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'American Idol' fans call new format 'uber rushed' and 'disjointed' as ABC eliminates Duet Round for Season 22

Fans believe removing the Duets round from 'American Idol' season 22 was a mistake since it limited possibilities for breathtaking harmonies and creative collaborations

SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA: Fans of the reality singing competition series believe that 'American Idol' Season 22 made a mistake by removing the duets round, which was replaced with the Idol Arena round in place of the Hollywood Week solo and duets rounds. Hollywood Week has included a group or duets round since season one of 'American Idol'.

The singers were tasked with working with their fellow competitors to create a routine with amazing harmonies and thrilling choreography that would wow the judges, Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie, and move them on to the next round. Even though each competitor received a distinct score, the group dynamics were crucial as they dictated which competitors advanced further in the tournament.

During Season 18, the controversial group rounds were replaced by duet rounds, in which participants teamed together. This remained the situation until Season 22 when the Duets round was scrapped to make way for the Idol Arena.

During this round, just 56 of the 143 singers advanced to the next round, with 87 eliminated in the show's largest cut in history. Those 56 artists advanced to the Showstoppers round, where they had one more chance to show to the judges that they deserved to be in the Top 24.

On X, angry fans wrote, "So we don't even get to see all the top 24 performances? Cut all the sob stories and show the performances!" Another person asked, "how does everyone else feel about this new format?...idk i feel like its uber rushed & we don't really get to hear enough(if any) full performances...just feels very disjointed last night & tonite...."

One fan fumed, "how dare you not let me see a fraction of a second of kayko’s performance we are kayko stans in this household." A fourth person wrote, "Being robbed of Kaykos performance is crazy."

Others noted, "short-version. I miss the longer version, the various performances and watching the people grow, even the ones who don't go forward." Another added, "Yep..not a fan of this format. Just let them sing and then the suspense of the selections."  

Who's in the top 24 of 'American Idol' Season 22?

Here's who moved on to the next round at Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa on Oahu, Hawaii:

Abi Carter

Triston Harper

Odell Bunton Jr

Hailey Mia

Jennifer Jeffries

Jordan Anthony

Nya

Blake Proehl

KB

Jack Blocker

Roman Collins

Mia Matthews

McKenna Breinholt

Emmy Russell

Will Moseley

Ajii Hafeez

Sam "Kayko" Kelly-Cohen

Kennedy Reid

Elleigh Marie Francom

KBlocks

Jayna Elise

Julia Gagnon

Mackenzie Sol

Quintavious Johnson

Who was eliminated during 'American Idol's Season 22 'Showstoppers Week'?

Only a few of the ousted finalists received recognition in Episode 7. This is who we bid farewell to:

Micaela McCall

Scarlett Lee

Michael Rice

Anna Grace Hunt

Ziggy

Dawson Slade

Sophia Ava Marie

Justice Murphy

Nick Connors

When will 'American Idol' Season 22 finale air?

According to The Futon Critic, the Season 22 finale of 'American Idol' will air on Sunday, May 19, 2024. The live episode will last three hours, starting at 8 pm EDT and concluding at 11 pm EDT.

Katy's last performance on 'American Idol' Season 22 will almost certainly include an homage to her. 

'American Idol' Season 22 airs on Sundays at 8 PM ET on ABC