The new class of “American Idol” contestants already looks fierce — and funny! A preview of season 24, which aired during the “Dancing With the Stars” finale on November 25, 2025, was also posted to the show’s social media accounts, highlighting some of the singers vying for a golden ticket to Hollywood.
Among those featured, some performers already have impressive followings and music out in the world, with fans thrilled to spot them in the promo. Others seem like fascinating and quirky characters — like Trace Casanova, the bow-tie-wearing crooner who opens the promo by singing Mack Daddy’s “Baby Got Back.”
Many Social Media Fans Recognized Trew the Star in ‘American Idol’ Preview
Among the contestants who were recognized by fans when the “American Idol” promo was posted on social media was an R&B singer from Alabama named Trew the Star. He went viral on TikTok in 2023 when a Waffle House employee insisted he sing for the staff before getting his food — and he brought the house down with his voice.
On November 23, Trew the Star posted multiple photos from his audition on social media, including on his Instagram account, which has nearly 66,000 followers. He captioned the post, “I’m So Happy To Be Apart Of Season 24 Of @americanidol 🙌🏾 I Had The Wonderful Opportunity To Audition In Front Of The Celebrityudges @lionelrichie @lukebryan @carrieunderwood 💫”
Texas Tailgaters Musician Jayson Arendt Got ‘Millions’ of Texts After Promo Aired
Another highly recognized contestant was North Carolina country singer Jayson Arendt, who has made a name for himself as the “Entertainment Player” for the Texas Tailgaters baseball team, part of the uber-popular Banana Ball league.
The teams travel the country to create an energetic “pre-game” atmosphere that marries country rock music, dancing, and baseball. In the promo, Bryan could be seen dancing with Arendt and a bunch of Tailgaters players in their uniforms.
After the preview aired, Arendt posted a video on Instagram, where he told his nearly 40,000 followers, “I’ve gotten about a million text messages in the last couple of hours. So I guess I will spill the tea. Yes, I tried out for ‘American Idol’ this year. There might’ve been a commercial. But it airs on January 26th, so if y’all wanna see how I do, tap in to watch ‘American Idol.'”
Fans Also Recognized Seth Witcher in ‘American Idol’ Promo
Another artist who’s received lots of shout-outs from supporters since the “American Idol” preview went live is alternative artist Seth Witcher. According to his Instagram account, he moved to Nashville from Allentown, Pennsylvania more than a year ago to focus on his musical dreams.
When the promo showed footage of him excitedly showing off the golden ticket he earned, he must have also been notified by countless fans and friends. In his Stories, he shared a screenshot of himself holding his golden ticket in the preview and wrote, “I guess I was just on tv…@americanidol.” He also re-shared multiple people’s excited stories about seeing him on the screen.
New Season of ‘American Idol’ Will Feature Familiar Cast But a Huge New Twist
Season 24 of “American Idol” is slated to premiere on January 26 — the earliest start date for the show in a decade. Another big change, announced in late October, is that for the first time in the show’s history, Hollywood Week will not be held in Hollywood, but in Nashville at Belmont University.
One thing that won’t change is the show’s cast. Carrie Underwood is returning for her second season as a judge, alongside Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, who will judge their 9th seasons of the show. Host Ryan Seacrest, whose been with the show since its inception, will be back, too. The only person’s status that’s still up in the air is 2025 artist-in-residence Jelly Roll.
In the new preview, all three judges are seen having fun with contestants — dancing, shouting with excitement, and Bryan telling someone, “Go be weird!” In one brief clip, Seacrest can be seen laughing as a group of excited contestants nearly trample him.
