Season 21

**Season 21** of *American Idol* premiered on ABC on Sunday February 19th, 2023 and ended on May 21st, 2023. It is the show's sixth season to air on ABC. In 2024, Season 22 will be renewed.

Ryan Seacrest return as host, Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan return as judge.

This season was won by Iam Tongi.

### Audition Cities

The following cities held auditions for Season 21, date of the auditions are also shown.

* **Las Vegas, Nevada** - *September 26-29, 2022*
* **New Orleans, Louisiana** - *October 10-13, 2022*
* **Nashville, Tennessee** - *November 10-13, 2022*

## Hollywood Week

Hollywood Week was filmed December 4-7, 2022, at the Los Angeles Theatre in Los Angeles. The Genre Challenge was replaced with the Performer Challenge which consists of three categories: "Confidence", "Songwriting" and "Stage Presence". Contestants chose the category for the challenge and were mentored by two former Idol alumni in a category. The Confidence group was mentored by Clay Aiken and David Archuleta, Catie Turner and Phillip Phillips coached Songwriting, and Stage Presence was taught by Jordin Sparks and Justin Guarini. After all the contestants in their respective groups performed, the judges brought them to the stage and made their decisions. Those was advanced moved onto the Duel Challenge. After the platinum ticket holders chose their duet partners, the judges paired the remaining contestants. The duets were given twelve hours to rehearse, which included a consultation with a vocal coach, a stage rehearsal, and a session for advice from one of the judges. Those who passed the Duet Challenge advanced to Showstopper Round.

## Showstopper/Final Judgment

The Showstopper Round was filmed December 11, 2022, featuring the top 55 contestants. Each contestants performed, and at the end 26 contestants were chosen to move on to the Live shows.

### Top 26

After the Final Judgement, 26 contestants were chosen to move on to the semifinals.

**Males:**

* Malik Heard
* Elijah McCormick
* Warren Peay
* Pjae
* Zachariah Smith
* Oliver Steele
* Colin Stough
* Iam Tongi
* Tyson Venegas
* Dawson Wayne
* Michael Williams
* Matt Wilson

**Females:**

* Wé Ani
* Paige Anne
* Emma Busse
* Hannah Nicolaisen
* Marybeth Byrd
* Megan Danielle
* Mariah Faith
* Kaeyra
* Elise Kristine
* Lucy Love
* Haven Madison
* Nutsa
* Nailyah Serenity
* Olivia Soli

### Top 12

The following contestants advanced to the **Top 12:**

* Colin Stough
* Haven Madison
* Iam Tongi
* Lucy Love
* Marybeth Byrd
* Megan Danielle
* Nutsa
* Oliver Steele
* Tyson Venegas
* Warren Peay
* Wé Ani
* Zachariah Smith

## Top 10

### Top 10

The following contestants advanced to the **Top 10:**

* Colin Stough
* Haven Madison
* Iam Tongi
* Marybeth Byrd
* Megan Danielle
* Oliver Steele
* Tyson Venegas
* Warren Peay
* Wé Ani
* Zachariah Smith

## Top 8

### Top 8

The following contestants advanced to the **Top 8:**

* Colin Stough
* Haven Madison
* Iam Tongi
* Megan Danielle
* Oliver Steele
* Warren Peay
* Wé Ani
* Zachariah Smith

## Disney Night

### Top 5

The following contestants advanced to the **Top 5:**

* Colin Stough
* Iam Tongi
* Megan Danielle
* Wé Ani
* Zachariah Smith

## Finale

### Top 3

The following contestants advanced to the **Top 3:**

* Iam Tongi
* Megan Danielle
* Colin Stough

## References

1. ↑ https://www.italcoholic.in/american-idol-audition-2024-everything-to-know-about/