‘American Idol’ Season 23 Live Blog: Top 24 at Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawaii, Episode 9 (April 13, 2025)

Slater Nalley certainly knows how to pluck at the heartstrings. The Atlanta high schooler just brought a rasp to “Over the Rainbow” that we’ve never seen before. “I got goosebumps,” Jelly Roll could be heard saying in the audience.

“I don’t remember you having all of that growl,” Lionel Richie said. “I just think you’ve actually developed into a first-class artist, singer.”

Carrie Underwood raved over the 18-year-old’s musical future. “I truly, honestly think that you have the talent and the voice that in, like, 10 years, it will be like, ‘This is one of the finest voices that we’ve ever had in country music,'” the country superstar said.

Luke Bryan also sees good things on the horizon, telling Nalley, “You’re going to get to do music for a long, long time, and it’s really fun.”

They don’t call him “Samoan Silk” for nothing. Isaiah Misailegalu lived up to his nickname with a velvety cover of Hawaiian country-reggae sensation Maoli’s “You Can Have It All.”

“What you have in your voice is magic,” Lionel Richie marveled.

Both Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan offered glowing reviews as well. However, the highest praise came from Maoili frontman Glenn Awong himself. The Hawaiian singer-songwriter floored Misailegalu when he strode toward him from backstage, where he had watched the entire performance.

“I thought you were amazing. Absolutely amazing,” Awong said. “Keep doing your thing.”

This is the kind of music Isaiah needs to do more of that was insanely good 👏🔥#AmericanIdol

— Wyatt 🛸👽 (@Wyatt_fann)