Plot Synopsis

In this reality talent show tens of thousand of contestants from across the nation audition for a shot at stardom and a chance to be on the show. Competing hopefuls sing their hearts out for a panel of expert industry judges and for the television audience. Viewers vote weekly for their favorite performers, eventually choosing a winner who receives a major recording contract and the AMERICAN IDOL title. Past winners Kelly Clarkson (Season 1); Ruben Studdard (Season 2); Fantasia Barrino (Season 3); Carrie Underwood (Season 4); Taylor Hicks (Season 5); Jordin Sparks (Season 6); David Cook (Season 7); Kris Allen (Season 8); Lee DeWyze (Season 9); Scotty McCreery (Season 10); Phillip Phillips (Season 11); Candice Glover (Season 12); Caleb Johnson (Season 13); Nick Fradiani (Season 14); Trent Harmon (Season 15); Maddie Poppe (Season 16); Laine Hardy (Season 17); Just Sam (Season 18); Chayce Beckham (Season 19). Plus, IDOL has introduced fan-favorites Jennifer Hudson, Adam Lambert, Chris Daughtry and Jessica Sanchez, who have all become household names and made their marks on the recording industry.

When FOX premiered Season 12 of IDOL on January 16, 2013 at 8pm ET/PT, three new judges -- Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban -- joined long-standing judge Randy Jackson to find America's next singing superstar.

AMERICAN IDOL returned for its 14th season for a two-night premiere on Wednesday, January 7, 2015 from 8-9pm ET/PT and Thursday, January 8, 2015 from 8-10pm ET/PT, with Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick, Jr. returning as judges and Ryan Seacrest again hosting. With long-time judge leaving his Season 13 role as Mentor, Scott Borchetta, President and CEO of the Big Machine Label Group, will help shape the career of the competition's winner in Season 14 by being involved early on in the competition -- through the live shows, to the final winning moment and beyond.

Season 15 of AMERICAN IDOL premiered on Wednesday, January 6, 2016 from 8-10pm ET/PT on FOX as part of a two-night premiere event that continued on Thursday, January 7 from 8-10pm. For the show's fifteenth season, host Ryan Seacrest and judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick, Jr., pay tribute to the past 14 seasons, the talented contestants and the millions of fans who called, tweeted, texted and championed their IDOLS. The audition journey will feature auditions from Denver, CO; Little Rock, AR; Philadelphia, PA; San Francisco, CA; and Atlanta, GA. Hopefuls from around the country will be given one last shot to sing for a ticket to Hollywood and become the final AMERICAN IDOL. Once again, Scott Borchetta, President and CEO of the Big Machine Label Group, returned as mentor to help shape the career of the competition's winner.

AMERICAN IDOL returned to the airwaves on Sunday, March 11, 2018 from 8-10pm ET/PT on its new home: ABC. The nationwide search for the next superstar kicked off in August 2017, as the Idol Bus traveled from Portland, Oregon, to Orlando, Florida, in its pursuit for talent, covering 23 cities across the country and searching for talented musicians from far and wide -- from garage band rockers to national anthem singers to caretakers -- who all have the same passion: a love for music. In the first audition episode, the show heads to New York, Los Angeles and Nashville where aspiring singers auditions for a chance to see if they have what it takes to earn the coveted golden ticket to Hollywood. Helping to determine who America will ultimately vote for to become the next singing sensation, are music industry forces and superstar judges, Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie. Ryan Seacrest returned as host.

A new season of AMERICAN IDOL -- its second season on ABC and 17th overall -- premiered on Sunday, March 3, 2019 from 8-10pm ET/PT on ABC. Returning this season to discover an all-new crop of inspiring singers are music industry legends and all-star judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, as well as Ryan Seacrest as host. Famed multimedia personality Bobby Bones takes on the role of in-house mentor. In the season opener, viewers embark on a nation-wide journey starting with the shows' famed judge auditions in Louisville, Kentucky; Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; Los Angeles, California; New York, New York; and Denver, Colorado, where aspiring singers discover if they have what it takes to earn a coveted golden ticket to Hollywood.

The 18th season of AMERICAN IDOL -- the show's third season on ABC -- premiered on Sunday, February 16, 2020 from 8-10pm ET/PT on ABC. Returning this season to discover the next singing sensation are judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, as well as Ryan Seacrest as host. Bobby Bones returns to his role as in-house mentor. In the two-hour season opener, viewers embark on a nation-wide journey across Savannah, GA; Milwaukee, WI; Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles, CA; and Sunriver, OR, where the show's judge auditions surprise audiences with never-before-seen twists. Those auditioning for the coveted ticket to Hollywood include a subway performer from Harlem who gives one of the most emotional auditions in IDOL history; a garbage collector with no experience who heads to the streets of Savannah, alongside host Ryan Seacrest, to warm up for his audition; and a hopeless romantic who encounters her own fairy tale twist during her audition as she sings from the heart.

Season 19 of AMERICAN IDOL -- its fourth season on ABC -- premiered on Sunday, February 14, 2021 from 8-10pm ET/PT on ABC. Judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, host Ryan Seacrest, and in-hour mentor Bobby Bones all return for the new season. After a nationwide search for talent, viewers embark on a journey with the judges in Los Angeles, California; San Diego, California; and Ojai, California, where the show's iconic judge auditions surprise audiences and hopefuls alike with never-before-seen twists.

AMERICAN IDOL returned for its 20th season -- the fifth on ABC -- on Sunday, February 27, 2022 from 8-10pm ET/PT. Judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, and host Ryan Seacrest all return for the new season. This season, viewers embark on a nationwide search across Nashville, Tennessee, Austin, Texas, and Los Angeles, California, where the show's judge auditions surprise audiences and hopefuls alike with never-before-seen twists and a first-ever Platinum ticket winner. Bebe Rexha and Jimmie Allen are guest mentors for the new season.

Season 21 of AMERICAN IDOL -- its sixth season on ABC -- premiered on Sunday, February 19, 2023 from 8-10pm ET/PT. Judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie and host/EP Ryan Seacrest all return for the new season. The season opener kicks off a nationwide search across New Orleans, Las Vegas and Nashville to find the next singing sensation. Noah Cyrus and Allen Stone are this season's guest mentors.

On Sunday, February 18, 2024 from 8-10pm ET/PT on ABC, AMERICAN IDOL returned for its 22nd overall and its seventh season on ABC. With help from judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, viewers embark on a nationwide search across Los Angeles, Nashville, and the judges' very own hometowns to find the next singing sensation. Ryan Seacrest continues to host. Jelly Roll and Tori Kelly are this season's Guest Mentors.
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On Sunday, May 19, 2024 from 8-11pm ET/PT, ABC premiered the Season 22 finale of AMERICAN IDOL. Who will become the next American Idol? The Top 3 finalists -- Abi Carter, Jack Blocker, and Will Moseley -- give their all for the last chance to earn America's vote. Jon Bon Jovi serves as guest mentor and performer, plus special performances from James Bay, Nick Fradiani, Cody Johnson, Bishop Briggs, Hootie & The Blowfish, Jason Mraz, Seal, Cece Winans, New Kids on the Block, and country star Wynonna Judd. Tonight is also Katy Perry's last night as judge.