American Idol Celebrates 20 Seasons: BTS Photos, Videos

*(ABC/Christopher Willard) DAVID COOK , KRIS ALLEN*

On Monday (May 2) American Idol aired the “Great Idol Reunion” special. OG judges Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson returned to sit on the panel with Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan to reminisce over 20 seasons of the iconic show.

A bunch of fan-favorite alums joined them to sing duets and participate in fun on stage antics with host Ryan Seacrest (Read our Recap including photos and VIDEOS)

If you watched the special plenty happened on stage. But behind the scenes, the alums posed for photos and took videos which they uploaded to social media. It’s very cook that the singers not only maintain friendships within their season, but meet and befriend alums from adjacent years.

For instance, season 7 winner David Cook and season 8 winner Kris Allen both live in Nashville and have become such good friends, they have toured together. Also, the alums who live in the same city tend to make connections. In Los Angeles, Haley Reinhart (S10), Elliott Yamin (S5), Casey Abrams (S10) and Blake Lewis (S6) are friendly. In Nashville, It’s David Cook, David Archuleta (S7), Kris Allen and Melinda Doolittle (S6). I’m probably missing some names!

I curated a bunch of photos and videos from social media. Enjoy!

David Cook with the crying girls

The. Greatest. Photo. Ever. The crying girls became famous after uploading a video of themselves as tweens crying after Ryan announced David Cook the winner. As David Archuleta stans, they were devastated and could not have hated Cook more “LOSER!” one of them screamed. But now, years later, it appears the young women have gotten over it. “Don’t let the photo fool you. We finally made peace.” writes David.

The grown-up girls appeared on the special to participate in a cute bit with David Archuleta. “Sorry I lost,” he said.

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A post shared by David Cook (@davidcookofficial)

Maddie Poppe, Caleb Lee Hutchinson, David Cook, Kris Allen

Maddie Poppe and Caleb Lee Hutchinson become friendly with Kris when he emceed their post season 16 summer tour in 2018.

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A post shared by David Cook (@davidcookofficial)

Everybody wants a pic with Paula

The contests made sure to snap pictures with the iconic Paula Abdul. Here she is with Caleb Lee Hutchinson.

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A post shared by Caleb Lee Hutchinson (@calebleemusic)

Maddie Poppe Reunites with some of her Favs

Maddie poses with Laci Kaye Booth (S17), Brooke White (S7), Katy Perry and more.

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A post shared by Maddie Poppe (@maddiepoppe)

Reboot Kids Hanging out with the FOX Superstars

Maddie and Caleb hanging out with Jordin Sparks (S6), Justin Guarini (S7), Brooke White (S7) and David Archuleta.

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A post shared by Maddie Poppe (@maddiepoppe)

Reunited and it Feels so Good

David Archuleta calls Jordin Sparks “one of my favorite human beings.”

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A post shared by David Archuleta (@davidarchie)

Jordin Sparks Queen of Pics

Jordin took a bunch of photos. Check em out.

Hugging it out with Paula

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A post shared by Jordin Sparks (@jordinsparks)

Photos with Justin Guarini, David Cook, Katy Perry, David Archuleta, Lauren Alaina (S10)

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A post shared by Jordin Sparks (@jordinsparks)

Willie Spence, Grace Kinstler and the Velvet Teddy Bear!

Willie Spence and Grace Kinstler from Season 19 pose with Ruben Studdard

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A post shared by StarInTheMaking????? (@williespenceofficial)

Grace and Willie with David Archuleta and Jordin Sparks.

ABC meets FOX

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A post shared by Grace Kinstler (@gracekinstlerofficial)

Brooke White posts a bunch of super-cool clips

She reunites with her season 7 pals David Cook and David Archuleta and more.

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A post shared by B R O O K E W H I T E (@realbrookewhite)

Season 10 Reunion!

Pia Toscano reunites with season 10 friends Lauren Alaina and Scotty McCreery and more.

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A post shared by Pia Toscano (@piatoscano)

Paula Abdul and her fav Elliott Yamin

Paula always had a soft spot for Elliott Yamin (S5)

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A post shared by Elliott Yamin (@singlikeyaminit)

American Idol features the Superstar Pit

Photo of the alums who sat in the audience: Tamyra Gray (S1), Pia Toscano (S10), Brandon Rogers (S6), Brooke White (S5), Julia Gargano (S18), Francisco Martin (S18), Anthony Fedorov (S4), plus Elliott Yamin (S5), Michael J Woodard (S16)