Welp. The spoilers claiming the middle round of Idol would be split by age? Not true. Also, There will be a Top 13 rather than a Top 12. And you can scratch that Candice special too.
Here’s the official schedule from American Idol. The middle rounds will take ONE 3 episode week. The Top 31 will be split boy/girl with the Top 13 results airing on Thursday. The “twist” is probably a Top 31 instead of a Top 30.
*Just wanted to mention that the spoilers were emailed to me as a full fledged Press Release, done in exactly the style and language that FOX sends out. It was very convincing. VERY convincing. The spoiler told me the release was set to come out this week.
Also, there’s the matter of that New York City spoiler actually being true. I don’t know what to think. I tacked the VERY official looking press release that was mailed to me onto the original spoiler post HERE.
“AMERICAN IDOL XIII” DEBUTS WITH A TWO-NIGHT PREMIERE WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, AND THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, ON FOX
New Surprise Round Sends Contestants to “Hollywood or Home” Wednesday, February 5; Hollywood Rounds Continue Thursday, February 6 and Wednesday, February 12
Top Semi-Finalists Revealed Thursday, February 13
Special Three-Night IDOL “Rush Week” Begins Tuesday, February 18, And Continues Wednesday, February 19 and Thursday, February 20, When the Top 13 Finalists are Announced
Top 13 Perform LIVE Wednesday, February 26
The original music show phenomenon returns this week! Hosted by Ryan Seacrest, AMERICAN IDOL XIII features a new all-star judging panel, including Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick, Jr., along with in-house mentor Randy Jackson. Seacrest and the judges travel across the country, with stops in Atlanta, GA; Austin, TX; Boston, MA; Detroit, MI; Omaha, NE, Salt Lake City, UT; and San Francisco, CA, searching for those who have the potential to transform from an everyday singer into a successful recording artist and join the ranks of famous IDOL alumni, such as Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia, Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks, Scotty McCreery and Phillip Phillips.
AUDITIONS
The two-night premiere event begins by showcasing the nation’s best talent from the Boston and Austin auditions on Wednesday, Jan. 15 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). Thursday, Jan. 16 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) brings more amazing auditions from Austin and San Francisco. Auditions continue in Detroit, Wednesday, Jan. 22 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT); Atlanta, Thursday, Jan. 23 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT); Salt Lake City, Wednesday, Jan. 29 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT); and Omaha, Thursday, Jan. 30 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT).
NEW HOLLYWOOD OR HOME ROUND
Those who prove they have what it takes to move forward in the competition think they are headed to the “Hollywood” round. But, even before they unpack their bags, the contestants will learn they must compete in a surprise “Hollywood or Home” round, airing on Wednesday, Feb. 5 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). In this intense new round, the judges will decide if these hopefuls really are committed and talented enough to become the next singing superstar. Some of the singerswill be asked to perform one more time for the judges – and for some, this will be their last performance. It’s a tough decision for the judges, but even tougher for the contestants, because those who don’t make the cut must head straight home.
HOLLYWOOD ROUNDS Continue
The “Hollywood” rounds continue Thursday, Feb. 6 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) and Wednesday, Feb. 12 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), as the hopefuls take the stage of the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles for group and solo performances. On Thursday, Feb. 13 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT), the Hollywood rounds end with a new twist as the Top semi-finalists are revealed.
RUSH WEEK
During a special three-night IDOL event, the hopefuls will have their last chance to impress the judges and America. On the season’s first LIVE show, airing on a special night, Tuesday, Feb. 18 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live /PT tape-delayed), the 15 remaining female contestants will face their IDOL fates; the 15 male contestants will do the same on the following night Wednesday, Feb. 19 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live /PT tape-delayed). On both Tuesday and Wednesday night, the voting lines will open immediately after each LIVE show. On Thursday, Feb. 20 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed), the Top 13 finalists will be revealed in the first results show LIVE from Los Angeles.
FINALIST PERFORMANCE ROUNDS
The following week, the competition gets fiercer when the Top 13 finalists perform LIVE Wednesday, Feb. 26 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live /PT tape-delayed). One finalist’s journey will end as America’s vote is revealed Thursday, Feb. 27 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live /PT tape-delayed).
RECAP
AUDITIONS
Wednesday, Jan. 15 Season Premiere, Part 1 – Boston/Austin Auditions
(8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT)
Thursday, Jan. 16 Season Premiere, Part 2 – Austin/San Francisco Auditions
(8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT)
Wednesday, Jan. 22 Detroit Audition Episode
(8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT)
Thursday, Jan. 23 Atlanta Audition Episode
(8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT)
Wednesday, Jan. 29 Salt Lake City Audition Episode
(8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT)
I think it's funny that Jillian Jensen got cut just short of the Top 16 on the X Factor two seasons ago and ran over to idol. I thought she wouldn't be eligible since she had 130K followers on Twitter from X Factor fans, since AI is super stingy about who they let through.
- Harry and Keith makes Jlo laugh so hard, it’s difficult not to look like a giggling fool. Harry tries to crack her up.
- Harry’s favorite thing is doing live shows.
- Keith doesn’t have a favorite song. It can be uncomfortable when a contestant sings his song. He hopes they nail it.
- There are girls that come in that remind Jlo of herself when she was just starting out. It’s humbling when contestants/fans cry in her presence.
- Judging is a big commitment, but he loved mentoring so much, he said yes when asked to be judge
- Jennifer looks forward to coming to work every day. She had a ball the first time. She wanted to come back.
- Keith talked about being a 16 year old contestant on a talent show. He admits he wasn’t very good.
- Harry doesn’t think he’s harsh! He’s succinct and specific. He can’t do anything about how his criticism is perceived. Regardless, he loves all the kids. Every one of them.
- The judges love Ellen. They would all love to be judges by her if they were contestants.
- Jlo swears it’s exactly the same backstage as they are on camera. Joking around, talking and chatting. They dish on their families.
- Harry says he has an intense face. Maybe that’s why contestants think he’s mean! But yes, he’s hard to impress. “We can do better than what it out there…it’s a challenge to these young performers. Learn your frickin craft!” Ha Harry is very passionate about music.
- Jlo has an insatiable appetite for creating things.
- Harry says he struggles every day to be better at what he does, in all ways.
- Ryan says it can be tough to say goodbye to contestants.
- Keith LIKES performing with his instrument. He wants contestants to perform in they way they are most comfortable. Although, there are people who should be playing instruments
- The panel disagrees often on a contestant, but they have so much respect for each other, they don’t get mad. Sometimes they can sway each other’s opinion. Often they respond to the same thing, even if its in different ways.
- There were some heated discussions during Hollywood week. There’s was on incident between Harry and Jlo. We’ll probably see it on TV.
- You don’t have to be able to sing to have a great career, says Keith. What are we looking for now? Which one is the most talented? It’s a combination of many things.
- Last question was a crying girl wanting a hug from Jlo. She got one onstage.
Queen Pia is not only one of the best singers to ever exist, she is also one of the nicest people to ever be on this show. Hopefully Karma will come around and give her something in return
