American Idol Season 24: Hollywood Week Moves to Nashville, New Voting System
For the first time in its history, “American Idol” has moved its iconic Hollywood Week to Nashville, Tennessee, for Season 24. This marks a significant change for the demonstrate, which traditionally held this crucial stage of the competition in Hollywood. The shift is part of a broader effort to modernize the show and engage viewers in new ways, including the introduction of live social media voting.
Why Nashville?
The decision to relocate Hollywood Week to Nashville stems from a desire to capitalize on the city’s thriving music scene and create momentum for the contestants. According to showrunner Megan Michaels Wolflick, holding Hollywood Week immediately after the auditions, which also took place in Nashville, allows the show to build on the excitement of the golden ticket recipients. “The momentum of getting through, getting a golden ticket, making it to Hollywood in the past has been maybe sometimes months,” Wolflick explained to Deadline. Nashville is considered a major hub for the music industry, comparable to Los Angeles.
Hollywood Week in Nashville: The Competition
The first part of Hollywood Week in Nashville assessed 127 singers for a coveted spot in the Top 30. Contestants faced rigorous evaluations from judges Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Carrie Underwood. The judges made significant cuts, narrowing the field as they searched for the most promising talent. Those who advanced include Bryant Thomas, Keyla Richardson, Makiyah, Jordan McCullough, Madison Moon, Roelle, Trace Casanova, Hannah Harper, Philmon Lee, Lucas Leon, Kiera Howell, Abayomi, and Michael Garner. The fate of Jake Thistle, Brianna Yancey, and Braden Rumfelt was left on a cliffhanger.
New Ohana Round in Hawaii
Following Hollywood Week, the Top 30 singers will travel to Hawaii for a new round of competition called the Ohana Round. In this round, contestants will perform for their fellow finalists, family members, friends, and a panel of industry experts. Ten singers will be eliminated during the Ohana Round.
Live Social Media Voting
Season 24 introduces a groundbreaking change: live social media voting. Viewers can now vote for their favorite contestants in real-time via social media platforms, alongside the traditional text and phone voting methods. Producers aim to create voting more accessible and engaging for fans.
How to Watch
“American Idol” airs at 8 p.m. ET and 7 p.m. Arizona time on ABC15 in Arizona or your local ABC network. The show is also available to stream the following day on Hulu, with subscription plans starting at $11.99 per month.