FIL-OH NO! Carrie Underwood’s furious off-camera reaction to American Idol fan-favorite Filo’s shocking elimination revealed

The frontrunner to win the whole season left the judges in a speechless daze after he was sent packing in a bombshell elimination

CARRIE Underwood’s furious off-camera reaction to American Idol fan-favorite Filo’s shocking elimination has been revealed.

The talented frontrunner, who many predicted would be a finalist on season 23, did not make the Top 10 – and cameras didn’t show the judges’ stunned response to the results bombshell.

American Idol judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie at the judges' table.
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Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan were ‘not happy’ about Filo’s eliminationCredit: ABC

American Idol contestant singing on stage.
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Filo performs on American Idol on Monday, April 28thCredit: Getty

After Ryan Seacrest, 50, announced American Idol’s Top 10 during Monday night’s show, the camera immediately panned to the contestants, who appeared noticeably stunned by the elimination.

The show did not include the judges’ reactions to Filo being sent home, but an insider present in the studio confirmed to The U.S. Sun that Carrie, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie were “furious.”

“When Filo got sent home, the entire studio was in absolute shock. It was by far the loudest gasp and by far the most stunned and upset the judges looked.

“All three were clearly upset by the results but Carrie appeared the most struck by it. Oh, she was not happy.

“She seemed really angry and also sad about it. She had a ‘WTF’ facial expression and was stunned speechless for several seconds.

“She just kind of lingered and looked forward and didn’t speak for several seconds as Filo said his goodbyes.

“Then her, Luke and Lionel whispered to each other very seriously. It was clear none of the three judges expected Filo to go home.

“And none of the three judges were happy about saying goodbye to someone who should’ve been a finalist,” the source said.

American Idol judges and a contestant on stage.
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Ryan Seacrest revealing the Top 10 with Che, Filo and Breanna NixCredit: ABC

Three judges on a televised singing competition react to a contestant's elimination.
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Filo and Che clapped gracefully as Breanna advanced to the next roundCredit: ABC

On Monday’s episode, Filo was joined by contestants Che and Breanna Nix as Ryan informed them that only one would make it into the Top 10.

When the longtime host read Breanna’s name, she immediately ran away with excitement as Che and Filo hugged on stage in disappointment.

According to the insider, as soon as it was revealed Filo’s time on the show was done, the entire studio began to chant his name.

“The crowd was chanting ‘Filo, Filo, Filo!’ for a minute or two even when cameras stopped rolling.

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“No one else got that kind of reaction except Filo. He took it really well but others didn’t.

“Everyone was really upset he got sent home over Breanna, who many feel didn’t deserve to go through over Filo,” they claimed.

Fans appeared just as angry, if not even more so, about Filo’s elimination and expressed their rage online after the results aired.

“Robbed!! You definitely deserved to be in the top 10!!! Amazing amazing voice,” one person wrote with a sad face emoji.

“How the HELL did Filo go home over anyone else?! He is the most talented this season,” another said.

Who are the past American Idol winners?

The previous American Idol winners include:

Kelly Clarkson (2002)

Ruben Studdard (2003)

Fantasia Barrino (2004)

Carrie Underwood (2005)

Taylor Hicks (2006)

Jordin Sparks (2007)

David Cook (2008)

Kris Allen (2009)

Lee DeWyze (2010)

Scotty McCreery (2011)

Phillip Phillips (2012)

Candice Glover (2013)

Caleb Johnson (2014)

Nick Fradiani (2015)

Trent Harmon (2016)

Maddie Poppe (2018)

Laine Hardy (2019)

Just Sam (2020)

Chayce Beckham (2021)

Noah Thompson (2022)

Iam Tongi (2023)

“Super rigged that you got voted off unbelievable makes no sense,” an Instagram user claimed.

While one more fired off: “This is so on-brand for American Idol. Every year, outstanding singers inexplicably leave early.

“Filo can sing better than at least 2 people who stayed.”

Joining Breanna in season 23’s Top 10 also include Slater Nalley, Thunderstorm Artis, Kolbi Jordan, Mattie Pruitt, Canaan James Hill, Gabby Samone, Josh King, John Foster, and Jamal Roberts.

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

Filo Ebid at Hulu's Get Real House.
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LFilo Ebid attends Hulu’s Get Real House at Casa Lago on April 22, 2025 in Los Angeles, CaliforniaCredit: Getty

American Idol judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and host Ryan Seacrest at the judges' table.
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Host Ryan Seacrest poses with Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan on the April 28th showCredit: Getty