Discover the top 8 American Idol 2025 contestants as they advance with powerhouse performances and unique styles. Get to know this season’s standout finalists.
Background Context
On May 4, 2025, American Idol aired its Top 8 Reveal, where over 22 million viewer votes determined the singers moving forward in the competition. During this two-hour live episode, the Top 10 contestants performed songs celebrating iconic women in music, under the mentorship of country star Miranda Lambert.
Top 8 American Idol 2025 Contestants
Below are the eight singers still competing for the crown:
- Thunderstorm Artis
- John Foster
- Mattie Pruitt
- Breanna Nix
- Jamal Roberts
- Slater Nalley
- Gabby Samone
- Josh King
Each finalist showcased distinct vocal prowess and stage presence, from Artis’s soulful ballads to Nix’s powerhouse belts, making this group the season’s breakout stars
A vibrant collage of the eight finalists performing on stage under colorful spotlights, with host Ryan Seacrest in the foreground and the American Idol logo backdrop, capturing the excitement of the Top 8 reveal.
Here’s a closer look at the eight singers who survived “American Idol’s” Top 8 cut on May 4, 2025:
Thunderstorm Artis
- Age & Hometown: 29-year-old from Oahu, Hawaii.
- Background: Placed third on “The Voice” in 2020 and now brings his singer-songwriter chops to “Idol”.
- Personal Life: Married with two young sons; often cites faith as central to his journey .
- Standout Moments:
- Mentored by James Taylor on “Fire and Rain,” receiving personal validation from the legend .
- Nail-biting performance of Adele’s “When We Were Young” to clinch his Top 8 spot (.
John Foster
- Age & Hometown: 18-year-old valedictorian from Brusly High School in Addis, Louisiana.
- Style: Describes himself as “Neo-Traditional” country, inspired by George Strait and Willie Nelson .
- Audition Highlight: Sang Randy Travis’s “I Told You So” directly to Carrie Underwood, earning praise for his storytelling.
- Original Work: Penned “Tell That Angel I Love Her” about friends lost in 2022, showcasing his songwriting depth.
Mattie Pruitt
- Age & Hometown: 16-year-old high school student from Eagleville, Tennessee—the youngest in the Top 8.
- Early Start: Began posting covers on TikTok at 12, amassing over 130,000 followers.
- Audition Moment: Arrived with pianist Craig Campbell (a former Luke Bryan bandmate) to perform Jessie Murph’s “How Could You,” earning her golden ticket.
- Recent Performance: Wowed judges with Miranda Lambert’s “The House That Built Me” during the powerful-women theme.
Breanna Nix
- Age & Hometown: 25-year-old stay-at-home mom from Denton, Texas.
- Faith-Driven: Brought Carrie Underwood to tears with “Jesus Take the Wheel” and has since balanced gospel roots with pop covers.
- Disney Night: Sang “Reflection” from Mulan with total vocal control, earning high praise from Luke Bryan.
Jamal Roberts
- Age & Hometown: 27-year-old elementary gym teacher from Meridian, Mississippi; father of two daughters.
- Musical Roots: Gospel-influenced storytelling; judges commend his emotional delivery.
- Top 5-Clincher: Performed Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” and Disney’s “Go the Distance,” showcasing his soulful range.
Slater Nalley
- Age & Hometown: 18-year-old country singer and high-schooler from Atlanta, Georgia.
- Influences: Cites Tyler Childers, Jason Isbell and Nathaniel Rateliff as inspirations.
- Original Audition: Moved judges to tears with “Traces of You,” an ode to loss and memory.
- Recent Sets: Delivered renditions of “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” and Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right.
Gabby Samone
- Age & Hometown: 23-year-old from Baltimore, Maryland.
- Style: Merges gospel, soul, pop and R&B; described by Luke Bryan as one of his most memorable chair moments for “Saving All My Love For You.
- Fan Connection: Began in church choirs and credits “Idol” with refining her artistry before exiting Top 7.
Josh King
- Age & Hometown: 24-year-old multi-instrumentalist from Charlotte, North Carolina .
- Instrumentation: Plays piano and both diatonic and chromatic harmonicas; mentored by blues legend James Cotton.
- Community Champion: Volunteers as a singer in local hospitals and at the airport between performances.
- Showstoppers: Survived Top 10 with Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep,” then emotionally advocated for Mattie before his elimination.
Each of these artists brings a distinct story and sound to the competition, making the Top 8 the most diverse and compelling group in “American Idol” history see more.