Los Angeles to Georgia: A Sudden Shift
The move, confirmed by Fremantle on Sept. 15, 2026, marks a dramatic change for a show that has been based at Red Studios Hollywood for more than 20 years. While ABC has not disclosed the reasons for the relocation, Fremantle declined to provide further details. The decision aligns with broader industry trends, as seen in the recent relocation of Fox’s The Masked Singer
from Los Angeles to New Jersey. Georgia offers a 20% Film Tax Credit for television production, with an additional 10% “uplift” credit for productions that provide promotional value to the state. To qualify, productions must spend at least $500,000 in a tax year. California also provides financial incentives, including tax credits under Version 4.0 of its Film & TV Tax Credit Program, which was expanded last year through Assembly Bill 11138 to include unscripted productions meeting budget requirements.
Familiar Faces and Ongoing Auditions
Season 25’s audition process, which began Aug. 25, has been conducted virtually across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., with open-call events concluding on Sept. 28. Contestants must be legal U.S. residents born between June 2, 1997, and Feb. 15, 2012. The show’s production team, including Fremantle and 19 Entertainment, is reportedly in discussions with a studio complex in the Atlanta area. The 25th season is expected to premiere in January 2027, though ABC has not yet set an exact date. Episodes will stream the next day on Disney+ and Hulu, with live shows available on Disney+.
Season 24’s Legacy and New Beginnings
ハーパーは、優勝から1時間後にUSA TODAYに対し、現在自分はまるで水たまりのようだと語り、家族がこの実現のためにすべての犠牲を払ってきたこと、もし夫がいなければ成し得なかったこと、そしてその夫は人生全体を犠牲にしたと述べた。
Hannah Harper, 『American Idol』シーズン24優勝者
Season 24 concluded on May 11, with Hannah Harper claiming the $250,000 prize and a recording contract. Harper, the first female country artist to win since Carrie Underwood in 2005, connected with audiences through her original song “String Cheese,” which addressed postpartum depression. 彼女は、自分と同じように感じている他の女性たちとつながることができると知って、それがすべてだと語った。 Harper’s victory followed a season in which the show’s judges—Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Carrie Underwood—returned. The 2026 season will be the first under the new production setup, with Fremantle and 19 Entertainment overseeing the Atlanta-based operations.
As “American Idol” prepares for its next chapter, the transition to Georgia signals a pivotal moment in its history, which launched in 2002 on Fox before moving to ABC in 2018.