“Thanks to her and her wonderful music” – American Idol fans react to Miranda Lambert’s performance

On Sunday, May 4, 2025, American Idol aired its 'Iconic Women of Music' episode, featuring country superstar Miranda Lambert as guest mentor and performer. The night celebrated legendary female artists while showcasing the Top 10 contestants of season 23.

Lambert performed her 2005 breakout single Kerosene in honor of its 20th anniversary and provided detailed, hands-on mentorship throughout the week. Fans took to X (formerly known as Twitter) after the broadcast, praising her guidance and live performance. One viewer summed up the sentiment by saying,

“Lambert did good by these up and coming singers. Thanks to her and her wonderful music.”

“She gave an amazing performance and some really great notes to the contestants! They are all knocking it out of the park tonight! I don’t want to see any of them go home!” another viewer wrote.

“Watched performance Kerosene around 8:30 PM amazing loved it just now Miranda Lambert,” another fan noted.

Others shared simple but supportive reactions such as

“Great performance”and

“What a joy to listen to.”

Some fans focused on Lambert’s presence as a mentor. One user commented,

“So excited to watch Miranda share her expertise!”

Another referenced past mentors of American Idol by saying,

“Fantasia set the standard for how to be a great mentor.”

Others called for Lambert to join the judging panel full-time, with one fan stating,

“‘Just tell them the truth.’ Can we make her a judge? Please bring more of that to the judging panel again. Someone like Harry Connick Jr who was still kind but gave good constructive criticism. I am enjoying the addition of Carrie though, she’s doing a solid job.”

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What happened in the American Idol episode

The May 4, 2025, episode of American Idol focused on music made famous by iconic women. Miranda Lambert served as guest mentor for the Top 10 contestants and also performed Kerosene, which first launched her to national fame two decades ago. As the most awarded artist in Academy of Country Music history, Lambert brought years of industry insight to the mentoring process.

During rehearsal sessions in American Idol, Lambert worked closely with each contestant to elevate their performances. For example, she encouraged John Foster to add personality to his stage presence, urging him to interact more with the audience. As a result, Foster stepped away from his mic stand and performed with more freedom, a shift that the American Idol judges praised.

Lambert advised Kolbi Jordan to manage her vocal delivery by holding back early in her song, The Chain by Fleetwood Mac, and gradually building intensity. Kolbi followed the advice and delivered a sultry, focused performance.

Josh King received feedback from Lambert to “pull it back a click” and tap into his blues roots. He responded with a gritty version of Adele’s Rolling in the Deep, which included a harmonica solo and won approval from the judging panel.

Breanna Nix worked with Lambert to enhance her confidence through a “sass” exercise that helped her embrace the boldness of Adele’s catalog. Her delivery improved notably during the live performance.

Thunderstorm Artis, known for performing in his stylistic world, also benefited from Lambert’s guidance. She advised him to connect more directly with the emotion of Adele’s When We Were Young, leading to one of his most grounded performances. Judge Lionel Richie later told Artis,

“I’m so in love with what you just did,”

after the performance aired. Lambert’s mentorship extended beyond musical technique. Gabby Samone opened up during rehearsal about her experience with homelessness and depression.

Lambert related to her struggles, and their exchange was emotional, moving Lambert to tears. Samone then performed Beyoncé’s I Was Here, earning praise from all three judges for her emotional delivery.

One of the night’s most emotional moments came when 16-year-old Mattie Pruitt performed Lambert’s own hit, The House That Built Me. During rehearsal, Lambert and Pruitt sang the song together. Pruitt’s stripped-back version moved both Lambert and the judges. Lambert said, “I wanted to see Mattie, and I saw you,” after the performance.

Lambert’s influence was also felt in Jamal Roberts’ performance of Undo It by Carrie Underwood. She helped him tailor the chorus and increase his stage energy. The changes helped Roberts secure a spot in the Top 8, which was revealed at the end of the night.

The American Idol live results revealed that Kolbi Jordan and Canaan James Hill were eliminated, reducing the field to the Top 8 contestants. The episode concluded with anticipation building toward the upcoming Judge’s Choice night.

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Watch new episodes of American Idol season 23 every Sunday-Monday on ABC.