American Idol season 20 will feature alumni from past seasons as mentors now that Bobby Bones has left the series due to a conflict with another show. Since its debut in 2002, American Idol has produced a vast array of superstars who could be great mentors for the new contestants, including Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, Chris Daughtry, and Adam Lambert. Since American Idol was revived on ABC in 2018 after its cancellation by FOX in 2016, the show has had four popular winners, Maddie Poppe, Laine Hardy, Just Sam, and Chayce Beckham, who could also be mentors since they have the most recent experience with competing on the show. Season 16's Gabby Barrett, arguably the most successful contestant to emerge from the reboot, could be another good choice for the role.
This is not the first time that American Idol has asked alumni to return to mentor the contestants. Adam Lambert served as a mentor in season 9 during Elvis Presley Week and during "Rush Week" alongside Chris Daughtry in season 13. He then returned in season 17 to guide the contestants during Queen Week because Adam has performed with Queen as the lead singer. Kelly Clarkson was a mentor during season 14 when the top 8 contestants performed songs from her iconic catalogue. Carrie Underwood mentored the top 5 season 16 contestants when they each sang a hit song from her extensive songbook. She also performed with the contestants.
At the ABC Television Critics Association (TCA) panel for the show, executive producer, Megan Wolflick, revealed to Parade that alumni would be filling Bobby's role as mentor, but no one in particular had been chosen yet. She said, "There’s not anyone to replace Bobby per se, but this year we will be leaning into our amazing American Idol university alum to help our current Idols along the way in different stages of the competition, so lots of those familiar faces, who America has grown to love will be seen throughout the season and we are very, very excited and our alum are excited to give back." From Hollywood Week to the Showstopper Round to the live shows, there will be many opportunities for mentors to offer advice to the new contestants based on their own experiences.
Host Ryan Seacrest revealed the stars that he hopes to see return, drawing on his twenty years with the show for inspiration. He shared, "In terms of the contestants, I want to see every one of them come back, way back from the beginning. I remember a moment with Clay [Aiken] and Ruben [Studdard], I want to see Carrie [Underwood] again, I love seeing Jennifer Hudson. I can remember standing next to them looking at their faces and reactions in moments of success and challenge." Ruben and Clay battled it out on season 2 of the show, with Ruben emerging as the winner. Carrie won season 4, and Jennifer Hudson was famously eliminated way too soon in the Top 7 episode of season 3.
No matter who the next mentors are, the season 20 contestants are lucky to have such a strong group to help them on their American Idol journey. The show has produced some of the greatest singers in modern music history. And now the search for the next superstar is about to begin.
American Idol season 20 premieres on Sunday, February 27 at 8p.m. EST on ABC.
Source: Parade