American Idol season 24: Major changes including Mondays only, Nashville Takeover, reconfigured Hawai’i round and more
American Idol season 24 premieres on Monday, January 26 on ABC, streaming next day on Hulu, with several new twists. This, in addition to ABC eschewing Sunday night shows for the first time on the network.
First, the show headed south for two of its important rounds. The auditions took place at Belmont University in Franklin, Tennessee and were filmed at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts. Belmont American Idol alumni include Walker Burroughs who advanced to the top eight on Season 17, Rayvon Owen who came in fourth-place in Season 14, Melinda Doolittle who was a third-place finalist on Season 6 and Kimberly Locke who finished third in Season 2.
Hollywood Week moved to Nashville
Additionally, American Idol “Hollywood Week” moved to Nashville. Calling it a Music City takeover in Nashville, Executive Producer Megan Michaels Wolflick told Deadline, “The music industry in Nashville is just as strong as it is in LA, too. It is a hub and a dream for people to go to.” The “Nashville Week” round taped immediately after the auditions at Belmont. One location for everything would certainly cut down on costs and travel for the crew. Typically, in the ABC era, auditions took place in at least 3 different locations.
New ‘Ohana Round in Hawai’i will cut the Top 30 down to a Top 20 when voting will begin
Contestants who survive the Nashville Takeover will head to Hawai’i. The round, which has not happened yet, will be taped on January 29 and January 30, according to audience booker, On Camera Audiences. From the official ABC press release:
American Idol heads to Hawai‘i for the brand-new ’Ohana Round. Filmed at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, a three-episode arc follows Hollywood Week, with the brand-new ’Ohana Round featured as one of those episodes. Designed as the ultimate focus group, the ’Ohana Round blends peer respect, emotional support and professional insight before the competition moves on to America’s Vote.
In this new round, the top 30 hopefuls will perform for industry tastemakers — who collectively reach nearly 149 million followers — including Kaniyia Brown & Terry McCaskill (social media personality duo), Anthony Gargiula (artist and music creator), Loren Gray (singer and actress), Shirley Halperin (co-editor-in-chief of Rolling Stone), Evan Ross Katz (writer, podcast host and cultural commentator), Cheryl Porter (singer and vocal coach), and Kelly Sutton (country music personality and Grand Ole Opry announcer) — as well as their peers, family members and friends. By the end of the ’Ohana Round, only 20 contestants will advance in the competition.
American Idol to introduce ‘Social Voting’
As far as voting is concerned, which begins at the Top 20, American Idol is introducing a social voting element. “We have to meet the audience where they are. Back in 2002 when the show began, texting was the new hot thing,” Wolflick told Deadline. “We also have to meet the technology where it is, as well. We want to make it as easy as possible for people to vote for their favorites, weigh in from their couch with their second screen, in real time,” she said.
Part of it is reaching a younger crowd. “If we can get Gen Alpha and Gen Z to weigh in a little bit more in the easiest way possible, that’s very exciting. It could tip the scale. Trends are always different,” she added. Details about the so-called “social voting” have yet to be finalized. Text and phone voting will still be available, according to Deadline. However, upon opening the American Idol phone app, it states “The American Idol app is no longer available.” Hm.
Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan return to the judges panel, while Ryan Seacrest serves his 24th season as host.
