American Idol finale 2025: this is the star-studded lineup set to take the stage on May 18

When American Idol wraps up its 23rd season this Sunday, May 18, it won’t just be the final three contestants battling for the crown under the glare of prime-time lights. A long, eclectic guest list is also booked to light up the stage with surprise duets, big comebacks and cross-generational mashups, though no one’s revealing what they’ll actually be singing yet.

Announced by Ryan Seacrest on Monday night’s show, the finale lineup is one of the most varied in years. Expect a mix of pop, gospel, rock, Broadway, and old-school hip hop, all squeezed into a three-hour marathon airing live across the U.S. at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on ABC.

Who’s performing at the American Idol 2025 finale?

Let’s start with the judges. Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan won’t just be sitting behind the desk – they’ll be joining forces on stage. It’s rare to see all three perform together, but Sunday’s finale is pulling out all the stops. And country music’s man-of-the-moment, as well as Idol’s in-house artist, Jelly Roll will also perform.

The rest of the lineup reads like a greatest hits playlist from about five different radio stations. Jessica Simpson and Myles Smith will bring the pop, while Josh Groban offers the adult contemporary calm.

Good Charlotte and Goo Goo Dolls are on hand to represent early-2000s rock radio, and Jennifer Holliday is expected to deliver at least one Broadway-style roof-raiser.

For a gospel lift, there’s Brandon Lake and Kirk Franklin, while Patti LaBelle and Salt-N-Pepa cover R&B and hip hop.

Sounds good, right? And that’s before the remaining three contestants – John Foster, Breanna Nix and Jamal Roberts – get to sing their heart out for the big prize.

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