New judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie as well as host Ryan Seacrest are all excited to return for another season of the revived singing competition series.
- May 5, 2018
AceShowbiz - "American Idol" is here to stay. After canceled by FOX in 2016 before being revived by ABC this year, the singing competition series is getting another season on its new home. The Alphabet network has ordered a second season of "American Idol" reboot despite its less than stellar rating performance. The network also confirms that the show will be back with the current judge line-up, which consists of Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, and host Ryan Seacrest.
Channing Dungey, president, ABC Entertainment, said on Friday, May 4, "We knew that 'American Idol' on ABC would unleash an opportunity for singers from all walks of life to realize their dreams and that these incredible contestants would have America rooting for their success. I am thrilled that Katy, Luke, Lionel and Ryan will be back to once again embark on this 'Idol' journey with us to discover the next crop of inspiring talent."
Season 2?! WIG. We feel that already 🙌 pic.twitter.com/mfpmAqEepb
— American Idol (@AmericanIdol) May 4, 2018
" 'American Idol' 's return on ABC has shown once again that viewers love to discover and support raw talent," Trish Kinane, president of Entertainment Programming, FremantleMedia North America, executive producer and showrunner of "American Idol", similarly said in a statement. "Our new judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie have brought huge credibility, energy and fun to the show this year, and we are so excited to continue the journey with Ryan Seacrest at the helm in the search for the next superstar."
The returning cast also shared the news on social media. Katy Perry tweeted, "Y'ALL! I'm having TWO much fun to stop now... so why don't we keep it going!? EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE that @lukebryanofficial, @lionelrichie, @ryanseacrest and yours truly will be BACK with another season of #AmericanIdol on @ABCnetwork."
Y’ALL! I’m having TWO ✌🏼 much fun to stop now... so why don’t we keep it going!? 🚨 🔈EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE that @lukebryanofficial, @lionelrichie, @ryanseacrest and yours truly will be BACK with another season of #AmericanIdol on @ABCnetwork 🎤⤵️🌟 pic.twitter.com/WyhCHgYtDC
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) May 4, 2018
Luke Bryan said in a video posted on Twitter, "Hi, guys! It's Luke here and big news... 'American Idol' is coming back for season 2 and it's all because of you guys, the music fans out there for bringing it back. Thanks for tuning in this season. Keep voting on this season and we're so excited we get year two." He simply captioned it, "It's happening. Season 2."
It’s happening. Season 2. @americanidolpic.twitter.com/SsNJTLFF6p
— Luke Bryan (@LukeBryanOnline) May 4, 2018
Lionel Richie excitedly exclaimed, "YES! Let’s do it again! Excited for this journey to continue..."
YES! Let’s do it again! 🎉 Excited for this journey to continue... https://t.co/BDWbKk1tVI
— Lionel Richie (@LionelRichie) May 4, 2018
Ryan Seacrest added, "After a nationwide vote ... #AmericanIdol will be back for S2 on ABC! Can't wait to do it again with @katyperry, @lionelrichie, and @lukebryanonline!"
After a nationwide vote ... #AmericanIdol will be back for S2 on ABC! Can’t wait to do it again with @katyperry, @lionelrichie, and @lukebryanonline!
— Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) May 4, 2018
"American Idol" was canceled by FOX after 15 seasons. For eight of those seasons, the reality show became the highest-rated show on television. Its ratings gradually declined in its later years, partly because of the growing challenge from another singing competition series, "The Voice" on NBC.
ABC gave a green light to a 16th season of the long-running music competition last year. It premiered this year on March 11, but failed to match the success of its most glorious days. The new season debuted to 10.5 million total viewers with a 2.3 rating in the coveted demo. Its numbers then fell into a decline before it rebounded with the start of live shows and spiked with last Sunday's Disney-themed episode.
"American Idol" airs Sundays at 8 P.M. ET. The winner will be announced in a two-part season finale on May 20 and 21.
