The hunt for America’s next superstar is back! The long-running competition show “American Idol” returns for Season 24 with a new group of contestants who are bound to give viewers some unforgettable performances. From emotional first impressions to early standouts, the first week sets the tone for the rest of the season.
If you missed an audition during the live broadcast, or just want the inside scoop, you’re in the right place. Below, we’re recapping auditions and contestants who walked away with golden tickets to “Hollywood Week.”
Winners From the Season 24 Premiere
The first contestant, Lucas Leon from Gallatin, Tennessee, performed an original song “Fall In Love Someday,” and left with a golden ticket.
Next up was Keyla Richardson from Pensacola, Florida, who performed P!nk’s “Glitter in the Air” and left with a golden ticket.
Jayson Arendt performed Chris Stapleton’s “Fire Away” and made it through with a golden ticket.
Daniel Stallworth performed a rendition of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin'” at the piano and went through with a golden ticket.
Jesse Findling performed Benson Boone’s “In the Stars,” which received a standing ovation from the judges and a golden ticket straight to “Hollywood Week.”
Genevieve Heyward performed Heart’s “Magic Man” and got through with a golden ticket.
Brooks Rosser from Bel Air, Maryland performed Joshua Slone’s “Your Place At My Place” as well as Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” and made it through to “Hollywood Week.”
Kyndal Inskeep performed her original song “The Prayer of a Trying Daughter” and made it through with a golden ticket.
Bryant Thomas performed Phil Collins’ “Against All Odds,” and received a standing ovation from the judges, a golden ticket to “Hollywood Week,” and a “yes” to his surprise proposal.
Khloe Grace performed an original song “Forever 13” dedicated to Aubreigh Wyatt and made it through with a golden ticket.
Updates are ongoing. Check back frequently for the latest details.
What Makes This Season of ‘American Idol’ Different?
There will be some major changes in Season 24. The first addition to this season is that fans will be able to vote on social media. Showrunner Megan Michaels Wolflick told Deadline, “We have to meet the audience where they are. Back in 2002 when the show began, texting was the new hot thing. We also have to meet the technology where it is, as well. We want to make it as easy as possible for people to vote for their favorites, weigh in from their couch with their second screen, in real time.”
“If we can get Gen Alpha and Gen Z to weigh in a little bit more in the easiest way possible, that’s very exciting,” she explained. “It could tip the scale.”
Next, the show’s “Hollywood Week” will be moved from Los Angeles to Nashville, now being called “Hollywood Week: Music City Takeover.” It will consist of a single round of competition instead of the usual multiple rounds, with ABC promising the “biggest Hollywood Week cut in ‘Idol’ history.”
The show is also introducing a new Ohana Round that will take place at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawaii, and will take place during its three-episode “Hollywood Week.”
During the Ohana Round, 30 contestants will perform for a group of “industry tastemakers,” who will be helping judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan, narrow down the competition to the Top 20.
The “industry tastemakers” include influencer duo Kaniyia Brown and Terry McCaskill, music creator Anthony Gargiula, actress Loren Gray, podcast host Evan Ross Katz, vocal coach Cheryl Porter, Grand Ole Opry announcer Kelly Sutton and “Rolling Stone” co-editor-in-chief Shirley Halperin.
In her recent interview, Michaels Wolflick said the goal of Ohana Week is to get a pulse on exactly who fans—and industry professionals—are connecting to.
“The judges have the power right all the way up to America’s Vote of who they want to put through and I thought it’d be interesting to do some sort of focus group before they get to America’s Vote to inform the judges of who people are responding to,” she explained, noting that each of the groups will get a chance to pick their favorite contestant. “Back in the day, Kris Allen would have been the pick of the people and Adam Lambert probably would have been the industry pick. I’m super curious who the [potential] Idols are going to pick because they can’t vote for themselves.”
