performances, contestants also delivered a salute to California’s biggest artists, giving each singer two back-to-back performances. Comedian and certified Swiftie Nikki Glaser joined the regular judging panel of Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie as guest judge, adding plenty of memorable moments.
When the votes were tallied, host Ryan Seacrest revealed the results: Brooks Rosser and Daniel Stallworth were eliminated from the competition, leaving the Top 5 for 2026 as:
- Keyla Richardson
- Braden Rumfelt
- Jordan McCullough
- Hannah Harper
- Chris Tungseth
With just two weeks left until the finale, the competition is razor-thin. Now is the time to rally behind your favorite.
How to Vote on American Idol 2026 — All 3 Methods Explained
For the 2026 season, American Idol offers three ways to vote, each allowing up to 10 votes per contestant per method. That means if you use all three methods, you can cast a maximum of 50 votes per contestant per episode.
Voting opens at the start of the East Coast broadcast (8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on Mondays) and closes at 6 a.m. ET the following morning. Always check AmericanIdol.com/vote for the exact weekly schedule.
Method 1: Vote Online at AmericanIdol.com/Vote
Voting online is the most straightforward method and allows you full control over how many votes you assign.
Steps to vote online:
- Go to AmericanIdol.com/vote (or idolvote.abc.com) as the episode begins.
- If you don’t have a MyDisney account, create one with your email address — it’s free and takes under a minute.
- Sign in and click on the contestant(s) you want to vote for.
- Assign up to 10 votes per contestant and click the Save button.
- Don’t forget to hit Save — your votes will not be counted otherwise!
Eligibility: You must be at least 16 years old and located in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Method 2: Vote by Text (SMS)
Text voting is quick and easy, especially if you’re watching the show live.
Steps to vote by text:
- During each episode, each contestant is assigned a unique voting number, which is displayed on screen during their performance.
- Text that number to 21523.
- You can text up to 10 times for the same contestant per episode (each text = one vote).
Note: Message and data rates may apply. Text voting is available to U.S. wireless carriers only. SMS vote terms are available at idolmobileterms.votenow.tv.
Method 3: Vote on Social Media (NEW for 2026)
This is the biggest change to the American Idol voting system in 2026 — and it’s making history. For the first time ever, American Idol became the first reality TV competition to allow voting via social media platforms.
Steps to vote on social media:
- As the episode starts at 8 p.m. ET, look for the pinned purple voting post at the TOP of the official @AmericanIdol accounts on:
- TikTok
- In the comment section of that pinned post, type the first name only of the contestant you want to vote for (e.g., type KEYLA for Keyla Richardson).
- Each comment equals one vote. Post up to 10 separate comments per contestant per platform.
- That means you can cast up to 10 votes on Instagram + 10 on Facebook + 10 on TikTok = 30 social votes per contestant.
Eligibility: You must be at least 18 years old and located in the U.S. to cast social media votes.
Important: Only comment on the official pinned voting post from the verified @AmericanIdol accounts. Comments on other posts will not be counted. Make sure you’re spelling the contestant’s name exactly as shown in the pinned post.
American Idol 2026 Vote Totals at a Glance
| Voting Method | Platform | Max Votes Per Contestant | Age Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | AmericanIdol.com/vote | 10 | 16+ |
| Text | SMS to 21523 | 10 | 18+ (U.S. carriers) |
| Social — Instagram | @AmericanIdol pinned post | 10 | 18+ |
| Social — Facebook | @AmericanIdol pinned post | 10 | 18+ |
| Social — TikTok | @AmericanIdol pinned post | 10 | 18+ |
| TOTAL (all methods) | 50 |
American Idol 2026 Top 5 Contestants — Who to Vote For
Here’s a quick look at the five singers still in the competition heading into the final weeks:
Keyla Richardson — A powerhouse vocalist who has consistently wowed the judges with her soulful delivery and commanding stage presence.
Braden Rumfelt — A fan favorite known for his emotional performances and versatility. Judge Luke Bryan called his Taylor Swift Night performance his best of the season.
Jordan McCullough — A 27-year-old church worship leader from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, who brings a deep musical background in both country and R&B.
Hannah Harper — A 25-year-old stay-at-home mom from Poplar Bluff, Missouri, whose original audition song “String Cheese” — about postpartum depression — went viral with over 100 million views.
Chris Tungseth — A 27-year-old singer from Le Sueur, Minnesota, who grew up in a highly musical family and has been growing his fanbase week by week.
American Idol 2026 Season 24 — Key Details
- Network: ABC
- Airs: Mondays at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT
- Host: Ryan Seacrest
- Judges: Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie
- Season Premiere: January 27, 2026
- Current Status: Top 5 (as of April 28, 2026)
- Finale: Coming in May 2026
- Where to Watch: ABC and streaming on Hulu
Tips to Maximize Your American Idol Votes
- Set an alarm for 8 p.m. ET on Mondays so you’re ready to vote the moment the episode begins — social media votes close before the episode ends.
- Use all three methods to maximize your impact. One dedicated fan can cast up to 50 votes per contestant per week.
- Follow @AmericanIdol on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok before the show so you can quickly find the pinned voting post the moment it goes live.
- Save your votes online — it’s easy to forget to click the Save button on the website, but if you don’t save, your votes won’t count.
- Check your text number — each contestant’s voting number changes each week and is displayed on screen during their performance.
What’s Next on American Idol Season 24?
With the Top 5 now set, the next episode will see the remaining contestants battling for a spot in the Top 3. According to ABC, the next show will feature a special American Idol 20th High School Reunion theme, where fan-favorite contestants from the Class of 2006 return, and original judges Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul come back to mentor the remaining singers. Paula Abdul will also join Carrie, Lionel, and Luke at the judges’ table as a guest judge.
Dancing with the Stars pros will also add some ballroom flair to the celebration, making it one of the most nostalgic nights in recent Idol history.
Frequently Asked Questions About American Idol Voting
Can I vote more than once? Yes. You can vote up to 10 times per contestant per voting method per episode. Across all five methods (website, text, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok), that’s a total of 50 votes per contestant.
When does American Idol voting close? Voting opens at the start of the East Coast broadcast (8 p.m. ET) and closes at 6 a.m. ET the following morning. However, social media votes close before the last commercial break of the live episode — so don’t wait too long.
Do I need an account to vote online? Yes. You’ll need a free MyDisney account to vote at AmericanIdol.com/vote. You can create one with your email address in just a few steps.
Can I vote if I’m outside the U.S.? Online and text voting is open to viewers in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Social media voting is limited to the U.S. only.
What happened to the American Idol app? The dedicated American Idol app voting has been replaced by social media voting for the 2026 season, though online and text voting remain active.
Final Thoughts
American Idol Season 24 is delivering one of the most competitive finales in recent memory, and your votes are what will determine the next American Idol. With three easy ways to vote — online, by text, and on social media — there’s never been a better time to make your voice heard. Don’t forget to tune in next Monday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and cast all 50 of your votes for your favorite of the Top 5.
