American Idol 2024 April/May schedule features familiar themes, guest stars and fan favorite alums
American Idol 2024 is well into season 22’s live shows. Upcoming episodes will feature themes, guest mentors and performers, in addition to the return of fan favorite alums. Check out below what’s coming up!
American Idol 2024: Full Season 22 Schedule
Sunday April 28 8-10 pm ET/PT – Just Sam returns for the first time! American Idol airs LIVE coast to coast
Songs from the Year of Their Birth – American Idol will air LIVE across the nation at the same time. Finally, the West coast will be able to watch and vote simultaneously.
Plus, Country music icon Shania Twain mentors the Top 10 contestants who will perform songs from the year of their respective births! It’s a theme that has been used since the early FOX days (When those kiddos were born in the 70s and 80s. YIKES).
Season 10 winner Scotty McCreery and season 18 champ Just Sam perform. Scotty, who has chartered numerous number one country hits and recently joined the Opry is a no brainer. But it’s Just Sam’s first appearance on the show since her win in 2020. Her relationship with the show has been fraught, as she and 19 parted ways before she released any music. Her career stalled and her life hit rock bottom as she resorted to singing in the subway again. But now she has new management and will be making a triumphant return to the show. Glad she’s still a member of the family!
America will vote in real time before the Top 8 is announced at the end of the show.
Monday April 29 8-10 pm ET/PT – Last Monday episode of the season will feature a musical tribute to the late Mandisa
Judges Song Contest – The Top 8 will sing one of three songs secretly selected by judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, who are each competing for the most songs chosen. It’s year 3 for this particular theme. America will choose a Top 6 in real time, but as a BONUS The judges will choose a wildcard to make a Top 7.
Season 5 alum, Mandisa, died unexpectedly last week, and the show will pay a special tribute to the beloved Christian singer.
Sunday May 5 – American Idol begins airing LIVE Coast to Coast!
Adele Night – The Top 7 finalists take on hits from superstar artist Adele, as America votes live for the Top 5. Meanwhile, Meghan Trainor returns to perform her new single, “Been Like This.” Meghan must be vying for a spot ANYWHERE on a singing show panel. She’s also a Playoffs mentor for Chance the Rapper on The Voice this season! Maybe she will take Katy Perry’s place on the panel (I hope not…)
It’s the final week of Monday night shows.
Sunday May 12 – Disney Night
Disney Night – American Idol hasn’t made the theme night for May 12 official yet. But FuntonCritic.com has Disney listed as the theme. The website has anticipated nearly every theme night before they became official, so their listing is most likely correct. Besides, a season without a Disney theme? Not happening. Last season’s penultimate episode also featured a Disney theme. The Top 5 will become a Top 3 by the end of the episode, unless the regular format changes.
Sunday May 19 – Three Hour Grand Finale
Grand Finale – Host Ryan Seacrest will reveal the WINNER by the end of the show. All we know so far is that the Top 3 will be mentored by rock icon Jon Bon Jovi. He’s promoting a new Hulu biopic, Thank You, Goodnight.
And speaking of Hulu, American Idol episodes stream the next day on the service.
