Season pulse
Episodes
16 episodes
Auditions (1)
Hopefuls perform for the judges in Savannah, Ga.; Milwuakee, Wis.; Washington, D.C.; and Los Angeles; including a subway performer from Harlem, N.Y., a garbage collector and a hopeless romantic who encounters her own fairy-tale twist.
Auditions (2)
Aspiring singers from Savannah, Ga., Milwaukee, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and Sunriver, Ore. perform in hopes of earning a ticket to Hollywood.
Auditions (3)
This week’s episode sees a determined hopeful defy the odds for a chance to audition in front of the judges, resulting in an “American Idol” first. Then, a fan favorite from season one returns for another chance to wow the judges, while another hopeful’s great-grandmother fulfills her lifelong dream of meeting Lionel Richie.
Auditions (4)
Idol heads to Savannah GA, Milwaukee WI, Washington D.C., Los Angeles CA, and Sunriver OR as the search for America’s next superstar continues.
Auditions (5)
Auditions across Savannah GA, Milwaukee WI, Washington D.C., Los Angeles CA, and Sunriver OR come to an end with the final search for America’s next superstar.
Hollywood Week - Genre Challenge
Contestants head to Hollywood to perform a song in a genre of their choice.
Hollywood Week - Duets
The contestants pick just one partner for a duet group round. One pair’s tensions run high as they can’t agree on a song. Sparks fly with another pair.
Hollywood Week - Solos
Hollywood Week wraps up with with solo performances. One contestant experiences an unprecedented medical emergency. Will one couple’s love survive the latest elimination?
Hawaii Showcase and Final Judgment (1)
The Top 40 contestants go to Hawaii to soak up the sun and sing to impress the judges in a concert on the beach before awaiting their Final Judgement for a spot in the coveted Top 20.
Hawaii Showcase and Final Judgment (2)
The Top 40 contestants perform in a concert before awaiting their final judgment for a spot in the coveted top 20. Watch a shocking first-ever twist in the show’s history for two contestants.
This Is Me (1)
A deeper look into the lives of the top 21 contestants, featuring never-before-seen performances.
This Is Me (2)
A deeper look into the lives of the top 21 contestants, featuring never-before-seen performances.
On with the Show: Top 20 Sing for Your Vote
The top 20 perform remotely for a spot in the top 10.
On with the Show: Homeward Bound
Find out who America voted into the Top 10 and whether or not judges choose to use their only save of the season.
On with the Show: Disney / Mother's Day
In the hybrid Disney and Mother’s Day show, the remaining finalists will perform two songs each; one from the renowned Disney songbook and the second dedicated to the mother figures in their lives as a Mother’s Day tribute. Season two winner, Laine Hardy, returns to perform “Life is a Highway” and share his journey after winning the show last year.