Updated April 20, 2026, 10:17 p.m. ET
Two singers’ “American Idol” journeys are over after “Disney Night.”
With the help of mentor and guest judge Jennifer Hudson, the Top 9 sang tunes from across Disney’s filmography, including “Hannah Montana: The Movie” and “The Lion King,” in the hopes of making it into the Top 7 during the Monday, April 20, episode.
The 44-year-old “Idol” alumna, who finished in seventh on Season 3 and went on to become the youngest woman to EGOT, helped prepare the next generation of “Idol” hopefuls to impress judges Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan and win America’s vote.
She described 18-year-old Lucas Leon as an “old soul,” heaped praise on Jordan McCullough – whose voice is like “an anointing” – and shed tears as Keyla Richardson performed the exact song (“Circle of Life”) that Hudson belted out on her own season 22 years ago.
Another notable moment was power vocalist Rae making a surprise return to the stage following her elimination the previous week – but she wasn’t there to sing. Instead, after Brooks Rosser sang a stripped-back version of “The Climb,” she delivered a relationship hard-launch.
“The princess is here to claim her prince,” she told Ryan Seacrest.
Despite the largely positive feedback, not everyone made it through to next week’s Taylor Swift-themed show. “This is the start of your career,” Hudson reassured the contestants before they learned their fates.
Here’s who stayed and who went home after “American Idol” viewers voted for the Top 7.
Who’s in the ‘American Idol’ Top 7 in 2026?
- Daniel Stallworth
- Keyla Richardson
- Jordan McCullough
- Chris Tungseth
- Hannah Harper
- Brooks Rosser
- Braden Rumfelt
