The “Songs of Faith” theme night on March 30 was a total emotional rollercoaster! From a giant six people cut at the start to a massive voting glitch at the end, this season of American Idol is keeping everyone on their toes.
If you missed it, the night was supposed to end with the Top 12. But the new social media voting system was so busy it actually broke! Now, we have to wait until April 6 to see who survives. While most singers got high marks from the judges, two artists are sitting in the danger zone.
And before the results are even out, here is our unofficial verdict on who is not going to make it to the top 12!
Here is why Braden Rumfelt and Jake Thistle might be the ones saying goodbye next week.
Braden has an amazing voice, but the “Songs of Faith” night was a struggle for him. He sang “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” by Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll, and you could see the pressure getting to him. Even the judges noticed! Luke and Lionel both mentioned they could “sense the nerves” right from the start.
And you know it, professional remarks form the audience’s opinions as well!
In a competition this tight, one not-so-confident performance can be the end. While Carrie Underwood praised his vocal power, the “Idol Chatter” grades gave him a B-, the lowest score of the night! With so many strong performers like Jordan McCullough and Philmon Lee taking over the stage, Braden’s battle with his own nerves might mean he doesn’t get enough votes to stay.
Hear the performance right here and decide for yourself!
Braden Rumfelt Soars on “Hard Fought Hallelujah” – Songs Of Faith | American Idol 2026
The second contestant might be Jake. Why do we say so? He is a super talented musician, and his performance of “Have a Little Faith in Me” was very pretty. He sat at the piano and kept things simple. But on American Idol, “simple” can sometimes be “forgettable.”
The judges called him “listenable,” but that’s not exactly a winning word. He earned a B grade, which is solid, but in a Top 14 full of viral stars and “star struts,” Jake is lacking a big “wow” moment. Without a massive social media following to back him up, he is a prime candidate to get lost in the shuffle when the Top 12 results finally drop.
Hear his performance and let us know whether he deserves to be in the top 12.
Jake Thistle Moves The Crowd With “Have A Little Faith In Me” – Songs Of Faith | American Idol 2026
The April 6 show is going to be brutal. Because of the voting crash, the cuts will feel even faster. While the judges were kind during the faith theme, the fans on Facebook and Instagram are making their voices heard. Unless there is a huge surprise, Braden and Jake are the most likely to be headed home!