For those who are not aware of the vigorous process that “American Idol” contestants are subjected to, allow me to bring some enlightenment on the procedure of the program. 

Contestants begin with the audition section of the competition; this includes rehearsing and selecting two song choices to either virtually perform over Zoom, or perform live at the open call auditions. After each contestant is heard, producers select competitors to audition live for the celebrity judges: Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan. After the celebrity judges elect their ‘American Idol’ contenders, it is time to head to Los Angeles, California. 

It is Hollywood Week. Contestants, their families, the crew, the judges and the stagehands will make their way to the Dolby Theatre where the next 3 challenges will ensue. First up, the Genre Challenge; competitors will select a song from the options of Indie Folk, Pop, Rock, R&B, Soul and Country. After each contestant performs their song from their respective genre, the judges will call them to the stage and select competitors from each category to continue onto the next challenge: the Duet Challenge. 

The Duet Challenge consists of the remaining competitors being paired up; the celebrity judges will decide who makes a good match! Each group is given 24 hours to pick their song, rehearse with their partner and perform live. But just because one partner advances does not mean the other is given an automatic in. After each performance, judges will give live critiques on stage, and either send the contestant(s) forward to the Showstopper Round or send them home. 

Now, this is where it gets interesting… This year, producers opted to add a new challenge to the Hollywood section: the Showstopper Round. This was a two-episode segment that included contestants performing a solo with a live band as if it was their very own concert. Throughout the episode, the celebrity judges narrowed the number of contestants down to the top 24 in the ‘Final Judgement.’ The ‘Final Judgement’ consisted of the judges giving constructive criticism to each contestant before either advancing them to the next round or sending them home.

Luckily, many of ‘America’s Favorites’ were saved during Hollywood Week. As the next section of the show airs, at-home-voters will be able to select their top contestants from the list below: 

• Alana Sherman 
• Anilee List 
• Alanis Sophia 
• Alyssa Wray
• Andrea Valles
• Ava August 
• Brennan Hepler [A.K.A Beane] 
• Caleb Kennedy 
• Casey Bishop 
• Cassandra Coleman
• Cecil Ray
• Chayce Beckham
• Colin Jamieson
• Deshawn Goncalves 
• Grace Kinstler 
• Graham DeFranco 
• Hannah Everhart 
• Hunter Metts 
• Jason Warrior 
• Liahona Olayan
• Madison Watkins 
• Mary Jo Young 
• Willie Spence 
• Wyatt Pike 

Voters can submit up to 10 votes per contestant, per voting method. 

“You can vote online at idolvote.abc.com, in the American Idol app (links below) or via text*. You have to be at least 13 years old and located in the U.S., Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands to vote on ABC.com or in the American Idol app,” said a writer for ABC.Com.