⁠American Idol Season 23 voting opens: System explained  

The power has officially shifted to viewers in the latest season of American Idol as public voting opens for the first time on April 13, 2025. The competition heats up as the top 24 contestants perform at Hawaii's picturesque Disney Aulani Resort, with celebrity mentors offering guidance before contestants face America's judgment.

The first twelve hopefuls, mentored by R&B star Ashanti and supported by artist-in-residence Jelly Roll, showcased their talents on Sunday night's episode, while the remaining twelve will perform under Josh Groban's mentorship on Monday. With filming of these Hawaiian episodes completed back in February, contestants have already begun rallying support from fans through social media.

The stakes are high—four contestants will be eliminated based on these votes, with Ryan Seacrest set to announce the Top 20 the following week. This critical juncture marks the moment when viewers, not judges, begin determining which singers continue their journey toward becoming the next American Idol.

How does voting work for this season of American Idol?

For the 23rd Season, American Idol maintains its three-platform voting system that allows dedicated fans to cast up to 30 votes per episode for their favorite performers. Each platform permits a maximum of 10 votes per contestant.

The first voting method is through ABC's website, requiring users to create a free account or use an existing MyDisney account. Similarly, the second method involves the "American Idol" app, available for both Apple and Android devices, which also requires a free ABC account.

"Viewers can change their votes during the show as long as they hit 'save' after any alterations," according to the official voting guidelines.

The third option offers simplicity through text messaging. Fans can text a contestant's unique number to 21523 up to 10 times per contestant.

Timing is crucial for all voting methods. Voting windows open when episodes begin at 8 p.m. Eastern time and close the following morning at 6 a.m. Eastern, giving viewers a 10-hour window to support their favorites.

ABC maintains specific eligibility rules for voting participation. The network states voters "must be at least 16 years old and located in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands" to cast valid votes through any platform.

This geographic restriction reflects broadcasting rights and sponsorship agreements that limit voting to these territories, despite the show's international fanbase.

No purchase is necessary to vote, maintaining the democratic spirit of the competition while encouraging maximum viewer engagement.

The 24 contestants have been divided into two equal groups performing on consecutive nights. Sunday's episode featured the first twelve performers mentored by Ashanti, while Monday's show will showcase the remaining twelve under Josh Groban's guidance.

Each contestant has received a unique voting number for text message voting. From Sunday's performers, these include Ché Chesterman, Penny Samar, Baylee Littrell, Victor Solomon, Gabby Samone, and others.

Monday's performers include a diverse group of talents such as John Foster, Drew Ryn, Canaan James Hill, Filo, and Kyana Fanene, among others.

The full lineup reflects American Idol's tradition of showcasing varied musical styles and backgrounds, with contestant ages ranging from late teens to mid-twenties.

When can we expect the results?

The tropical setting at Disney's Aulani Resort provided a stunning backdrop for the Top 24 performances, continuing "Idol's" tradition of filming this crucial round in Hawaii.

Sunday's performances were critiqued by the judging panel of Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan, alongside special input from Jelly Roll, who serves as this season's artist-in-residence.

Once voting concludes for both episodes, the tabulation begins. The results, however, won't be immediately revealed.

The 20 contestants who garnered enough votes to advance in the competition will be revealed by host Ryan Seacrest during the three-hour event on Sunday.

Production teams are able to get ready for the competition's next round during this tense interval between performances and outcomes.

The remaining singers go with a renewed sense of confidence in their public appeal, while the four ousted contestants conclude their "Idol" trip in Hawaii.

When American Idol moves from judge-selected rounds to viewer voting, the contest really turns into a test of audience engagement and fan mobilization in addition to skill. This voting round illustrates how contemporary talent competitions combine traditional performance abilities with digital audience interaction, as social media plays an increasingly significant role in contenders' plans.

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You can watch American Idol Season 23 on Sundays and Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC, with episodes also available to stream on Hulu.