'American Idol' Season 17: Show claims upcoming episode 2 will be 'one of the greatest auditions ever', but fans are skeptical

'American Idol' teased fans with a sneak peek of episode 2 claiming this would be one of the greatest auditions ever, but fans aren't buying the grand claim

Say goodbye to Wednesday blues as 'American Idol' is officially back, bigger than ever, with its 17th season. The season premiered Sunday with its first round of auditions. And sticking to its claims of being an emotional season, the series premiere delivered just that. 

Host Ryan Seacrest and judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie returned for the second year in a row to find the next singing sensation. The premiere featured 12 hopeful contestants who won a ticket to Hollywood. It featured auditions from locations in Louisville, Kentucky; Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Los Angeles, California; New York, New York, and Denver, Colorado.

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

The ‘All’s Fair’ cast return for a second season of divorce cases and personal drama. Here’s when new episodes arrive, where to watch and what to know about before the finale.
2026-11-04T16:46:27.000Z
'Batman: Knightfall Part 2' unveils a first-look clip as Azrael takes up the cowl after Bruce Wayne is left paralyzed by Bane.
2026-11-04T16:27:06.000Z
Owen Wilson returns to the green in ‘Stick’ Season 2. Here’s your guide to Apple TV’s weekly episode rollout, streaming details and finale date.
2026-11-04T15:48:30.000Z
'Trinity,' starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Richard Madden, follows a naval officer who suspects the US Secretary of Defense is at center of a conspiracy.
2026-11-04T15:21:56.000Z
An upcoming ‘Chicago Fire’ episode welcomes a familiar face from ‘Chicago Med,’ marking a One Chicago milestone.
2026-11-04T14:59:11.000Z
Milo Ventimiglia and Justin Hartley could reunite on 'Tracker,' with the show’s producers also discussing bringing 'This Is Us' stars together.
2026-11-04T13:58:31.000Z
After tracking down F.R.I.D.A.Y., Ultron presents himself as an ally
2026-11-04T08:47:31.000Z
'VisionQuest' reveals the Client's real identity, and it is deeply connected to Ultron
2026-11-04T07:14:07.000Z
'VisionQuest' features Paul Bettany playing three characters in Episode 7 titled 'Immolation'
2026-11-04T05:39:20.000Z
‘Phony’ episode 4 deepens the mystery surrounding Ellen’s identity as Sonny investigates rumors of a dead body buried in the woods
2026-11-04T03:54:30.000Z