Season 23 of American Idol is quickly approaching its dramatic finale. In a nail-biting Top 7 episode that aired on Sunday, the competition narrowed to just five contestants — but the outcome left viewers stunned and outraged.
After a night of Disney magic and heartfelt Mother’s Day tributes, two standout performers — Gabby Samone, the final Black female contestant, and Mattie Pruitt, the youngest singer in the competition at only 16 — were sent home.
Despite an astonishing 20 million votes cast, including 5 million more than the previous week, fans couldn’t believe the results. Social media erupted within minutes of Ryan Seacrest announcing the Top 5.
Gabby Samone’s Disney Performance: A Mentor’s Song, A Memorable Fight
This week’s theme featured Disney classics, and contestants got one-on-one guidance from none other than Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda. Gabby Samone chose “How Far I’ll Go” from Moana — a song Miranda himself wrote.
Miranda admitted it was a “very hard” choice, saying, “It’s range-y. It’s wordy.” During rehearsals, Gabby struggled with the fast-paced lyrics, but with Miranda’s help, she nailed the difficult line — showing her resilience and vocal precision.
The judges were blown away. Lionel Richie praised her by saying, “We are spoiled by you,” while Carrie Underwood declared, “Your voice was made for songs like that.”
A Mother’s Day Tribute That Moved the Room
For her second performance, Gabby poured her heart into “Home” from The Wiz, dedicating it to her mother, Charoletta. In an emotional video segment, she shared the impact her mom has had on her journey.
Carrie Underwood called her talent “ridiculous,” and the performance left the audience teary-eyed — yet it still wasn’t enough to secure her place in the Top 5.
Fans React: “Gabby Was ROBBED!”
Shortly after the show aired, Twitter (X) exploded with reactions. Many fans were outraged, calling the results unfair, racially biased, or simply out of touch with talent.
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“What the hell were those results??” – @emilysimonnn
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“STOP LETTING AMERICA VOTE!!!” – @Dontknowbruhpod
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“Gabby, Breanna, Jamal, Canaan, Ché – that’s the REAL Top 5.” – @retrowater0
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“Y’all picked Slater over Gabby? SERIOUSLY?” – @sunkissednsalty
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“Gabby going home tonight is a crime against women.” – @skittyspiece
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“She was the best vocalist in decades. Shameful.” – @Illianonyc
One tweet went viral:
“Gabby voted out? Yeah, this show isn’t fixed. And I have a bridge for sale.” – @Carol_E_Zanetti
Others, however, offered a more nuanced take:
“Tonight didn’t go your way, but you’re going places. Keep chasing your dreams.” – @Stephan61047444
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What Happens Next?
As the Top 5 prepare for the next live show, the absence of Gabby Samone is being felt across the Idol community. With emotions high and social media ablaze, producers may face pressure to address concerns over voting fairness — especially as the finale nears.
Was this just another Idol twist — or a wake-up call for a system that doesn’t always reward raw talent?
Why This Matters for Idol’s Legacy
Season 23 has brought some of the strongest vocalists the show has seen in years. But if fan outrage continues to grow, American Idol risks alienating the very audience that made it a cultural institution.
The eliminations of Gabby Samone and Mattie Pruitt aren’t just surprising — they’re controversial. And that’s exactly why this season might be remembered as one of the most talked-about yet.
