American Idol Season 7, Episode 26: Top 9 Finalists Perform

Philadelphia Auditions

The No. 1 show on television returns for an all-new season with new contestants, new dreams and, of course, the best and worst auditions from Philadelphia, PA.

85 min

Dallas Auditions

The seventh season continues as more contestants audition from Dallas, TX.

85 min

San Diego Auditions

American Idol hopefuls continue to dream big and hope to win over the judges for their chance at stardom from San Diego, CA.

85 min

Charleston Auditions

American Idol continues their quest to find the next singing superstar. Watch as thousands of hopefuls from Charleston, SC go before the judges in hopes of making it to Hollywood.

85 min

Omaha Auditions

American Idol continues their quest to find the next singing superstar. Watch as thousands of hopefuls go before the judges in hopes of making it to Hollywood from Omaha, NE.

85 min

Miami Auditions

American Idol continues their quest to find the next singing superstar. Watch as thousands of hopefuls go before the judges in hopes of making it to Hollywood from Miami, FL.

85 min

Atlanta Auditions

American Idol judges make one last stop in Atlanta hoping to find the next singing sensation. Watch as thousands of hopefuls try to make their dreams come true from Atlanta, GA.

85 min

Best of the Rest Auditions

American Idol continues their quest to find the next singing superstar. Watch as thousands of hopefuls go before the judges in hopes of making it to Hollywood from the Best Of The Rest from Philadelphia, Dallas, San Diego, Charleston, Omaha, Miami, & Atlanta.

85 min

Hollywood Round

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?

85 min

Top 24 Chosen

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 tonight.

85 min

The Top 12 Boys Perform

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: David Archuleta Colton Berry Jason Castro Robbie Carrico David Cook Chikezie Eze Garrett Haley David Hernandez Michael Johns Luke Menard Danny Noriega Jason Yeager

85 min

Top 12 Girls 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: Joanne Borgella Kristy Lee Cook Amy Davis Asia'h Epperson Alexandrea Lushington Kady Malloy Ramiele Malubay Syesha Mercado Amanda Overmyer Carly Smithson Alaina Whitaker Brooke White

85 min

Top 24 Results

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?

85 min

Top 10 Boys Compete

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: David Archuleta Jason Castro Robbie Carrico David Cook Chikezie Eze David Hernandez Michael Johns Luke Menard Danny Noriega Jason Yeager

85 min

Top 10 Girls Compete

Having survived last week's competition, the Top 10 girls 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: Kristy Lee Cook Asia'h Epperson Alexandrea Lushington Kady Malloy Ramiele Malubay Syesha Mercado Amanda Overmyer Carly Smithson Alaina Whitaker Brooke White

85 min

Top 20 Results

The remaining 20 semifinalists performed for America this week, and the viewers voted for their favorites. Tonight, 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.

85 min

Top 8 Boys Compete

Having survived last week's competition, the Top 8 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: David Archuleta Jason Castro David Cook Chikezie Eze David Hernandez Michael Johns Luke Menard Danny Noriega

85 min

Top 8 Girls Compete

Having survived last week's competition, the Top 8 girls 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: Kristy Lee Cook Asia'h Epperson Kady Malloy Ramiele Malubay Syesha Mercado Amanda Overmyer Carly Smithson Brooke White

85 min

Top 16 Results

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. Also, Blake Lewis will be performing his hit single "How Many Words" tonight.

85 min

Top 12 Finalists Perform

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. Tune in to see who impresses the judges and who buckles under the pressure. Tonight's Theme Is: Lennon/ / McCartney songs Performing Tonight are: David Archuleta Jason Castro David Cook Kristy Lee Cook Chikezie Eze David Hernandez Michael Johns Ramiele Malubay Syesha Mercado Amanda Overmyer Carly Smithson Brooke White

85 min

Top 12 Results

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. Also Katharine McPhee performs live.

85 min

Top 11 Finalists Perform

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. See who impresses the judges and who buckles under the pressure. Tonight's Theme Is: (Thanks to viewer requests) Lennon/ / McCartney songs Performing Tonight are: David Archuleta Jason Castro David Cook Kristy Lee Cook Chikezie Eze Michael Johns Ramiele Malubay Syesha Mercado Amanda Overmyer Carly Smithson Brooke White

85 min

Top 11 Results

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. Also there will be a special performance from Kellie Pickler.

85 min

Top 10 Finalists Perform

Tonight the remaining 10 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. See who impresses the judges and who buckles under the pressure. Tonight's Theme Is: Songs from when the finalists were born. Performing Tonight is: David Archuleta Jason Castro David Cook Kristy Lee Cook Chikezie Eze Michael Johns Ramiele Malubay Syesha Mercado Carly Smithson Brooke White

85 min

One Voted Off Live

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 Kimberley Locke performs.

85 min

Top 9 Results

Last night, the Top 9 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 as American Idol celebrates its 250th Episode Milestone. Also Dolly Parton performs.

85 min

Top 8 Finalists

Tonight the Top 8 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: Inspirational Songs Performing Tonight are: David Archuleta Jason Castro David Cook Kristy Lee Cook Michael Johns Syesha Mercado Carly Smithson Brooke White

85 min

Idol Gives Back

Idol Gives Back is a music celebration raising awareness and benefiting various U.S. and international charities. This year's event will be bigger and more ambitious than ever, and will feature incredible international artists and sports stars including Bono, Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon, Miley Cyrus, Mariah Carey, Eli Manning, Peyton Manning, Fergie, Chris Daughtry, Carrie Underwood, Annie Lennox, John Legend, Snoop Dogg, Fantasia Barrino, Elliott Yamin, Robin Williams, Celine Dion, Forest Whitaker, Billy Crystal, Dane Cook, Kiefer Sutherland, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Band From TV (Hugh Laurie), Jennifer Connolly, and Amy Adams, John Cena, Triple H, Chris Jericho.

85 min

1 of 8 Voted Off

Idol Gives Back is a music celebration raising awareness and benefiting various U.S. and international charities. This year's event will be bigger and more ambitious than ever, and will feature incredible international artists and sports stars including Bono, Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon, Miley Cyrus, Mariah Carey, Eli Manning, Peyton Manning, Fergie, Chris Daughtry, Carrie Underwood, Annie Lennox, John Legend, Snoop Dogg, Fantasia Barrino, Elliott Yamin, Robin Williams, Celine Dion, Forest Whitaker, Billy Crystal, Dane Cook, Kiefer Sutherland, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Band From TV (Hugh Laurie), Jennifer Connolly, and Amy Adams, John Cena, Triple H, Chris Jericho. Last season, the special garnered a prestigious Governor's Award Emmy for raising an incredible $76 million

85 min

Top 7 Finalists

Last night, the star-studded Idol Gives Back music celebration special helped raise awareness and funds for various U.S. and international charities. Now the wait is over for the Top 8 finalists as they find out tonight who will sing again next week and who will go home. Also Chris Brown & Jordin Sparks will perform.

85 min

1 of 7 Voted Off

Tonight the Top 7 finalists will perform live for the nation, vying for the American Idol crown. The contestants will perform their hearts out 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: Mariah Carey songs Performing Tonight are: David Archuleta Jason Castro David Cook Kristy Lee Cook Syesha Mercado Carly Smithson Brooke White

85 min

Top 6 Finalists

85 min

1 of 6 Voted Off

Last night, American Idol's Top 6 sung their hearts out in hopes of winning America over. Find out tonight live who will survive and who will be sent home. Also Leona Lewis performs live.

85 min

Top 5 Finalists

85 min

1 of 5 Voted Off

Last night, American Idol's Top 5 sung their hearts out in hopes of winning America over. Find out tonight live who will survive and who will be sent home. Find out tonight who will sing again next week and who will go home. Also Neil Diamond performs Amazing Grace, & Natasha Bedingfield performs Pocketful of Sunshine.

85 min

Top 4 Finalists

Last night, American Idol's Top 5 sung their hearts out in hopes of winning America over. Find out tonight live who will survive and who will be sent home. Find out tonight who will sing again next week and who will go home. Also Neil Diamond performs Amazing Grace, & Natasha Bedingfield performs Pocketful of Sunshine.

85 min

1 of 4 Voted Off

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. Also Maroon 5 & Bo Bice perform.

85 min

Top 3 Finalists

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 Is: Contestant's Choice, Judge's Choice, & Producer's Choice. Performing Tonight are: David Archuleta David Cook Syesha Mercado

85 min

1 of 3 Voted Off

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.

85 min

Top 2 Finalists Perform

On tonight's exciting performance show, the last of the season, the final two contestants will battle it out live at the NOKIA Theatre LA LIVE in Downtown Los Angeles. One will be the next American Idol and one will go home. Tonight's Theme Is: Clive Davis's choice, Songwriter's Competition choice, & Contestant's choice of any song from the season.

85 min

Winner Announced

On tonight's exciting performance show, the last of the season, the final two contestants will battle it out live at the NOKIA Theatre LA LIVE in Downtown Los Angeles. One will be the next American Idol and one will go home. Tonight's Theme Is: Clive Davis's choice, Songwriter's Competition choice, & Contestant's choice of any song from the season. Performing Tonight are: David Archuleta David Cook

85 min