entertainmentneutral

American Idol's Bold New Moves for Season 9

USA, NashvilleFriday, January 23, 2026
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New Voting Method

  • Social Media Voting: American Idol is introducing a new way for fans to vote through social media, a first for a major show.
  • Goal: To make voting easier and attract younger audiences.

Big Changes

  • New Night: The show is moving to a new night on ABC.
  • New Locations:
  • Auditions held in Nashville.
  • Hollywood Week moving to Nashville.
  • New round in Hawaii where contestants perform for industry experts and peers.
  • Judges: The same panel, but with a new energy brought by Carrie Underwood, a former winner.

Future Focus

  • Relevance: Producers aim to keep the show fresh and relevant.
  • Social Media Voting: Could be a game-changer for fan engagement.
  • Discovering Stars: The show continues its mission to find new talent while evolving with the times.

Taking Risks

  • Exciting Changes: The show is not afraid to take chances to stay fresh and keep fans engaged.
  • Potential Payoff: These big steps could result in a significant impact.

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