Braden Rumfelt advanced after earning strong support from fans with his performance of Swift's "Cardigan."
"This has always been my purpose," Rumfelt said. "I've known at a very young age that this is what I'm supposed to be doing, and to have that affirmation now means everything."
Joining Rumfelt in the Top 5 are Hannah Harper, Jordan McCullough, Keyla Richardson and Chris Tungseth. Daniel Stallworth and Brooks were eliminated.
Judges shared advice for the contestants as the stakes continue to rise. Carrie Underwood encouraged artists to take chances and define who they want to be.
"You've got to take risks, leave it all on the stage, and think about what kind of artist you want to be," she said.
Lionel Richie emphasized authenticity, saying there comes a point when judges need to stop shaping contestants and allow them to grow on their own.
"Let them be," he said.
Luke Bryan echoed that sentiment, reminding the finalists to stay grounded.
"I think the main thing is to tell them to make sure whatever you do from this point on, you're doing it out of love," Bryan said.
The show's first hour focused on Taylor Swift songs, while the second highlighted performers from California. Richardson received praise for her rendition of Etta James' "I'd Rather Go Blind."
"It makes me feel good, it makes me want to go harder," Richardson said. "It makes me want to just be me and do what I'm called to do, and that's to be on this stage."
Harper reflected on the journey and the audience connection that helped her advance.
"I think we both know we didn't get here on our own doing and we connected with an audience who decided to keep us around, you know?" she mused. "That's an honor."
McCullough also expressed gratitude, thanking both his faith and viewers at home for their continued support.
"Thank you, Lord, for trusting me with the gift," he said. "Thank you for allowing me to steward it well and thank you, America, for trusting and believing in me, too."
Tungseth drew attention with his performance of Swift's "Exile," earning high praise from guest judge Nikki Glaser, who said it gave her goosebumps.
"We want to evoke that kind of emotion in everybody," Tungseth said. "As artists, we want to affect people."
Host Ryan Seacrest noted the growth he saw across the board.
"I think I saw contestants take it to a new gear and another level," he said. "That's what continues to happen, those breakthrough moments."
Next week, original "American Idol" judges Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul return to mentor the Top 5, and Abdul will once again sit at the table as a guest judge.
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