Glimpse inside Upcoming Season 4 of 'American Idol' with COVID-19 Pandemic-Related Changes
"American Idol" is set to premiere its 4th season on Valentine's Day, and newly released trailers teased with a few changes and highlights fans can expect.
The start of the fourth season of "American Idol" is set for February 14, and three teaser clips exclusively shared by PEOPLE gave a glimpse into the upcoming highlights and changes.
The talent competition made history when it switched to remote broadcasting last year, and the new trailers show how "American Idol" plans on proceeding during these social distancing times.
ADAPTING
News of the popular television show's renewal came shortly before its third season's finale in May 2020, when the ABC show had already switched to remote broadcasts.
When news of talent competition's return first broke, it was unclear whether all the judges would return, since Katy Perry and her fiancé Orlando Bloom welcomed their first child and daughter, Daisy Dove, in August.
THE JUDGES AND HOST
However, Perry is back for the fourth season of "American Idol," and so are Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, with Ryan Seacrest as the host. Bobby Bones also returns as the in-house mentor on the show.
The return of all three the judges was confirmed in August, when the president of ABC Entertainment, Karey Burke, excitedly shared in a statement:
"No one who we feel more confident about leading us into a new season of high notes than Luke, Katy, Lionel, and the incomparable Ryan Seacrest."
"American Idol" conducted virtual auditions between August 10 and October 28 last year for the first time. But the pandemic also caused alterations to its weekly shows.
CHANGES
Each judge now has their own tables after previously sharing one long desk, from where they notably make use of famous quotes to bring inspiring messages across to auditioning hopefuls.
"Where there is love, I don't think you can go wrong," Lionel Richie mused words by Ella Fitzgerald in one of the clips. Bryan, however, had an experience he hasn't in years.
One of the contestant's performance drove both Bryan and first-time mom Perry to tears, a show of emotion Bryan said hasn't happened in four years.
Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom attend Ellie Goulding and Caspar Jopling's wedding on August 31, 2019, in York, England. | Source: Getty Images.
However, times are also changing for Perry, who transitioned into motherhood only a few months ago, and now sees Daisy as the most important part of her life.
Perry and Bloom previously balanced a busy career and private life, but now the dynamics changed as they welcomed their first child, making Daisy a top priority for them both.