American Idol announces a star-studded "Great Idol Reunion" episode, which will bring back alumni as part of the 20th anniversary celebration.
American Idol announced a star-studded special episode called "The Great Idol Reunion," which will bring back alumni for its 20th anniversary season. The show has welcomed back alumni as mentors and performers many times in the past, including Simon Cowell's farewell during the season 9 finale in 2010 and the series finale of the show's original run after 15 seasons in 2016. The show has gifted the music industry with some of the most talented singers of their generation.
American Idol season 20 has already been a nostalgic trip back in time as Hollywood Week brought back finalists from the past as mentors for the "Genre Challenge." The group consisted of season 2 winner Ruben Studdard (R&B), season 6 winner Jordin Sparks (pop), season 7 winner David Cook (rock), season 9 winner Lee DeWyze (indie/folk), season 10 runner-up Lauren Alaina (country), season 10 finalist Haley Reinhart (soul) and season 19 winner Chayce Beckham, who gave general advice to the contestants. The show has also announced that season 10 contestant Jimmie Allen and season 16 guest duet singer Bebe Rexha will serve as mentors during this season in an episode filmed at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Hawai'i.
As reported by Deadline, American Idol will air "The Great Idol Reunion" on May 2 as part of its 20th anniversary celebration. Stars from the past 20 seasons of the show will pair up for a series of duets, including season 2 winner Ruben and season 6 winner Jordin, season 10 winner Scotty McCreery and runner-up Lauren, season 7 winner David and season 8 winner Kris Allen, season 17 winner Laine Hardy and fellow top five finalist Laci Kaye Booth, season 16 winner Maddie Poppe and runner-up Caleb Lee Hutchinson, and season 19 runner-up Willie Spence and third-place finalist Grace Kinstler.
As the show prepares to honor its rich musical history throughout the 20th season, fans have been excited to see which of their favorite contestants will return to the American Idol stage. Showrunner and executive producer Megan Michaels Wolflick said in a statement, "It’s a testament to this show’s incredible legacy that we are able to celebrate 20 years of American Idol in this extraordinary way. We are so thrilled to welcome back some of our most beloved alumni from over the years to reunite on the Idol stage. American Idol continues to create superstars just as it has done since 2002 and bringing back these Idol Icons is the perfect way to herald the next generation." As the newest group of contestants looks forward to their musical futures, the show calls on its storied past for inspiration.
So far, American Idol season 20 has been a real treat for long-time fans of the show. The duets between some of the most beloved contestants ever to take the Idol stage are sure to be legendary. "The Great Idol Reunion" will be a spectacular way to showcase 20 years of talent on American Idol.
American Idol airs Sundays & Mondays at 8 p.m. EDT on ABC.
Source: Deadline
