American Idol is currently airing the audition phase of Season 24. There have been several changes teased for this year’s competition, including a new round in Hawaii and a new voting method. Showrunner Megan Michaels Wolflick recently spoke about these changes in an interview with Billboard.
American Idol Showrunner Talks Season 24 Changes
One of the changes to American Idol this season involves a new Ohana Round during the show’s trip to Hawaii with the Top 30 contestants. Michaels Wolflick called this round “the ultimate focus group,” explaining, “You have three groups of people. You have the Idols. You have the families and then we’ve curated a select group of influencers and music and industry experts to come in from their point of view.”
Each of these three groups will choose their favorite singer, who will receive a Platinum Ticket. Contestants won’t be able to vote for themselves, and family members won’t be able to vote for their own relatives. Michaels Wolflick shared that “it was important to do a song that meant something to their family growing up and dedicate it to someone in their family.”
The showrunner also confirmed that Disney Night and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night will be returning this season. The judges’ song contest will also be back, this time with a ’90s theme. She also teased something with “the class of 2006 for our university theme,” adding, “We have a special surprise mentor for the finale.”
How Will Social Media Voting Work?
This season, American Idol will also introduce social media voting for the first time during the live shows. As Michaels Wolflick explained to Billboard, this new method will be “as easy as going on Instagram” during the show.
“There’s going to be a pinned voting post on all platforms, where you will write your name in the comments section of your favorite Idol,” the showrunner shared. “You see the voting post and you type ‘Fred Bronson’ in the comments and that’s your vote. So it’s literally the easiest thing ever.”
Other changes for Season 24 include a new podcast where eliminated contestants will be interviewed, and a new deal with Atlantic Records for the show’s winner. Michaels Wolflick also shared who is replacing former music supervisor Robin Kaye, who was tragically murdered last year along with her husband Tom Deluca.
“Ashley Viergever, who worked under Robin for the past seven years and was her co-music supervisor, has stepped into the role. We didn’t really bring in anyone new,” Michaels Wolflick shared. “And they’re asking themselves, ‘What would Robin do?’”