American Idol drops new Wizard of Oz themed promo for season 22
The American Idol season 22 premiere is coming on Sunday February 18. The 2024 season will feature a hometown theme, which includes visits to each of the judges’ hometowns to audition hopefuls. For Luke Bryan that means Leesburg, Georgia. Lionel Richie hails from Tuskegee, Alabama and Katy Perry comes from Santa Barbara, California.
Therefore, what better way to promote the new season than setting a new promo within the ultimate story of hometowns, The Wizard of Oz?
Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia Barrino Share American Idol Memories and a High 5
Jennifer Hudson and Fantasia Reminisce about American Idol
Jennifer Hudson and Fantasia Reminisce about American Idol
In the new clip, the judges and host Ryan Seacrest follow a Golden Ticket as it blows down a morning sun dappled brick road. Katy plays Dorothy, of course. Wearing a blue dress and sparkly red high heels, she picks up the ticket and says, “I don’t think we’re in our hometowns anymore!” Lionel, channeling the Cowardly Lion sporting a huge brown fur collar responds, “No Katy, we’re not!”
“Once upon a time,” a familiar sounding voice over explains, “Four superstars went on a long journey far from home.” Luke chimes in, “C’mon y’all! Let’s get a move on!” Ryan, wearing a shiny blue suit adds, “Follow the Golden Ticket Road.” YES IT GETS CORNIER FROM HERE. (Luke is probably the Scarecrow, while Ryan in his shiny suit is the Tinman? Maybe?)
The clip name checks fan favorite alums Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Iam Tongi and Adam Lambert
Next, the clip namechecks four alums and their hometowns: OG winner Kelly Clarkson and her hometown, Burleson, Texas. Season 4 winner Carrie Underwood and her place of birth, Checotah, Oklahoma, reigning champ Iam Tongi and the place he calls home, Kahuku, Hawaii and San Diego, California, where Season 7 runner-up Adam Lambert hails. The voice over describes how the quartet traveled to cities big and small, “leaving no voice unheard.”
Finally, the group arrives in Hollywood in which, Luke says, “all dreams come true.” As a contemporary version of “Over the Rainbow” plays, Ryan says, “Somewhere over the rainbow, a star will be born.”
It ends with…wait for it…Katy clicking her heels three times and saying “There’s no place like…American idol.”
American Idol season 24 adopts a “hometowns theme”…finally!
Hollywood is where the contestants who pass the auditions in front of the judges go to vye for a spot in the Showstopper Round and ultimately to sing for America’s Vote.
American Idol filmed the Hollywood Round in December, followed by the Showstoppers Round, which they filmed in front of a studio audience in Santa Monica. A Top 57 emerged from Hollywood to perform for the judges and a chance to compete in the next round which will take place, again, at the Disney Aulani Resort in Hawaii.
There are American Idol 2024 SPOILERS
SPOILERS from the Showstoppers round, including contestant names, song choices and more are available at THIS LINK! But do not reveal any spoilers in comments here, please!
The hometown theme for the season is a long time coming, considering the show often centers contestant backstories on the towns they come from. The Top 3 always travel home to a ‘heroes welcome” just before the finale. The video packages from those visits are some of the most emotional moments of the season.
Season 3 winner Fantasia COULD be nominated for an Oscar!
A sidenote: American Idol always dovetails into the ABC Oscars telecast to promote the show. Certainly, producers will double down on THAT if season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino Taylor is nominated for Best Actress for her portrayal of Celie in the new movie adaption of the Broadway musical The Color Purple. She has received unanimously good reviews. The film is 87% FRESH on the Rotten Tomatoes review aggregator website.
American Idol 2024 premieres on ABC on Sunday, February 18, at 8 pm ET/PT.
