For the first time in Season 24, American Idol is putting the power directly into viewers’ hands. On March 16, 2026, half of the Top 20 contestants performed from Disney’s Aulani Resort & Spa in Hawaii, and for the first time, fans could vote via social media to determine who advances to the Top 14, which will be revealed on the March 30 live show.
This new voting system replaces the old American Idol app, making it easier than ever to support your favorite singers while keeping the excitement high.
When the two-hour episode begins at 8 p.m. ET, a special pinned post will appear on the official American Idol accounts on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Each post will display the night’s 10 performers and explain how to spell their names correctly.
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Fans can vote up to 10 times per contestant by commenting only the contestant’s first name.
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For example, type
HANNAHfor Hannah Harper orKEYLAfor Keyla Richardson—nothing else. -
You can vote multiple times for multiple contestants using the same method.
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Only viewers 18 and older can participate in social voting. Voting closes at 6 a.m. ET on March 17.
Other Voting Options Still Available
While social media voting is new, you can also vote using the traditional methods:
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Online Voting: Go to AmericanIdol.com/Vote once the episode starts. Each fan can cast up to 10 votes per contestant. You must be 16+ and located in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or U.S. Virgin Islands to participate.
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Text Voting: Text your favorite contestant’s unique number to 21523, up to 10 times per contestant. Voting ends at 6 a.m. ET the following morning.
With the Top 14 at stake, every vote counts more than ever. Whether you comment, text, or vote online, make sure your favorite Idol gets the support they deserve!
