American Idol

The most-anticipated show in television returns for its ninth season with all-new contestants, a new judge and the best and worst of auditions. Hosted by Ryan Seacrest, television's No. 1 series promises to deliver the most unforgettable season yet as Ellen DeGeneres joins the judging panel to sit alongside Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi. This season, AMERICAN IDOL travels across the country to Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles and Orlando, where the good, the bad and the outrageous audition for their shot at stardom.

The auditions continue from Atlanta on the second part of two-night season premiere of AMERICAN IDOL as the judges continue their quest to find the next singing superstar.

The judges continue their quest to find the next singing superstar in the "Windy City."

The judges continue their quest to find the next singing superstar in the Sunshine State.

The judges continue their quest to find the next singing superstar in the Golden State with guest judges Avril Lavigne and Katy Perry.

The judges continue their quest to find the next singing superstar in the Lone Star State with guest judges Neil Patrick Harris and Joe Jonas.

The judges continue their quest to find the next singing superstar in the "Mile High City" with returning guest judge Victoria Beckham.

It is the last evening of the Season Nine auditions. Join Simon, Kara and Randy as they continue their quest to find the next singing superstar.

The judges make their final cuts tonight, and this season's semifinalists - 12 boys and 12 girls - are revealed.

The Top 12 female semifinalists take the AMERICAN IDOL stage for the first time to perform LIVE for the judges and for the nation. On this season's first night of voting, the contestants will sing their hearts out in hopes of winning America's vote and surviving another week in the competition.

The Top 12 male semifinalists sing their hearts out LIVE for America and the AMERICAN IDOL judges. After the performances, it is up to America to vote.

During the first LIVE results show of the season, four semifinalists - two girls and two boys - will be eliminated from the competition and sent home. Tune in to see if your favorites made the cut when the first four contestants are sent home after America's vote is revealed.

The 10 female semifinalists perform LIVE for America's vote. Tune in to see who sizzles and who fizzles in the "Top 10 Girls Compete" episode of AMERICAN IDOL.

The 10 male semifinalists perform LIVE for America's vote.

Four more semifinalists - two girls and two boys - will be eliminated from the competition and sent home tonight after America's vote is revealed.

The eight female semifinalists perform LIVE for America and the AMERICAN IDOL judges. After the performances, it is once again up to America to vote.

The eight male semifinalists perform LIVE for America and the AMERICAN IDOL judges. After the performances, it is once again up to America to vote.

The Top 12 finalists - six boys and six girls - take the stage to perform LIVE for the nation! After the performances, it is once again up to America to vote.

The Top 11 finalists take the stage to perform LIVE for the nation! After the performances, it is once again up to America to vote.

The Top 10 finalists take the stage to perform LIVE for the nation! After the performances, it is once again up to America to vote.

The nine remaining finalists take the stage to perform LIVE for the nation! After the performances, it is once again up to America to vote.

The nine remaining finalists find out who is safe and who will be sent home during the "2 of 9 Voted Off" episode of AMERICAN IDOL.

The seven remaining finalists take the stage to perform LIVE for the nation! After the performances, it is once again up to America to vote.

The Top 6 Finalists perform as they continue on their journey to try and become the next AMERICAN IDOL!

Last night, AMERICAN IDOL's Top 6 Finalists performed their hardest in hopes of advancing to get one step closer to becoming the next AMERICAN IDOL.

The five remaining finalists take the stage to perform LIVE for the nation! After the performances, it is once again up to America to vote.

The four remaining finalists take the stage to perform LIVE for the nation! After the performances, it is once again up to America to vote.

The three remaining finalists take the stage to perform LIVE for the nation! After the performances, it is once again up to America to vote.

The final two contestants take the stage to battle it out on the last performance show of the season at the NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles. One will be the next American Idol, and one will be sent home.