Season 16

Pre Auditions
These auditions were held across the US, from California to New York, in which people auditioned for the producers. They can either send a video or come in person.

Auditions
Auditions were held in New York City, Los Angeles, Savannah, Nashville, and New Orleans, with the most in New York City. The contestants would perform in front of the judges and would either get a ticket to Hollywood or be sent home (eliminated).

Judges
Judges were newcomers, Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie.

Hollywood Week
Hollywood Week consisted of 175 contestants. Each contestant performed 3 songs, which was a solo, a group performance with 3-4 other contestants, and then another solo. People were eliminated in lines of 10. By the end of Hollywood Week, there was only 70 contestants. At the end, the 70 were separated into 3 rooms, with 2 rooms going on to the next round, and 1 being eliminated. All this made the Top 50 contestants.

Showcase Round & Final Judgement
The Top 50 contestants performed in front of a live audience in Exchange, LA, which was a nightclub. At the end, judges Katy, Lionel and Luke talked with each contestant to determine if they did good to go on, or if they have to go home. At then end, the Top 50 was narrowed down to the Top 24.

Top 50 Contestants List:

Top 24 Solos & All-Star Duets
After the Top 24 were revealed, the Top 24 went to Academy in the Heart of LA, and performed in front of an audience as well as the judges. The Top 24 were split into two groups of 12, and each contestant performed a solo for the judges, and then paired up with a celebrity to perform a duet. Celebrities included: Banners, Aloe Blacc, Bishop Briggs, Cam, Colbie Caillat, Luis Fonsi, Andy Grammer, Lea Michele, Patrick Monahan, Rachel Platten, Bebe Rexha, Sugarland, and Allen Stone. After all the performances, it was revealed the fate of each contestant, in which 7 were chosen from the first group to advance to the Top 14, and 7 from the second group.

Top 24 Songs and Contestants List:

Group 1: April 8th & 9th, 2018 Group 2: April 15th & 16th

Top 14 Performances (Live Performances Begin)
After the Top 14 were revealed, the Top 14 went to the American Idol Live Stage, and performed in front of a live audience and the judges, and will do so until the finale. The audience had a chance to vote who would advance to the Top 10, and would be eliminated. This began the live performances and voting.

The Top 14 performances were taped on April 21st, 2018 and aired on April 22nd, 2018. After the performances, the live results were revealed live on April 23rd, 2018. The contestants with the Top 6 highest number of votes automatically advanced to the Top 10, and performed a victory song. The other 8 contestants were not chosen to go directly to the Top 10, and were left to perform in the danger zone in front of the judges. The judges then picked four contestants to advance to the Top 10, while the other four were eliminated.

Disney Night (Top 10)
After the grueling wildcard live show, the Top 10 were revealed, and now the Top 10 will perform Disney songs from the films, which was on April 29th, 2018. The Top 7 were revealed at the end. Idina Menzel served as a mentor for the night. Katy Perry performed “When You Wish Upon A Star” from Pinocchio, with the Top 10.

Prince Tributes & Birth Year Songs (Top 7)
The Top 7 performed Prince songs and songs form their birth year on May 6th, 2018. This was the first time the contestants performed 2 songs in one night. The Top 5 were revealed after. Nick Jonas served as mentor for the night.

Carrie Underwood Night & Mother’s Day Tributes (Top 5)
The Top 5 performed songs by Carrie Underwood and songs for their mother’s on May 13th, 2018. The Top 3 were revealed after, and they would head to the finale. Carrie Underwood was mentor for the week. The Top 5 performed “See You Again” with Carrie Underwood.

Carrie Underwood performed “Cry Pretty” that night.

Winner‘s Single/Reprise Song/Hometown Dedication (Top 3)
The Top 3 performed 3 songs, an original, a song they have sang earlier in the season and a dedication to their hometown. After all 3 performances, the Top 2 were revealed, followed by performances by celebrities and others. After all performances, the winner of Season 16 was crowned. Performances included people such as Nick Jonas, Bebe Rexha, Yolanda Adams, and Kermit the Frog. Performances by past contestants included people such as Ada Vox, Catie Turner and Harper Grace. Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan performed some songs as well.