Hey music lovers! American Idol is back for its 23rd season and things are already exciting. We are talking fresh talent surprise twists and some familiar faces shaking things up behind the judges' table. Season 23 is promising a whole new vibe and we have got the inside scoop for you.
Carrie Underwood Returns to American Idol But This Time She's Calling the Shots as a Judge!
Big news Idol fans! Carrie Underwood is officially back on the show but not as a performer or mentor like before. This time around she is taking a judge's seat alongside Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. Can you believe it's been two decades since Carrie herself won American Idol? Talk about a full circle moment!
Carrie is super pumped to be back in this new role. She joked that the other judges might get tired of hearing her say "when I was on the show..." But honestly who better to guide new contestants than someone who actually walked in their shoes and won the whole thing? She knows exactly what those hopefuls are going through and that experience is priceless.
Carrie herself said returning feels like "home" after all these years of being involved with Idol in different ways. She has mentored performed and now she's a full-fledged judge. It is going to be amazing to see her perspective and expertise added to the judges' panel.
Jelly Roll Joins American Idol as First Ever "Artist in Residence" - Get Ready for Some Real Talk!
Hold on there is another major change for Season 23! American Idol is introducing a brand new role: Artist in Residence . And guess who is taking on this brand new gig? Country music superstar Jelly Roll! This is a pretty cool twist and we are excited to see how it plays out.
So what exactly does an "Artist in Residence" do? Well Jelly Roll will be around throughout the season not just for one episode. He is going to be like a permanent mentor working with contestants during Hollywood Week and beyond. He'll be giving them advice based on his own journey in the music biz and helping them navigate the ups and downs of the competition.
Jelly Roll himself is hyped about it. He even posted a fun video with Ryan Seacrest on Instagram saying he's "honored" to be Idol’s first-ever Artist in Residence and that he is going to be "mentoring with heart soul and real experience!" He is joining the show during Hollywood Week which kicks off in March.
It's worth noting Jelly Roll is not some random celebrity mentor. He has a real story. He started out as a rapper before making it big in country music. He's earned Grammy nominations including Best New Artist in 2024. He has been a mentor on Idol before during a Hawaii episode in Season 22 so he is not totally new to this. But this permanent Artist in Residence role is definitely a first for the show and a smart move to bring in someone with Jelly Roll's unique background and appeal.
Hawaii Mentors are Back Too! Ashanti and Josh Groban Join the Fun
Speaking of mentors don't worry American Idol is still keeping some traditions alive. Even with Jelly Roll as Artist in Residence they are still bringing in celebrity mentors for the Hawaii episodes. This season Ashanti and Josh Groban are joining the Hawaii fun to advise the contestants. So get ready for even more star power and musical guidance.
Want to Watch American Idol Season 23 Episode 2? Here's How!
Ready to tune in and catch all the action? American Idol Season 23 Episode 2 is airing on Sunday March 16th at 8 PM Eastern Time. Here is how you can watch it:
- TV Channel: Watch it live on ABC. Check your local listings for the ABC channel in your area.
- Streaming Services (Free Trials):
- DIRECTV Stream: Offers ABC and a free trial for new subscribers.
- Fubo: Another streaming service with ABC access and a free trial. Great for sports fans too!
- Streaming Next Day: Episodes are usually available to stream on Hulu the day after they air on ABC.
- Catch Up Later: If you miss the live airing you can use the DVR feature on DIRECTV Stream or Fubo to record it. Episodes are also often available on demand for a few days after airing through these services.
Don't miss out on the auditions judges' feedback and all the early drama of American Idol Season 23!
Remembering Douglas Kiker: American Idol "Singing Garbage Man" Sadly Passes Away
In some sadder American Idol news we have to mention the passing of Douglas Kiker . You might remember Douglas from Season 18 back in 2020. He was known as "The Singing Garbage Man" and became a popular contestant.
Douglas sadly passed away at the young age of 32. His sister shared the news on Facebook. Fans remember Douglas' audition where he sang Rascal Flatts' "Bless the Broken Road". Judge Katy Perry was even brought to tears by his performance.
While his story on Idol was inspiring reports also mention that Douglas faced some personal struggles after the show including a domestic violence charge in 2021. Regardless many fans are remembering his audition and sending condolences to his family during this difficult time.
American Idol Season 23: Fresh Faces Familiar Judges and a Whole Lot of Music
So American Idol Season 23 is shaping up to be something special. Carrie Underwood is back as a judge Jelly Roll is joining as Artist in Residence and they are still bringing in mentors like Ashanti and Josh Groban. Plus we have got all the audition episodes coming up to discover the next big star. Make sure to tune in and get ready for another season of dreams drama and hopefully some amazing singing. American Idol is back and ready to make some noise!