What is the Platinum Ticket on ‘American Idol’ Season 20?
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When American Idol Season 20 premieres on February 27, the show will introduce a new concept called the Platinum Ticket. As explained in a video by host Ryan Seacrest, these are different than the typical Golden Tickets that send contestants to Hollywood.
How Do Platinum Tickets Work on ‘American Idol’?
American Idol teased the Platinum Ticket in the Season 20 trailer, with judge Katy Perry saying it sends contestants to Hollywood with “a little shortcut.” Hollywood Week is a notoriously grueling stage of the competition, so this shortcut will likely be a huge relief.
“There are only three of these for the entire season,” Seacrest explains about the Platinum Ticket in a new Twitter video. “And if the judges vote unanimously for you to get this as a contestant, then you bypass the first round of Hollywood Week.”
So it’s not quite as big as the Golden Buzzer on America’s Got Talent, which sends acts straight to the live shows. But it’s still a pretty cool perk for auditioning singers. According to Seacrest’s tweet, we’ll see one contestant get the Platinum Ticket during the premiere.
SEE ALSO: INSIDE SCOOP: GET A FIRST LOOK AT SEASON 20 ‘AMERICAN IDOL’ HOPEFULS
The Show Is Returning to Hawaii This Season
In addition to introducing the Platinum Ticket, American Idol is also returning to Hawaii this season. The show filmed at Disney’s Aulani Resort on the island of O’ahu earlier this month. During this round, the contestants will be helped by celebrity mentors.
Those mentors were recently announced to be Jimmie Allen and Bebe Rexha. They’ll be replacing former in-house mentor Bobby Bones, who will not appear during Season 20. Allen himself was a former American Idol contestant in Season 10.
Judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan will all be returning to the panel for the new season, which marks the show’s 20th anniversary. American Idol Season 20 premieres Sunday, February 27, at 8/7c on ABC.
