Blake Busch

(Disney/Eric McCandless) ELLIOTT YAMIN, JORDAN MCCULLOUGH The American Idol Season 24 Top 5 night was full of nostalgia and also randomness with an unexpected Dancing With The Stars collab. The nostalgia started with OG judges Paula Abdul returning to the judges table and Randy Jackson mentoring the contestants.

(Disney/Eric McCandless) BRADEN RUMFELT For the American Idol Season 24 Top 7 week, the singers took on songs from the Taylor Swift catalog as well as songs from California singers. Nikki Glaser, comedian, and Taylor Swift superfan joined the judges panel. It appeared most of the contestants were not Swifties as many of them gave somewhat underwhelming performances. That was until 23-year-old Murphy, North Carolina native, Braden Rumfelt took the stage.

(Disney/Eric McCandless) CARRIE UNDERWOOD, JENNIFER HUDSON The American Idol Season 24 Top 9 took on the annual Disney theme for a spot in the Top 7 on Monday night (April 29). Season 3 finalist and EGOT winner, Jennifer Hudson returned to Idol as a guest judge and mentor. In a full circle moment, one standout, 29-year-old Pensacola, Florida native, Keyla Richardson, took on “Circle of Life” by Elton John which was one of Jennifer’s signature moments on the show.