American Idol, the original juggernaut reality singing series, will return to Foxtel for its final ‘farewell’ season ‘Express from the US’ in January 2016 on FOX8.
The fifteenth season will premiere in Australia with the rest of the world and feature returning judges Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick Jr, as well as host Ryan Seacrest.
The series, which sparked a flood of copycat shows around the globe, first aired in the US in 2002 and at its peak was watched by over 40 million people worldwide.
Some of the biggest superstars in the music industry today received their break on the iconic series, including seven-time Grammy winner Carrie Underwood, who has sold over 65 million records, three-time Grammy winner Kelly Clarkson, whose second album Breakaway went on to sell over 15 million copies, and the youngest Idol winner, 17 year old Grammy winner Jordin Sparks, who also co-starred in the movie remake of the musical Sparkle alongside legendary artist Whitney Houston.
Season three American Idol runner up Jennifer Hudson is the only contestant who received both Grammy and Academy Awards for her role in the movie Dreamgirls.
The show also boasted a superstar judging panel originally helmed by series creator Simon Cowell, Grammy Award winner and choreographer Paula Abdul and Grammy Award winning record producer Randy Jackson. During the following fourteen seasons the often controversial line up included comedian Ellen DeGeneres, Aerosmith lead singer Steve Tyler and duelling divas Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj, along with Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr.
American Idol returns in January 2016 only on FOX8.
