Daniel Stallworth survives again on ‘Idol.’ Here’s what the judges said about him

Moss Point singer and “American Idol” contestant Daniel Stallworth has done it again, advancing to the next round on the reality singing competition.

Needing to survive the elimination of two singers at the top of the show and a second elimination of a singer at the end, Stallworth breezed to the next round.

Eliminated on Monday were Julian Kalel, Jake Thistle and Jesse Findling.

Stallworth was again one of the first contestants to take the stage, and the “Idol” judges were again wowed by his performance. The music teacher was given three songs to choose from: “Can We Talk” by Tevin Campbell, “I Want You Back” by *NSYNC, and “It Ain’t Over Til It’s Over” by Lenny Kravitz. He chose the Kravitz song.

Here is what the Idol judges had to say:

Luke Bryan, who recommended the song: “The fact that you didn’t really know that song and delivered it that way, I learned so much about you just now. You elevated to a different kind of person with that performance.”

Carrie Underwood: “I really wanted you to sing “Can We Talk,” but I love that you did step outside what might be the norm for you. You really did your own thing with it and I respect that so much.”

Lionel Richie: “You can’t teach vibe and you’ve got a vibe. At one point I (wondered) ‘Is that Lenny or is that you?’ You did a great, great job.”

AS IT HAPPENED

9 p.m.: The final two vote-getters were Rae Boyd and Jesse Findling. Judge Lionel Richie used his save for Boyd, meaning Findling was eliminated from the competition.

8:57 p.m.: Moss Point’s Daniel Stallworth was not eliminated from “American Idol” on Monday and will advance to next week’s episode. Next week, the top 11 will perform songs from Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees before two singers are eliminated.

8:51 p.m.: Voting will close during this commercial break and “Idol” host Ryan Seacrest said that results will be unveiled after the break.

8:46 p.m.: Given three songs she had never heard before, Keyla Richardson chose “Zombie” by The Cranberries.

8:42 p.m.: After a commercial break, Keyla Richardson will be the final contestant to sing. Fan voting will also close during the commercial following Richardson’s performance.

8:37 p.m.: Jesse Findling’s performance of “Wonderwall” is the next-to-last of the night before the promised cut from 12 to 11 singers.

8:33 p.m.: Braden Rumfelt is the 10th of 12 singers to take the stage, performing “All By Myself” by Celine Dion.

8:22 p.m.: Rae Boyd is the first of the final four singers tonight. She chose to sing “Love Will Lead You Back” by Taylor Dayne. Three singers now remain before the results of fan voting and another elimination.

8:10 p.m.: Brooks Rosser kicked off the second half of the show with a performance of “Linger” by The Cranberries, one of two Cranberries songs the judges offered up for him.

8 p.m.: Kyndal Inskeep’s performance of “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls brings us to the midpoint of tonight’s episode, with seven singers now having performed.

7:55 p.m.: Philmon Lee was next to sing, performing “Hard to Handle” by The Black Crowes. The three judges are now tied at 2 in song choices.

7:44 p.m.: Chris Tungseth is the fifth of 12 singers to perform, singing “I’ll Be” by Edwin McCain.

7:37 p.m.: Lucas Leon performed after Daniel Stallworth, singing “It’s Your Love” by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.

7:35 p.m.: The judges were again wowed by Daniel Stallworth’s performance. Here are their comments:

Luke Bryan, who recommended the song: “The fact that you didn’t really know that song and delivered it that way, I learned so much about you just now. You elevated to a different kind of person with that performance.”

Carrie Underwood: “I really wanted you to sing “Can We Talk,” but I love that you did step outside what might be the norm for you. You really did your own thing with it and I respect that so much.”

Lionel Richie: “You can’t teach vibe and you’ve got a vibe. At one point I (wondered) ‘Is that Lenny or is that you?’ You did a great, great job.”

7:25 p.m.: The three songs Daniel Stallworth had to choose from were “Can We Talk” by Tevin Campbell, “I Want You Back” by *NSYNC and “It Ain’t Over Til It’s Over” by Lenny Kravitz. He chose the Kravitz song.

7:22 p.m.: Host Ryan Seacrest appeared to indicate that Moss Point’s Daniel Stallworth would be one of the next two singers to take the stage.

7:17 p.m.: Jordan McCullough was the second to sing, performing “Always Be My Baby” by Mariah Carey.

7:11 p.m.: Hannah Harper was the first contestant to sing, performing “Heads Carolina, Tails California” by Jo Dee Messina. Jordan McCullough will be the next to sing. Each of the contestants was given three songs from which to choose from, with each “Idol” judge offering a song. The judge who has the most songs chosen by the contestants will be allowed to save one of tonight’s singers from elimination.

7:02 p.m.: Julian Kalel and Jake Thistle were eliminated at the top of the show. South Mississippi’s Daniel Stallworth continues on in the competition and will sing tonight. At the end of the show, another elimination is expected.

7 p.m.: The 12 singers who will perform will be announced as soon as tonight’s episode begins.

ORIGINAL STORY

Daniel Stallworth, the elementary school music teacher who has captured the nation’s attention this year on “American Idol,” will take the stage again tonight.

Stallworth, originally from Moss Point, survived last week’s cut of two singers that reduced the number of finalists to 14. A second planned cut was not made and will, instead, is expected to happen at the beginning of tonight’s (7 p.m., ABC) episode.

After the remaining 12 contestants perform ’90s hits secretly picked by judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie or Carrie Underwood, another singer will be sent home from the competition.

Follow here for results of the first elimination, an update once Stallworth sings and the results of the final cut to 11.

Previous performances

INITIAL AUDITION: Stallworth was introduced to the judges and America as a music teacher from Moss Point. For his audition, he performed “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey and received nothing but praise from the judges. Needing just two “yes” votes to advance, he received three.

Music icon Lionel Richie was the first with praise, saying “Your students are going to hail you as the greatest thing that has ever shown up in their lives.” Carrie Underwood, a previous American Idol winner, said “my teeth hurt because I am smiling so much.” Country superstar Luke Bryan was the last to judge Stallworth, saying he was just “thinking about how lucky the kids are to have you.”

HOLLYWOOD WEEK: Again facing elimination, Stallworth sang “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King. Hollywood Week was a series of two shows where the talent pool was cut from 127 to 30 singers. The show’s three judges, who all had glowing reviews of Stallworth’s audition, each stood and applauded after he finished.

“To take a song that we’ve heard so many times and just take it to the rafters of this place, you are a truly special person,” Bryan said.

OHANA ROUND: On a night where the number of singers would be cut from 30 to 20, Stallworth sang “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus. The episode was filmed at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawai’i. Stallworth again received a standing ovation from all three judges.

TOP 20 AT DISNEY: The Moss Point native sang “All Night Long” by Idol judge Richie in an episode that aired last week, taking a big chance and getting raves from the judges, including the song’s original singer. The song choice was “the riskiest thing anyone is doing,” said country music superstar and guest judge Brad Paisley.

Richie was wowed, saying “I’m going to give a compliment that I’ve never given before. You took that song and made it yours. If you put that out tomorrow, I’ll split (the profits) with you.”

Bryan delivered a powerful compliment, adding “You might be the best singer in this competition.”

SONGS OF FAITH NIGHT: The show began with the elimination of 6 singers: Kutter Bradley, Genevieve Heyward, Aboyami Lewis, Madison Moon, Makiyah Mustiful, Ruby Rae.

Stallworth was one of the first of the remaining 14 singers to perform, delivering a powerful rendition of “Brighter Days” by Blessing Offor.

Stallworth again received nothing but praise from the American Idol judges in his bid to survive the planned cut from 14 to 12.

The final 14

• Rae Boyd
• Jesse Findling
• Hannah Harper
• Kyndal Inskeep
• Julian Kalel
• Philmon Lee
• Lucas Leon
• Jordan McCullough
• Keyla Richardson
• Brooks Rosser
• Braden Rumfelt
• Daniel Stallworth
• Jake Thistle
• Chris Tungseth

This story was originally published April 6, 2026 at 1:22 PM.