American Idol Top 5 Season 5 duet spoilers plus Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson come home
American Idol 2026 is almost at the finish line! The next episode (Monday May 4) will determine the Top 3 out of the Top 5 heading into the May 11 finale.
The show’s theme is in two parts, Class of 2006: Reunion and Idol x DWTS.
The American Idol reunion is especially sweet, as it celebrates what has to be my favorite season of Idol, Season 5. Can you guys believe it? It’s been 20 years since Taylor Hicks took the American Idol crown, and believe it or not, we were here posting spoilers and covering it all.
Top 5 Idol Reunion Song Spoilers!
The Top 5, including Chris Tungseth, Braden Rumfelt, Hannah Harper, Keyla Richardson and Jordan McCullough will be paired up with and season 5 contestants to duet on on one of the alums’ iconic competition songs:
- Keyla Richardson and Taylor Hicks (winner) – Living for the City by Stevie Wonder
- Jordan McCullough and Elliott Yamin (3rd place) – A Song for You by Donny Hathaway
- Brandon Rumfelt and Paris Bennett (5th place) – The Show Must Go On by Queen
Hannah Harper and Kellie Pickler (6th place) – A Broken Wing by Martina McBride - Chris Tungseth and Bucky Covington (8th place) – The Thunder Rolls by Garth Brooks.
It’s worth noting that this Idol appearance will be the first for Kellie since her husband, Kyle Jacobs, died by suicide in 2023. She’s currently embroiled in estate litigation with her in-laws.
Dancing with the Stars pros will perform with the Top 5
For the second half, Dancing with the Stars pros will perform alongside the Top 5. Pros set to perform are
- Jan Ravnik
- Gleb Savchenko
- Rylee Arnold
- Witney Carson
Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson return home to American Idol
And that’s not all! OG American Idol judges Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson will be in the house! Paula will serve as guest judge, and Randy as guest mentor.
Paula sat on the panel from season 1 to season 8. After the eight season, Paula suddenly quit when producers did not meet her salary demands. Randy had a longer tenure on the show, serving as judge from season 1 through the disastrous Nicki Minaj/Mariah Carey season. He then worked as in house mentor for season 13 before leaving the show for good.
Last years winner, Jamal Roberts, is set to perform.
American Idol airs Monday nights at 8 pm ET/PT on ABC and Disney+, streaming next day on Hulu.
