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Exclusive: The cast of the BET+ and Hartbeat adult animated series Lil Kev continues to grow with the addition of Gerald “Slink” Johnson as a series regular, and Jamar Neighbors (Keanu), Cree Summer (Abbott Elementary), Anjelah Johnson-Reyes (Mad TV), and Patricia “Ms. Pat” Williams (The Ms. Pat Show) in supporting roles. The trailer for the show premiering March 6 can be found above.

Guest stars will include: Wé Ani, Mo Collins, Affion Crockett, Tyree Elaine, Justin Hires, Rick Ingraham, Jayden Libran, Freddy Lockhart, and Aiko Tanaka. Also appearing throughout the season are Loretta Devine, DJ Quik, Kyle Erby, Mélia Mills, Nicole Aimée Schreiber, Clayton Thomas, and Doc Willis.

Set in 1993 North Philadelphia, Lil Kev follows 12-year-old Kevin Hart, whose wild imagination and unshakable optimism constantly collide with his neighborhood’s harsh realities. At the same time, his no-nonsense mother Nancy (Wanda Sykes) juggles night shifts as an E.

American Idol season 21 finalist W Ani placed in the Top 5 during the singing competition series in 2023. W has released many songs since her incredible American Idol run. W has opened for music artist Monica and performed at the Apollo Music Caf.

American Idol season 21 finalist W Ani captivated audiences with her incredible performances during the reality singing competition in 2023, and she's had a lot of success after the show. W, a then-24-year-old from Harlem, New York, made it to the American Idol season 21 Top 5, but she was eliminated along with Zachariah Smith, as third place finisher Colin Stough, runner-up Megan Danielle, and winner Iam Tongi made it into the Top 3.

During American Idol season 21, W impressed everyone with her versions of "Skyfall," "Something's Got a Hold on Me," "I Have Nothing," "Uninvited," "Into the Unknown," and "The Climb." During Hollywood Week, W was overcome with emotion when the audience,...

Cutting the Duets round from American Idol season 22 was a mistake, as it eliminated opportunities for stunning harmonies and unique collaborations. The Duets round allowed contestants to showcase their personalities, creating exciting and dramatic moments while connecting with the audience. The American Idol Duets round was memorable for its emotional and inspiring performances.

American Idol season 22 replaced its Hollywood Week solo and duets rounds with the Idol Arena round, and cutting the Duets round was a mistake for the reality singing competition series. Since American Idol season 1, Hollywood Week featured some form of a group or duets round, which challenged the singers to team up with their fellow contestants to create a routine with extraordinary harmonies and exciting choreography that would blow away the judges--Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan--and advance them to the next round. While the contestants were judged separately, the group dynamics were incredibly...

Following Katy Perry’s tumultuous last season of “American Idol”, the singer will be returning as a judge for the upcoming 22nd season.

The news was revealed Tuesday by ABC, along with the announcement that fellow judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie will also be returning, plus Ryan Seacrest reprising his hosting duties.

Read More: Katy Perry Acting Like A Cat On ‘American Idol’ Sparks Mixed Reaction From Fans

The news may come as a surprise to some after Perry was under fire several times throughout season 21, most noticeably for the “mom-shaming” remarks she made to contestant Sara Beth Liebe, who later blasted Perry for her “hurtful” comments and dropped out of the competition to return home to her children.

Perry came under attack again after she criticized Nutsa Buzaladze’s glittery costume, suggesting that next time the contestant hit the stage, she wear something different.

Later on in the season,...

Season 21 of American Idol wrapped up in late May 2023, and since season 16, Lionel Richie has been a judge alongside Luke Bryan and Katy Perry. While the talented singer's children Nicole Richie and Sofia Richie have become stars themselves, Lionel Richie's fans have enjoyed watching him as a judge. His long history with the music industry made him a perfect choice to mentor and help aspiring singers with their creativity and craft.

In order to be a good judge on a reality TV show, someone needs to have a big personality, strong opinions, and an entertaining on-camera presence. But that sometimes makes it hard for judges to be friendly with one another. Has Lionel Richie had good experiences on American Idol? And what does he think of Luke Bryan and Katy Perry?

Does Lionel Richie Like Being A Judge On American Idol?

Lionel Richie's many Billboard Hot 100 songs prove how popular he is.

American Idol judge Katy Perry got shade during season 21, but Top 8 finalist Oliver Steele doesn't think she deserved it. Katy faced criticism for a joke that contestant Sara Beth Liebe perceived as mom-shaming during her audition. This happened even though she later tried to convince the singer to stay, rather than quitting Hollywood Week to go home to her children. Katy was also booed for the first time in her tenure on the show, after telling finalist Nutsa to tone down her performances. Additionally, Katy was questioned when she focused on who was eliminated (rather than feedback for contestant Wé Ani) when the Top 20 finalists were revealed.

In an Instagram post, Oliver defended and praised Katy. The singer was saved by Katy during the Judges' Song Contest. Oliver wrote, "Katy is not a bully, nor does she shame people."

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Oliver...

American Idol season 21 third place finalist Colin Stough wasn't crowned champion, and although there are reasons for this, there's also a case to be made that he should've won. Colin was eliminated on finale night after his impressive performances of "Stupid Boy" by Keith Urban and "Either Way" by Chris Stapleton. Later in the episode, Iam Tongi was named the American Idol season 21 winner, while Megan Danielle was the runner-up.

Throughout American Idol season 21, Colin put his own country spin on songs such as "Dancing On My Own" by Robyn, "It's Been Awhile" by Staind, "Hand in My Pocket" by Alanis Morissette, "Real Gone" from Cars, and "Nobody Knows" from Pete's Dragon. For someone with no prior experience performing, he took the competition by storm, getting better and better with every performance. There are many reasons why Colin deserved to win American Idol season 21, and why he didn't.

Related: Top...

“American Idol” scored a win for ABC with this season’s penultimate episode, which aired May 14. The episode hit season highs in total viewers (7.9 million) and with a 1.2 rating among the Adults 18-49 demographic. The episode’s performance pushed the series to its strongest showing in a year according to Nielsen ratings, according to new numbers obtained by Variety.

According to the network, “Idol” jumped 3% for the third straight week in total viewers, climbing up the previous week’s 7.7 million total viewers, and also grew week-to-week by 9% among adults 18-49, from a 1.1 rating.

Halle Bailey appeared in the May 14 episode, performing “Part of Your World” from “The Little Mermaid” as part of “Disney Night.” In the episode, the Top 5 finalists Wé Ani, Zachariah Smith, Megan Danielle, Colin Stough, and Iam Tongi faced off against each other for the finalist positions. In the end, Ani and Smith were eliminated.

Fans were...

American Idol season 21 finalist Colin Stough has won Live with Kelly and Mark's American Idol Encore contest. During the finale, Colin placed third behind runner-up Megan Danielle and winner Iam Tongi. The American Idol Encore allows fans to vote for one of their favorite finalists (not including the winner and runner-up), to perform on Live With Kelly and Mark. Past winners include Cade Foehner (season 16), Madison Vandenburg (season 17), Julia Gargano (season 18), Grace Kinstler (season 19), and Fritz Hager (season 20).

On the May 24 episode of Live with Kelly and Mark, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos announced that the winner of the American Idol Encore contest is Colin (shared via YouTube). Kelly built suspense leading up to the reveal, exclaiming, "That's right, the results are in. After a nationwide poll, the fans have spoken."

Colin competed against five of his fellow American Idol season 21 Top 8 finalists for America's votes, including Oliver Steele, Warren Peay,...

American Idol season 22 is already in the works, and current judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan are considering making a return to the show for a seventh time. The American Idol season 21 finale culminated with Iam Tongi being crowned the winner. Megan Danielle was the runner-up, while Colin Stough placed third. The judges discovered these three incredible talents along with many more during the Idol season 21 auditions. Other season stand-outs included Wé Ani and Zachariah Smith, who were Top 5 finalists.

In an interview with Et, Katy, Luke, and Lionel revealed their plans for their possible American Idol season 22 returns. Katy and Luke didn't give a lot of information about whether they've decided to come back to the show or not. After the finale ended, when asked if she was returning, Katy answered, "I don't know. I think we're gonna talk about it tonight at dinner." Luke was also cryptic in his response,...

American Idol season 21 featured a recap episode on May 15, and the following episode was the finale, where the new champion was crowned. American Idol season 21 began with the auditions, during which the judges decided which contestants deserved tickets to Hollywood. After Hollywood Week, at Disney's Aulani Resort & Spa in Hawaii, the Top 26 contestants performed for America's votes for the first time. Singers Allen Stone and Noah Cyrus served as mentors for that round.

American Idol season 21 has featured some exciting theme episodes, guest mentors, and judges. On Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Night, American Idol season 8 runner-up (and current Queen frontman) Adam Lambert mentored the Top 12 contestants. The following night, during the Judges' Song Contest, the contestants sang songs chosen for them by Lionel, Katy, and Luke. On May 7, while Katy and Lionel performed at King Charles III's coronation in the United Kingdom, music superstars Alanis Morissette...

Spoiler Alert: This article contains details of the winner of American Idol Season 21.

American Idol has crowned its new winner after finalists Iam Tongi, Megan Danielle and Colin Stough battled it out one last time for America’s vote.

After all the votes, America crowned Tongi as their new Idol following performances onstage that included “Making Memories of Us,” “Cool Down,” “I’ll Be Seeing You” and “Don’t Let Go.”

Danielle also took the stage to perform songs like “God Whispered Your Name,” “Faithfully” and “Dream Girl.”

Stough placed in third place after performing “Stupid Boy” and “Either Way.”

Throughout the night, the stage of American Idol was graced by many stars. Pitbull and Lil Jon were joined by the Top 12 contestants for “Give Me Everything” and “Jumpin.”

TLC and Lucy Love took us back to remember some of the trio’s hits like “No Scrubs,” “Creep” and “Waterfalls.”

Kevin Cronin...

Tonight on “American Idol,” the live coast-to-coast, three-hour season finale features special performances from music legends and today’s top artists, with the Top 3 contestants taking the stage for the final time as America decides who will become the next American Idol. Will Colin Stough, Iam Tongi or Megan Danielle be crowned the winner? Emmy Award winner Ryan Seacrest hosts the reality TV competition series for the show’s sixth season on ABC and 21st overall.

Follow along with our updating live blog on Sunday, May 21 (8:00 p.m. Et/5:00 p.m. Pt) as we react to the Top 3 performances and reveal who wins.

The all-star lineup of performers includes the return of former Idol judge Keith Urban (singing “Wild Heart”), who will also mentor each of the finalists. Also confirmed to hit the stage are Clay Aiken & Ruben Studdard, Ellie Goulding, James Blunt, Jazmine Sullivan, Jelly Roll, Kevin Cronin,...

The American Idol season 21 finale will feature some incredible performers as a new champion is crowned the winner. During Disney Night, the Top 5 was narrowed down to the Top 3, as Wé Ani and Zachariah Smith were eliminated from the competition. After being mentored by Sofia Carson and singing two Disney songs each, the finalists found out who made it to the finale. The episode will be three hours long.

American Idol season 21 has already had some fantastic guest performers, including Top 26 mentors Allen Stone and Noah Cyrus, Smokey Robinson, Top 8 mentors Alanis Morissette and Ed Sheeran, and Disney Night singers Sara Bareilles and Halle Bailey. In addition, American Idol season 20 winner and runner-up Noah Thompson and HunterGirl, season 19 winner Chayce Beckham, and season 8 runner-up and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Night mentor Adam Lambert also sang on the show. The American Idol season 21 finale will be a celebration of music,...

Luke Bryan narrated a video of Katy Perry getting ready for an episode of American Idol season 21. Luke, Katy and Lionel Richie joined the singing competition series when ABC revived Idol in 2018. When they're not commenting on the contestants' latest performances, the trio loves having fun with each other on set, joking around and laughing. However, their time together, at least for 2023, is about to come to an end because the American Idol season 21 finale is coming up on May 21. Iam Tongi, Megan Danielle and Colin Stough all made it to the finals in the most recent episode, resulting in the elimination of Wé Ani.

In a recent video that Katy posted to her Instagram account, the American Idol judge showed off how she gets ready for the show beforehand.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Katy Perry (@katyperry)

However, what could have been a standard hair...

American Idol season 21 Top 3 finalist Iam Tongi has been the front-runner to win the competition since his audition, and this will most likely happen. After the Top 5 performed on Disney Night, Zachariah Smith and Wé Ani were eliminated from the show. Megan Danielle, Colin Stough, and Iam advanced to the finale. Iam, an 18-year-old originally from Kahuku, Hawaii, graduated from high school this week, and he's captivated the judges, Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan. His emotional performances are impressive.

American Idol season 21 was jam-packed with incredible talent, but Iam has always been the star that shines the brightest. He brings his unique style to every performance, and has established himself as a true artist in the competition. His performances end with the audience chanting his name to show support. If Iam continues on his current path, he will be crowned the next American Idol winner.

The American Idol...

Could an upset be brewing on Season 21 of “American Idol”? All year fans have been forecasting Iam Tongi would take home the top prize, but he may not be the sure bet we’ve assumed. This season closely resembles a similar lineup up finalists from Season 17 when 18-year old country crooner Laine Hardy took down fan favorite Alejandro Aranda, who, like Iam, had become a viral sensation since his first audition.

This time around it’s 18-year old Mississippi native Colin Stough who has progressively grown his fanbase each week, delivering honky-tonk renditions of some of music’s most popular tunes. Like Laine, he was barely a blip on viewers’ radar in early rounds, but as judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie have pointed out, his star continues to rise.

See Colin vs. Iam vs. Megan: Who do You want to win ‘American Idol’ Season 21? [Poll]

Megan Danielle is this season’s third finalist,...

American Idol Top 5 finalist, Zachariah Smith, was eliminated after his two extraordinary performances on Disney Night, but, after his exit, he teased some exciting upcoming events. Zachariah impressed the judges, Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan, with his showmanship at his audition, during which he sang "Hurts So Good" by John Mellencamp. His last two performances of "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" from The Lion King and "Life is a Highway" from Cars were thrilling, but he unfortunately didn't make the Top 3, along with Wé Ani. Iam Tongi, Colin Stough, and Megan Danielle will now compete for the American Idol crown on the May 21 finale.

In an Instagram post, Zachariah spoke to his fans, announcing some exciting future endeavors.He told them not to "skip out on the finale" because he was eliminated because he will appear on it.

View this post on Instagram A post shared...

American Idol Top 5 finalist Wé Ani was eliminated from the competition one week before the finale, but she has announced that she has a new song coming out soon. Wé surprised and impressed judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan at her audition when she sang "Anyone" because her soulful singing voice didn't match her high-pitched speaking voice. Wé continued to dominate the competition with her Hollywood Week performances of her original song "Good For," which got the whole audience singing along, and her jazzy duet with Pjae on "Hit 'Em Up Style (Oops)!," which even featured scatting.

In an Instagram post after her American Idol elimination, Wé announced that "this is only the beginning" because she and record producer Oak Felder have a new song coming out on Friday, May 19.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wé Ani (@we_ani)

Wé wrote, "Surprise!!! And you...

“American Idol” Season 21 is coming to an end Sunday, May 21 with Colin Stough, Iam Tongi and Megan Danielle battling it out to join the esteemed list of previous winners. After surviving auditions, Hollywood Week and the Final Judgement, judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie chose them as part of the Top 26.

Since then, America has voted by the millions to keep these three in the competition. They’ve participated in theme weeks including “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Night,” “Judge’s Song Contest,” “Alanis Morissette/Ed Sheeran Night” and “Disney Night” to reach this moment. So, who do You want to win it all? Vote in our poll below.

See ‘American Idol’ outrage! Fans say Wé Ani was robbed of spot in finale [Poll Results]

Colin Stough

Hometown: Amory, Ms

Occupation: Hvac Technician

Age: 19

Hollywood Showstopper: “Cold” by Chris Stapleton

Top 26: “Midnight Train to Memphis” by The SteelDrivers...

“American Idol” fans were outraged Sunday night when Wé Ani was eliminated after two powerhouse performances on “Disney Night.” The 24-year old performer from New York received high praise from judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie after belting out “Into the Unknown” from “Frozen II” and “The Climb” from “Hannah Montana: The Movie.” But it wasn’t enough to rally the votes, and despite fans voting her the best of the night in our recent poll, she was sent packing alongside Mississippi’s Zachariah Smith. View our full poll results below.

See ‘American Idol’ all-star finale: Keith Urban returns; performers include Clay Aiken, Ruben Studdard, Pitbull, TLC and more …

‘American Idol’ Top 5: Who gave the best performance?

Wé Ani (“Into the Unknown” & “The Climb”) – 37%

Iam Tongi (“Lava” & “Father and Son”) – 23%

Megan Danielle (“Carried Me With You” & “You Can’t Stop the Girl”) – 18%

Colin Stough (“Real Gone” & “Nobody Knows...

American Idol season 21's Top 3 has been determined, and the extraordinarily talented singers, Iam Tongi, Megan Danielle, and Colin Stough, have made it to the finale after performing on Disney Night. After being judged by Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Katy Perry, who delighted everyone by dressing as Elastigirl, Aka Mrs. Incredible, from The Incredibles, the Top 5 finalists were narrowed down to three by America's vote. They had been mentored by actress and singer Sofia Carson, who is known for her role as Evie, the daughter of the Evil Queen, in Descendants. The Top 5 each sang two Disney songs.

American Idol season 21 Top 5 finalists, Wé Ani and Zachariah Smith, were eliminated from the competition. Wé sang "Into the Unknown" from Frozen II and "The Climb" from Hannah Montana: The Movie. Zachariah performed "I Just Can't Wait to be King" from The Lion King and "Life is a Highway" from Cars.

The “American Idol” Top 5 hit the stage on Sunday night, performing Disney songs for judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, hoping to win America’s vote and a spot in the Season 21 finale. Sofia Carson mentored the contestants at Disneyland Resort. Wé Ani and Zachariah Smith were eliminated from the competition. But did America get it right? And who gave the best performance? Vote in our poll below.

Numerous “Idol” alums have returned to help the contestants navigate various stages of the competition this season. Hollywood Week mentors included Clay Aiken, David Archuleta, Justin Guarini, Phillip Phillips, Jordin Sparks and Catie Turner. Soul and R&b singer-songwriter Allen Stone and Grammy nominee Noah Cyrus mentored the Top 26 from Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii. Idol alum Adam Lambert returned to help the Top 12 through “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Night.” On Sunday, May 7, Alanis Morissette joined...

The three-hour finale of “American Idol” will air live coast-to-coast on Sunday, May 21 (8:00 p.m. Et/5:00 p.m. Pt). Colin Stough, Iam Tongi and Megan Danielle will take the stage for the final time as America decides who will become the Season 21 champion.

ABC has announced the all-star lineup of performers includes the return of former Idol judge Keith Urban (singing “Wild Heart”), who will also mentor each of the finalists. Also confirmed to hit the stage are Clay Aiken & Ruben Studdard, Ellie Goulding, James Blunt, Jazmine Sullivan, Jelly Roll, Kevin Cronin, Kylie Minogue, Lainey Wilson, Lauren Daigle, Pitbull, TLC and possibly more!

See ‘American Idol’ Season 21: Finalists

In addition, judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie will each sing their own hits. The season’s Top 12 contestants including Wé Ani, Zachariah Smith, Haven Madison, Oliver Steele, Warren Peay, Marybeth Byrd, Tyson Venegas, Lucy Love and Nutsa will also perform.

Tonight on “American Idol,” celebrate the magic of Disney as the Top 5 perform Disney classics Live and America votes for the Top 3. Sofia Carson mentors the contestants at Disneyland Resort and Halle Bailey performs. America votes for the Top 5 Live coast to coast. Will your favorites make the cut? Emmy Award winner Ryan Seacrest hosts the reality TV competition series for the show’s sixth season on ABC and 21st overall.

Follow along with our updating live blog on Sunday, May 14 (8:00 p.m. Et/5:00 p.m. Pt) as we react to the Top 5 performances and reveal who will advance to the finale on Sunday, May 21.

See Everything to know about ‘American Idol’ Season 21: Finalists, judges and celebrity mentors

8:00 p.m. — Previously on “American Idol”! The Top 8 performed songs by Grammy winners Alanis Morissette and Ed Sheeran. Haven Madison, Oliver Steele and Warren Peay were eliminated at the end of the episode.

Country music superstar and former judge Keith Urban will return for the American Idol season 21 finale as a mentor and performer. Keith is a Grammy Award-winning singer who became a judge American Idol season 12 in 2013, along with Randy Jackson, Mariah Carey, and Nicki Minaj. Keith returned for seasons 13, 14, and 15, which was American Idol's final season on Fox. He was joined by Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick, Jr. for those seasons.

In an Instagram post, American Idol announced that Keith will be a mentor and guest performer on the American Idol season 21 finale.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by American Idol (@americanidol)

The caption of the post read, "Once an Idol judge, now our Finale guest mentor! Welcome back, @keithurban!" According to Billboard, Keith will guide the Top 3 contestants as they compete for the win. He will also perform his 2022 hit song, "Wild Hearts."

American Idol Season...

The “American Idol” Top 5 contestants perform Live coast to coast on Sunday, May 14 in hopes of advancing to the Season 21 finale. They’ll perform hits from the Disney songbook for judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie while viewers vote from home. But which two contestants are predicted to be eliminated?

“American Idol” superfans have been forecasting the outcome in our Gold Derby Predictions Center. According to the latest odds, Zachariah Smith is most likely to be heading home. Next on the chopping block appears to be Megan Danielle, although it’s a close race so don’t count her out completely.

See ‘American Idol’ spoiler: Find out what the Top 5 will sing on ‘Disney Night’ (May 14)

Iam Tongi continues to be the frontrunner this season. Expected to join him in the finale are Wé Ani and Colin Stough. Iam has led the way ever since his Season 21 audition...

American Idol presents its annual Disney Night on May 14, and the Top 5 finalists' songs have been announced. After singing Alanis Morissette and Ed Sheeran songs last time, the Top 5 finalists were chosen by America, and they looked forward to going to Disneyland for a mentoring session. Zachariah Smith, Megan Danielle, Wé Ani, Colin Stough, and Iam Tongi advanced and will now compete on Disney Night for the coveted Top 3 spots in the finale.

According to People, the American Idol Top 5 finalists will perform two songs each from the Disney catalog. Colin will sing "Real Gone" from Cars and "Nobody Knows" from Pete's Dragon. Iam will take on "Lava" from Lava and "Father and Son" from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Megan's songs are "Carried Me With You" from Onward and "You Can't Stop the Girl" from Maleficent: Mistress of Evil. Wé will perform "Into the Unknown" from Frozen II...

The “American Idol” Top 5 will capture the spirit of Disney this weekend when each of the finalists performs two songs for judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. Sofia Carson has been announced as the mentor while Sara Bareilles will open the show with “When You Wish Upon a Star” and “The Little Mermaid” star Halle Bailey will perform “Part of Your World.” “Disney Night” airs live coast to coast on Sunday, May 14 at 8:00 p.m. Et/5:00 p.m. Pt. But what will each contestant sing?

According to a People exclusive, we can can confirm each singer will perform twice — one classic and one song from a new Disney production. See the full set list below.

See ‘American Idol’ sets Disney Night 2023 for May 14, but what will Katy Perry wear?

Colin Stough – “Real Gone” from “Cars” & “Nobody Knows” by The Lumineers, from “Pete’s Dragon”

Iam Tongi – “Lava...

American Idol season 21's Top 8 became the Top 5 as three finalists were eliminated. The contestants each sang one Alanis Morissette song and one Ed Sheeran duet. Alanis mentored the contestants as they prepared to perform her songs. In addition, Alanis and Ed joined Luke Bryan on the judging panel. They filled in for Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, who performed at King Charles III's coronation in the United Kingdom. They appeared live from Windsor Castle throughout the show.

American Idol season 21 said goodbye to three finalists, creating the Top 5 made up of Zachariah Smith, Megan Danielle, Iam Tongi, Wé Ani, and Colin Stough. They will perform next week on Disney Night, and Sofia Carson will serve as their mentor. Without a judges' save, America had the final say in who went home, and Warren Peay, Haven Madison, and Oliver Steele were eliminated from the competition. As the Top 5 prepare for next week,...

Tonight on “American Idol,” Alanis Morissette and Ed Sheeran join Luke Bryan as guest judges. Katy Perry and Lionel Richie check in from Windsor Palace as they celebrate the coronation of King Charles III. Morissette pulls double duty as mentor while the Top 8 perform solo renditions of her hits, and also team up for duets from Sheeran’s music catalog. America votes for the Top 5 Live coast to coast. Will your favorites make the cut? Emmy Award winner Ryan Seacrest hosts the reality TV competition series for the show’s sixth season on ABC and 21st overall.

Follow along with our updating live blog on Sunday, May 7 (8:00 p.m. Et/5:00 p.m. Pt) as we react to the Top 8 performances and reveal who will perform in the Top 5 on Sunday, May 14.

See Everything to know about ‘American Idol’ Season 21: Finalists, judges and celebrity mentors

8:00 p.m.

The “American Idol” Top 8 contestants perform Live coast to coast on Sunday, May 7 in hopes of advancing to the Top 5. Grammy winners Alanis Morissette and Ed Sheeran will join Luke Bryan as guest judges while series regulars Katy Perry and Lionel Richie jet off to the UK to take part in the historic coronation of King Charles III. But which contestants are predicted to go home?

“American Idol” superfans have been forecasting the outcome in our Gold Derby Predictions Center. According to the latest odds, Oliver Steele is most likely to be heading home after landing in the bottom three last week. Katy saved him after winning the Judge’s Song Contest. The other two singers most at risk of elimination are Haven Madison and Warren Peay.

See Everything to know about ‘American Idol’ Season 21: Finalists, judges and celebrity mentors

Iam Tongi continues to be the frontrunner this season.

The American Idol season 21 Top 8 finalists will sing the hits of music legend Alanis Morissette, and there are certain songs that each should perform in order to advance to the Top 5. Alanis, along with music superstar Ed Sheeran, will join judge Luke Bryan and fill in for Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, as they perform at King Charles III's coronation in the United Kingdom. Although Katy and Lionel will appear from Windsor Castle throughout the episode, Alanis and Ed will serve as mentors and judges for the contestants. Each finalist will sing one of Alanis' songs, and then team up for duets on one of Ed's tunes.

The American Idol season 21 Top 8 consists of Colin Stough, Haven Madison, Iam Tongi, Megan Danielle, Oliver Steele, Warren Peay, Wé Ani, and Zachariah Smith. Each of them is unique and brings their own style to the show. They are some of the...

American Idol judges Katy Perry and Lionel Richie will perform at King Charles III's coronation in the United Kingdom, missing the May 7 episode, and Katy is now reacting to her temporary replacements. Earlier in the week, host Ryan Seacrest announced that music superstars Alanis Morissette and Ed Sheeran will fill in for Katy and Lionel on the judging panel. They will also serve as mentors for American Idol season 21's Top 8 contestants and perform during the episode. The contestants will sing one Alanis song and then team up for a duet on one of Ed's tunes. However, Katy and Lionel will check in from Windsor Castle.

In an interview with People, American Idol judge Katy Perry expressed that she "loved the reaction from the contestants" when Alanis and Ed were announced as her and Lionel's replacements. She gushed, "I idolize Alanis," adding that Alanis' iconic album Jagged Little Pill...

American Idol judges Katy Perry and Lionel Richie will be temporarily replaced on the May 7 episode, and their substitutes are two of music's biggest superstars. Katy, Lionel, and Luke Bryan have served on the American Idol judging panel since ABC revived the show for season 16 in 2018. They have since discovered some of the best new talent in America, including winners Maddie Poppe, Laine Hardy, Just Sam, Chayce Beckham, and Noah Thompson.

American Idol season 21 has some of the most extraordinarily talented singers that the show has ever seen. On May 7, the contestants will be narrowed down from the Top 8 to the Top 5, but they will not be judged by Katy and Lionel. Here's the special reason why these two judges won't appear, and who is taking their place.

Katy Perry & Lionel Richie Will Miss American Idol Due To The Coronation

On the May 1 episode of American Idol, which featured the Judges' Song Contest,...

The “American Idol” Top 10 performed for “The Judge’s Song Contest Night” on Monday, May 1. Immediately following the episode we polled fans and asked who gave the best performance. Wé Ani topped the list for the second night in a row with her passionate rendition of “I Have Nothing” by Whitney Houston. The song was chosen for her by Luke Bryan, but Katy Perry was the winner of the song contest, defeating Bryan and Lionel Richie. When Oliver Steele, Marybeth Byrd and Tyson Venegas landed in the bottom three, she used her winning powers to save Oliver.

Marybeth and Tyson were eliminated. But did American get it right? And who gave the best performances of the night? Watch Wé’s performance and see our full poll results below.

See ‘American Idol’ announces Ed Sheeran and Alanis Morissette as guest judges for May 7; who are they replacing?

‘American Idol’ Top 10: Who gave the best performance?...

Tonight on “American Idol,” the “Judge’s Song Contest” returns as Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie each suggest songs for the contestants to choose from. America votes for the Top 7 Live coast to coast. Will your favorites make the cut? Emmy Award winner Ryan Seacrest hosts the reality TV competition series for the show’s sixth season on ABC and 21st overall.

Follow along with our updating live blog on Monday, May 1 (8:00 p.m. Et/5:00 p.m. Pt) as we react to the Top 10 performances and reveal who will perform in the Top 7 on Sunday, May 7.

See Everything to know about ‘American Idol’ Season 21: Finalists, judges and celebrity mentors

8:00 p.m. — Previously on “American Idol”! The Top 12 performed for “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Night.” Lucy Love and Nutsa were eliminated at the end of the episode. Who will stand out tonight as...

The “American Idol” Top 12 performed for “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Night” on Sunday, April 30. Immediately following the episode we polled fans and asked who gave the best performance. Wé Ani emerged as a new fan favorite, topping the list for her rockin’ rendition of the Etta James classic “Something’s Got a Hold On Me.” View our full poll results below.

See ‘American Idol’ sets Disney Night 2023 for May 14, but what will Katy Perry wear?

‘American Idol’ Top 12: Who gave the best performance?

Wé Ani (“Something’s Got a Hold On Me”) – 27%

Iam Tongi (“Bring It On Home”) – 26%

Megan Danielle (“Angel From Montgomery”) – 16%

Tyson Venegas (“For Once In My Life”) – 7%

Zachariah Smith (“Don’t Bring Me Down”) – 7%

Colin Stough (“Midnight Rider”) – 6%

Haven Madison (“Livin’ On a Prayer”) – 5%

Warren Peay (“House of the Rising Sun”) – 2%

Nutsa (“The Show Must Go On”) – 2%

Marybeth Byrd (“Dancing Queen”) – 1%

Oliver Steele (“Georgia...

Since ABC gained the rights to “American Idol” in 2018, fans have agonized over two questions each and every season: 1) Who will win, and 2) What will Katy Perry wear on Disney Night? Well, we still have about a month to go until we find out who will join the “Idol” winners list, but the answer to our Disney question will be answered sooner rather than later.

ABC has confirmed to Gold Derby that Disney Night 2023 will air on May 14. That episode will feature the Top 5 artists still in the competition. As of this writing, the Top 12 singers are Wé Ani, Warren Peay, Haven Madison, Tyson Venegas, Colin Stough, Marybeth Byrd, Oliver Steele, Iam Tongi, Zachariah Smith, Lucy Love, Megan Danielle and Nutsa.

See ‘American Idol’ Winners List (All Seasons)

So far on ABC’s reality TV show, Perry has donned the costumes of Cinderella, Snow White, Ursula, Mrs. Jumbo, Tinker Bell and Ariel.

Our predictions center for “American Idol” is now open, with our savvy readers and fans of the ABC reality TV competition hedging their bets on who will win this 21st season. The early front-runner is Iam Tongi, an 18-year old Hawaii native whose audition of “Monsters” by James Blunt went viral, raking in over 100 million views on social media platforms.

See ‘American Idol’ Season 21: Finalists

Currently the top five are rounded out by Colin Stough, Wé Ani, Zachariah Smith and Oliver Steele. Don’t agree with these predictions? Well, get in the game and make your voice heard! Our predictions center closes at the beginning of each new episode. There is a weekly prize of a $100 Amazon gift card for the winner, as you predict who will win and who will be eliminated each episode.

Most likely to be eliminated on Sunday are Lucy Love and Nutsa. This doesn’t come as a surprise,...

[Warning: The below contains spoilers for American Idol.] Within 24 hours a field of 20 was narrowed down to a Top 12 on American Idol on Monday. The suspense was palpable during the live show as host Ryan Seacrest revealed the names of the 10 who made it through based on the nationwide vote of 28 million. The remaining slots were decided upon by judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan. This made for a dramatic show closer. Those lucky enough to make it now prepare for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame night to be mentored by alum Adam Lambert on April 30. Those chosen will also travel to the Stagecoach Music Festival this week where they’ll sit front row to see Luke perform. Who went ventured to the victory zone? Who sat in the danger zone? Did your favorite live to sing another day? Dim the lights. Here we go. Wé Ani  After closing last night’s show with Adele’s “Skyfall,...

Tonight on “American Idol,” the Top 20 contestants perform live, with overnight voting results revealing 10 Idol hopefuls who will continue. Judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie will choose two singers to round out the Top 12 competing to be the next American Idol. Emmy Award winner Ryan Seacrest hosts the reality TV competition series for the show’s sixth season on ABC and 21st overall.

See Everything to know about ‘American Idol’ Season 21: Finalists, judges and celebrity mentors

8:00 p.m. — Previously on “American Idol”! The Top 20 were revealed and performed for America’s vote. Viewers had until 9 a.m. Et/6 a.m. Pt Monday morning to vote for their favorite. Let’s find out who made the Top 12!

8:05 p.m. — Wé Ani is the first singer to advance to the Top 12. It’s fitting considering they made her wait all night on Sunday — she was the last...

The Season 21 “American Idol” Top 20 were revealed Sunday night, and immediately performed for a spot in the Top 12. Tonight, America’s vote will reveal the Top 10 before judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie save two more to round out the Top 12. In a recent poll we asked our readers to name their favorite performance from Sunday, April 23. Who came out on top? And who will be eliminated based on our results? View our full poll results below.

See Everything to know about ‘American Idol’ Season 21: Finalists, judges and celebrity mentors

Full disclosure: International fans are nuts for Nutsa! Especially from her home country of Georgia. Sadly, only Americans can vote for the next Idol, so to gauge a more accurate prediction, we have filtered out votes from outside America. But there is good news for Nutsa fans — she’s got plenty of cheerleaders stateside.

American Idol Top...

The Season 21 “American Idol” Top 26 hit the stage from Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii on Monday and Tuesday night. They were mentored by singer-songwriter Allen Stone and Grammy-nominated pop star Noah Cyrus before going live with a band in front of judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie. The Top 10 vote-getters from each night will advance to the Top 20 next week, so we asked our readers to weigh in. In two separate polls, we asked who gave the best performance from Sunday and Monday night. See the results below.

See Everything to know about ‘American Idol’ Season 21: Finalists, judges and celebrity mentors

Who gave the best performance from Hawaii Night 1?

Iam Tongi (“Don’t Let Go”) – 51%

Zachariah Smith (“Lucille”) – 13%

Warren Peay (“Set Fire to the Rain”) – 6%

Nailyah Serenity (“Lovin’ You”) – 5%

Matt Wilson (“Speechless”) – 5%

Kaeyra (“Don’t Let Go”) – 4%

Elise Kristine (“Holding Out For a Hero”) – 4%

Oliver Steele (“Better...

If you watched “American Idol’s” Hawaii-based episodes this week, you had the same question we did: who left the Top 26 so that Paige Anne could return? The answer wasn’t revealed on ABC’s reality TV show, so fans went scrambling to every corner of the internet to try to find answers. Well, we now know that Beckett Rex is the name of the person who voluntarily quit the competition. This 19-year-old singer, who was not actually shown on TV during any of the prior rounds, is the son of actor Malcolm McDowell.

“To all of you who are wondering, yes I was on ‘American Idol’ and I made the Top 26,” Beckett revealed on his Instagram Story. “I’m not going to say why I didn’t decide to continue in the competition but what I will say is that it was my choice.”

Beckett continued on, “I am...

Remember when American Idol finalized its Top 26 for the season but only actually announced 25 of the singers? Well, the plot thickened even further on Monday.

“Recently, one of the Top 26 decided to bow out of the competition, so we turned to the judges’ first alternate and gave her the life-changing news,” Ryan Seacrest announced during the broadcast, reveling that 16-year-old Paige Anne — who was eliminated during Final Judgment — would be getting a second chance. (They weren’t specific about which contestant dropped out… Update: Mystery solved!)

More from TVLineWill Trent Renewed for Season 2 at ABCBeckett Rex Confirms American Idol Exit:...

“American Idol,” the iconic series that revolutionized the television landscape by pioneering the music competition genre, is back for another season on ABC. Helping 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. Emmy Award winner Ryan Seacrest hosts the reality TV competition series for the show’s sixth season on ABC and 21st overall.

Tonight, the Top 26 chosen from Hollywood Week head to Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawaii. Grammy-nominated pop star Noah Cyrus mentors the hopefuls vying for America’s first open vote of the season. Follow along with our live blog for this episode airing Monday, April 17 (8:00-10:00 p.m. Edt) on ABC, below.

See Everything to know about ‘American Idol’ Season 21: Finalists, judges and celebrity mentors

You can vote for your favorite contestants until 6 a.

American Idol season 21 is jam-packed with talented singers, and a few of them have previous experience with a reality singing competition show, as they appeared on The Voice. The American Idol judges traveled to Las Vegas, Nashville, and New Orleans to choose the best singers from the auditions. Those contestants then moved on to Hollywood Week, during which they performed in three rounds of competition. Instead of the American Idol genre challenge, the first round of Hollywood Week allowed the contestants to choose one of three areas that they wanted to work on: confidence, songwriting, or stage presence.

Two American Idol alumni mentors worked with the contestants in each category: confidence (Clay Aiken and David Archuleta), songwriting (Catie Turner and Phillip Phillips), and stage presence (Jordin Sparks and Justin Guarini). Season 20 winner Noah Thompson also guided the contestants. The second round was duets, during which the contestants chose their partners.

“American Idol,” the iconic series that revolutionized the television landscape by pioneering the music competition genre, is back for another season on ABC. Helping 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. Emmy Award winner Ryan Seacrest hosts the reality TV competition series for the show’s sixth season on ABC and 21st overall.

Performing with a band for the first time, contestants sing their hearts out in their last chance to make it to America’s vote. In the “Final Judgment,” contestants face off with the judges sealing their fate for a spot in the Top 24. Follow along with our live blog for this episode airing Monday, April 10 (8:00-10:00 p.m. Edt) on ABC, below.

Contestants who advanced on Sunday night (in the order shown) were Kaeyra, Warren Peay,...

American Idol season 21 had some extraordinary Hollywood Week duets, but six of them stand out as the best. In recent years, American Idol has replaced the notorious group round with the duets round. The partners, most of whom don't know each other very well, get very little rehearsal time before teaming up to sing a song together. They must learn the tune, work with a vocal coach, and create the choreography. These sessions often last until the middle of the night. The judges then decide whether to keep one or both of the contestants in the competition, or eliminate them.

During the American Idol season 21 duets round, the contestants had the opportunity to choose their own partners. Each duo selected a name for their pairing. The platinum ticket winners, Cam Amen, Kaylin Hedges, Elijah McCormick, and Tyson Venegas, earned the privilege of choosing first. Because of time constraints, not every...