Two Maryland Hopefuls Vie for American Idol Top 12 Spot

Two singers from Maryland, Brooks Rosser and Rae Boyd, are competing for positions in the Top 12 of the current season of American Idol.

Rosser, who is from Bel Air, and Boyd, who represents Frederick, have advanced through multiple rounds of the competition to reach the current elimination phase.

According to reporting from WMAR, both contestants had secured spots in the Top 20 as of March 10, 2026. Their advancement followed a series of performances designed to narrow the field of hopefuls.

The Ohana Round in Hawaii

The competition transitioned from Nashville to Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawaii, for a stage known as the Ohana Round.

During this phase, the Top 30 contestants performed for a group of industry professionals, fellow competitors, and their own family members before the Top 20 were officially announced.

A new mechanism was introduced this season in the form of three Platinum Tickets, which guaranteed a contestant’s advancement in the competition. These tickets were not decided by the judges; instead, they were awarded by three different groups:

• One ticket was decided by industry experts.
• One ticket was decided by fellow contestants.
• One ticket was decided by friends and family, referred to as the ohana.

Brooks Rosser earned his advancement during this round by receiving the ohana’s pick Platinum Ticket.

Contestant Performances

During the Hawaii performances, the two Maryland contestants showcased different musical styles. Brooks Rosser performed Everywhere, Everything by Noah Kahan.

Rae Boyd performed I’ll Be There by the Jackson 5. Boyd dedicated her performance to her sister, Jamie.

Road to the Top 12

Following the selection of the Top 20, the competition continued to narrow. Recent reports indicate that both Rosser and Boyd were among the Top 14 hopefuls who returned to Hollywood.

In the Hollywood stage, the Top 14 performed for the American public’s vote to determine who would secure a place in the Top 12. As reported by Parade, these performances served as the final hurdle for the contestants seeking to enter the next tier of the competition.

The results determining whether the two Maryland contestants advanced to the Top 12 were scheduled for announcement on Monday, April 6, 2026.