“I have so much to get off my chest” – American Idol star Filo makes his feelings clear about his elimination

Two nights after his surprise elimination from American Idol on April 28, 2025, Filo addressed fans with a heartfelt message about his exit. The Egyptian-born singer, who had been widely considered a frontrunner in Season 23 after earning a Platinum Ticket during his audition, was eliminated alongside British R&B artist Ché Chesterman in a Top 12 results episode that shocked fans and judges alike.

The announcement came after Filo delivered an emotional performance of And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going, earning a standing ovation and praise from all three judges. In an Instagram post shared by him on April 29, he noted,

“This marks the end of an incredible journey. I have so much to get off my chest…but in the meantime, I love you all for your support and I can’t wait to show you what’s to come ❤️”

His exit narrowed the competition to the Top 10 contestants: John Foster, Josh King, Jamal Roberts, Mattie Pruitt, Thunderstorm Artis, Slater Nalley, Gabby Samone, Canaan James Hill, Kolbi Jordan, and Breanna Nix.

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Filo’s journey on American Idol: Details explored

Filo, 23, from Dublin, California, began his American Idol journey by earning one of the season’s rare Platinum Tickets on New Year’s Eve 2024. The honor allowed him to bypass the first round of Hollywood Week.

A graduate of Berklee College of Music (class of 2024), Filo quickly became known for his performances throughout the season. On April 28, during the 'Iconic Idol Moments' themed episode, Filo chose And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going from Dreamgirls, made famous by former American Idol contestant Jennifer Hudson.

Fantasia Barrino, who mentored the Top 12 that week, advised Filo to “let it breathe” and be selective with his vocal choices. He implemented her feedback effectively, resulting in what all three judges considered his strongest performance.

Lionel Richie said it was “the best performance I have ever seen from you.” Carrie Underwood declared, “Just keep doing that and you’re not gonna be goin’ nowhere,” and Luke Bryan noted,

“I love that Fantasia helped you tap into something different. At the end, you turned on the gas.”

As the audience chanted “Filo! Filo! Filo!” host Ryan Seacrest announced that Filo and Ché Chesterman had been eliminated, while the rest advanced to the next round.

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Filo opens up about his experience on American Idol

Following his elimination, Filo remained silent for 24 hours. On the night of April 29, he posted an Instagram Story from Hollywood Burbank Airport showing the inside of his flight home. By April 30, Filo shared a longer message via Instagram, formally addressing his elimination.

“And just like that, my @AmericanIdol journey comes to an end,” he wrote. “It’s hard to put into words what this experience has meant to me. The dream of being on the show felt far-off, and the fact that God gave me the opportunity to be a part of the Idol family is something that I will never take for granted.”

He went on to express heartfelt appreciation for his supporters, saying he was deeply grateful for their belief in him and the love they showed throughout his journey. Reaching the American Idol Top 12, he noted, was a major accomplishment—one he couldn’t have achieved without the encouragement and dedication of every person who stood by him.

Filo also reflected on the relationships he developed throughout the American Idol competition.

“I have met some of the most wonderful and loving people I’ve ever known,” he wrote. “To my fellow contestants, thank you so much for being the light in the midst of this intense rollercoaster. I love every single one of you with all my heart and I can’t wait to see what God has in store for all of you!🤩”

In addition to fans and fellow contestants, Filo thanked his family. He gave special recognition to his brother Arssani and mother Haidi, whom he described as “my rock in this world.”

His mother was frequently seen in the studio audience during live performances and was visibly emotional each time her son sang. Carrie Underwood, speaking with Dean McCarthy after the April 28 episode, expressed her reaction to Filo’s elimination.

“It was an incredible night of showcasing talent,” she said, “but then the end, losing Che and Filo, was just heartbreaking. Both of them — Filo especially was one of my favorite favorites, so it was like, ‘Oh my gosh!’”

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American Idol airs Sundays and Mondays at 8 pm EST on ABC.