Conservatory of Music alumnus Filo Ebid ’23 received a standing ovation from all three judges for his final performance, a rendition of "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" which Lionel Ritchie called Filo's best performance yet in the show. Entering the competition with a coveted Platinum Ticket, Filo wowed judges, brought audiences to their feet and progressed through rounds of viewer voting to reach the Top 12 during the 23rd season of American Idol.
| Date | Performance | Status |
| April 28 | "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" | Top 12 |
| April 27 | "With a little help from my friends" | Top 12 |
| April 21 | "Skyfall" | Top 14 |
| April 20 | "Bridge over troubled water" | Top 20 |
| April 14 | "Who's lovin' you" | Top 24 |
| Audition | "Try a little tenderness" | Platinum Ticket Holder |
Filo graduated from University of the Pacific in 2023 with a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance.
While studying voice with Daniel Ebbers and acting with James Haffner, he played title roles in award-winning Pacific Opera Theatre performances of "The Threepenny Opera" (2023) and "Into the Woods" (2022).
“When you hear him in his element, especially live, he has a certain energy,” said Ebbers, program director for voice and chair of music performance. “There is this feeling that when you hear him, you feel he loves the music, and it’s so enjoyable to watch a performer like that.”
He has performed at many hallmark events at Pacific, including President Christopher Callahan’s inauguration dinner, several scholarship lunches and the memorial service for student life trailblazer Judy Chambers.
"The Conservatory helped me train a muscle that would serve me for the rest of my career, which is to say yes to every opportunity that comes my way and worry about how to make it happen later," he said in an interview. "This tactic helped me push myself in ways that I never thought possible."
Filo's soulful performance of Sam Cooke’s "A Change Is Gonna Come" at the 2025 Scholarship Appreciation Luncheon earned a standing ovation. His powerful vocals and heartfelt delivery captivated the audience of students, faculty, staff and donors.
"Contestant from Tri-Valley reflects on ‘American Idol’ run," Pleasanton Weekly, May 14, 2025
"‘Idol’ Top 5 revealed in moving Mother’s Day show; Pacific grad Filo reflects on his journey," Stockton Record, May 12, 2025
"FIL-OH NO! Carrie Underwood’s furious off-camera reaction to American Idol fan-favorite Filo’s shocking elimination revealed," The U.S. Sun, April 29, 2025
"‘Idol’ Top 10 unveiled, with 2 going home after tearful performances: Did Filo survive cut?" USA Today, April 29, 2025
"Meet 2025’s ‘American Idol’ Top 12 Contestants," Billboard, April 28, 2025
"'American Idol' eliminates 2 singers to reveal Top 12: Did Stockton grad Filo make the cut?" Stockton Record, April 28, 2025
"‘American Idol’: Who Made the Top 12 & Which 2 Artists Were Eliminated?" TV Insider, April 27, 2025
"'American Idol' determines Top 14 singers: Is Pacific grad Filo safe?," Stockton Record, April 22, 2025
"Who Is ‘American Idol’ Season 23 Contestant Filo? Meet the Aspiring Singer," TV Insider, April 21, 2025
"‘American Idol’ recap: Jelly Roll mentors as Top 24 advance. How Stockton grad Filo fared," Stockton Record, April 8, 2025
"'American Idol': Pacific grad Filo gets Platinum ticket after knockout audition," Stockton Record, March 17, 2025
"3 Quick Facts About ‘American Idol’ Platinum Ticket Holder Filo Ebid," American Songwriter, March 16, 2025
"'American Idol': Egyptian Singer Gets Platinum Ticket After Week 2 Auditions From Worship Pastor & More", TV Insider, March 16, 2025
"Watch the 'American Idol' Platinum Ticket Audition that Lionel Riche Calls 'Divine Guidance'", Parade Magazine, March 13, 2025
"Chatting with a Contestant from This Season of American Idol!", Good Day Sacramento, March 13, 2025
