Two years after claiming the season 21 crown, Iam Tongi returned to the American Idol stage in his native Hawaii to perform his new song, “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride.”
Tongi recorded the song for the 2025 remake of Lilo & Stitch. Hawaiian chanter Mark Kealiʻi Hoʻomalu recorded the original for the 2002 animated film, about a lonely Hawaiian girl named Lilo who accidentally adopts an alien, Stich, as her “dog.”
Admit it—you love Remember the Titans. Questionable attention to history aside, it was one of those feel-good movies that I watched over and over growing up. Taking the stage, Jamal Roberts belted “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, which featured prominently throughout the 2000 sports drama.
“I don’t know if I can emotionally take another performance,” exclaimed judge Lionel Richie. “You have the ability to Jamal-orize everything. You could take ‘Three Blind Mice’ and turn it into a soulful song.”
While praising the Mississippi P.E. teacher’s “incredible voice,” judge Carrie Underwood admitted she found his showmanship a bit lacking. “You missed an opportunity to move around and entertain,” she told him. “We know you have that in you. Let’s go!”
Officially the last woman standing in season 23 with last night’s departure of Mattie Pruitt and Gabby Samone, Breanna Nix made her case for finale night. The 25-year-old stay-at-home mom from Texas performed Natalie Cole’s “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” from the 1998 Parent Trap remake starring Lindsay Lohan, Dennis Quaid, and Natasha Richardson.
After Ni wrapped up her performance, judge Carrie Underwood noted that she seemed “a little bit unsure” during the first half of the song. “Your next performance, just have fun,” the season 4 champ advised.
The comment sparked backlash from many of Nix’s fans online. “So the judges literally only criticize Breanna. WTF is up with that,” one X/Twitter user wrote.
why are we criticizing Breanna but praising Thunderstorm every time??? she’s the only woman in the top 5 & in an industry that’s focused on men artists, give her the credit she deserves. She’s incredible!!!!
#AmericanIdol— charly 🌼 (@charlyy_brownn)
Securing his position in the Top 5 with an incredible “Colors of the Wind” cover, followed by a sweet self-penned tribute to wife Faith, Thunderstorm Artis is in it to win it. The Voice season 18 finalist kept it about as Disney as you can get with “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes,” from the 1950 film Cinderella.
“That song fit you perfectly. You are all heart,” judge Carrie Underwood said. “You don’t do too much or too little. We feel your heart behind it.”
Next up is Louisiana’s John Foster, who is studying biology to become an oncologist at Louisiana State University. Tonight, he delivered a playful cover of “The Bare Necessities” from the 1967 animated film The Jungle Book.
“You’ve got likability,” judge Lionel Richie said. “A lot of people think it’s just about singing, but they’ve got to like you!”
One impressed viewer wrote on X/Twitter, “John Foster can make any song a country song.”
Displaying a talent and maturity well beyond his 18 years, Slater Nalley has outlasted all but four of his competitors so far. Tonight, the Atlanta high school senior got Disney Night Part 2 kicked off with “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” from Toy Story. (Which, incidentally, came out in 1995, a full decade before Slater was born. I’m so old.)
Disney Night continues on American Idol, this time with a heroes-and-villains theme. Who will make it to Finale Night?
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