'American Idol' news: Reboot set for March 2018
The "American Idol" reboot will premiere in March 2018 on ABC.
Host Ryan Seacrest revealed on "Live! With Kelly and Ryan" that the popular singing competition will be back on March 11 for a two-hour premiere starting 8 p.m. EST.
New judge Katy Perry seconded the announcement via Instagram with a photo reminiscent of "Star Wars" showing her with Seacrest as well as fellow judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan. In the post, she asked fans to check their calendars as they find a new Idol.
Auditions for the hit reality show started in August, with the three-judge panel making 23 stops across the nation to find America's next superstar. Fans can also now audition online by posting their piece on social media and include #TheNextIdol in the caption.
In an interview with "Good Morning America" last month, Perry called the new panel of judges as the dream team, who will in turn help raw talents reach their American dream. "If they have the talent, if they work really hard and if we can give them that lucky star... maybe we can give them kind of like a little platform to just shine," she said.
"It's amazing the confidence this new generation has, and I think what's really wonderful for us is that we get to see it— and if any way, try to tweak it just a little bit," added Richie in the same interview.
However, not all contestants can make the cut. While they encounter a lot of good singers, Bryan admitted he is having a difficult time telling people that they are too young or too raw for the spotlight.
"You have to learn how to tell people no... If I had been 17 or 18-years-old I don't think I would have cut the mustard back then," he said in an interview with WCPO.
"American Idol" debuted on Fox back in 2002 and produced great singing legends like Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Fantasia, Jordin Sparks, and Chris Daughtry, to name a few. It enjoyed high ratings in the first few years, but the arrival of hit talent shows pushed it to end its 15-season run in early 2016. Less than two years later, the iconic TV program hopes to make a revival in its new home at ABC.
