American Idol 2025: The Judges and Ryan Pick Favorite Auditions featured in spotlight promos
American Idol 2025 is just around the corner. After a special 30 minute episode airs after the Oscars on Sunday March 2, the judges auditions kick off the following week on March 9 at 8 pm on ABC/Hulu.
In these special promos, the judges Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, new panelist and season 4 winner Carrie Underwood and host Ryan Seacrest chose a favorite audition to feature in spotlight promos.
Lionel Richie – Gabby Samone
Lionel picked Gabby Samone from Baltimore, Maryland whom he described as a “spectacular” singer. American Idol will feature her audition on the March 9 premiere.
“What I love most about American Idol is when they discover who they are,” Lionel remarked about why he continues to return to the judges chair season after season.
“During COVID, me and my parents became homeless,” Gabby recalled. “That time was very tough. I started posting a lot. One of my videos caught Jennifer Hudson’s (Season 3 alum) eye and she invited me onto her show.”
Gabby continued, “My family is my biggest support system. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for these people right here.”
“Wow wow wow wow wow !!!!!!!!! Now that’s a voice all the way around !!! My God !!!” said Jennifer in a post. She urged Gabby to “go for” auditioning for American Idol.
Luke Bryan – Filo
Luke chose Filo, a 23-year-old from Dublin, CA, who he feels was “born to sing.”
“What I like about American Idol is the contestants and their stories,” Luke said. “It’s our job to hopefully change their lives, and we do it from the heart.”
“I am originally from Egypt,” Filo told the judges during his audition. “Moving to the United States was very difficult at first. But music was my link into American society. My mom is definitely my biggest hero.”
Ryan and Carrie surprised Filo with a Golden Ticket during the live broadcast of New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, starting the young singer’s new year on a special note.
Carrie Underwood – Breanna Nix
Carrie picked Breanna Nix, a stay at home mom of two kids, from Denton, TX as one of her favorite auditions.
“The thing that excites me about American Idol is being able to be a part of somebody’s story,” said Carrie. “People bring their kids in, and I get to snuggle with a kid while watching their mom.”
Carrie has a special relationship with American Idol hopefuls, as she competed and won the show 20 years ago in 2005. Check out Breanna when American Idol features her audition on the March 9 premiere.
Ryan Seacrest – Freddie McClendon
Ryan picked Freddie McClendon from Greenwood, SC to highlight. “What excites me about American Idol is the unknown each year, Ryan stated. “We never quite know what we’re going to find until we find it.”
“After my dad passed, I had a lot of frustration with [the fact that] all the people wanted to talk about was his death. And so I wrote an entire album called Present Memories,” Freddie said at his audition. “He was our dad, and he meant the world to us.”
American Idol season 23 will air a 30 minute preview episode following the live telecast of The Oscars on Sunday, March 2, The official premiere airs at 8 p.m. ET/PT on March 9 on ABC streaming on Hulu the next day.
