American Idol 2026 Hollywood Week Eliminations: Shocking Cuts from Part 1 (February 23 Episode) – Who Went Home & Who’s Safe So Far
American Idol Season 24 (2026) kicked off its intense Hollywood Week — rebranded as “Hollywood Week in Music City” and relocated to Nashville — on February 23, 2026.
Never Miss Your Chance to Audition!
Join our WhatsApp Channel for exclusive casting calls and audition alerts!
Join NowFrom 127 golden ticket holders, judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan faced their toughest task yet: narrowing the field to just the Top 30, who will advance to the new “Ohana Round” in Hawaii.
This season’s Hollywood Week features a single high-stakes performance round with a band, followed by immediate deliberations and cuts to the “Golden Room” for safe contestants.
The February 23 episode (Part 1) delivered brutal eliminations, standout moments, and a bizarre cliffhanger ending, leaving several fan favorites’ fates undecided until Part 2 airs on March 2.
Here’s a full recap of American Idol eliminations from Hollywood Week Part 1, including the most shocking exits, confirmed advances, and what’s next.
Current Status of Hollywood Week 2026
- Contestants entering: 127 (post-auditions).
- Advancing goal: Top 30 → Ohana Round (Hawaii).
- Format changes: Nashville setting, one solo-with-band performance, “Golden Room” selection, and cliffhanger decisions.
- The episode focused on group performances, judge deliberations, and partial results — full Top 30 reveal comes March 2.
Confirmed Eliminations from Hollywood Week Part 1
Many talented singers were sent home after their one-shot performances. Here’s a breakdown of key eliminations:
| Contestant | Age/Hometown | Song Performed | Reason for Elimination / Judge Feedback | Why It Was Shocking? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khloe Grace | 15 / Jacksonville, FL | “Stay” by Sugarland | Judges felt it was too big/nervous start; didn’t lock in enough despite strong audition backstory. | Huge fan favorite after emotional original song about suicide; aimed to be youngest winner ever. |
| Brett Carlisle | 28 / Birmingham, AL | “Still of the Night” by Whitesnake | Fumbled lyrics/timing issues; solid effort but not flawless. Carrie Underwood’s rock pick. | One of Underwood’s rock discoveries; expected more from genre strength. |
| Noah Orion | 24 / Spokane, WA | “Sharp Dressed Man” by ZZ Top | Seen as novelty act; not a true contender per judges. Another Underwood rock find. | Electrifying energy but lacked depth; rock representation hit hard. |
| Livy | N/A / Texas | “Versace on the Floor” by Bruno Mars | Too-sexual approach didn’t vibe with judges; performance style backlash. | Fan discussions around approach; unexpected cut. |
| Vika | N/A | Not detailed | Eliminated in early group cuts. | Mentioned in multiple recaps as surprising. |
| Carmen Lorell Martin | N/A | Not detailed | Big elimination; niece of Real Housewives star; didn’t stand out enough. | Family hype from connections. |
| Miyoko | N/A | Not detailed | Cut during deliberations. | Noted in elimination lists. |
These shocking eliminations American Idol 2026 sparked fan buzz, with many calling the cuts brutal given the high talent level.
Most Shocking Eliminations & Why They Stunned Fans
Hollywood Week’s massive cuts led to several jaw-dropping exits:
- Khloe Grace — Emotional audition star; her maturity and cause-driven song made her a frontrunner.
- Brett Carlisle & Noah Orion — Carrie Underwood lost two of her rockers in one night; fans expected genre diversity to last longer.
- Livy — Performance critique focused on over-sexualization; divided opinions online.
- Carmen Lorell Martin — Celebrity family tie added hype, but judges weren’t convinced.
- Others like Vika — Early cuts that felt abrupt amid strong competition.
Fan reactions included surprise at the “biggest cut in Idol history” and discussions around fairness, though judges emphasized the unprecedented talent pool.
Who Advanced & Safe Contestants So Far (Golden Room)
The episode confirmed several standouts who advanced to the Golden Room (still in contention for Top 30):
| Contestant | Notable Performance / Feedback | TVLine/Sources Grade | Why They Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bryant Thomas | Taylor Swift’s “Champagne Problems” — strong, unique reveal. | B+ | Impressive growth. |
| Keyla Richardson | Jason Mraz’s “I Won’t Give Up” — emotional, family support. | High praise | Consistent strength. |
| Makiyah | Not detailed; strong group performance. | Advanced | Solid delivery. |
| Jordan McCullough | Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground” | Advanced | Energetic. |
| Madison Moon | Standout performance (details high acclaim) | A+ | One to watch. |
| Roelle | Advanced despite some concerns. | Advanced | Potential shown. |
| Trace Casanova | Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train” — mixed, but advanced. | C (controversial) | Polarizing but through. |
| Hannah Harper | Lee Ann Womack cover — flubbed lyrics but strong recovery. | B | Fan favorite return. |
| Philmon Lee | Advanced. | Advanced | Strong contender. |
| Lucas Leon | Advanced. | Advanced | Consistent. |
| Kiera Howell | Advanced. | Advanced | Impressive. |
| Abayomi | Advanced. | Advanced | Highlighted. |
| Michael Garner | Advanced (though not fully convincing in snippets). | Advanced | Through. |
Cliffhanger Cases (Fates pending March 2 episode): Jake Thistle, Braden Rumfelt (Luke Bryan predicted big things), Chloe Lauren, Chris Tungseth, Brianna Yancey.
What’s Next for American Idol 2026
- March 2, 2026: Hollywood Week Part 2 — full Top 30 reveal.
- Next phase: Top 30 head to Hawaii for the Ohana Round (industry tastemakers help narrow to Top 20).
- Expect more drama, fan voting influence, and potential surprises as eliminations continue.
Conclusion
Season 24’s Hollywood Week has already proven intense, with shocking eliminations like Khloe Grace, Brett Carlisle, and Noah Orion highlighting the competition’s depth. The Nashville shift and new elements added fresh energy, but the cuts were heartbreaking.
Tune in March 2 for the full results — who will make the Top 30 and head to the Ohana Round? Share your thoughts on the most shocking American Idol eliminations below! Stay updated as we recap the latest eliminations and advances.
