AMERICAN IDOL returns to FOX for its 11th season on January 18, 2012.

Every year, tens of thousands of hopefuls from across the nation audition for a shot at stardom. The show’s judges travel across the country in search of the next AMERICAN IDOL. They winnow down the competitors to a select group of semifinalists who sing their hearts out each week in front of a studio audience and television viewers.

The judges have their say after every performance, but it’s the viewing public that determines who will advance to the next round of competition and who will go home. Voting via telephone and text-messaging begins immediately after each performance show, and the results are announced during the following night’s broadcast.

Eventually the competition is narrowed down to two finalists who compete for a major recording contract and the AMERICAN IDOL title. Past winners Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks, David Cook, Kris Allen, Lee DeWyze, Scotty McCreery, as well as fan-favorites Jennifer Hudson, Adam Lambert, and Chris Daughtry have all become household names and made their mark on the recording industry.

Emmy Award-winning AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive produced by Simon Fuller, Founder, 19 Entertainment; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; and Nigel Lythgoe, President, Big Red 2 Entertainment.

With his thriving broadcasting career and   multiple ventures, Ryan Seacrest is at the   forefront of the media and entertainment   industry. While hostingand producing   multiple television and radio programs,   building his Ryan Seacrest Productions   (RSP) banner into a leading television production company and managing ... [more]	Actress, entrepreneur, producer and singer   Jennifer Lopez has sold over 55 million   records worldwide and starred in multiple   box office No.1s, including “Monster-In-Law”   and “The Wedding Planner.” In 2001, “The   Wedding Planner” was the nation’s top-   grossing film, while her album, “J.Lo,” was No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart. The two ... [more]
Twenty-year music industry veteran and   Grammy Award-winning producer Randy   Jackson began playing bass guitar at   age 13 and got his big break when he   joined the band Journey. A prolific   producer, Jackson spent eight years   as the Vice President of A&R at Columbia Records followed by four years as ... [more]	Born Stephen Victor Tallarico in Yonkers,   NY, Steven Tyler is the iconic songwriter,   composer and voice of Aerosmith–America’s   greatest rock-and-roll band–and is   considered one of rock’s most recognizable   and dynamic frontmen. Rolling Stone has   named him one of the greatest singers of all time. After moving to Boston ... [more]