Editing American Idol (section)

==Season synopses==
Each season premieres with the audition round, taking place in different cities. The audition episodes typically feature a mix of potential finalists, interesting characters and woefully inadequate contestants. Each successful contestant receives a golden or platinum ticket to proceed on to the next round in Hollywood. Based on their performances during the Hollywood round (Las Vegas round from the tenth through twelfth seasons), 24 to 36 contestants are selected by the judges to participate in the semifinals. From the semifinals onward the contestants perform their songs live, with the judges making their critiques after each performance. The contestants are voted for by the viewing public, and the outcome of the public votes is then revealed during a results segment. The results segment feature group performances by the contestants as well as guest performers. The Top-three results also features homecoming events for the Top 3 finalists. The season reaches its climax in a two-hour results finale show, where the winner of the season is revealed.

With the exception of the first two seasons, the contestants in the semifinals onward perform in front of a studio audience. They perform with a full band in the finals. The current musical director is [[Kristopher Pooley|Kris Pooley]], who has been with the show since the sixteenth season. In previous seasons, the ''American Idol'' band was led by [[Rickey Minor]] (fourth through ninth and thirteenth through fifteenth seasons) and [[Ray Chew]] (tenth through twelfth seasons). Assistance has also been given by vocal coaches and song arrangers, such as Michael Orland and [[Debra Byrd]] to contestants behind the scene. Starting with the seventh season, contestants may perform with a musical instrument from the Hollywood rounds onward. In later seasons, the contestants were allowed to perform with a musical instrument in the auditions. During the first nine seasons, performances were usually aired live on Tuesday nights, followed by the results shows on Wednesdays, but moved to Wednesdays and Thursdays from the tenth through thirteenth seasons, with the tenth, eleventh and thirteenth-season finales aired on Tuesday and Wednesday. From the fourteenth season onward, there were no separate results shows. On the fourteenth season, the show aired on Wednesday nights, and on the fifteenth season, Thursday nights. Since the sixteenth season, the show has been airing on Sundays and Mondays.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

===2002–2016: Fox===
====Season 1 (2002)====
{{Main|American Idol season 1{{!}}''American Idol'' season 1}}
[[File:Kelly Clarkson 57th Presidential Inauguration-cropped.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[Kelly Clarkson]], the [[American Idol season 1|first season]] winner]]
The first season of ''American Idol'' debuted as a summer replacement show in June 2002 on the Fox network. It was co-hosted by Ryan Seacrest and Brian Dunkleman. Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell served as judges.

In the audition rounds, 121 contestants were selected from around 10,000 who attended the auditions. These were cut to 30 for the semifinal, with ten going on to the finals. One semifinalist, Delano Cagnolatti, was disqualified for lying to evade the show's age limit. One of the early favorites, [[Tamyra Gray]], was eliminated at the top four, the first of several such shock eliminations that were to be repeated in later seasons. [[Christina Cewe|Christina Christian]] was hospitalized before the top six result show due to chest pains and palpitations, and she was eliminated while she was in the hospital.<ref>{{cite web |date=August 8, 2002 |title=Christina Christian Voted Off 'American Idol' While Hospitalized |url=http://popdirt.com/christina-christian-voted-off-american-idol-while-hospitalized/6496/ |access-date=February 24, 2011 |publisher=Popdirt.com |archive-date=April 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404020633/http://popdirt.com/christina-christian-voted-off-american-idol-while-hospitalized/6496/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Jim Verraros]] was the first openly gay contestant on the show; his sexual orientation was revealed on his blog, however it was removed during the competition after a request from the show producers over concerns that it might be unfairly influencing votes.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SWUEAAAAMBAJ&q=teen%20idol's%20 |title=Teen Idol's Dream |date=January 21, 2003 |publisher=The Advocate |access-date=February 24, 2011}}</ref>

The final showdown was between [[Justin Guarini]], one of the early favorites, and [[Kelly Clarkson]]. Clarkson was not initially thought of as a contender,<ref>{{cite web |last=Parker |first=Lyndsey |date=January 18, 2011 |title=Fun With Facts: Things You Didn't Know About 'American Idol' But Were Too Glued To Your TV Set To Ask |url=http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/realityrocks/417463/fun-with-facts-things-you-didnt-know-about-american-idol-but-were-too-glued-to-your-tv-set-to-ask/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110122113040/http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/realityrocks/417463/fun-with-facts-things-you-didnt-know-about-american-idol-but-were-too-glued-to-your-tv-set-to-ask |archive-date=January 22, 2011 |access-date=October 26, 2011 |publisher=Yahoo Music Blogs: Reality Rocks}}</ref> but impressed the judges with some good performances in the final rounds, such as her performance of [[Aretha Franklin]]'s "[[(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman|Natural Woman]]", and [[Betty Hutton]]'s "[[Stuff Like That There (song)|Stuff Like That There]]", and eventually won the crown on September 4, 2002.

In what was to become a tradition, Clarkson performed the coronation song during the finale, and released the song immediately after the season ended. The single, "[[A Moment Like This]]", went on to break a 38-year-old record held by [[The Beatles]] for the biggest leap to number one on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]. Guarini did not release any song immediately after the show and remains the only runner-up not to do so. Both Clarkson and Guarini made a musical film, ''[[From Justin to Kelly]]'', which was released in 2003 but was widely panned. Clarkson has since become one of the most successful ''Idol'' contestants internationally,<ref name="bronson 100" /> with worldwide album sales of more than 25&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web |title=Carrie Underwood Moves Past Kelly Clarkson In Top US Album Sales By An ''American Idol'' Artist |url=http://top40.about.com/b/2009/12/04/carrie-underwood-moves-past-kelly-clarkson-in-top-us-album-sales-by-an-american-idol-artist.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105214326/http://top40.about.com/b/2009/12/04/carrie-underwood-moves-past-kelly-clarkson-in-top-us-album-sales-by-an-american-idol-artist.htm |archive-date=November 5, 2013 |access-date=February 24, 2011 |publisher=Top40.about.com}}</ref>

Starting September 30, 2006, this season was repackaged as "''[[American Idol Rewind]]''" and syndicated directly to stations in the U.S.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

====Season 2 (2003)====
{{Main|American Idol season 2{{!}}''American Idol'' season 2}}
[[File:Ruben Studdar 2 cropped.JPG|right|thumb|upright|[[Ruben Studdard]], the [[American Idol season 2|second season]] winner]]
Following the success of the first season, the second season was moved up to air in January 2003. The number of episodes increased, as did the show's budget and the charge for commercial spots. Dunkleman left the show, leaving Ryan Seacrest as the lone host. Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell returned as judges. [[Kristin Adams]] was a correspondent for this season.<ref>{{cite web |last=EXTRA |date=November 20, 2002 |title=American Idol |url=http://telepixtvcgi.warnerbros.com/dailynews/extra/11_02/11_20b.html}}</ref>

[[Corey Clark]] was disqualified during the finals for having an undisclosed police record; however, he later alleged that he and Paula Abdul had an affair while on the show and that this contributed to his expulsion. Clark also claimed that Abdul gave him preferential treatment on the show due to their affair. The allegations were dismissed by Fox after an independent investigation.<ref>{{cite news |date=August 24, 2005 |title=After probe, Paula Abdul to remain on 'Idol' |work=[[Today (NBC program)|Today]] |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/after-probe-paula-abdul-remain-idol-wbna8931265}}</ref> Two semi-finalists were also disqualified that year – Jaered Andrews for an arrest on an assault charge, and [[Frenchie Davis]] for having previously modeled for an adult website.<ref name="mtv – screening">{{cite web |last=Moss |first=Corey |date=February 4, 2004 |title='American Idol' Steps Up Screening Process For Contestants |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1484799/20040203/story.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090821191117/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1484799/20040203/story.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 21, 2009 |access-date=February 24, 2011 |publisher=Mtv}}</ref>

The season finale drew more than 38 million viewers, marking ''Idol'''s biggest audience ever for a single episode. [[Ruben Studdard]] emerged as the winner, beating [[Clay Aiken]] by a small margin. Out of a total of 24 million votes, Studdard finished just 134,000 votes ahead of Aiken. This slim margin of victory was controversial due to the large number of calls that failed to get through.<ref name="Your Vote Doesn't Count">{{cite web |last=Deborah Starr Seibel |date=May 17, 2004 |title=''American Idol'' Outrage: Your Vote Doesn't Count |url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/153439-American_Idol_Outrage_Your_Vote_Doesn_t_Count.php}}</ref> In an interview prior to the fifth season, executive producer [[Nigel Lythgoe]] indicated that Aiken had led the fan voting from the wildcard week onward until the finale.<ref>{{cite web |last=Logan Martin |date=January 17, 2006 |title="It's Going to be a Very Strong Season, I Think": An Interview with American Idol Producer Nigel Lythgoe |url=http://www.realitynewsonline.com/cgi-bin/ae.pl?mode=1&article=article9455.art&page=6 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090713220342/http://www.realitynewsonline.com/cgi-bin/ae.pl?mode=1&article=article9455.art&page=6 |archive-date=July 13, 2009}}</ref>

Both finalists found success after the show, but Aiken out-performed Studdard's coronation song "[[Flying Without Wings#Ruben Studdard version|Flying Without Wings]]" with his single release from the show "[[This Is the Night (Clay Aiken song)|This Is the Night]]", as well as in their subsequent album releases. The fourth-place finisher [[Josh Gracin]] also enjoyed some success as a country singer.<ref name="billboard 2012">{{cite magazine |last1=Gary Trust |last2=Jillian Mapes |last3=Kevin Rutherford |date=February 28, 2012 |title=Top 24 'American Idols' Of All-Time |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/reality-check/513688/top-24-american-idols-of-all-time |magazine=Billboard}}</ref>

====Season 3 (2004)====
{{Main|American Idol season 3{{!}}''American Idol'' season 3}}
[[File:Fantasia Barrino.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[Fantasia Barrino]], the [[American Idol season 3|third season]] winner]]
The third season premiered on January 19, 2004. Ryan Seacrest returned as host, and Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell returned as judges. One of the most talked-about contestants during the audition process was [[William Hung]] whose off-key rendition of [[Ricky Martin]]'s "[[She Bangs]]" received widespread attention. His exposure on ''Idol'' landed him a record deal and surprisingly he became the [[American Idol alumni album sales|third bestselling]] singer from that season.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top 24 American Idols of All Time |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/reality-check/513688/top-24-american-idols-of-all-time |url-status=dead |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101112110915/http://www.billboard.com/features/top-24-american-idols-of-all-time-1004088662.story |archive-date=November 12, 2010 |access-date=May 16, 2013}}</ref>

Much media attention on the season had been focused on the three black singers, [[Fantasia Barrino]], [[LaToya London]], and [[Jennifer Hudson]], dubbed the Three Divas. All three unexpectedly landed on the bottom three on the top seven result show, with Hudson controversially eliminated.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 26, 2004 |title=Buzz over Jennifer Hudson's ouster from 'American Idol 3' continues |url=http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/buzz-over-jennifer-hudson-ouster-from-american-idol-3-continues-2518.php |access-date=February 24, 2011 |publisher=Realitytvworld.com}}</ref> Elton John, who was one of the mentors that season, called the results of the votes "incredibly racist".<ref>{{cite web |title=Elton John Says 'American Idol' Vote Is 'Racist' |url=http://au.news.yahoo.com/040427/11/oqwi.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040429072819/http://au.news.yahoo.com/040427/11/oqwi.html |archive-date=April 29, 2004 |access-date=April 29, 2004}}, ''[[Reuters]] via Yahoo.com'', 2004-04-28, Retrieved on March 2, 2007.</ref> The prolonged stays of [[John Stevens (singer)|John Stevens]] and [[Jasmine Trias]] in the finals, despite negative comments from the judges, had aroused resentment, so much so that John Stevens reportedly received a death threat, which he dismissed as a joke 'blown out of proportion'.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 30, 2004 |title="Simon Kept Me in My Place": An Interview with John Stevens |url=http://www.foxesonidol.com/cgi-bin/ae.pl?mode=1&article=article1536.art&page=1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101227013627/http://www.foxesonidol.com/cgi-bin/ae.pl?mode=1&article=article1536.art&page=1 |archive-date=December 27, 2010 |access-date=February 24, 2011 |publisher=Foxesonidol.com}}</ref>

The performance of "[[Summertime (George Gershwin song)|Summertime]]" by Barrino, later known simply as "Fantasia", at Top 8 was widely praised, and Simon Cowell considered it as his favorite ''Idol'' moment in the nine seasons he was on the show.<ref>{{cite web |date=May 25, 2010 |title=Simon Cowell's Favorite 'Idol' Moment |url=http://extratv.warnerbros.com/2010/05/simon_cowells_favorite_idol_moment.php |access-date=February 24, 2011 |publisher=Extratv.warnerbros.com}}</ref> Fantasia and [[Diana DeGarmo]] were the last two finalists, and Fantasia was crowned as the winner. Fantasia released as her coronation single "[[I Believe (Fantasia song)|I Believe]]", a song co-written by the first season finalist Tamyra Gray, and DeGarmo released "[[Dreams (Diana DeGarmo song)|Dreams]]".

====Season 4 (2005)====
{{Main|American Idol season 4{{!}}''American Idol'' season 4}}
[[File:191125 Carrie Underwood at the 2019 American Music Awards.png    |right|upright|thumb|[[Carrie Underwood]], the [[American Idol season 4|fourth season]] winner]]
The fourth season premiered on January 18, 2005. Ryan Seacrest returned as host, and Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell returned as judges. This was the first full season of the series to be aired in high definition; the finale of the third season was also aired in high definition. The number of those attending the auditions by now had increased to over 100,000 from the 10,000 of the first season. The age limit was raised to 28 in this season,<ref name="season 4 rules">{{cite web |date=April 22, 2006 |title=Season 4 rules |url=http://www.americanidol.com/archive/season3/showinfo/rules.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060422104846/http://www.americanidol.com/archive/season3/showinfo/rules.htm |archive-date=April 22, 2006 |access-date=August 6, 2011}}</ref> and among those who benefited from this new rule were [[Constantine Maroulis]] and [[Bo Bice]], the two rockers of the show.

The top 12 finalists originally included [[Mario Vazquez]], but he dropped out citing 'personal reasons'<ref>{{cite web |last=Moss |first=Corey |date=March 14, 2005 |title=Mario Vazquez Quits 'Idol' – 'It Wasn't Right For Me' Favored finalist drops out 'to focus on personal things.' |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1498063/20050314/mario_vazquez.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070520121548/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1498063/20050314/mario_vazquez.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 20, 2007 |access-date=February 24, 2011 |publisher=Mtv}}</ref> and was replaced by [[Nikko Smith]]. Later, an employee of Fremantle Media, which produces the show, sued the company for wrongful termination, claiming that he was dismissed after complaining about lewd behavior by Vazquez toward him during the show.<ref>{{cite web |date=December 3, 2007 |title="A.I." Contestant Accused of "Masturbating" in Suit |url=https://www.tmz.com/2007/03/12/fallen-idol-accused-of-masturbating-in-front-of-male-employe/ |access-date=February 24, 2011 |publisher=Tmz.com}}</ref>

During the top 11 week, due to a mix-up with the contestants' telephone number, voting was repeated on what was normally the result night, with the result reveal postponed until the following night.

In May 2005, Underwood was announced the winner, with Bice the runner-up. Both Underwood and Bice released the coronation song "[[Inside Your Heaven]]", with Underwood's version of the song making her the first country artist ever to debut at number-one on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] chart.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Bronson |first=Fred |date=2015-05-12 |title=Top 100 'American Idol' Hits of All Time |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/american-idol-top-100-hits-of-all-time/ |access-date=2025-03-23 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> As of 2015, Underwood has become the most successful ''Idol'' contestant in the U.S.,<ref name="bronson 100">{{cite magazine |last=Bronson |first=Fred |date=May 12, 2015 |title=Top 100 'American Idol' Hits of All Time |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/list/1550614/american-idol-top-100-hits-of-all-time |magazine=Billboard}}</ref> selling 16 million albums in the country,<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Jim Asker |date=January 21, 2015 |title=Rewinding the Country Charts: 10 Years Ago, Carrie Underwood Motored to Her First No. 1 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6844256/rewinding-the-country-charts-10-years-ago-carrie-underwood |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |access-date=January 24, 2016}}</ref> while selling a total of 65 million records worldwide.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Rolling Stone |date=March 10, 2015 |title=Readers' Poll: 10 Best Carrie Underwood Songs |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/readers-poll-10-best-carrie-underwood-songs-20150310 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref>

====Season 5 (2006)====
{{Main|American Idol season 5{{!}}''American Idol'' season 5}}
[[File:Taylor Hicks.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[Taylor Hicks]], the [[American Idol season 5|fifth season]] winner]]
The fifth season began on January 17, 2006. Ryan Seacrest returned as host, and Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell returned as judges. It remains the highest-rated season in the show's run so far. Two of the more prominent contestants during the Hollywood round were the Brittenum twins who were later disqualified for [[identity theft]].<ref>{{cite web |date=August 17, 2007 |title=Disqualified Brittenum twins return for 'American Idol 7' auditions |url=http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/disqualified-brittenum-twins-return-for-american-idol-7-auditions-5681.php |access-date=February 24, 2011 |publisher=Realitytvworld.com}}</ref>

[[Chris Daughtry]]'s performance of [[Fuel (band)|Fuel]]'s "[[Hemorrhage (In My Hands)]]" on the show was widely praised and led to an invitation to join the band as Fuel's new lead singer, an invitation he declined.<ref>{{cite news |date=May 12, 2006 |title=Chris Daughtry gets job offer from Fuel |work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2006-05-12-daughtry-fuel_x.htm |access-date=February 24, 2011}}</ref> His performance of [[Live (band)|Live]]'s version of "[[I Walk the Line]]" was well received by the judges but later criticized in some quarters for not crediting the arrangement to Live.<ref>{{cite web |last=Moss |first=Corey |date=March 24, 2006 |title=Did 'Idol' Contender Daughtry Go Over The Line With 'Walk The Line' Cover? |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1526988/20060324/cash_johnny.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070304013212/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1526988/20060324/cash_johnny.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 4, 2007 |access-date=February 24, 2011 |publisher=Mtv}}</ref> He was eliminated at the top four in a shocking result.

On May 30, 2006, [[Taylor Hicks]] was named ''American Idol'', with [[Katharine McPhee]] the runner-up. "[[Do I Make You Proud]]" was released as Hicks' first single and McPhee's was "[[My Destiny (Katharine McPhee song)|My Destiny]]".

Despite being eliminated earlier in the season, Chris Daughtry (as lead of the band [[Daughtry (band)|Daughtry]]) became the most successful recording artist from this season.<ref name="usatoday 2014">{{cite news |last=Bill Keveney |date=January 14, 2014 |title=TV Singing Shows Fail To Create Stars |work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2014/01/14/tv-singing-shows-stars-story/4478095/}}</ref> Other contestants, such as Hicks, McPhee, [[Bucky Covington]], [[Mandisa]], [[Kellie Pickler]], and [[Elliott Yamin]] have had varying levels of success.

====Season 6 (2007)====
{{Main|American Idol season 6{{!}}''American Idol'' season 6}}
[[File:Jordin Sparks by Gage Skidmore.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Jordin Sparks]], the [[American Idol season 6|sixth season]] winner]]
The sixth season began on Tuesday, January 16, 2007. Ryan Seacrest returned as host, and Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell returned as judges. The premiere drew a massive audience of 37.3&nbsp;million viewers, peaking in the last half hour with more than 41&nbsp;million viewers.<ref name="death star">{{cite web |date=January 17, 2007 |title='Idol' Death Star Returns – Premiere ratings build on last year's ginormous numbers |url=http://www.zap2it.com/tv/ratings/zap-ratings011607,0,811654.story |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080103081014/http://www.zap2it.com/tv/ratings/zap-ratings011607,0,811654.story |archive-date=January 3, 2008 |access-date=January 17, 2007 |publisher=Zap2it}}</ref>

Teenager [[Sanjaya Malakar]] was the season's most talked-about contestant for his unusual hairdo,<ref>{{cite web |date=March 28, 2007 |title=Sanjaya on 'Idol' rocks a faux-hawk |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna17822498 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110905025644/http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/17822498 |archive-date=September 5, 2011 |access-date=February 24, 2011 |publisher=[[MSNBC]]}}</ref> and for managing to survive elimination for many weeks due in part to the weblog [[Vote for the Worst]] and satellite radio personality [[Howard Stern]], who both encouraged fans to vote for him. However, on the Top 7 results, Sanjaya was voted off.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 19, 2007 |title=Buh-Bye-Ya, Sanjaya! |url=http://www.usmagazine.com/sanjaya_out |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070525221943/http://www.usmagazine.com/sanjaya_out |archive-date=May 25, 2007 |access-date=May 16, 2013 |website=Us Weekly}}</ref>

This season saw the first ''Idol Gives Back'' telethon-inspired event, which raised more than $76&nbsp;million in corporate and viewer donations.<ref name="idol gives back" /> No contestant was eliminated that week, but two ([[Phil Stacey]] and [[Chris Richardson]]) were eliminated the next.

In the May 23 season finale, [[Jordin Sparks]] was declared the winner with the runner-up being [[Blake Lewis]]. Sparks has had some success as a recording artist post-''Idol''.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

This season also saw the launch of the ''American Idol'' Songwriter contest which allows fans to vote for the "coronation song". Thousands of recordings of original songs were submitted by songwriters, and 20 entries selected for the public vote. The winning song, "[[This Is My Now]]", was performed by both finalists during the finale and released by Sparks on May 24, 2007.<ref>{{cite web |last=Natalie Finn |date=May 23, 2007 |title=Jordin Sparks Idol Finale |url=http://eonline.com/news/55228/jordin-sparks-idol-finale |website=E Online}}</ref>

====Season 7 (2008)====
{{Main|American Idol season 7{{!}}''American Idol'' season 7}}
[[File:David Cook rocks Front Range concert 160916-F-JY173-013.jpg  |thumb|upright|left|[[David Cook (singer)|David Cook]], the [[American Idol season 7|seventh season]] winner]]
The seventh season premiered on January 15, 2008, for a two-day, four-hour premiere. Ryan Seacrest returned as host, and Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell returned as judges. The media focused on the professional status of the seventh season contestants, the so-called 'ringers',<ref name="ringers">{{cite web |date=January 30, 2008 |title=American Idol Controversy: The Ringers of Season 7 |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/american-idol/another-american-idol-controve-3975.aspx |access-date=February 24, 2011 |publisher=Buddytv.com}}</ref> many of whom, including [[Kristy Lee Cook]], [[Brooke White]], [[Michael Johns (singer)|Michael Johns]], and in particular [[Carly Smithson]], had prior recording contracts.<ref>{{cite web |date=February 14, 2008 |title=Irish Idol: Smithson's Secret Past |url=http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/realityrocks/13980/irish-idol-smithsons-secret-past |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001172053/http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/realityrocks/13980/irish-idol-smithsons-secret-past |archive-date=October 1, 2011 |access-date=February 24, 2011 |publisher=New.music.yahoo.com}}</ref> Contestant [[David Hernandez (singer)|David Hernandez]] also attracted some attention due to his past employment as a stripper.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |date=March 5, 2008 |title='American Idol' Producer OKs David Hernandez's Stripper Past; Show Keeps Mum On Danny Noriega Video |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1582800/20080305/story.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081110074139/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1582800/20080305/story.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 10, 2008 |access-date=February 24, 2011 |publisher=Mtv}}</ref>

For the finals, ''American Idol'' debuted a new state-of-the-art set and stage on March 11, 2008, along with a new on-air look. [[David Cook (singer)|David Cook]]'s performance of "[[Billie Jean]]" on top-ten night was lauded by the judges, but provoked controversy when they apparently mistook the [[Chris Cornell]] arrangement to be David Cook's own even though the performance was introduced as Cornell's version. Cornell himself said he was 'flattered' and praised David Cook's performance.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Halperin |first=Shirley |date=March 28, 2008 |title=Chris Cornell defends 'Idol' contender David Cook |url=https://ew.com/article/2008/03/28/chris-cornell-s/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101012013201/http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2008/03/28/chris-cornell-s/ |archive-date=October 12, 2010 |access-date=November 23, 2019}}</ref> David Cook was taken to the hospital after the top-nine performance show due to heart palpitations and high blood pressure.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |date=April 2, 2008 |title='American Idol' Contestant David Cook Reportedly Rushed To Hospital After Show |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1584613/20080402/story.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013112922/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1584613/20080402/story.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 13, 2008 |access-date=February 24, 2011 |publisher=Mtv}}</ref>

[[David Archuleta]]'s performance of John Lennon's "[[Imagine (John Lennon song)|Imagine]]" was considered by many as one of the best of the season. Jennifer Lopez, who was brought in as a judge in the tenth season, called it a beautiful song-moment that she will never forget.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mansfield |first=Brian |date=January 7, 2011 |title=Jennifer Lopez says new 'Idol' judges are 'more collaborative' |work=USA Today |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/idolchatter/post/2011/01/jennifer-lopez-says-new-idol-judges-are-more-collaborative/1 |access-date=February 24, 2011}}</ref> [[Jason Castro (singer)|Jason Castro]]'s semi-final performance of "[[Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen song)|Hallelujah]]" also received considerable attention, and it propelled [[Jeff Buckley]]'s version of the song to the top of the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Hot Digital Songs|digital song]] chart.<ref>{{Cite magazine |author=Billboard Staff |date=2016-03-17 |title=Top 100 'American Idol' Live Performances of All Time |url=https://www.billboard.com/photos/top-100-american-idol-live-performances-of-all-time/69-25-hallelujah-jason-castro/ |access-date=2025-03-23 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>  This was the first season in which contestants' recordings were released onto [[iTunes]] after their performances, and although sales information was not released so as not to prejudice the contest, leaked information indicated that contestants' songs frequently reached the top of iTunes sales charts.<ref>{{cite web |date=March 27, 2008 |title=David Cook – "Billie Jean" – # 1 Song on iTunes |url=http://www.rickey.org/?p=7483 |access-date=February 24, 2011 |publisher=Rickey.org}}{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=Musdan77 |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

''Idol Gives Back'' returned on April 9, 2008, and raised $64&nbsp;million for charity.<ref name="idol gives back" />

The finalists were Cook and Archuleta. David Cook was announced the winner on May 21, 2008, the first rocker to win the show. Both Cook and Archuleta had some success as recording artists with both selling over a million albums in the U.S.<ref name="usatoday 2014" />

The ''American Idol'' Songwriter contest was also held this season. From ten of the most popular submissions, each of the final two contestants chose a song to perform, although neither of their selections was used as the "coronation song". The winning song, "[[The Time of My Life (David Cook song)|The Time of My Life]]", was recorded by David Cook and released on May 22, 2008.

====Season 8 (2009)====
{{Main|American Idol season 8{{!}}''American Idol'' season 8}}
[[File:Kris Allen in New York City.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Kris Allen]], the [[American Idol season 8|eighth season]] winner]]
The eighth season premiered on January 13, 2009. Ryan Seacrest returned as host, and Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell returned as judges. This season featured the first major change to the judging panel; a fourth judge, Kara DioGuardi, was introduced. [[Mike Darnell]], the president of alternative programming for Fox, stated that the season would focus more on the contestants' personal life.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hazlett |first=Courtney |date=August 18, 2010 |title='Idol's' emotional focus will highlight Abdul |work=Today.com |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/idols-emotional-focus-will-highlight-abdul-wbna28002633 |access-date=August 25, 2010}}</ref>

This was also the first season without executive producer [[Nigel Lythgoe]] who left to focus on the international versions of his show ''[[So You Think You Can Dance]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Nigel Lythgoe leaving 'American Idol' |url=https://ew.com/article/2008/08/06/nigel-lythgoe-leaving-american-idol/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=November 23, 2019}}</ref> The Hollywood round was moved to the Kodak Theatre for 2009 and was also extended to two weeks. ''Idol Gives Back'' was canceled for this season due to the [[Late-2000s recession|global recession]] at the time.

There were 13 finalists this season, but two were eliminated in the first result show of the finals. A new feature introduced was the "Judges' Save", and [[Matt Giraud]] was saved from elimination at the top seven by the judges when he received the fewest votes. The next week, [[Lil Rounds]] and [[Anoop Desai]] were eliminated.

The two finalists were [[Kris Allen]] and [[Adam Lambert]], both of whom had previously landed in the bottom three at the top five. Allen won the contest in the most controversial voting result since the second season. It was claimed,<ref>{{cite web |date=May 21, 2009 |title=Report: Kris Allen's home state cast 38&nbsp;million 'American Idol' votes |url=http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/report-kris-allen-home-state-cast-38-million-american-idol-votes-9015.php |access-date=February 24, 2011 |publisher=Realitytvworld.com}}</ref> and then later retracted,<ref>{{cite web |title=Conway reacts to Kris' win |url=http://www.fox16.com/news/local/story/Conway-reacts-to-Kris-win/sv8BNSsGY0G8GRZWSr0fRw.cspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711022202/http://www.fox16.com/news/local/story/Conway-reacts-to-Kris-win/sv8BNSsGY0G8GRZWSr0fRw.cspx |archive-date=July 11, 2011 |access-date=February 24, 2011 |publisher=Fox16.com}}</ref> that 38&nbsp;million of the 100&nbsp;million votes cast on the night came from Allen's home state of Arkansas alone, and that AT&T employees unfairly influenced the votes by giving lessons on power-texting at viewing parties in Arkansas.<ref name="textgate">{{cite news |last=Wyatt |first=Edward |date=May 27, 2009 |title="Idol" producers stand by outcome |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/28/business/media/28idol.html}}</ref>

Both Allen and Lambert released the coronation song, "[[No Boundaries (song)|No Boundaries]]" which was co-written by DioGuardi. This is the first season in which the winner failed to achieve gold album status.<ref>{{cite book |last=Barrie Gunter |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jdkxBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA35 |title=I Want to Change My Life: Can Reality TV Competition Shows Trigger Lasting Career Success? |date=July 24, 2014 |isbn=9781443864749 |pages=34–35| publisher=Cambridge Scholars }}</ref>

====Season 9 (2010)====
{{Main|American Idol season 9{{!}}''American Idol'' season 9}}
[[File:Lee DeWyze.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[Lee DeWyze]], the [[American Idol season 9|ninth season]] winner]]

The ninth season premiered on January 12, 2010. Ryan Seacrest returned as host, and Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi, and Simon Cowell returned as judges. Paula Abdul left the show and Ellen DeGeneres replaced Abdul at the start of Hollywood Week. One of the most prominent auditioners this season was General [[Larry Platt]] whose performance of "[[Pants on the Ground]]" became a viral hit song.<ref>{{cite news |last=Singh |first=Anita |date=January 15, 2010 |title=Pants On The Ground video: American Idol's General Larry Platt is overnight star |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/6998810/Pants-On-The-Ground-video-American-Idols-General-Larry-Platt-is-overnight-star.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=February 24, 2011 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/6998810/Pants-On-The-Ground-video-American-Idols-General-Larry-Platt-is-overnight-star.html |archive-date=January 11, 2022}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

[[Crystal Bowersox]], who has [[Diabetes mellitus type 1|Type-I diabetes]], fell ill due to [[diabetic ketoacidosis]] on the morning of the girls performance night for the top 20 week and was hospitalized.<ref name="crystal" /> The schedule was rearranged so the boys performed first and she could perform the following night instead; she later revealed that Ken Warwick, the show producer, wanted to disqualify her but she begged to be allowed to stay on the show.<ref name="crystal">{{cite web |title=Crystal Bowersox: Her First Interview on Diabetes |url=http://www.diabetesmine.com/2010/09/crystal-bowersox-her-first-interview-on-diabetes.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101228142020/http://www.diabetesmine.com/2010/09/crystal-bowersox-her-first-interview-on-diabetes.html |archive-date=December 28, 2010 |access-date=February 24, 2011 |publisher=Diabetesmine.com}}</ref>

[[Michael Lynche]] was the lowest vote getter at top nine and was given the Judges' Save. The next week [[Katie Stevens]] and [[Andrew Garcia]] were eliminated. That week, Adam Lambert was invited back to be a mentor, the first ''Idol'' alum to do so. ''Idol Gives Back'' returned this season on April 21, 2010, and raised $45 million.<ref name="idol gives back" />

A special tribute to Simon Cowell was presented in the finale for his final season with the show. Many figures from the show's past, including Paula Abdul, made an appearance.

The final two contestants were [[Lee DeWyze]] and Bowersox. DeWyze was declared the winner during the May 26 finale. No new song was used as coronation song this year; instead, the two finalists each released a cover song – DeWyze chose [[U2]]'s "[[Beautiful Day]]", and Bowersox chose [[Patty Griffin]]'s "[[Up to the Mountain (MLK Song)|Up to the Mountain]]". This is the first season where neither finalist achieved significant album sales.<ref>{{cite web |last=Smith |first=Grady |date=October 21, 2011 |title=Crystal Bowersox, Lee DeWyze both dropped by their record label: For 'Idol', what a difference a year makes |url=https://ew.com/article/2011/10/21/crystal-bowersox-lee-dewyze-dropped-rca-scotty-mccreery-lauren-alaina/ |website=EW}}</ref>

====Season 10 (2011)====
{{Main|American Idol season 10{{!}}''American Idol'' season 10}}
[[File:ScottyMcCreery2020 (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|[[Scotty McCreery]], the [[American Idol season 10|tenth season]] winner]]
The tenth season premiered on January 19, 2011. Ryan Seacrest returned as host and Randy Jackson returned as a judge. Many changes were introduced this season, from the format to the personnel of the show. Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler joined Randy Jackson as judges following the departures of Simon Cowell (who left to launch the American version of ''[[The X Factor (American TV series)|The X Factor]]''), Kara DioGuardi (whose contract was not renewed) and Ellen DeGeneres, who left the show on her own accord.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/30/arts/television/30ellen.html|title=Ellen DeGeneres Leaving 'American Idol'|first=Brian|last=Stelter|work=The New York Times |date=July 30, 2010|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref><ref name="newjudges">{{cite web |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |date=September 22, 2010 |title='American Idol' Adds Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler As Judges |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1648433/american-idol-adds-jennifer-lopez-steven-tyler-as-judges/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717215915/http://www.mtv.com/news/1648433/american-idol-adds-jennifer-lopez-steven-tyler-as-judges/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 17, 2014 |access-date=February 24, 2011 |publisher=MTV}}</ref>

Randy Jackson was the only judge from the ninth season to return for the tenth. [[Nigel Lythgoe]] returned as executive producer. [[Jimmy Iovine]], chairman of the [[Interscope Geffen A&M]] label group, the new partner of ''American Idol'', acted as the in-house mentor in place of weekly guest mentors,<ref name="newjudges" /> although in later episodes special guest mentors such as [[Beyoncé]], [[will.i.am]] and [[Lady Gaga]] were brought in.

The tenth season is the first to include online auditions where contestants could submit a 40-second video audition via Myspace.<ref>{{cite web |date=September 15, 2010 |title=American Idol Accepting Online Auditions This Season |url=http://www.popeater.com/2010/09/15/american-idol-online-auditions/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101117004613/http://www.popeater.com/2010/09/15/american-idol-online-auditions/ |archive-date=November 17, 2010 |access-date=February 24, 2011 |publisher=Popeater.com}}</ref> [[Karen Rodriguez]] was one such auditioner and reached the final rounds.

One of the more prominent contestants this year was [[Chris Medina]], whose story of caring for his brain-damaged fiancée received widespread coverage.<ref>{{cite web |last=Gil Kaufman |date=January 27, 2011 |title=Chris Medina's 'American Idol' Story Recalls Danny Gokey's |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1656795/chris-medina-american-idol/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725202410/http://www.mtv.com/news/1656795/chris-medina-american-idol/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 25, 2014 |website=MTV}}</ref> Medina was cut in the Top 40 round. [[Casey Abrams]], who suffers from [[ulcerative colitis]], was hospitalized twice and missed the Top 13 result show. The judges used their one save on Abrams on the Top 11, and as a result this was the first season that 11 finalists went on tour instead of 10. In the following week, [[Naima Adedapo]] and [[Thia Megia]] were both eliminated.

[[Pia Toscano]], one of the presumed favorites to advance far in the season, was unexpectedly eliminated on April 7, 2011, finishing in ninth place. Her elimination drew criticisms from some former ''Idol'' contestants, as well as actor [[Tom Hanks]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Us Weekly |date=April 8, 2011 |title=Jennifer Hudson, Tom Hanks Outraged Over Pia Toscano's 'Idol' Elimination |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/jennifer-hudson-tom-hanks-outraged-over-pia-toscanos-idol-elimination-20110408 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=August 6, 2011}}</ref> After ''Idol'', [[Jennifer Lopez]] helped guide her career.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Toscano |first=Pia |date=August 18, 2022 |title=Confessions of An Almost Pop Star, by Pia Toscano |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/pia-toscano-essay-american-idol-1235127895/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=August 18, 2022}}</ref>

The two finalists in 2011 were [[Lauren Alaina]] and [[Scotty McCreery]], both teenage country singers. McCreery won the competition on May 25, being the youngest male winner and the fourth male in a row to win ''American Idol''. McCreery released his first single, "[[I Love You This Big]]", as his coronation song, and Alaina released "[[Like My Mother Does]]". McCreery's debut album, ''[[Clear as Day]]'', became the first debut album by an ''Idol'' winner to reach No. 1 on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] since [[Ruben Studdard]]'s ''[[Soulful (Ruben Studdard album)|Soulful]]'' in 2003, and he became the youngest male artist to reach No. 1 on the Billboard 200.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=May 13, 2013 |title='Idol's' Scotty McCreery Makes History at No. 1 on Billboard 200 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/466103/idols-scotty-mccreery-makes-history-at-no-1-on-billboard-200 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=May 19, 2013}}</ref>

====Season 11 (2012)====
{{Main|American Idol season 11{{!}}''American Idol'' season 11}}
[[File:Phillip Phillips Live at Walmart Soundcheck, December 2013.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[Phillip Phillips]], the [[American Idol season 11|eleventh season]] winner]]
The eleventh season premiered on January 18, 2012. Ryan Seacrest returned as host and Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez, and Randy Jackson returned as judges. One more finalist would join the Top 24 making it the Top 25, which was later revealed to be [[Jermaine Jones (singer)|Jermaine Jones]]. However, on March 14, Jones was disqualified in 12th place for concealing arrests and outstanding warrants. Jones denied the accusation that he concealed his arrests.<ref>{{cite news |last=O'Donnell |first=Kevin |date=March 16, 2012 |title=Jermaine Jones: I Didn't Know I Broke American Idol's Rules |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |url=https://people.com/tv/jermaine-jones-i-didnt-know-i-broke-american-idols-rules/ |access-date=November 23, 2019}}</ref>

Finalist [[Phillip Phillips]] suffered from kidney pain and was taken to the hospital before the Top 13 results show, and later received medical procedure to alleviate a blockage caused by kidney stones.<ref>{{cite news |date=March 16, 2012 |title=Bad Kidneys Won't Keep Me Off Show |work=TMZ |url=https://www.tmz.com/2012/03/16/american-idol-phillip-phillips-kidney-stones/}}</ref> He was reported to have eight surgeries during his Idol run, and had considered quitting the show due to the pain.<ref>{{cite news |last=Brian Mansfield |date=May 24, 2012 |title=Surgery won't affect Idols tour, Phillips says |work=USA Today |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/idolchatter/post/2012/05/surgery-wont-affect-idols-tour-phillips-says/1 |access-date=May 25, 2012 |series=Idol Chatter}}</ref> He underwent surgery to remove the stones and reconstruct his kidney soon after the season had finished.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Marisa Laudadio |date=July 1, 2012 |title=Phillip Phillips Reveals Details of Year-Long Kidney Crisis |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20607359,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120703102022/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20607359,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 3, 2012 |magazine=[[People (magazine)|People]] |access-date=July 3, 2012}}</ref>

[[Jessica Sanchez]] received the fewest votes during the Top 7 week, and the judges decided to use their "save" option on her, making her the first female recipient of the save. The following week, unlike previous seasons, [[Colton Dixon]] was the only contestant sent home. Sanchez later made the final two, the first season where a recipient of the save reached the finale.

Phillips became the winner, beating Sanchez. During the finale, fifth season finalist [[Ace Young]] proposed marriage to third season runner-up [[Diana DeGarmo]] on stage – which she accepted.<ref>{{cite web |last=Angermiller |first=Michele Amabile |date=May 23, 2012 |title='American Idol': Season 5's Ace Young Proposes to Season 3's Diana DeGarmo On Finale Stage |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/american-idol-ace-young-proposes-diana-degarmo-328832 |access-date=February 1, 2021 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref>

Phillips released "[[Home (Phillip Phillips song)|Home]]" as his coronation song, while Sanchez released "[[Change Nothing (song)|Change Nothing]]". Phillips' "Home" has since become the best selling of all coronation songs, with over 5 million copies sold.<ref>{{cite news |last=Paul Grein |date=October 24, 2012 |title=Chart Watch Extra: Phillip Phillips' Idol Record |work=Chart Watch |publisher=Yahoo Music |url=http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/chart-watch-extra-american-idol-top-dozen-171239977.html |access-date=October 24, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Michele Amabile Angermiller and Shirley Halperin |date=December 10, 2015 |title=American Idol' Final Season To Be Four Weeks Shorter Than Last |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6805220/american-idol-final-season-cut-four-weeks-short}} Sales figure given [http://www.billboard.com/files/media/BB38-idol-01.jpg here] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211095945/http://www.billboard.com/files/media/BB38-idol-01.jpg |date=December 11, 2015 }}</ref>

====Season 12 (2013)====
{{Main|American Idol season 12{{!}}''American Idol'' season 12}}
[[File:Life Ball 2014 red carpet 092 Candice Glover (cropped).jpg  |thumb|upright|[[Candice Glover]], the [[American Idol season 12|twelfth season]] winner]]
The twelfth season premiered on January 16, 2013. Ryan Seacrest returned as host and Randy Jackson returned as a judge. Judges Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler left the show after two seasons. Randy Jackson was the only judge from the eleventh season to return for the twelfth. This season's judging panel consisted of Randy Jackson, along with Mariah Carey, Keith Urban and Nicki Minaj.

This was the first season since the ninth season to have four judges on the panel. The pre-season buzz and the early episodes of the show were dominated by the feud between the judges Minaj and Carey after a video of their dispute was leaked to [[TMZ (website)|TMZ]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Barrett |first=Annie |date=January 23, 2013 |title='American Idol': Nicki Minaj-Mariah Carey brawl sparked by disagreement over 'country thing' |url=https://ew.com/article/2013/01/23/american-idol-nicki-minaj-mariah-carey-fight-country/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=November 23, 2019}}</ref>

The top 10 contestants started with five males and five females, however, the males were eliminated consecutively in the first five weeks, with Lazaro Arbos the last male to be eliminated. For the first time in the show's history, the top 5 contestants were all female. It was also the first time that the judges' "save" was not used, the top four contestants were therefore given an extra week to perform again with their votes carried over with no elimination in the first week.

23-year-old [[Candice Glover]] won the season with [[Kree Harrison]] taking the runner-up spot. Glover became the first female to win ''American Idol'' since [[Jordin Sparks]], who won the show in 2007. Glover released "[[I Am Beautiful]]" as a single while Harrison released "[[All Cried Out (Kree Harrison song)|All Cried Out]]" immediately after the show. Glover sold poorly with her debut album, and this is also the first season that the runner-up was not signed by a music label.<ref>{{cite web |last=Parker |first=Lyndsey |date=January 13, 2014 |title=10 Ways 'American Idol' is Trying to Win You Back |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/aa-ways-american-idol-is-trying-to-win-you-back-20140113 |website=RollingStone}}</ref>

Towards the end of the season, Randy Jackson, the last remaining of the original judges, announced he would no longer serve as a judge to pursue other business ventures.<ref name="I'm Leaving" /> Both judges Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj also decided to leave after one season to focus on their music careers.<ref name="carey minaj">{{cite news |last=Douglas Hyde and Greg Botelhon |date=May 31, 2013 |title='American Idol' to get makeover with exits of Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj |work=CNN |url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/30/showbiz/american-idol-mariah-carey}}</ref>

====Season 13 (2014)====
{{Main|American Idol season 13{{!}}''American Idol'' season 13}}
[[File:Caleb Johnson Wolf Trap.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[Caleb Johnson]], the [[American Idol season 13|thirteenth season]] winner]]
The thirteenth season premiered on January 15, 2014. Ryan Seacrest returned as host and [[Keith Urban]] returned as a judge.  Urban was the only judge from the twelfth season to return as a judge for the thirteenth season. [[Randy Jackson]] returned, though Jackson moved from the judging panel to the role of in-mentor. [[Mariah Carey]] and [[Nicki Minaj]] left the panel after one season. Former judge [[Jennifer Lopez]] and former mentor [[Harry Connick, Jr]]. joined Urban on the panel. Connick Jr. served as a mentor for ''Idol'' in 2010 and 2012.<ref>{{cite web |title=American Idol {{!}} Harry Connick Jr. - Official Site |url=https://www.harryconnickjr.com/television/american-idol#:~:text=Harry%20Connick,%20Jr.,a%20second%20time%20in%202012. |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=www.harryconnickjr.com}}</ref> Also, [[Nigel Lythgoe]] and [[Ken Warwick]] were replaced as executive producers by Per Blankens, Jesse Ignjatovic and Evan Pragger. Bill DeRonde replaced Warwick as a director of the audition episodes, while Louis J. Horvitz replaced Gregg Gelfand as a director of the show.<ref>{{cite web |date=December 19, 2013 |title=Louis J. Horvitz To Direct 'American Idol' This Season |url=https://deadline.com/2013/12/louis-j-horvitz-to-direct-american-idol-this-season-654964/ |website=Deadline}}</ref>

This was the first season where the contestants were permitted to perform in the final rounds songs they wrote themselves. In the Top 8, [[Sam Woolf (singer-songwriter)|Sam Woolf]] received the fewest votes, but he was saved from elimination by the judges. The 500th episode of the series was the Top 3 performance night.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bronson |first=Fred |date=May 14, 2014 |title=American Idol' Celebrates 500th Episode: The Highs and Lows of 13 Seasons |work=Hollywood Reporter |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/idol-worship/american-idol-celebrates-500th-episode-704201}}</ref>

[[Caleb Johnson]] was named the winner of the season, with [[Jena Irene]] as the runner-up.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Perlman |first=Jake |title=American Idol season finale recap: And the Winner is... |url=https://ew.com/recap/american-idol-2014-finale-part-two/ |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |access-date=May 21, 2014}}</ref>  Johnson released "[[As Long as You Love Me (Caleb Johnson song)|As Long as You Love Me]]" as his coronation single while Irene released "We Are One".<ref>{{cite web |last=Paul Grein |date=August 20, 2014 |title=Chart Watch: A New Low For 'American Idol' |url=https://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/chart-watch-a-new-low-for-american-idol-192029756.html |website=Yahoo! Music}}</ref>

====Season 14 (2015)====
{{Main|American Idol season 14{{!}}''American Idol'' season 14}}
[[File:Nick Fradiani at the National Memorial Day Concert.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Nick Fradiani]], the [[American Idol season 14|fourteenth season]] winner]]
The fourteenth season premiered on January 7, 2015. Ryan Seacrest returned as host, and Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick, Jr. returned for their respective fourth, third and second seasons as judges. Eighth season runner-up [[Adam Lambert]] filled in for Urban during the New York City auditions. Randy Jackson did not return as the in-house mentor and left the show permanently.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Hibbert |first=James |date=November 11, 2014 |title=Randy Jackson exiting 'American Idol' |url=https://ew.com/article/2014/11/11/randy-jackson-american-idol/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=November 23, 2019}}</ref> [[Scott Borchetta]] replaced Jackson as the mentor.

Changes this season include only airing one episode a week during the final ten.<ref>{{cite web |last=Matt Webb Mitovich |date=December 13, 2014 |title='American Idol' Season 14 — One Night a Week Starting Top 10 – TVLine |url=http://tvline.com/2014/12/13/american-idol-season-14-one-night-per-week |access-date=April 20, 2015 |website=TVLine}}</ref> Coca-Cola ended their longtime sponsorship of the show<ref>{{cite news |last=Steinberg |first=Brian |date=December 16, 2014 |title=Coca-Cola Ends Sponsorship Of 'American Idol' (EXCLUSIVE) |newspaper=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2014/tv/news/coca-cola-cuts-ties-with-american-idol-1201380360/}}</ref> and Ford Motor Company maintained a reduced role. The winner of the season also received a recording contract with [[Big Machine Records]].

[[Nick Fradiani]] won the season, defeating [[Clark Beckham]]. Fradiani became the first winner from the Northeast region. Fradiani released "[[Beautiful Life (Nick Fradiani song)|Beautiful Life]]" as his coronation single while Beckham released "Champion". [[Jax (singer)|Jax]], the third place finalist, also released a single called "Forcefield".

====Season 15 (2016)====
{{Main|American Idol season 15{{!}}''American Idol'' season 15}}
[[File:Trent Harmon (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[Trent Harmon]], the [[American Idol season 15|fifteenth season]] winner]]
Fox announced on May 11, 2015, that the fifteenth season would be the final season of ''American Idol''; as such, the season was expected to have an additional focus on the program's alumni. Ryan Seacrest returned as host, with Harry Connick Jr., Keith Urban, and Jennifer Lopez all returning as judges.<ref name="Idol Cancellation (May 2015)">{{cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=May 11, 2015 |title=''American Idol'' Renewed For Final Season |url=https://deadline.com/2015/05/american-idol-renewed-final-season-15-1201424278/ |access-date=May 11, 2015 |website=Deadline Hollywood |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |location=United States}}</ref> The fifteenth season premiered on January 6, 2016. The season was shortened by four weeks compared to previous years.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Michele Amabile Angermiller |last2=Shirley Halperin |date=December 10, 2015 |title='American Idol' Final Season To Be Four Weeks Shorter Than Last |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6805220/american-idol-final-season-cut-four-weeks-short |magazine=Billboard}}</ref> During the finale episode, President [[Barack Obama]] praised the millions of young people that voted for contestants and pitched that they vote in the upcoming [[2016 United States presidential election|election]]. The farewell season concluded on April 7, 2016. Seacrest signed off by saying: "And one more time—this is so tough—we say to you from Hollywood, goodnight America", and then he added, "for now."<ref>{{cite news |last=McKenzie |first=Joi-Marie |date=April 9, 2016 |title=Ryan Seacrest Explains Mysterious 'American Idol' Sign-Off on Series Finale |work=ABC |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/ryan-seacrest-explains-mysterious-american-idol-sign-off/story?id=38272305}}</ref>

[[Trent Harmon]] won the season against runner-up [[La'Porsha Renae]]. Harmon released "[[Falling (Trent Harmon song)|Falling]]" co-written by Keith Urban as his coronation song.<ref>{{cite web |last=Esposito |first=Jennifer |date=April 7, 2016 |title=Trent Harmon's 'Falling' Written By Keith Urban Will Heat Up Country Radio If He Wins American Idol |url=http://www.inquisitr.com/2971143/trent-harmons-falling-written-by-keith-urban-will-heat-up-country-radio-if-he-wins-american-idol/ |website=The Inquistr}}</ref> Renae's "[[Battles (La'Porsha Renae song)|Battles]]", third-place finisher [[Dalton Rapattoni]]'s "[[Strike A Match]]" and fourth-place finisher [[MacKenzie Bourg]]'s "[[Roses (MacKenzie Bourg song)|Roses]]" were also released as singles.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 7, 2016 |title=Dalton Rapattoni's "Strike A Match" Now Leading Trent, La'Porsha Singles on iTunes Sales Chart |url=http://headlineplanet.com/home/2016/04/06/trent-harmons-falling-leading-dalton-laporsha-singles-on-itunes-sales-chart/ |website=Headline Planet}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=July 7, 2016 |title=MacKenzie Bourg's "Roses" Reached Top 5 on iTunes Sales Chart; Trent's "Falling" Now #4 |work=Headline Planet |url=http://headlineplanet.com/home/2016/04/07/mackenzie-bourgs-roses-soaring-up-itunes-sales-chart/}}</ref>

===2018–present: ABC revival===
In early 2017, ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' reported that Fremantle Media was in talks to revive the show for [[NBC]] or for its original network, Fox.<ref>{{cite web |last=Holloway |first=Daniel |date=February 9, 2017 |title=NBC in Talk to Revive ''American Idol'' |url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/american-idol-nbc-1201982967 |access-date=February 9, 2017 |website=Variety}}</ref> A dispute between Fremantle and Core Media Group derailed these plans.<ref>{{cite web |last=Pena |first=Jessica |date=April 4, 2017 |title=''American Idol:'' Revival Reportedly Not Moving Forward |url=http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/american-idol-revival-reportedly-not-moving-forward/ |access-date=April 4, 2017 |website=TV Series Finale}}</ref> In May 2017, ABC was making a bid to revive the program.<ref>{{cite web |last=Nemetz |first=Dave |date=May 2, 2017 |title=American Idol Reboot Eyed at ABC |url=http://tvline.com/2017/05/02/american-idol-reboot-abc-fremantle-revival/ |website=TVLine}}</ref> ABC acquired the rights to the series, and ''American Idol'' returned for the 2017–18 television season.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=O'Connell |first=Michael |date=May 9, 2017 |title='American Idol' Officially Returning at ABC |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/television/7791771/american-idol-returning-abc |magazine=Billboard}}</ref><ref>Holloway, Daniel, [https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/american-idol-abc-revival-1202419304/ ‘American Idol’: ABC Confirms Plan to Revive Talent Competition Series], Variety, May 9, 2017. Retrieved May 9, 2017.</ref>

====Season 16 (2018)====
{{Main|American Idol season 16{{!}}''American Idol'' season 16}}
[[File:Maddie Poppe at State Fair 2019.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Maddie Poppe]], the [[American Idol season 16|sixteenth season]] winner]]
In July 2017, it was announced that Ryan Seacrest would return as host,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Evans |first1=Greg |date=July 20, 2017 |title=Ryan Seacrest Returns To Host ABC's 'American Idol'; Keeps 'Kelly & Ryan' Gig |url=https://deadline.com/2017/07/ryan-seacrest-returns-american-idol-1202131956/ |access-date=January 23, 2023 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref> and by September 2017 it was revealed that [[Katy Perry]],<ref name="CNN 1" /> [[Luke Bryan]]<ref name="Bryan" /> and [[Lionel Richie]] would serve as judges.<ref name="Richie" /><ref>{{cite web |last=Keveney |first=Bill |title=Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie to join Katy Perry as 'American Idol' judges |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2017/09/29/luke-bryan-lionel-richie-join-katy-perry-american-idol-judges/717706001/ |access-date=January 23, 2023 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref> The sixteenth season premiered on March 11, 2018.<ref name="abc premier" /> This was the first season of ''American Idol'' to air on ABC. The season was again shortened compared to the previous season to twelve weeks, with multiple elimination in the final rounds. Unlike previous seasons where only two finalists remained in the final episode, three finalists performed in the finale. On May 21, 2018, the season concluded with [[Maddie Poppe]] crowned the winner, beating [[Caleb Lee Hutchinson]] as runner-up and [[Gabby Barrett]] in third place. Her winning song was "[[Going, Going, Gone (Maddie Poppe song)|Going, Going, Gone]]". Caleb Lee Hutchinson released "Johnny Cash Heart" as a single, while Gabby Barrett's song was "Rivers Deep".<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Daw |first=Robbie |date=May 21, 2018 |title='American Idol' Recap: Gabby Barrett, Caleb Lee Hutchinson & Maddie Poppe Give Their Final Performances (Critic's Take) |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/television/8457016/american-idol-final-performances-recap |magazine=Billboard}}</ref>

====Season 17 (2019)====
{{Main|American Idol season 17{{!}}''American Idol'' season 17}}
[[File:Laine Hardy - Louisiana Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[Laine Hardy]], the [[American Idol season 17|seventeenth season]] winner]]
ABC renewed the revival series for another season. Seacrest returned as host, and Bryan, Perry and Richie returned as judges.<ref>{{cite web |last=Porter |first=Rick |date=May 4, 2018 |title='American Idol' gets a second season of its second life on ABC |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/more-tv-news/american-idol-gets-a-second-season-of-its-second-life-on-abc/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504211406/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/more-tv-news/american-idol-gets-a-second-season-of-its-second-life-on-abc/ |archive-date=May 4, 2018 |access-date=May 4, 2018 |website=[[TV by the Numbers]]}}</ref> The seventeenth season premiered on March 3, 2019. For the finale, the show no longer features separate performance and result shows. On May 19, 2019, the season concluded with three finalists, with Madison VanDenburg eliminated in third place after performing two songs, and the final two performing their last song. For the first time, there were no separate performance and grand finale shows this season. [[Laine Hardy]] was crowned the winner and [[Alejandro Aranda]] runner-up. Hardy released a single, "[[Flame (Laine Hardy song)|Flame]]", immediately after the win, but Aranda did not.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Hudak |first=Joseph |date=May 20, 2019 |title=See 'American Idol' Winner Laine Hardy Duet With Jon Pardi on Season Finale |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/american-idol-winner-laine-hardy-jon-pardi-837407/ |magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Liptak |first=Carena |date=May 20, 2019 |title='American Idol' Champ Laine Hardy Takes Victory Lap With 'Flame' |work=The Boot |url=https://theboot.com/american-idol-laine-hardy-flame/}}</ref> However, Aranda later released a song he performed in the finale, "Tonight", under the name Scarypoolparty on June 28, 2019.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wloszczyna |first=Susan |date=June 28, 2019 |title=Idol' runner-up Alejandro Aranda (a.k.a. Scarypoolparty) has dropped a new single, 'Tonight' [WATCH VIDEO] |work=Gold Derby |url=https://www.goldderby.com/article/2019/american-idol-alejandro-aranda-scarypoolparty-new-single-tonight-video-news/}}</ref>

==== Season 18 (2020) ====
{{Main|American Idol season 18{{!}}''American Idol'' season 18}}
On May 13, 2019, the series was renewed for an eighteenth season and it premiered on February 16, 2020.<ref>{{cite web |last=Swift |first=Andy |date=May 13, 2019 |title=American Idol Renewed for Season '3' at ABC as Costly Judging Panel Braces for a Possible Shakeup |url=https://tvline.com/2019/05/13/american-idol-renewed-season-18-abc-new-judges/ |website=[[TVLine]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Bell |first=Amanda |date=November 21, 2019 |title=ABC Sets Midseason Premiere Dates for ''Grey's Anatomy'', ''The Bachelor'', and More |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/abc-midseason-premiere-dates-2020/ |access-date=November 21, 2019 |website=[[TV Guide]]}}</ref> Seacrest returned as host, and Bryan, Perry and Richie returned as judges.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Ryan Seacrest Returns as Host of Iconic Singing Competition Series ''American Idol'' |date=September 20, 2019 |publisher=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2019/09/20/ryan-seacrest-returns-as-host-of-iconic-singing-competition-series-american-idol-804113/20190920abc02/ |via=[[The Futon Critic]]}}</ref> For the first time, due to the ongoing [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|COVID-19 pandemic]], from the top 20 to the finale, the contestants performed in their own homes, while Ryan Seacrest hosted the show remotely in his own home in Los Angeles with the judges also in their respective homes.<ref name="coronavirus" /><ref>{{cite web |last=Hermanson |first=Wendy |date=April 26, 2020 |title='American Idol' Makes History by Proceeding With At-Home Performances |url=https://tasteofcountry.com/american-idol-history-home-performances/ |website=[[Taste Of Country]]}}</ref> The season was also further truncated, with the top 5 performing in the finale. Each finalist also performed only two songs for the finale.<ref>{{cite news |last=Yahr |first=Emily |date=May 18, 2020 |title=The remote 'American Idol' finale ended in mild chaos and shocked everyone — including the winner |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2020/05/18/american-idol-finale-winner-just-sam-arthur-gunn/}}</ref> On May 17, the season concluded, with [[Just Sam]] crowned as the winner, with [[Arthur Gunn]] finishing as the runner-up.<ref>{{cite web |last=Dugan |first=Christina |date=May 17, 2020 |title=''American Idol'': Just Sam Wins Season 3 |url=https://people.com/music/american-idol-just-sam-wins-season-3/ |access-date=May 18, 2020 |website=[[People (magazine)|People]]}}</ref> "[[Rise Up (Andra Day song)|Rise Up]]", the song Just Sam performed for their audition and reprised on the finale, was released as their debut song.<ref>{{cite web |last=Savage |first=Mark |date=May 18, 2020 |title=Just Sam: American Idol crowns first ever 'at home' winner |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-52704579 |website=[[BBC Online]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |date=May 18, 2020 |title=Just Sam 'Definitely Didn't Expect to Win' Socially Distanced 'American Idol' Season 18 Crown |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/idol-worship/9379585/just-sam-american-idol-season-18-winner-interview |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref>

====Season 19 (2021)====
{{Main|American Idol season 19{{!}}''American Idol'' season 19}}
On May 15, 2020, ABC renewed the series for a nineteenth season and it premiered on February 14, 2021.<ref>{{cite web |last=White |first=Peter |date=May 15, 2020 |title='American Idol': ABC Renews Singing Competition For Season 4 |url=https://deadline.com/2020/05/american-idol-abc-renews-for-season-4-1202935864/ |access-date=May 16, 2020 |website=Deadline |publisher=Penske Business Media}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Pedersen |first=Erik |date=November 10, 2020 |title=ABC Sets Premiere Dates For 'The Bachelor', 'American Idol', 'To Tell The Truth' & New Game Shows |url=https://deadline.com/2020/11/the-bachelor-american-idol-premiere-dates-celebrity-wheel-of-fortune-the-chase-the-hustler-abc-1234611967/ |access-date=November 11, 2020 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref> Seacrest returned as host, and Bryan, Perry and Richie returned as judges.<ref>{{cite web |last=Darwish |first=Meaghan |date=August 19, 2020 |title=Ryan Seacrest, Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie All Returning for Season 19 of 'American Idol' |url=https://www.tvinsider.com/945784/american-idol-season-19-host-judges-returning/ |website=[[TV Guide#TV Insider|TV Insider]]}}</ref> Later in October, it was announced that [[Bobby Bones]] would return as mentor. On May 23, the season concluded, with [[Chayce Beckham]] crowned the winner, with [[Willie Spence]] finishing as the runner-up. "23", the song Chayce Beckham wrote and performed for Top 4, was released as his debut song.<ref name="abc season 4">{{cite web |last=Dugan |first=Christina |date=May 23, 2021 |title=Chayce Beckham Wins American Idol Season 4 |url=https://people.com/music/american-idol-season-4-winner/ |website=People}}</ref>

====Season 20 (2022)====
{{Main|American Idol season 20{{!}}''American Idol'' season 20}}
[[File:Noah Thompson after Winning American Idol Season 20.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[Noah Thompson]], the [[American Idol season 20|twentieth season]] winner]]
On May 13, 2021, ABC renewed the series for a twentieth season and it premiered on February 27, 2022.<ref>{{cite web |last=White |first=Peter |date=May 13, 2021 |title='American Idol' Renewed For Season 5 At ABC |url=https://deadline.com/2021/05/american-idol-renewed-season-5-abc-1234755685/ |access-date=May 13, 2021 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |publisher=[[Penske Business Media]]}}</ref><ref name="Season 20 Premiere Date">{{cite web |last=Pedersen |first=Erik |date=December 2, 2021 |title=ABC Sets Premiere Dates For 'American Idol' Season 5 & Mayim Bialik-Hosted 'Jeopardy!' College Tourney |url=https://deadline.com/2021/12/abc-premiere-dates-american-idol-season-5-jeopardy-college-tournament-mayim-bialik-1234883341/ |access-date=December 2, 2021 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref> Seacrest returned as host, and Bryan, Perry and Richie returned as judges.<ref>{{cite web |last=Jacobs |first=Meredith |date=August 3, 2021 |title='American Idol': Ryan Seacrest, Luke Bryan, Katy Perry & Lionel Richie Officially Returning for Season 20 |url=https://www.tvinsider.com/1008032/american-idol-season-20-ryan-seacrest-luke-bryan-katy-perry-lionel-richie/ |website=[[TV Guide#TV Insider|TV Insider]]}}</ref> On December 31, it was announced that Bones would not be returning as a mentor.<ref>{{cite web |last=Shafer |first=Ellise |date=January 1, 2022 |title=Bobby Bones Says He's Not Returning to 'American Idol' for Season 20 |url=https://variety.com/2022/music/news/bobby-bones-american-idol-season-20-1235145838/ |website=Variety}}</ref> On May 22, the season concluded, with [[Noah Thompson]] crowned as the winner, with HunterGirl finishing as the runner-up. "One Day Tonight", the song Noah Thompson performed for the Grand Finale, was released as his debut song.

====Season 21 (2023)====
{{Main|American Idol season 21{{!}}''American Idol'' season 21}}
[[File:Tongi rehearsal 120923.jpg|thumb|upright|right|[[Iam Tongi]], the [[American Idol season 21|twenty-first season]] winner]]
On May 13, 2022, ABC renewed the series for a twenty-first season and it premiered on February 19, 2023.<ref>{{cite web |last=White |first=Peter |date=May 13, 2022 |title='American Idol' Renewed For Season Six At ABC |url=https://deadline.com/2022/05/american-idol-renewed-season-six-abc-1235022184/ |access-date=May 13, 2022 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=November 7, 2022 |title=BREAKING: 'American Idol' Reveals Season 21 Premiere Date, Confirms Judges & Host |url=https://musicmayhemmagazine.com/breaking-american-idol-reveals-season-21-premiere-date-confirms-judges-host/ |website=Music Mayhem Magazine}}</ref> Seacrest returned as host, and Bryan, Perry and Richie returned as judges. On May 21, the season concluded, with [[Iam Tongi]] crowned as the winner, with Megan Danielle finishing as the runner-up.

====Season 22 (2024)====
{{Main|American Idol season 22{{!}}''American Idol'' season 22}}
[[File:Abi Carter American Idol Hometown Visit Parade- May 14 2024, 7 15 PM.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[Abi Carter]], the [[American Idol season 22|twenty-second season]] winner]]
On May 16, 2023, ABC renewed the series for a twenty-second season and it premiered on February 18, 2024.<ref>{{cite web |last=Campione |first=Katie |date=2023-05-16 |title='American Idol' Scores Season 7 Renewal At ABC |url=https://deadline.com/2023/05/american-idol-renewed-season-7-abc-1235367754/ |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Petski|first=Denise|title=ABC Midseason Premiere Dates: 'The Bachelor', '9-1-1', 'Abbott Elementary', 'Grey's Anatomy', More|url=https://deadline.com/2023/11/abc-midseason-premiere-dates-the-bachelor-9-1-1-abbott-elementary-1235614105/|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=November 16, 2023|access-date=November 16, 2023}}</ref> Seacrest returned as host, and Bryan, Perry and Richie returned as judges.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |date=July 25, 2023 |title='American Idol' Announces Return of Judges, Kick-Off Date for 'Idol Across America' Auditions |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/american-idol-judges-return-dates-idol-across-america-auditions-1235377816/ |access-date=July 25, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> In February 2024, Perry announced that the season would be her last.<ref name="USA Today 1">{{cite news |last1=Morrow |first1=Brendan |title=Katy Perry says she's leaving ''American Idol'' amid 'very exciting year' |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2024/02/13/is-katy-perry-leaving-american-idol/72580521007/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213150503/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2024/02/13/is-katy-perry-leaving-american-idol/72580521007/ |archive-date=February 13, 2024 |access-date=February 13, 2023 |work=[[USA Today]] |publisher=[[Gannett]] |location=United States |quote=[[Katy Perry]] is leaving ''American Idol'' after seven seasons. She surprised fans on Monday's ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live!]]'' by casually revealing her exit.}}</ref> On May 19, the season concluded, with [[Abi Carter]] crowned as the winner, with Will Moseley finishing as the runner-up.

====Season 23 (2025)====
{{Main|American Idol season 23{{!}}''American Idol'' season 23}}
[[File:Jamal Roberts 05182025 American Idol Finale.png|thumb|upright|right|[[Jamal Roberts]], the [[American Idol season 23|twenty-third season]] winner]]
On May 10, 2024, ABC renewed the series for a twenty-third season; it was also announced the network was in-talks with "high-profile stars" to replace the outgoing Perry.<ref>{{Cite web |last=White |first=Peter |date=May 10, 2024 |title='American Idol' Renewed For Season 8 At ABC As Talent Show Searches For High-Profile Katy Perry Replacement |url=https://deadline.com/2024/05/american-idol-renewed-season-8-abc-katy-perry-replacement-1235911453/ |access-date=May 10, 2024 |website=Deadline}}</ref> On July 31, 2024, it was announced Seacrest would return as host, with Bryan and Richie returning as judges; Underwood was named as Perry's successor.<ref>{{cite web |last1=White |first1=Peter |title=Carrie Underwood Replacing Katy Perry on ''American Idol'' |url=https://deadline.com/2024/07/carrie-underwood-replacing-katy-perry-american-idol-1236028161/ |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |access-date=July 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240731213748/https://deadline.com/2024/07/carrie-underwood-replacing-katy-perry-american-idol-1236028161/ |archive-date=July 31, 2024 |location=United States |date=July 31, 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Swift |first=Andy |date=2024-08-01 |title=American Idol: Carrie Underwood Replacing Katy Perry in Season 23 — Which Judges Are Returning? |url=https://tvline.com/news/american-idol-carrie-underwood-judge-season-23-abc-1235239331/ |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=TVLine |language=en-US}}</ref> The season premiered on March 9, 2025.<ref name="Season 23 Premiere Date">{{Cite web |date=2024-11-11 |title=ABC announces much-anticipated 2025 midseason series premiere dates |url=https://abc7chicago.com/post/abc-announces-anticipated-2025-midseason-series-premiere-dates/15538225/#:~:text=The%20search%20for%20a%20superstar,after%20she%20claimed%20the%20title. |access-date=2024-11-11 |website=ABC7 Chicago |language=en}}</ref> On May 18, the season concluded, with Jamal Roberts crowned as the winner, with John Foster finishing as the runner-up.

====Season 24 ====
On May 9, 2025, it was announced the series had been renewed for a twenty-fourth season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2025/05/american-idol-renewed-season-9-abc-1236391591/ |title='American Idol' Renewed For Season 9 On ABC |work=Deadline |last=Rice |first=Lynette |date=May 9, 2025 |access-date=May 15, 2025}}</ref>