The 21st century's original singing competition show, American Idol, is back with an all new season and new contestants who hope to make their music dreams come true. While this marks the seventh season the show has aired on ABC, it is officially American Idol season 22 since the show debuted all the way back in 2002.
Since then, the singing competition shown has grown, with shows like The Voice and America's Got Talent proving popular among fans, but American Idol remains a go-to for viewers. According to ABC, American Idol season 21 was the No. 1 program in its Sunday, 8-10 pm timeslot.
If you're excited for this latest season of American Idol, we've got everything you need to know about season 22 right here.
American Idol season 22 next episode
American Idol season 22 is back with a new live episode on Sunday, April 28, at 8 pm ET/PT on ABC. The top 10 will perform songs from their birth years, with America's votes slimming the field down to the top eight.
In order to watch American Idol season 22 live, you need to have a TV package that includes ABC. That can be either a traditional pay-TV setup, a TV antenna or a live TV streaming service like Fubo, Hulu with Live TV and YouTube TV. If you're OK waiting a day and watching the show on-demand, all episodes will be released on Hulu the Monday after they air.
American Idol season 22 judges
The trio of Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie are all returning to serve as judges on American Idol season 22, as they have for all seven seasons that American Idol has been on ABC.
All three are iconic musicians in their own right. Bryan is a country star with five CMT Music Awards and 30 No. 1 hits. Perry is a pop star known for hit songs like "Firework," "Roar" and "California Gurls." Richie is a music legend with four Grammy Awards and hits like 'Hello" and "We Are the World," the latter of which is the subject of a new Netflix documentary, The Greatest Night in Pop.
Some big news dropped ahead of the show's return though. Appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Monday, February 12, Katy Perry announced that she expects this season of American Idol to be her final one as a judge.
American Idol season 22 host
Like the judges, the host of American Idol remains unchanged, as Ryan Seacrest is back once again to serve as the emcee of the show. Seacrest has been with American Idol from the beginning, but his career has spread beyond the series. He was a long-time morning talk show host alongside Kelly Ripa and is next in line to host Wheel of Fortune when Pat Sajak steps down. He also hosts the yearly New Year's Eve countdown on ABC.
American Idol season 22 contestants
Here are the top 10 American Idol season 22 performers:
- Jack Blocker
- McKenna Faith Breinholt
- Abi Carter
- Julia Gagnon
- Triston Harper
- Kayko
- Mia Matthews
- Will Moseley
- Kaibrienne "KB" Richins
- Emmy Russell
American Idol season 22 trailer
American Idol has also shared the first full audition from season 22, which you can watch here:
American Idol winners
American Idol winners have gone on to become some of the biggest names in music and entertainment. Is the American Idol season 22 winner next? Time will tell, but until then take a stroll down memory lane by remembering all of the past American Idol winners:
- American Idol season 1: Kelly Clarkson
- American Idol season 2: Ruben Studdard
- American Idol season 3: Fantasia Barrino
- American Idol season 4: Carrie Underwood
- American Idol season 5: Taylor Hicks
- American Idol season 6: Jordin Sparks
- American Idol season 7: David Cook
- American Idol season 8: Kris Allen
- American Idol season 9: Lee DeWyze
- American Idol season 10: Scotty McCreery
- American Idol season 11: Phillip Phillips
- American Idol season 12: Candice Glover
- American Idol season 13: Caleb Johnson
- American Idol season 14: Nick Fradiani
- American Idol season 15: Trent Harmon
- American Idol season 16: Maddie Poppe
- American Idol season 17: Laine Hardy
- American Idol season 18: Just Sam
- American Idol season 19: Chayce Beckham
- American Idol season 20: Noah Thompson
- American Idol season 21: Iam Tongi
