'American Idol' 2022 Judges & Hosts Revealed (& Someone Is Not Returning This Year!)

Longtime viewers of “American Idol” will see a blast from the past on this week’s episode.

as contestant Sam Finelli faced his fears and auditioned for judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan. The 28-year-old bakery assistant opened up about his struggles with autism, expressing how music helped him get through a difficult childhood.«I don't connect with people very well. It's just a small part of who I am,» Sam explained.

as contestant Sam Finelli faced his fears to audition for judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan. The 28-year-old bakery assistant opened up about his struggles with autism, expressing how music helped him get through a difficult childhood.«I don't connect with people very well. It's just a small part of who I am,» Sam explained.

Taniya Boatwright explained how she was inspired by a former “American Idol” contestant as she auditioned for the judges during Sunday’s episode.

Dakota Hayden’s love of music has been with him since he was a child.

As the 20th season of “American Idol” continues, there is no shortage of talented singers auditioning for judges Kath Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan.

one — and there can only ever be one — first “American Idol”: Kelly Clarkson. Catapulted to fame by winning the first season of the hit series, the living legend has stayed at the top of pop culture since the first day she crossed the world’s television screens. The multitalented, multiaward-winning powerhouse has touched the entire globe with her voice, personality and heart — becoming one of the most successful artists in history.

Carrie Underwood is now a well-known name in the music industry, with more than 100 major awards to her name and a plethora of top country hits. Before her meteoric rise to fame, however, Carrie got her start by auditioning for season four of American Idol in 2005.

audition, she had also never performed before she stepped on the stage in front of judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie. The 18-year-old native of Boone County, West Virginia, shared the story of her difficult childhood, and being raised by her grandparents. Kelsie noted that her grandmother sadly died in 2021 after suffering complications from COVID-19. Noting that her grandmother «pushed her» to try things, Kelsie decided to «step outside» of her comfort zone in her honor.

Kenedi Anderson has cemented her status as the one to beat on season 20 of American Idol after her incredible audition.

Katy Perry has had some pretty memorable moments during her time as a judge on American Idol, but a recent one allowed her to finally clear some things up regarding one of her biggest hits.MORE: Katy Perry taken aback by very surprising audition during American Idol premiereThe singer had a conversation with fellow judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan as they talked about artists often adding too many unnecessary flairs to their singing.WATCH: Katy Perry's Chocotopia adventureLuke then started singing to Katy's hit Firework by performing the lines in the chorus as "up, up, up," and then "ah, ah, ah," to her annoyance."It's not 'up, up, up' and it's not 'ah, ah, ah'," she said, to which Luke retorted: "Well what is it then, because I've been dying to know all these years?"MORE: Katy Perry looks unreal in all-leather outfit"It's 'awe, awe, awe' everybody, get it right!" she said. Luke even questioned: "Is that a word in the dictionary?" to which Katy responded: "It is!"She even added on to the career-long debate about her song, saying: "It's not Fireworks, it's Firework."A post shared by KATY PERRY (@katyperry)Katy cleared up what the lyrics for Firework really were for LukeKaty posted the clip on her Instagram with the caption: "FOR THE OFFICIAL RECORD • it is AWE not UP • it is FIREWORK not FIREWORKSSS.

Christian Guardino impressed the “American Idol” judges on Sunday’s episode with a show-stopping performance.

“Puberty really hit” with 20-year-old singer Luke Taylor.

Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, but this aspiring singer did it.On Sunday's , the judges are left speechless when they meet contestant Kenedi Anderson. In ET's exclusive sneak peek from Part 2 of the auditions, at first Perry, Richie and Bryan think nothing of her audition.

Leah Marlene is going to Hollywood!

Viral TikTok babysitter Delaney Renee’s incredible “American Idol” audition aired on the season 20 premiere Sunday.

on Sunday's season 20 premiere. The late Aretha Franklin's granddaughter, Grace Franklin, the 15-year-old daughter of Aretha's son, Kecalf Cunningham, tested her own musical chops in front of judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan. Grace shared her lineage with the judges right off the bat, and opened up about her relationship with the late R&B legend in an aside package. «I was really close with my grandma.

A Canadian singer is going to Hollywood!

Katy Perry was left absolutely stunned at the top of the power-packed American Idol season premiere with an unexpected performance.MORE: Katy Perry looks unreal in all-leather outfitThe three judges, Katy, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan, were joined by Normandy, a young woman and gamer with a voice that instantly caught their attention. Her baby-like girlish affectation instantly charmed the judges, along with her kitten-shaped slippers and gigantic carrot purse.The contestant mentioned in her introduction that she often struggled with being taken seriously due to her child-like nature and high-pitched voice.MORE: American Idol's Ryan Seacrest's famous ex-girlfriends revealedHowever, as she sang the first notes to Tina Turner's Proud Mary, she revealed a much deeper and huskier singing voice, leaving Katy taken aback."[expletive] this y'all, I'm out of here.