"American Idol" Returns for Season Five on ABC and 20th Season Overall in the Spring of 2022
CHEVY CHASE, MD (September 14, 2021) - 4-H is going to Hollywood! On Friday, September 24, the award-winning singing competition "American Idol" on ABC will host a dedicated, virtual audition day with 4-H, the largest youth development organization in the country. Through this collaboration with "American Idol" and National 4-H Council, 4-H singers nationwide will audition over Zoom for a chance to become America's next singing sensation.
"We are so excited to collaborate with our friends at 'American Idol' to create this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for 4-H youth," said Ivan Heredia, SVP & Chief Marketing Officer, National 4-H Council. "This unique experience gives our incredible 4-H'ers the platform to showcase their talents and is an example of the many ways Cooperative Extension's 4-H program empowers young people to find their spark and pursue their passions."
Last season, Georgia 4-H alumnus, Willie Spence, was crowned runner-up on "American Idol" after delivering multiple powerful performances and wowing judges week after week. Hailing from Douglas, Georgia, Willie joined 4-H at age thirteen and became a breakout star of the 4-H performing arts group Clovers & Company.
"Competing on 'American Idol' was a life-changing experience that kick started my career in the entertainment industry," said last season's runner-up, Willie Spence. "There are so many impressive 4-H'ers who share my passion for music and performance. My message to all of them is to get out there and sing their hearts out at these auditions!"
To register for the 4-H Audition Day, visit https://bit.ly/Idol4H. Registration opened on Tuesday, September 14th at 9:00AM EST and closes on Friday, September 24th at 3:00PM EST. Full details on eligibility requirements, submission forms, terms and conditions are available at www.americanidol.com/auditions.
"American Idol" is produced by Fremantle and Industrial Media's 19 Entertainment. Executive producers include Megan Wolflick, also serving as showrunner, Fremantle's Jennifer Mullin and Trish Kinane with Eli Holzman and Aaron Saidman serving as executive producers for 19 Entertainment. Fremantle distributes the series worldwide.
ABC/Eric McCandless*
Georgia 4-H Alumnus Willie Spence covering Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come" during last season's "American Idol" finale on ABC.
4-H, the nation's largest youth development organization, grows confident young people who are empowered for life today and prepared for career tomorrow. 4-H programs empower nearly six million young people across the U.S. through experiences that develop critical life skills. 4-H is the youth development program of our nation's Cooperative Extension System and USDA and serves every county and parish in the U.S. through a network of 110 public universities and more than 3000 local Extension offices. Globally, 4-H collaborates with independent programs to empower one million youth in 50 countries. The research-backed 4-H experience grows young people who are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.
Learn more about 4-H at 4-H.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
"American Idol," the iconic series that revolutionized the television landscape by pioneering the music competition genre, will return to airwaves for another season on ABC. Helping determine who America will ultimately vote for to become the next singing sensation are music industry forces and superstar judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie. Emmy® Award-winning host and producer Ryan Seacrest will return to the beloved competition series as host.
Last season, ABC's "American Idol" ranked as the No. 1 series in its two-hour time period for the second year in a row among Adults 18-49. In addition, "American Idol" finished among the Top 5 unscripted series last season with Total Viewers (No. 4).
For more information on "American Idol," visit abc.com.
Follow "American Idol" (#americanidol) on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
National 4-H Council
Julia Majors
jmajors@fourhcouncil.edu
For more information about "American Idol" please reach out to the below:
ABC Media Relations
Michaela Zukowski
michaela.zukowski@abc.com
Fremantle Publicity
Gigi Stevens
gigi.stevens@fremantle.com
