Rae Boyd’s latest American Idol storyline is that she was saved by Lionel Richie on April 7, 2026, after landing in danger during the vote reveal, and then later eliminated in the Top 9 round on April 14, 2026. The most recent coverage and posts around her focused on the surprise elimination and her emotional reaction.[1][5]
Recent updates
- On April 7, Rae advanced after a judge’s save, keeping her in the competition as one of the final eleven contestants.[1]
- On April 14, American Idol and related coverage reported that Rae was unexpectedly eliminated in the Top 9 round.[2][5]
- Fan reaction online has been split, with some saying she was “robbed” and others arguing about whether the exit was fair.[3][7]
What happened on the show
Rae performed “Love Will Lead You Back” by Taylor Dayne in the 1990s-themed episode before the elimination.[4][1] ABC’s official American Idol post praised her performance and noted that she had made her family proud, even though she did not advance that week.[5]
Current status
As of the latest available coverage, Rae is no longer in the competition. The storyline around her now is mostly about her elimination, the judge-save earlier in the season, and the debate over whether she should have lasted longer.[3][5][1]