Brokaw: ‘American Idol’ returns Sunday for 20th season | News, Sports, Jobs

For the 20th season, “American Idol” has added an additional element. They are bringing in Platinum Tickets. These identify the best of the best. During a press conference, judge and pop star Katy Perry said three platinum tickets would be given out at each location.

“We identified the best talent in each place, and we basically give them this ticket, because usually all of our tickets are gold. And, so, this ticket gives them the ability to go to Hollywood Week, which we’ve already filmed, and was so rigorous and survival of the fittest and they get to basically observe from the box seats at the theater,” Perry said. “One day, they get to rest their voice, strategize, check out the competition, and select who they want a duet with. So, usually, it’s either they get to select in seasons past, or lately we’ve been selecting who people can duet with. But these three ticket holders, they get to select. So, they get, like, a tiny advantage just because they’re the cream of the crop.”

When asked how they decided on who was to get a Platinum Ticket, judge Lionel Richie explained, “For me, it was just the fact that they’re just naturals. You know what I mean? Some people just walk out and they are stars. They have all the boxes ticked. You know, stage presence, delivery, their sound, what’s their style, they have it all there. So, when they open their mouths, you know exactly who they are, the artist. It just rings that bell. And when that happens, you give them the platinum ticket as fast as you can.”

Judging is not an easy task for Perry, Richie and Luke Bryan. There are many aspects that they take into consideration. They think about the songs the performers select, as well as their style in interpreting them. And, of course, they judge their talent.

Each of the judges has been in the shoes of the contestants in some way or another. Perry recalled her rough beginning in the entertainment industry. “The [hard] thing for me was probably hearing ‘no’ so many times and then still betting on myself and believing after having three record deals and being dropped and two cars repossessed and sleeping on couches and eating Trader Joe’s chicken tenders for, like, a year and a half. That was not that hard, but it was all a part of the process.”

“I came from a group situation,” Richie chimed in. “So I could take the ‘nos’ a lot better because there were five other guys that took the ‘nos’ with me. But this one thing that you just cannot overlook and that’s the time you have to put in. And there’s always that moment where you say, ‘I’m ready.’ And we hear these kids on ‘American Idol’ say so many times ‘I’m ready. I’m 15 years old. I’m ready to go.’ And we’re saying, ‘No, you’re not.’”

Bryan said his beginning was tough in the sense that there were so many levels to conquer for him. “You move to Nashville. Then you have to conquer Nashville. Then you have to go get a record deal. And constantly, no matter what you do, you’ve always got to reinvent yourself and take it to the next level. And each stress of that next level, gosh, was always very, very challenging, and that’s what so many of these kids don’t realize, that the stress never ends.”

The judges were all excited about this new season and eager to showcase the talent that will appear during season 20. This is a long-running show that has produced many great performers who continue to entertain and whose careers are A-list: Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Clay Aiken, Kellie Pickler, Jennifer Hudson, and many more. So, who will come out of season 20? Time will tell. “American Idol” returns Sunday on ABC.

Newsletter