American Idol 2024: Season 22 Dates, Judges, Mentors & Where To Watch

American Idol returns for another season - and another go at making one contestant’s dream a reality.

This spring run marks the 22nd season of the star-producing competition, and the seventh with judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie at the helm. The trio will spend the following weeks hunting for the nation’s “next big thing”, and with this being Perry's final season on the panel, it has the potential to be an extra special series.

The latest season kicked off on Sunday (February 18) with a round of auditions. Over the next few episodes, thousands of eager young hopefuls will await the coveted words, “You’re going to Hollywood!” but only a handful will get a shot at the American Idol title.

The competition show follows a similar format every season, with auditions, Hollywood Weeks, Showstopper Rounds, Live Concerts and a season finale packing the schedule.

Following auditions, America will watch as over 100 contestants are whittled down to the top 24, then 16 and then a dozen before the last three singers compete in the finale.

Since this season premiered, a number of promising could-be country acts have already made it through to Hollywood. One standout has been 20-year-old KB Richins. The Henefer, Utah native struck a chord with the judges during her audition, belting out a rendition of the Zach Bryan fan-favorite ‘Something In The Orange’.

Another one-to-watch includes Emmy Russell, a 24-year-old artist boasting the country music pedigree. The granddaughter of Loretta Lynn, Russell grew up surrounded by music and decided to take a chance on the Idol stage. Her audition with a heart-wrenching original song, titled 'Skinny', had the judges sold.

Since it first aired in 2002, American Idol has launched the careers of a number of successful acts, including Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson and Adam Lambert.

Tune in to see who will join them, with Season 22 set to air every Sunday at 7pm CT on ABC.

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