American Idol

American Idol is a FOX reality show where contestants sing to compete for a $1 million recording contract. Contestants are eliminated if they receive the lowest vote total from the American public each week.

The series has launched the careers of several notable artists throughout the years including first-season winner Kelly Clarkson, country singer Carrie Underwood and pop singer Adam Lambert.

Judging Changes

Prior to the ninth season of Idol, original judge Simon Cowell announced that he would leave the show after the season. Cowell, along with fellow original judge Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi and Ellen DeGeneres, served as the judges for the ninth season.http://www.americanidol.com/

In the summer of 2010, Ellen DeGeneres announced that she was leaving the program. Around the same time, reports circulated that Kara DioGuardi was released from her contract, leaving Randy Jackson as the only judge confirmed to return for a 10th season.http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/entertainment/american-idol-judges-not-signed-and-betty-white-visit-zwecker-entertainment-20100803 Since the news broke of judging changes, rumors circulated that a number of artists and personalities had been approached to join the show, including Steven Tyler from the rock band Aerosmith and Latin pop singer and actress Jennifer Lopez. Other names, including Jessica Simpson, Diddy, Elton John, Bret Michaels and Howard Stern were also said to be in the mix for a judging position.http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31749_162-20012125-10391698.html

Season Nine

The ninth season of American Idol began on January 13, 2009.http://www.americanidol.com/news/view/?pid=1500 On May 26, 2009, Lee Dewyze beat Crystal Bowersox to become the 2010 American Idol.http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/28/arts/television/28winner.html

Season 10 Audition Locations

Nashville, Tennessee
New Orleans, Louisiana
Jersey City, New Jersey
San Francisco, California

The Audition Process

Contestants audition for the four judges in different towns and cities throughout the United States and Puerto Rico in hopes of earning a "Golden Ticket" to Hollywood.
An online component is being added to the process for season 10 with a MySpace audition.
Once in Hollywood, "Golden Ticket" winners compete against each other before being reduced to the judges' choice of the top 24.
From there, contestants go on the live show and are narrowed down to the top 12 by a vote of the American public.
Each week contestants are eliminated until the winner is revealed during the finale.
The top 10 contestants go on a summer-long tour of the United States.