Keith Urban returns to American Idol to mentor the Top 3 on the finale
Country superstar Keith Urban will return to American Idol as a mentor for the Top 3 contestants during the season finale on May 21. Urban, who served as a judge on the series during its FOX run from seasons 12 through 15, will be back on the Idol stage both to offer guidance and to perform.
In addition to mentoring the finalists, Urban is scheduled to perform his 2022 single “Wild Hearts” during the three-hour finale broadcast. The network has indicated additional guest performers will be announced in the lead-up to the live event.
Urban’s return underscores his long relationship with televised singing competitions. Before joining Idol’s judges panel, he coached on several seasons of The Voice Australia and has stepped away from that role more than once—first when he accepted the Idol judge position in 2013 and more recently when he again left the Australian series. His experience as a coach and judge makes him a natural fit to mentor the final contestants as they prepare for the high-stakes finale.
Fans will recall Urban’s tenure on Idol began amid a dramatic season 12 lineup that included Randy Jackson, Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj. After that polarized season, Urban returned for seasons 13 through 15 alongside Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick Jr., helping shape a strong era for the show’s judging panel.
American Idol Top 5 will sing songs from the Disney catalog
Ahead of the finale, the Top 5 contestants will perform Disney songs on the May 14 episode, airing live coast to coast on ABC at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. After those performances, host Ryan Seacrest will reveal the results of viewer voting and announce which three artists will advance to the May 21 finale.
The Top 5 this season are Colin Stough, Iam Tongi, Megan Danielle, Wé Ani and Zachariah Smith. Each artist will face the challenge of reinterpreting beloved Disney material while showcasing the vocal and performance skills that earned them a place in the competition.
Executive producer and showrunner Megan Michaels Wolflick described the series’ cultural reach and its impact on aspiring singers. She noted that American Idol has grown beyond a television program into a platform that many young performers see as a major career milestone. According to Wolflick, the show has become a destination where artists train and aspire to compete, making Idol an enduring part of music and entertainment culture.
Keith Urban’s role as mentor for the Top 3 will bring an experienced musician’s perspective to the finale. His combined experience as a performer, songwriter and coach is likely to influence song choices, arrangements and stage coaching for the finalists as they prepare for the final performances that will decide the season’s winner.
As the season reaches its climax, viewers can expect a blend of competitive tension and polished live performances. The inclusion of former judges and established recording artists as mentors and performers helps create a finale that celebrates both the contestants’ journeys and the long-running legacy of American Idol as a launchpad for new musical talent.
Tune in on May 14 for the Disney-themed Top 5 episode and on May 21 for the three-hour finale, where Keith Urban will mentor the final three and perform live. The show’s producers will release additional details about guest performers and finale segments in the coming days.