American Idol eliminated Che and Filo, which determined the competition's Top 10 finalists during the Season 23 episode that aired Monday night on ABC.

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After the Top 12 Idol hopefuls performed live for home-view votes, Che, a 28-year-old singer from Essex, England, and Filo, a 23-year-old musician from Dublin, CA, were ousted from the show.

According to American Idol host Ryan Seacrest, nearly 22 million votes had been cast for the contestants and Che and Filo ultimately received the lowest number of votes.

Prior to the evening's results, the Top 12 contestants each performed an unforgettable song inspired by an iconic American Idol moment.

The contestants were mentored by American Idol's Season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino, and each performance was critiqued by Idol judges Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie.

In a nod to former American Idol finalist Colin Stough's 2023 performance, Che took the stage with "Dancing on My Own" by Robyn.

"One of the things I mainly love about this performance is you taking a very popular song and making it yours," Carrie said.

"We are in a space in music now where everybody has their own particular taste. But when you guys do that, you take familiar songs that were super popular and make them your own on this stage, people are going to vote for you."

Filo took the stage with "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" by former Idol finalist Jennifer Hudson.

"I love you saying, 'It's not me covering an iconic moment, it's me having an iconic moment,'" Carrie said.

"And you did, Filo! Everything -- from your outfit to your hair and the way you delivered it. Keep it up and you're not going anywhere."

The Top 10 American Idol contestants are Breanna Nix, a 25-year-old stay-at-home mom from Denton, TX; Canaan James Hill, a 17-year-old content creator from Dallas, TX; Gabby Samone, a 23-year-old child care specialist from Baltimore, MD; Jamal Roberts, a 27-year-old PE teacher from Meridian, MS; and John Foster, an 18-year-old college student from Addis, LA.

The remaining Top 10 contestants are Josh King, a 24-year-old airport pianist from Matthews, NC; Kolbi Jordan, a 26-year-old people and culture generalist from Tulsa, OK; Mattie Pruitt, a 16-year-old high school student from Eagleville, TN; Slater Nalley, an 18-year-old high school student from Atlanta, GA; and Thunderstorm Artis, a 29-year-old musician from Haleiwa, HI.

Breanna sang "Tell Your Heart to Beat Again" by former American Idol finalist Danny Gokey.

"And that's how you do it. You just stop everything... You keep raising the bar. Keep believing and keep raising up. You're going to be fine," Lionel said.

Luke added, "That is why you're in this competition and why you make it through every round!"

Canaan sang "Goodness of God" by CeCe Winans, which had been performed by former Idol contestant Roman Collins and gospel singer Cece Winans during the 2024 finale.

Lionel praised Canaan for singing with so much "feeling and believability," and Luke quipped, "He baptizes me every time he sings!"

Gabby paid tribute to former American Idol contestant Elliot Yamin's 2006 performance by singing "A Song For You" by Donny Hathaway.

"Wow! Wow! Gabby, absolute perfection -- absolute perfection," Carrie said.

Luke complimented Gabby on holding the room, and he said her vocals made him speechless.

Jamal paid tribute to Leah Marlene's 2022 performance by serenading the crowd with "Heal" by Tom Odell.

The three judges gave Jamal an enthusiastic standing ovation, and Lionel told Jamal that he's "divinely guided."

John took the stage with "I Told You So," which had been sung by American Idol judge Carrie Underwood and singer Randy Travis.

"I love that each challenge you push yourself and you try to do different kinds of songs or you lose the guitar and you do different things," Carrie gushed.

"I love watching you grow every time you take the stage. I'll speak for Randy Travis on this one -- I think he would approve."

Josh performed "All By Myself" by Celine Dion, which had been covered by former American Idol contestant Pia Toscano in 2011.

"The fact that you've had this experience with us and you've gotten to meet the people you have and blossom from the kid we saw very 'in his shell' during his auditions -- to do what you just did and to let your emotions show like that, it was just incredible," Luke said.

Kolbi sang "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by Judy Garland, remembering former Idol runner-up Katherine McPhee's 2006 performance.

"Let me just say this: what the hell was that?! That was divine. I mean, honestly, you just settled into that. Amazing," Lionel gushed.

Luke added, "That was like somewhere over a supernova way out in the galaxy!"

Mattie performed "Because of You" by the first-ever American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson.

"I mean, 16 out here going toe to toe with everybody. You need to make sure you understand how amazing it is... You are doing so good. Just keep growing and fighting. Great job," Luke shared.

Slater performed "Angel From Montgomery" by John Prine, paying tribute to former Idol runner-up Megan Danielle's impressive vocals back in 2023.

"Your confidence is coming out. I love your stage presence. You're solid as a rock," Lionel said.

Carrie added, "You are so identifiable. You have your own lane carved out... so keep it up."

Thunderstorm belted out "House of the Rising Sun" by The Animals, which former American Idol finalist Haley Reinhart had performed in 2011.

"All I am going to say is you have a vibe that every time you do the right song -- and it's always the right song -- but you put your vibe on it, man! It's so great!" Lionel gushed.

Carrie thought the performance was "awesome" and that he had made "the perfect song choice."
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

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