New changes in American Idol

MANILA, Philippines - To drum up its much-awaited 14th season, American Idol (AI) has a new mentor and recently announced a change in airing schedule. When AI reaches the Top 10 performances, there will only be one show every week as the performance night and results show had been combined into one.

An early sneak peek of the Top 24 was also released even before the start of auditions. Only, the performers were shown in silhouette as they rendered Nina Simone’s Feeling Blue, revived by Michael Bublé.

Despite a decline in ratings, loss of viewership on primetime and departure of one of its major and long-time sponsors (Coca-Cola), AI recently premiered to a worldwide audience. The great news is that the three judges — Jennifer Lopez, Harry Connick Jr. and Keith Urban — are back with long-time host Ryan Seacrest.

As early as June last year or a month after Season 13 ended, AI already confirmed the return of the three judges along with Seacrest. It is Jennifer’s fourth season as judge, while Keith started his third season and Harry returned for his second.

Randy Jackson, who started as one of the original judges of the show and moved to being a mentor for two seasons, is out of AI. Music executive Scott Borchetta replaced Randy as mentor this season.

The judges do not only exhibit better rapport with each other, they also blend genuinely well with the contestants this time around. A singer from Lumberton, Mississippi who auditioned in Nashville, Tennessee was thrilled when he got to dance slow drag with Jennifer, while singing again his audition piece, Sam Smith’s Stay With Me. With Keith playing the guitar and Harry on the piano.

Apart from talking and laughing with the contestants and making a critique about the performances, the judges are serious in their search for the next singing superstar to succeed the likes of Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood. The show will definitely crown the next champ after Season 13 winner, Caleb Johnson.

“American Idol is really about someone whose life has changed and whose dream came true,” said Jennifer.

The two-night premiere started with auditions in Nashville, where Keith and his actress-wife, Nicole Kidman, now reside. Then, the team moved to Kansas City (Missouri).

Blind singer Garrett Miles from Alabama, born with optic nerve hypoplasia, auditioned in Nashville and impressed the three judges with his rendition of Proud Mary. The auditions will continue in Bronx, New York, where Jennifer grew up, as well as in New Orleans, Louisiana, where Harry came from.

There are other audition schedules in San Francisco (California) and Minneapolis (Minnesota). In New York, however, AI Season 8 runner-up Adam Lambert had to pinch-hit for Keith who had to attend the burial of his father-in-law, dad of Nicole Kidman.

Bus tour auditions were also held in Missouri, Florida, South Carolina, Texas, New Mexico, Oregon, Maine, Nevada, Ohio and Virginia.

.AI comes on the heels of rival singing competitions – X Factor UK Season 11 (won by Ben Haenow) and The Voice Season 7 (with Craig Wayne Boyd as champion).