Mark your calendars for Feb. 18 as American Idol returns for its 22nd season on ABC. The upcoming season will feature Jelly Roll and Tori Kelly, who will serve as guest mentors and perform during the long-running musical competition, as reported by Entertainment Tonight.
Jelly Roll’s Achievements and Grammy Nominations:
Singer-rapper-songwriter Jelly Roll was recently nominated for two Grammy Awards, for the all-genre Best New Artist accolade, as well as for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “Save Me” with his labelmate Lainey Wilson.
In November, Jelly Roll won his first CMA Award for New Artist of the Year. The Billboard cover star also earned three consecutive No. 1 Country Airplay hits in 2023 with “Son of a Sinner,” “Need a Favor,” and “Save Me.”
Meanwhile, his collaboration with Jessie Murph, “Wild Ones,” is currently at No. 35 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100.
Jelly Roll’s Previous Involvement with American Idol:
Of course, this isn’t Jelly Roll’s intro to Idol. Last year, he teamed with Wilson to perform “Save Me” on the American Idol finale. He also performed “Need a Favor” with Idol contestant Oliver Steele.
For Kelly, the upcoming appearance marks a homecoming of sorts, as Kelly partially launched her career through American Idol, making it through to Hollywood Week in season 9.
She went on to release her debut EP Handmade Songs in 2012 and has stacked up hits with songs including “Nobody Love,” in addition to “Never Alone,” featuring Kirk Franklin.
Location and Setting for Season 22:
In addition to top-tier mentors, this season’s contestants will see some sand and sun when the episodes featuring Jelly Roll and Tori Kelly tape in Ko Olina, Hawaii, as this year’s contestants perform seaside before judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie, as well as host Ryan Seacrest.
American Idol’s 22nd season will launch Feb. 18 on ABC.
