After the emotional semifinals on May 4, the competition officially narrowed from five contestants to three finalists: Hannah Harper, Keyla Richardson, and Jordan McCullough. The trio will now move forward to the three-hour live finale airing on ABC, where one of them will be crowned the next American Idol champion.

The semifinals were packed with high-pressure performances, as each contestant took the stage twice in hopes of earning enough viewer votes to survive. One round included special performances with professional dancers from Dancing With the Stars, while another brought a nostalgic touch through duets with contestants from Season 5 of American Idol.

The night also featured the return of original judges Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson, joining current judges Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie for a special reunion episode. Jackson also served as mentor for the Top 5, helping guide them through one of the most important performances of the season.

By the end of the live show, Hannah Harper, Keyla Richardson, and Jordan McCullough secured the highest number of votes and advanced to the finale. Chris Tungseth and Braden Rumfelt were eliminated, ending their journeys just one step before the final round.

Although Chris and Braden had faced tough competition in recent weeks, their exits still left many fans disappointed, especially those who believed both singers had built strong momentum at the right time.

However, the biggest surprise came after the results were announced. Producers revealed that the finale will include expanded live performances, more guest appearances, and updated final-round voting opportunities that could shift the competition in real time.

This means fan support alone may not be enough to guarantee a win. Final performances, live audience reactions, and last-minute voting could all play a major role in deciding who takes the title.

Host Ryan Seacrest also confirmed that the Season 24 finale will feature a star-filled lineup of guest performers. Alicia Keys will appear as a special guest mentor, while artists including Blues Traveler, Cameron Whitcomb, Clay Aiken, En Vogue, Gin Blossoms, Jason Mraz, Lee Ann Womack, Mötley Crüe, Nelly, Shinedown, Tori Kelly, and Brad Paisley are all set to perform during the three-hour event.

Eliminated contestants from the season will also return for special performances and collaborations, making the finale one of the biggest nights of the year for the show.

While Hannah Harper has often been seen as the frontrunner thanks to strong fan support, streaming success, and consistent praise throughout the season, many now believe the final result is far from guaranteed.

With live voting, finale-night performances, and unexpected momentum shifts still ahead, American Idol has turned its final week from a predictable finish into a true last-minute battle.

Now, instead of asking who will win, fans are asking whether Season 24 is about to deliver its biggest surprise yet.