Behind The Scenes Look Into The Ongoing ‘American Idol’ Season 22 Hollywood Week
ABC/Eric McCandless Reading Time: 3 minutes
The beloved singing competition American Idol is back in production for its Season 22, also referred to as Season 7 on ABC. For those who may not know, the series is set to premiere on February 18, 2024. Auditions have already taken place and the show has moved into the Hollywood round of filming.
Almost 60 Contestants Made it Past Hollywood Week According to Reports
In the early fall, the American Idol team set up auditions in cities across the country to scout fresh talent. Aspiring superstars turned out in droves for their shot at stardom, lining up to perform for celebrity judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie. The judges were on the lookout for standout vocalists with that hard-to-define “X factor” who have what it takes to become the next American Idol.
Those lucky few who impressed the judges enough scored the coveted Golden Tickets to Hollywood, punching their tickets to the next round of the competition. However, the real test was yet to come.
At the beginning of December, the singers holding Golden Tickets arrived in Los Angeles for the grueling Hollywood Week stage of the competition. This intense round puts all the contestants through their paces to see if they have the vocal skills and stage presence to move forward.
The hopefuls had to endure long days and high-pressure performances, first singing solo and then in groups. Cameras captured all the drama as contestants braved a lack of sleep, anxiety, and vocal strain to keep their dreams alive. By the end, only the very best were left standing.
Sources say that around 60 singers survived Hollywood Week this season, impressing the judges enough to continue on to the next round in Hawaii.
Hawaii Round Offers Paradise for Finalists
In early February, the remaining contestants will head to gorgeous Hawaii for another chance to clinch a spot in the American Idol top 20. During the first week of the month, the production team booked the luxury Aulani Resort on Oahu for filming.
Not only will the singers enjoy a working vacation in paradise, they’ll also get another opportunity to wow the judges with a spectacular performance. At this point in the competition, the talent level is exceedingly high, so the pressure will be on to stand out from the pack.
American Idol Judges, Crew Thrilled for a New Season
Although details are still sparse, there have been a few social media hints from the American Idol family that filming is indeed underway. Music director Kris Pooley shared his excitement to be working on the show’s seventh season with ABC. Backup singers and band members also posted behind-the-scenes sneak peeks.
Judges Perry, Bryan, and Richie have stayed quiet so far about the new season. However, longtime host Ryan Seacrest seems eager to get back to business, recently telling reporters he’s looking forward to what’s sure to be an incredible competition this year.
