Curious how many contestants actually make it to Showstoppers Week on American Idol? A dramatic episode during Hollywood Week sparked questions after the judges made what host Ryan Seacrest called the biggest cut in the show’s history. With over half of the 144 hopefuls eliminated in a single night, fans were left wondering who survived and what comes next.
Here’s how many contestants advanced, what happened during the intense round, and who stood out—or went home—before Showstoppers.
How many American Idol contestants will move forward to Showstoppers week?
62 contestants advanced to the Showstoppers week on Season 23 of American Idol.
Hollywood Week cut the original pool of 144 singers by more than half, marking what Ryan Seacrest called the biggest cut in Idol history. Judges Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan evaluated each performance at the Orpheum Theatre and decided which artists would move forward.
The show automatically advanced three Platinum Ticket winners—Filo, Kolbi Jordan, and Canaan James Hill—to Showstoppers. After hearing all 144 contestants perform, the judges selected 62 to compete in the Showstopper round airing April 6. In the Idol Arena, the show called performers to the stage at random to sing and receive immediate feedback, though the judges held final decisions until the end.
Several standout performances were featured during this round. Josh King, originally criticized in auditions, impressed with Rick Astley’s “Hopelessly,” which led the judges to acknowledge his improvement. Jamal Roberts delivered a performance of “Her Heart” that earned strong praise from Lionel Richie for its emotional impact. Carrie Underwood addressed the contestants before the round, noting the transformative potential of the experience.
Other contestants advancing include Baylee Littrell, Amanda Barise, Drew Ryn, Gabby Samone, and Isaiah Misailegalu. Misailegalu showed stage confidence and vocal control during his rendition of “Lose Control.” Mattie Pruitt, the youngest contestant at age 15, performed “Cold” and received recognition for her maturity and vocal presence.
The episode revealed several eliminated contestants, including Carsen Webb, Sam Sparks, Landynn Kennedy, Mikaela Bautista, and others. While producers didn’t announce the full list of 62 contestants, viewers identified many names through performances and judges’ evaluations.
Originally reported by Vritti Johar on Comingsoon.
