Its panel of superstar judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie will be back, as will OG host Ryan Seacrest and Bobby Bones as in-house mentor. The premiere episode is filled with surprises: A spontaneous duet between Bryan and high school student Alex Miller, Anilee List following in James Durbin’s footsteps as a contestant with Tourettes, Perry and Bryan cow tipping, Mario Adrion auditioning in a Speedo, and Kellyanne Conway’s daughter Claudia Conway singing for a ticket to Hollywood. It all needs to be seen to be believed. And maybe because of COVID-19 protocols, it is a big season for dads to turn up with their daughters and some to even get teary eyed as they watch their offspring sing. Following is a list of auditioners competing on Sunday night’s premiere episode. Many sang their way to a golden ticket to continue their American Idol journey, but just as many others got nos. Benson Boone, 18 Monroe, Wash. College Student Alex Miller, 17 Lancaster, Ky. High School Student Jason Warrior, 25 Chicago, Ill. Music Teacher Miranda Kitchpanic, 19 Seattle, Wash. Musician Kiko, 25 San Francisco, Calif. Registered Nurse Stelle Amor, 27 Louisville, Ky. Bartender Jessica Smalley, 28 Shelton, Conn. Photography Artist Ryan Romano, 15 Romeo, Mich. Student Anilee List, 20 Los Angeles, Calif. College Student Danica Steakley, 17 Gulfport, Miss. High School Student DJ Johnson, 18 Longview, Texas Student Nia Renée, 17 Little Rock, Ark. High School Student Christian Terry, 21 New Castle, Ind. Lube Technician Bella Lucarelli, 26 Loveland, Colo. English Teacher Keith Trump, 28 Carmel, Ind. Middle School Math Teacher Claudia Conway, 16 Alpine, NJ Social Media Influencer Mario Adrion, 26 Germany Model Grace Kinstler, 20 Chicago, Ill. College Student American Idol season 4 on ABC premieres on Sunday, Feb. 14.
