Check out the American Idol 12 schedule through to the Top 10 finals. There were rumors that viewer voting would not begin until the Top 10, but it looks like the semi finals are being split into two parts, with The Top 40 being split into Boy/Girl rounds. The judges will whittle the group down to 20. Live voting begins at the Top 20 in a special 3 night event. Girls on Tuesday, Boys on Wednesday. The Top 10 will be announced on March 7.
Something tells me there will be more twists to come. Maybe the addition of some wildcards by the judges to make it a Top 12 or 13.
Read the press release below.
“AMERICAN IDOL” DEBUTS WITH TWO-NIGHT PREMIERE
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, AND THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, ON FOX
Hollywood Rounds Begin Wednesday, February 6; Top 40 Announced on Thursday, February 14
All-New Semifinalist Rounds in Las Vegas Begin Wednesday, February 20, and Conclude with Special Three-Night IDOL Event
Tuesday, March 5, Wednesday, March 6 and Thursday, March 7, When Top 10 Finalists are Announced
Hosted by the inimitable Ryan Seacrest, AMERICAN IDOL Season 12 features a dynamic new judging panel including Randy Jackson, a Grammy Award-winning producer whose expertise and beloved persona have been instrumental in discovering IDOL talent from the beginning; global superstar and the best-selling female recording artist of all time Mariah Carey; quadruple-platinum singer, songwriter, rapper and fashion icon Nicki Minaj; and Keith Urban, a four-time Grammy Award winner who has sold more than 15 million albums. Seacrest and the judges will travel to Charlotte, Chicago, Long Beach, New Orleans, New York, Oklahoma City and San Antonio to find the next superstar who will join the ranks of IDOL alumni Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Scotty McCreery and Phillip Phillips.
AUDITIONS
The incredible journey begins with a two-night event showcasing the nation’s best talent from the New York auditions on Wednesday, Jan. 16 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and the Chicago auditions Thursday, Jan. 17 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. Auditions continue for two more weeks on Wednesday, Jan. 23 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Thursday, Jan. 24 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT); and Wednesday, Jan. 30 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Thursday, Jan. 31 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT).
HOLLYWOOD ROUNDS
The contestants who impress the judges will head to “Hollywood” and be put to the ultimate stage test during the “Hollywood Rounds,” airing Wednesday, Feb. 6 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Thursday, Feb. 7 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT); and Wednesday, Feb. 13 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). At the end of the final “Hollywood Round,” on Thursday, Feb. 14 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT), only the Top 40 contestants – 20 males and 20 females – will remain.
SEMIFINALIST ROUNDS – PHASE ONE: LAS VEGAS
In a new twist, the competition then moves to Las Vegas, where the Top 40 semifinalists will be split into males and females. Starting Wednesday, Feb. 20 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and continuing Thursday, Feb. 21 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), Wednesday, Feb. 27 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Thursday, Feb. 28 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), 10 semifinalists will perform each night – males on Wednesday, females on Thursday – and the judges will be faced with the tough decision of choosing which five will stay each night and which five will be sent home. At the end of the first stage of the semifinals, only 20 contestants will remain.
SEMIFINALIST ROUNDS – PHASE TWO: AMERICA VOTES
All LIVE episodes begin at 8:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed.)
It’s up to viewers to vote for who will advance to the Top 10 and who will go home, during a special three-night AMERICAN IDOL event. In the season’s first live show, airing on a special night, Tuesday, March 5 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live /PT tape-delayed), the remaining male semifinalists will perform LIVE from Las Vegas for America’s vote. On Wednesday, March 6 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live /PT tape-delayed), the remaining female semifinalists will perform LIVE. On Thursday, March 7 at 8:00 PM (ET live/PT tape-delayed), America’s vote and the AMERICAN IDOL Top 10 finalists will be revealed in the first elimination show LIVE from Los Angeles.
FINALIST PERFORMANCE ROUNDS
The following week, the competition heats up when the finalists perform for the first time LIVE on the IDOL stage Wednesday, March 13 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live /PT tape-delayed). One finalist’s journey will end as America’s vote is revealed on Thursday, March 14 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live /PT tape-delayed).
AUDITIONS
Wednesday, Jan. 16 Season Premiere, Part 1 – New York Auditions
Thursday, Jan. 17 Season Premiere, Part 2 – Chicago Auditions
Wednesday, Jan. 23 Audition Episode
Thursday, Jan. 24 Audition Episode
Wednesday, Jan. 30 Audition Episode
Thursday, Jan. 31 Audition Episode
HOLLYWOOD ROUNDS
Wednesday, Feb. 6 Hollywood Round, Part 1
Thursday, Feb. 7 Hollywood Round, Part 2
Wednesday, Feb. 13 Hollywood Round, Part 3
Thursday, Feb. 14 Hollywood Round, Part 4 – Top 40 Revealed
SEMIFINALIST ROUNDS – PHASE ONE: LAS VEGAS
Wednesday, Feb. 20 First Group of 10 Male Singers Perform
Thursday, Feb. 21 First Group of 10 Female Singers Perform
Wednesday, Feb. 27 Second Group of 10 Male Singers Perform
Thursday, Feb. 28 Second Group of 10 Female Singers Perform
SEMIFINALIST ROUNDS – PHASE TWO: AMERICA VOTES
Tuesday, March 5 Top 10 Male Semifinalists Perform LIVE
Wednesday, March 6 Top 10 Female Semifinalists Perform LIVE
Thursday, March 7 LIVE Results Show; Top 10 Finalists Revealed
FINALIST ROUNDS
Wednesday, March 13 Top 10 LIVE Performance Show
Thursday, March 14 LIVE Results Show; One Finalist Sent Home
