March 16, 2026, 5:36 p.m. ET
Will a Hoosier be the subsequent American Idol? Starting now, the selection is formally in your fingers.
Fishers native Kyndal Inskeep will carry out in the highest 20 competitors on the March 16 episode of “American Idol,” and for the first time this season, the public will decide the outcomes. Fans can vote for his or her favorites on social media or by the normal textual content line to decide who stays and who goes for the rest of the season.
The episode airs at 8 p.m. on ABC and can be out there to stream the subsequent day on Disney+ and Hulu.
How to vote on ‘American Idol’
Voting for the March 16 episode is open from 8 p.m., when the episode airs, to 6 a.m. the next day. Viewers can solid their votes on the “American Idol” Instagram, TikTok and Facebook accounts by commenting the identify of their selection on the web page’s pinned voting posts. One remark counts for one vote, and viewers can vote for a contestant to 10 instances.
The present’s conventional textual content voting can also be open. Viewers can textual content their most popular contestant’s assigned quantity, which can be introduced firstly of the episode, to 21523. One textual content counts for one vote, and viewers can ship up to 10 texts in help of every contestant. Online voting can also be out there at americanidol.com/vote.
Hoosier Kyndal Inskeep’s ‘Ohana Round showing landed her a platinum ticket
Inskeep, a 2015 Heritage Christian graduate, left the March 2 ‘Ohana Round on a high note. After dedicating her original song “Woman of Me” to her mom — who was in the audience to watch her perform — Inskeep snagged one of three “platinum tickets” up for grabs: the coveted prize that guaranteed a place in the top 20. A voting body of music industry personnel, contestants’ members of the family and the opponents themselves determined the platinum ticket recipients, whereas the judging panel rounded out the remainder of the highest 20 on the finish of the March 9 episode.
“Hearing my name, it was huge,” Inskeep advised IndyStar. “I’m still soaking it in.”
Inskeep’s large second got here after her Hollywood Week efficiency of “Human” by The Killers, the place the judges recommended her for choosing a extra upbeat pop-rock music than the extra acoustic-leaning music she releases on her personal. Inskeep auditioned in Nashville with “Prayer of a Trying Daughter,” an authentic music.
In an interview on March 12, Inskeep mentioned she hoped her ‘Ohana Round momentum will help her surge through the top 20. She’s excited to showcase extra versatility in her music selections if she makes it to the reside exhibits, the place contestants cowl common songs that correspond with every week’s theme.
Inskeep isn’t a stranger to performing professionally —she’s been releasing music as Kyndal since 2020 — however she mentioned the “American Idol” stage brings a particular sort of stress.
“Even as an artist that’s been on the road and done the thing, it’s a little bit different on the show because you only have one shot,” Inskeep mentioned. “It’s you in your raw. How your voice sounds, your performance, whole nine.”
What does the remainder of season 24 of ‘American Idol’ appear to be?
Season 24 of “American Idol” seems a bit completely different than earlier iterations. The signature “you’re going to Hollywood!” meant “you’re going to Nashville!” this time round, with the Hollywood Round going down in Tennessee. The new ‘Ohana Round threw a wrench in the traditional semifinal proceedings with its one-time voting panel, and the next two Hawaii episodes will be determined by the public vote rather than the judging panel. For clarity’s sake, here is how issues will play out going ahead:
The high 20 contestants will carry out in two teams of 10 on the Aulani Resort on Oahu for the subsequent two episodes airing March 16 and March 23. These episodes are pre-recorded. The public votes on these performances, and people outcomes determine who advances to the reside exhibits. The conventional reside stage performances will observe the Hawaii episodes, and the public vote will get rid of contestants every week till solely the season’s winner left standing.
Who is Kyndal Inskeep?
Inskeep is a 29-year-old singer-songwriter and Fishers native who now resides in Nashville. A 2015 graduate of Heritage Christian, she’s been releasing music as Kyndal since 2020 and has written songs for pop artist JVKE and Christian artists One House Music and Chandler Moore from the Maverick City Music worship collective.
After Inskeep’s “American Idol” audition in Nashville, Underwood advised her she’s “got stuff,” and Richie mentioned she has “artist written all over (her).”
Inskeep beforehand appeared on season 17 of “The Voice” and — after incomes chair turns from coaches Kelly Clarkson, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani — made it to the highest 20. She landed on Stefani’s workforce and superior to the Live Playoffs.
How to watch ‘American Idol’
“American Idol” airs Mondays on ABC at 8 p.m. EST. Episodes are out there the subsequent day on Hulu and Disney+.
The March 16 episode will function Inskeep and the remainder of the highest 20 performing in Hawaii for the public vote, with visitors Keke Palmer and Brad Paisley mentoring the contestants. Episodes final two hours.
Contact IndyStar Pop Culture Reporter Heather Bushman at hbushman@indystar.com. Follow her on X @hmb_1013.
