Sunday, February 9 is Oscar night on ABC, and American Idol will be part of the festivities. ABC will air a short Idol-themed special ahead of the Academy Awards and will also feature a music performance by contestants during the Oscar telecast. Below is what to expect from the American Idol programming on Oscar Day, including a preview special, a contestant spotlight, and a group performance created for the broadcast.
American Idol: Where Stars Are Born Special
Tune in at 4:00 PM ET / 1:00 PM PT on ABC for a half-hour special titled “Where the Stars Are Born.” If the format follows past Oscar Day Idol previews, viewers can expect judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan, along with host Ryan Seacrest and mentor Bobby Bones, to introduce and celebrate the season’s top talent. The short program typically blends interviews with judges and mentors, behind-the-scenes footage from auditions around the country, and highlights of standout contestants to build excitement for the season premiere.
The special often includes short audition clips and commentary about the contestants’ journeys, giving viewers a sense of the variety and vocal strengths in the new season. In addition to judge insights, the show commonly features updates on the reigning champion; in this case, Laine Hardy announced that viewers will see part of his post-Idol journey during the special. He teased a glimpse into his day-to-day life and hinted at footage that may include studio time, performances or excerpts from on-camera projects he filmed after winning the competition.
Laine shared on social media that fans might “see a familiar face” during the special and invited viewers to watch a segment that shows “a day in my life.” Whether the content consists of clips from a digital docu-series, studio sessions, or candid backstage moments, the inclusion of the current winner is intended to illustrate how Idol alumni continue their careers after the show.
What the preview offers: judge commentary, audition highlights, contestant spotlights, and a look at the winner’s post-show activities — all designed to build momentum ahead of the season premiere.
Watch for an American Idol Group Music Video During the Oscars
In addition to the early preview special, ABC will present an American Idol group performance during the Oscar telecast. Last year’s Oscar-night segment featured a compilation-style music video of hopefuls singing a popular rock classic; this year the show created a fresh piece centered on contestants performing Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer.”
The new video concept places the contestants on a tour-style bus with Ryan Seacrest apparently behind the wheel, creating a playful, cinematic homage to classic music-and-tour imagery. The production appears to nod to memorable road-trip and tour-bus moments from pop culture, offering a brief, polished performance piece crafted specifically for the Oscars audience.
Katy Perry encouraged viewers to watch for the segment, noting that Ryan Seacrest wears many hats and teasing that fans will see him in the role of bus driver for this special performance. She also mentioned that the Oscar telecast will include a sneak peek of this season’s talent, giving national viewers a chance to see a snippet of the new contestants in a high-profile setting.
The group performance is designed to be light, entertaining and accessible to a broad audience watching the Academy Awards. Fans who enjoy ensemble numbers and feel-good television moments can expect a brief, rehearsed showcase featuring several contestants and familiar Idol personalities.
The 92nd Academy Awards will air live on ABC beginning at 8:00 PM ET. American Idol’s new season is scheduled to premiere in February at 8:00 PM ET/PT on ABC, and the Oscar Day special plus the televised music video are intended to remind viewers to tune in for the full season kickoff.
Summary: On Oscar Day, catch the 30-minute American Idol preview special at 4:00 PM ET to meet judges, hear mentor and host commentary, and see highlights from auditions and the reigning winner’s post-show life. Later, during the Oscar telecast, watch for a contestant music video performance of Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer,” featuring a playful bus-themed sequence with Ryan Seacrest and a peek at the new season’s talent.