American Idol is welcoming back some familiar faces in its upcoming “Hollywood Week: Genre Challenge” episode.
Several veterans are set to participate in the installment airing Monday, March 28 as part of the show’s ongoing 20-year celebration. Among the alums who are set to mentor contestants through the Hollywood Week leg of the competition are Jordin Sparks, David Cook, Lauren Alaina, Ruben Studdard, Chayce Beckham, Lee DeWyze, and Haley Reinhart.
SURPRISE! I’ve kept this secret for a few months…I’m coming back to @AmericanIdol as a mentor for #HollywoodWeek!⁰⁰I’m so glad to be back and I had an incredible time guiding some of the talented contestants!! Tune in next Monday on @ABC! pic.twitter.com/CZ62xExUXh
— Jordin Sparks (@JordinSparks) March 21, 2022
Meanwhile, fan favorites from auditions will take to the stage for the Genre Challenge, singing their hearts out in order to impress judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie.
As longtime fans will remember, Studdard, Sparks, Cook, DeWyze, and Beckham all went on to become their season’s winner of American Idol, meanwhile, Alaina was the second runner-up behind Scotty McCreery and Reinhart placed third behind her.
I am FLIPPING OUT to return to @AmericanIdol as a guest mentor for #HollywoodWeek! I’ll be mentoring the country genre! Tune in to Idol tonight to see who else joins us in Hollywood and I’ll see you next week on Monday, March 28 at 8/7c on ABC. #AmericanIdol pic.twitter.com/qcxqE5D7K7
— Lauren Alaina (@Lauren_Alaina) March 21, 2022
Despite only being in its fifth season at ABC, American Idol began its run on Fox back in 2002, when Kelly Clarkson was introduced as the first winner. In celebration of their inclusion in Hollywood Week, some of the vets took to social media to share the exciting news.
“SURPRISE! I’ve kept this secret for a few months…I’m coming back to @AmericanIdol as a mentor for #HollywoodWeek!,” Jordin Sparks rejoiced on Twitter.
Cook also teased his return on Twitter, posting, “Hey everyone, I’m returning to @AmericanIdol as a guest mentor for #HollywoodWeek! I’ll be mentoring the rock genre!”
Meanwhile, Alaina, who is set to helm the country genre tweeted, “I am FLIPPING OUT to return to @AmericanIdol as a guest mentor for #HollywoodWeek!”
American Idol, Sundays and Mondays, 8/7c, ABC
