Unsurprisingly, American Idol will welcome back judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, and veteran host Ryan Seacrest to help discover America’s next singing star for a 21st season, (the sixth on ABC) when it returns in spring 2023.
Ryan has hosted for the entire run of the show–both on FOX and ABC. Luke, Katy and Lionel joined when the Idol booted on ABC. Six seasons together. Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell were the longest running panel in the FOX years–eight seasons. And the last season saw the addition of Kara DioGuardi.
The group seemed keen to return. Only individual schedules and/or a money dispute would have held them back. They all seem to get along and still enjoy the job.
American Idol ranked as the No. 1 program in the Sunday 8-10 p.m. time slot last season among Adults 18-49, according to the Disney press release. In fact, American Idol won its time period for the third straight year in Adults 18-49 and was ABC’s No. 1 program last season in Total Viewers.
Season 21 auditions kick off Wednesday, Aug. 3, with the return of “Idol Across America,” the live virtual nationwide search for contestants. Auditions take place across all 50 states plus Washington, D.C, and start with the annual First 500 event, where hopefuls can sign up to grab a VIP spot before anyone else.
“Idol Across America” offers hopefuls the opportunity to showcase their talents face-to-face with an “American Idol” producer, from anywhere in America, across any official audition date for a chance to proceed to the judge audition round of the competition.
“Idol Across America” auditions will be held as follows (subject to change):
- ‘First 500’ VIP Event (Aug. 3)
- Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina (Aug. 5)
- Florida, Michigan, Virginia, West Virginia (Aug. 8)
- Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas (Aug. 10)
- Connecticut, New Jersey, New York (Aug. 12)
- Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi ( Aug. 15)
- Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee (Aug. 17)
- Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Washington (Aug. 19)
- Open Call: Nationwide (Aug. 22)
- Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin (Aug. 24)
- Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming (Aug. 26)
- Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C. (Aug. 29)
- Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont (Aug. 31)
For information on how to sign up for “Idol Across America” and a chance to virtually audition in front of an “American Idol” producer, please visit www.americanidol.com/auditions. Contestants must be at least 15 years old to audition and may do so on any “Idol Across America” date regardless of your location.
American Idol is produced by Fremantle and 19 Entertainment, a part of Sony Pictures Television. Executive producers include Megan Wolflick, also serving as showrunner, and Fremantle’s Jennifer Mullin with Eli Holzman and Aaron Saidman serving as executive producers for 19 Entertainment. Fremantle distributes the series worldwide.
