American Idol announces upcoming guests, including Noah Thompson, HunterGirl, Smokey Robinson and Adam Lambert
American Idol has revealed the musical guests and a special mentor lineup for the coming weeks of Season 21. Featured performers and contributors include Motown legend Smokey Robinson, last season’s winner Noah Thompson, runner-up HunterGirl, and Season 8 alum and acclaimed vocalist Adam Lambert.
The competition continues with the Top 26 performances scheduled for Sunday, April 16 and Monday, April 17, after which America will cast votes to determine which contestants advance. Those votes will be tallied and revealed during a special three-hour episode on Sunday, April 23 that will unveil the Top 20. That episode will also include live performances by last season’s champion, Noah Thompson, and runner-up, HunterGirl, alongside a performance by Smokey Robinson, who is set to sing material from his new album Gasms. The taping for that broadcast is planned for Wednesday, April 19 in Los Angeles.
Beginning Monday, April 24, the live rounds officially start. The Top 20 will return for another three-hour broadcast where the field will be narrowed to the Top 12. The selection process will combine audience votes with judges’ decisions, as America chooses ten advancees and the judges select two wildcards to complete the Top 12.
Adam Lambert to mentor the Top 12
On the following Sunday, April 30, the show will honor Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame artists with a themed episode, and Season 8 alum Adam Lambert will serve as the guest mentor for the Top 12. Lambert will work directly with the contestants as they prepare their performances under the “Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame” theme. After the performances and judging, the show will reveal the Top 10 who move forward in the competition.
Adam Lambert first rose to national prominence as the runner-up on American Idol in 2009. Since then, he has returned to the program several times in guest roles, offering mentorship and judging contributions. During the Fox run of the show he participated in a “Boot Camp” for Season 13 alongside Season 5 alumnus Chris Daughtry, helping to mentor contestants preparing for the next stages of the competition. He also filled in on the judges’ panel in Season 14 and later returned as a guest mentor for a Queen-themed episode in the ABC era during Season 17 in 2019. His ongoing involvement highlights a continuing relationship with the franchise and a commitment to supporting emerging singers.
These next episodes mark a pivotal stretch of the season where performance quality and strategic coaching will be decisive. With established artists appearing as performers and mentors, contestants will have the opportunity to learn from seasoned professionals on the national stage. Viewers can expect a mix of emotional eliminations, standout vocal moments, and collaborative mentorship that often defines the live rounds of the series.
As the live shows proceed from the Top 20 to the Top 12 and beyond, each themed week brings fresh challenges and chances for contestants to demonstrate range, creativity, and stage presence. The involvement of high-profile guests such as Smokey Robinson and Adam Lambert, along with performances by recent American Idol finalists like Noah Thompson and HunterGirl, adds both prestige and inspiration to the competition. Fans of the series can look forward to energetic performances, expert mentorship, and the unfolding drama of live voting as the season advances toward its finale.