AMERICAN IDOL CHAOS: Carrie Underwood’s Surprise Forces Producers Into UNEXPECTED Decision That Changes Everything
AMERICAN IDOL CHAOS: Carrie Underwood’s Surprise Forces Producers Into UNEXPECTED Decision That Changes Everything
American Idol’s iconic celebratory phrase “You’re going to Hollywood” won’t be as accurate for the upcoming season.
The hit reality competition is currently filming for its 24th season, which isn’t expected to premiere until next spring.
While this year won’t see any new surprises to the judges’ panel, that doesn’t mean the crew doesn’t have plans to shake things up in a different way. In fact, the next season will have “all different kinds of shakeups and changes.”
A source told The Sun that fans will see the first major shakeup just after auditions.
“The big one is Hollywood Week is going to look a lot less Hollywood,” the source revealed.
The show’s iconic Hollywood Week occurs just after all the contestants are announced. It is arguably considered the most strenuous week for singers as they face a series of challenges, like solo performances and group formations, and their first major elimination.
While the show usually uses a theater in the City of Angels as its backdrop, it has instead chosen to relocate to Music City for Season 24.
“The Hollywood Week tapings will be at Belmont University,” the source shared. “Production will film at the school’s Fisher Center in early November. They’re going to be calling it ‘Hollywood Week in Music City.’”
The new scenery came after American Idol landed “an overall filming partnership with the university.”
As part of their new partnership, the show filmed some auditions at Belmont University. Production also organized “special virtual auditions” for the school’s students.
The Nashville tie-in was allegedly inspired by Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan’s ties to the town. The Country Girl singer was discovered at a local club after a Capitol Records representative caught one of his sets. As for Carrie, she resides on a farm near the city and is a long-time member of the Grand Ole Opry.
“It’s an unprecedented move, but execs think it will pay off and be a fun change to a storied tradition,” the source added.
Last season, Hollywood Week was held at The Orpheum Theatre, which also held “a lot of sentimental value.”
When Carrie competed on the show in 2005, Hollywood Week was held at the same theater, making it the first place she had ever performed on a real stage in front of an audience.
She went on to win the competition and become a household name in the entertainment industry.
