As “American Idol” Season 24 races toward its highly anticipated finale, fans are getting even more reasons to tune in. Two eliminated contestants, Kyndal Inskeep and Lucas Leon, are officially making their return for the grand finale, and one of them is preparing for a major career moment with the debut of an original song.

With the final episode set to air on Monday, May 11, excitement is building as the competition gets closer to crowning its next winner. Season 24 first premiered on January 26, 2026, bringing back judges Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie, alongside longtime host Ryan Seacrest.

This season introduced several major changes, including the “Music City Takeover” during Hollywood Week in Nashville and a brand-new social voting system that allowed fans to vote through Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, in addition to text and the official voting website.

Now, with only weeks left, the finale is shaping up to be one of the biggest nights of the season.

One of the biggest surprises is the return of former contestants Kyndal Inskeep and Lucas Leon. On April 26, it was confirmed that both singers will perform during the finale despite their earlier eliminations.

For Inskeep, the return comes at the perfect time. After being sent home during the emotional Disney Night episode, where she performed “Butterfly Fly Away” from Hannah Montana: The Movie, she quickly showed fans that her journey was far from over.

Just days after her elimination, Inskeep returned to social media with a bold teaser for brand-new music, writing, “Shooting for the stars with this one guys 🤭🦋 100k likes and it’s YOURSSSS xx. Comment or DM me a ❤️ and I’ll tell you when it’s out!”

The teaser instantly exploded online when she shared a heartfelt preview of the unreleased track, featuring dreamy lyrics like, “You’re my shining baby, I’m your moon” and “You know it’s love when you don’t need a wishing.” Fans quickly called it “a hit already” and “on repeat material.”

Her lyrics also revealed a softer, emotional storytelling style, with lines about “a first crush bloomin’ in the schoolyard” and “we’re spinning round making out in the kitchen,” giving fans a glimpse of her songwriting beyond the competition stage.

The response was overwhelming. One viral comment read, “American Idol lost Kyndal, Kyndal didn’t lose American Idol! Also DROP IT!” while others flooded her page with messages like “1 2 3 RELEASE IT NEOW” and “We need this on repeat the whole summer.”

Supporters also praised her growth outside the show, with one fan writing, “Your voice & writing have NEVER been stronger,” while another declared, “Not winning is the new winning. You’re a star diva!”

Even the judges were surprised by her elimination. Carrie Underwood admitted Kyndal “wasn’t even on my radar to be eliminated,” while Luke Bryan called the result a “head-scratcher,” pointing to her strong songwriting identity and unique artistic lane.

Now, Inskeep is set to perform that original song during the finale, turning what could have been a disappointing exit into a major breakout moment on one of television’s biggest stages.

Meanwhile, Lucas Leon will return for a special duet with country star Brad Paisley. Paisley previously mentored contestants earlier this season during their Hawaii performances, making the reunion even more meaningful for fans.

The finale will also feature superstar Alicia Keys, who was announced on April 22 as both a performer and a mentor for the Top 3 finalists. She will help guide the remaining contestants as they prepare for their final performances before America makes its final decision.

According to Deadline, the Season 24 finale will run for three full hours, making it one hour longer than a regular episode. The extended runtime will allow room for finalist performances, judge appearances, special guest performances, and the live crowning of the winner.

Before the finale, fans still have the semifinal episode on Monday, May 4, which will feature a special crossover with “Dancing with the Stars.” Professional dancers from the hit competition series will perform alongside the Top 5 contestants during the live show.

The current Top 5 includes Hannah Harper, Keyla Richardson, Chris Tungseth, Braden Rumfelt, and Jordan McCullough, who secured their spots during “Taylor Swift Night” on April 27. After the semifinals, only three contestants will move forward to compete in the finale.

With surprise returns, original music debuts, superstar guest performances, and the final winner announcement all packed into one night, the “American Idol” Season 24 finale is shaping up to be one of the most emotional and unforgettable episodes of the year.