Carrie Underwood, Thomas Rhett Among ‘American Idol’ Season Finale Performers

Carrie Underwood and Thomas Rhett will be among a host of artists performing on the Season 20 finale of American Idol. Judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie will also each take to the stage during the grand final of this year’s contest, which airs in the US next Sunday (May 20) at 8pm ET on ABC.

Last night’s show featured the Top 5 finalists in the 2022 season, during which they were seen traveling to Las Vegas to be mentored by Underwood, who is appearing in her Reflection residency at the 5000-capacity Resorts World Theater. Fritz Hager and Nicolina were eliminated, leaving HunterGirl (from the town of Winchester, Tennessee), Leah Marlene (from Normal, Illinois), and Noah Thompson (from Louisa, Kentucky) to contest the crown. One round will be dedicated to the songs of Bruce Springsteen.

People reports that Perry will return to the stage with Rhett, with whom she guested on “Where We Started,” the title song of his recently-released album. Underwood will be making her latest return to the show that she won as a newcomer in Season 4 in 2005.

There will be further performances throughout the finale by Gabby Barrett, who placed third in Season 16 in 2018, Deana Carter, Earth, Wind & Fire, Ben Platt, James Arthur, Sara Bareilles, Melissa Etheridge, Flo Rida, and Tai Verdes. Michael Bublé will perform with Christian Guardino, who was eliminated after making the final seven earlier this month.

Underwood performs the final three shows in the current run of Reflection this week, on May 18, 20, and 21. She will also play the Grand Ole Opry on June 7 and CMA Fest on June 11. Rhett also plays CMA Fest, on the 10th, after which his huge Bring The Bar To You tour has shows booked from June 17 all the way through to October 15.

Buy or stream Thomas Rhett’s Where We Started album.