Taylor Swift superfan Nikki Glaser joins “American Idol” judging panel on theme night: 'I don't even recognize that song'

Raechal ShewfeltTue, April 28, 2026 at 2:43 AM UTC

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Judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan on 'American Idol'Credit: Disney/Eric McCandlessKey Points -

The seven contestants remaining on this season of American Idol performed Taylor Swift songs on the show's first night dedicated to the artist.

Taylor Swift superfan Nikki Glaser joined the judging panel, and she was wowed by Keyla Richardson's take on "Lover," which she said she didn't recognize.

Host Ryan Seacrest noted that original American Idol judges Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul will return to the show next week as part of an anniversary event.

American Idol is in its Taylor Swift era.

For the first time, the reality show dedicated a round of performances to the artist, and judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood, as well as guest judge Nikki Glaser, were impressed with the seven remaining contestants.

While Swift wasn't there herself, host Ryan Seacrest explained that the dancers from the Grammy winner's Eras Tour were.

Each of the seven contestants left on the show when the night began performed a song from Swift's catalog: Jordan McCullough ("Tim McGraw"); Chris Tungseth ("Exile"); Hannah Harper ("Mean"); Brooks Rosser ("Love Story"); Daniel Stallworth ("Fearless"); Keyla Richardson ("Lover"); and Braden Rumfelt ("Cardigan").

They also chose a second song inspired by California.

By this stage of the competition, every performance was a hit, even for contestants that the judges would never have expected to cover Swift.

That was the case when Chris Tungseth sang "Exile."

"You had me focused, locked in," Bryan told him afterward. "I loved your character, the way you delivered the song. I'm sitting her like, I remember this guy at auditions. I never would've imagined we'd be watching him do a Taylor Swift song. It was one of my favorite performances you've done."

Glaser said the rendition left her with goosebumps throughout.

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Host Ryan Seacrest explained that Tungseth was very familiar with another of Swift's song: 2014's "Blank Space," which he played in the locker room to pump him up before games.

Glaser noted when it was Richardson's turn to sing Taylor that her take on "Lover" seemed to make it a different track.

"I don't even recognize that song!" the comedian said. "You brought something to it that I couldn't even imagine could be brought to it. I love what you did with that song. I love watching you. You're stunning, the way you work the room, you make it look so easy. It is so easy to watch you and to listen to you. It feels so good."

Underwood said she'd impressed her once again, while Richie said her talent is "beautiful to watch."

In the end, both Tungseth and Richardson, along with Rumfelt, Harper, and McCullough were among the five voted into the next round. Stallworth and Rosser were eliminated.

Taylor Swift performs in 2023Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management

Just before voting results were announced, Bryan took the stage for a performance of his new song, "Country and She Knows It."

Next week's episode will also be an event. Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul, two of the original judges in the competition, will return to mentor the contestants. Abdul will also guest judge. It's all part of the American Idol 20th high school reunion, which features fan favorites from the 2006 edition. Pros from Dancing with the Stars will also be part of the celebration.

American Idol airs at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

on Entertainment Weekly

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”