Contestants chosen from around the nation endure a grueling rehearsal schedule and pressure-packed auditions as they vie for a coveted spot among the Top 24. Who will survive and who will go home?

Hollywood Round

Ryan Seacrest

Simon Cowell

Randy Jackson

Paula Abdul

Nigel Lythgoe

Top 24 Chosen

Auditions: Rest of the Best

Auditions take place in Minneapolis, MN in this special 2 hour episode

Minneapolis Auditions

Auditions continue from Seattle, WA in this special 2 hour episode.

Seattle Auditions

Season 6 Auditions continue from Memphis, TN

Memphis Auditions

Season 6 Auditions continue from New York City, NY.

New York City Auditions

Season 6 auditions continue from Birmingham, AL.

Birmingham Auditions

Season 6 auditions continue from Los Angeles/Pasadena, CA

Los Angeles Auditions

Season 6 auditions continue in San Antonio, TX

San Antonio, Texas Auditions

Tonight, American Idol presents the Best of the Rest, never-before-seen auditions. This is the final audition show before the contestants go to Hollywood.

Contestants chosen from around the nation have endured the grueling schedule and high-pressure auditions of the Hollywood Round, hoping to impress the judges and secure one of the 24 semifinalist spots. Tonight the judges make their final cuts to determine the Top 24. The Top 12 males and Top 12 females will be revealed.

Of the 24 semifinalists chosen last week, the Top 12 boys will perform for America for the first time. Then it’s up to the viewers to vote for their favorites. Who will survive and who will go home?

Performing Tonight are:

A.J. Tabaldo

Blake Lewis

Brandon Rogers

Chris Richardson

Chris Sligh

Jared Cotter

Nicholas Pedro

Paul Kim

Phil Stacey

Rudy Cardenas

Sanjaya Malakar 

Jason "Sundance" Head.

Top 12 Boys Compete

Of the 24 semifinalists chosen last week, the Top 12 girls will perform for America for the first time. Then it’s up to the viewers to vote for their favorites. Who will survive and who will go home?

Performing tonight are:

Alaina Alexander

Amy Krebs

Antonella Barba

Gina Glocksen

Haley Scarnato

Jordin Sparks

Lakisha Jones

Leslie Hunt

Melinda Doolittle

Nicole Tranquillo

Sabrina Sloan

Stephanie Edwards

Top 12 Girls Compete

The 24 semifinalists performed for America this week, and the viewers have determined their fate. Tonight, four contestants – two males and two females – will go home, leaving 20 finalists vying for the American Idol crown. Who will make it through the first round of cuts?

Top 24 Results

Having survived last week’s competition, the Top 10 boys perform again for America. After the show, the viewers will vote for their favorites. Who will keep singing, and who will go home?

Performing Tonight are:

A.J. Tabaldo

Blake Lewis

Brandon Rogers

Chris Richardson

Chris Sligh

Jared Cotter

Nicholas Pedro

Phil Stacey

Sanjaya Malakar 

Jason "Sundance" Head

Top 10 Boys Compete

The Top 10 girls perform for America, hoping to win enough votes to stay in the competition. Who will be back to sing next week? America will decide.

Performing tonight are:

Alaina Alexander

Antonella Barba

Gina Glocksen

Haley Scarnato

Jordin Sparks

Lakisha Jones

Leslie Hunt

Melinda Doolittle

Sabrina Sloan

Stephanie Edwards

Top 10 Girls Compete

The 20 remaining semifinalists performed this week and the viewers voted for their favorites. Tonight, the four contestants – two males and two females – who received the fewest votes will go home, leaving 16 semifinalists to vie for the American Idol crown.  Kellie Pickler will also perform her new single "I Wonder".

Top 20 Results

The remaining eight boys will perform for America and the viewers will vote for their favorites after the show. Who will sing again, and who will go home?

Performing Tonight are:

Blake Lewis

Brandon Rogers

Chris Richardson

Chris Sligh

Jared Cotter

Phil Stacey

Sanjaya Malakar 

Jason "Sundance" Head

Top 8 Boys Compete

The remaining eight girls sing for America. After the show, the viewers will vote for their favorites. Who will be back next week and who will go home? 

Performing tonight are:

Antonella Barba

Gina Glocksen

Haley Scarnato

Jordin Sparks

Lakisha Jones

Melinda Doolittle

Sabrina Sloan

Stephanie Edwards

Top 8 Girls Compete

In the most dramatic results show of the season thus far, four more semifinalists – two boys and two girls – will go home, leaving the Top 12 finalists to vie for the American Idol crown. The viewers’ choices for the Top 12 will be revealed tonight live.  

Also, Carrie Underwood performs her newest hit single - "Wasted"

Top 16 Results

Tonight the Top 12 finalists perform live for the nation, vying for the American Idol crown. In this special two-hour show, the contestants will sing their hearts out in hopes of winning America’s vote and surviving another week in the competition.Tonight's theme is: Diana Ross songs 

Performing Tonight are:

Blake Lewis

Brandon Rogers

Chris Richardson

Chris Sligh

Phil Stacey

Sanjaya Malakar 

Gina Glocksen

Haley Scarnato

Jordin Sparks

Lakisha Jones

Melinda Doolittle

Stephanie Edwards

Top 12 Finalists Perform

Last night, American Idol’s Top 12 sang their hearts out in hopes of winning America over. Tonight, the finalist who received the fewest votes will be eliminated from the race for the American Idol crown.

Top 12 Results

Tonight the remaining 11 finalists perform live for the nation, vying for the American Idol crown. The contestants will sing their hearts out in hopes of winning America’s votes and surviving another week in the competition. This Weeks Theme is: Hit songs from the 1960s British pop invasion.

Performing Tonight are:

Blake Lewis

Chris Richardson

Chris Sligh

Phil Stacey

Sanjaya Malakar 

Gina Glocksen

Haley Scarnato

Jordin Sparks

Lakisha Jones

Melinda Doolittle

Stephanie Edwards

Top 11 Finalists Perform

Last night, the Top 11 finalists sang their hearts out in hopes of winning America over. Find out tonight live who will return to sing next week. The contestant who received the fewest votes will be sent home.

Top 11 Results

Tonight the Top 10 finalists will perform live for the nation, vying for the American Idol crown. The contestants will sing their hearts out in hopes of winning America’s vote and surviving another week in the competition. See who impresses the judges and who buckles under the pressure Tonight's Theme is: Pop songs

Performing Tonight are:

Blake Lewis

Chris Richardson

Chris Sligh

Phil Stacey

Sanjaya Malakar 

Gina Glocksen

Haley Scarnato

Jordin Sparks

Lakisha Jones

Melinda Doolittle

Top 10 Finalists Perform

Last night, the Top 10 Finalists sang their hearts out in hopes of winning America over. Find out tonight live who will go home and who will be among the Top 9 and sing again next week. The contestant receiving the fewest votes will be eliminated from the competition.Also Gwen Stefani, & Akon perform.

One Voted Off Live

After being coached by legendary vocalist Tony Bennett, the Top 9 finalists will perform songs considered to be American classics. See who impresses the judges and who buckles under the pressure.

Top 9 Finalists Perform

Last night, after coaching by legendary singer Tony Bennett, the Top 9 finalists sang American classic songs in hopes of winning America’s votes. Tune in tonight to enjoy a special live performance by Bennett. 

The contestant receiving the fewest votes will be eliminated from the competition.

Top 9 Results

Tonight on American Idol the Top 8 finalists will perform live for the nation, vying for the American Idol crown. Platinum-selling vocalist Jennifer Lopez coaches the contestants before they perform on stage in hopes of winning America’s vote and surviving another week.

This Week's Theme is: Latin Music

Top 8 Finalists Perform

Last night, the Top 8 finalists sang their hearts out in hopes of winning America over. Find out tonight who will sing again next week and who will go home, and enjoy a special live performance from multi-talented star Jennifer Lopez.

Top 8 Results

Tonight the Top 7 finalists will perform live for the nation, vying for the American Idol crown. Top female country artist Martina McBride mentors the contestants before they perform on stage in hopes of winning America’s vote and surviving another week. Tune in to see who impresses the judges and who buckles under the pressure.

Tonight's Theme is: Country music

Top 7 Finalists Perform

Last night, after being mentored by award-winning country artist Martina McBride, the Top 7 finalists sang their hearts out in hopes of winning America over. Find out tonight who will sing again next week and who will go home, and enjoy a live performance by McBride.

Top 7 Results

The singers perform in a Queen-theme episode. Appearing: Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor.

Idol Gives Back Part 1

Tonight American Idol partners with Charity Projects Entertainment Fund to raise awareness and money for young people living in extreme poverty in America and Africa. The Top 6 finalists will perform for the nation, singing songs related to compassion and hope during a “Life Anthems”-themed episode. And your vote counts more than ever before, on this special night, you can help change the lives of the truly needy as the American Idol sponsors, Coca-Cola and AT&T/Cingular, along with additional partners, will donate money for every vote you cast.

Tonight's Theme is: Life Anthems

Idol Gives Back

Tonight, Bon Jovi mentors the contestants before they sing songs by the legendary rock band in hopes of winning America’s vote and surviving another week in the competition.

Top 6 Finalists Perform

Tonight, Bon Jovi mentors the contestants before they sing songs by the legendary rock band in hopes of winning America’s vote and surviving another week in the competition.

Tonight's Theme is: Bon Jovi songs

Top 6 Results

Last night, the Top 6 finalists sang their hearts out in hopes of winning America over. Find out tonight who will be in the Final 4 and which 2 will go home, and enjoy a special live performance by Bon Jovi.

Top 4 Finalists Perform

Tonight the Top 4 finalists will perform live for the nation, vying for the American Idol crown. The contestants sing their hearts out in hopes of winning America’s vote and surviving another week in the competition. Tune in to see who impresses the judges and who buckles under the pressure.

Tonight's Theme is: Bee Gees songs.

Top 4 Results

Last night, the Top 4 finalists sang their hearts out in hopes of winning America over. Find out tonight who will sing again next week and who will go home.

Top 3 Finalists Perform

Tonight the Top 3 finalists will perform live for the nation, vying for the American Idol crown. The contestants will sing their hearts out in hopes of winning America’s vote and the coveted opportunity to compete in next week’s season finale. 

Tonight's Theme's Are: Judge's Choice; Contestant's Choice; & Clive Davis's Choice.

Top 3 Results

TV’s hottest show revs up to a crescendo! Last night, the Top 3 finalists sang their hearts out in hopes of winning America over. Find out tonight live which two finalists will compete in next week’s exciting season finale. 

The contestant receiving the fewest votes will be eliminated from the competition.

Top 2 Finalists Perform

On tonight’s exciting performance show, the last of the season, the final two contestants, Blake Lewis, & Jordin Sparks will battle it out live at the famed Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. Your votes decide which one will be the next American Idol and which one will be the Runner-Up.

Tonight's Themes Are: One song they have performed previously; a new song of their own choosing; and the winning song from this season's songwriting competition.

Winner Is Crowned

Each year, hopeful singers from all over the country audition to be part of one of the biggest shows in American television history. Who will become the new American Idol?

Hollywood Round

Seasons15

Season 6 Episodes41

Cast4

Crew1

Discussion

Episode Summary