American Idol will return with some brand new changes when it premieres its thirteenth season with a two-night event beginning tonight on Fox.

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"We've made a lot of small changes, nothing radical," Idol executive producer Trish Kinane said during a Television Critics Association press conference on Monday, according to TV Guide. "They're freshening changes that really add up to a fresh feel."

More than a handful of changes were revealed Monday to the press. "The Chamber" will be introduced during the show's initial audition rounds. Contestants will reportedly have a chance to stand in an enclosed vestibule before they sing in front of the judges for the first time.

"Some people pray, some people sing, some people look under their arms to see if they're perspiring," Kinane said.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Idol producers also will be doing away with its classic contestant "sob stories" in order to make the show more about talent.  

"We don't want to tug at the heartstrings where it's, like, 'Let's feel bad and vote for this kid even though he can't sing.' We want great stories and great people," a production insider told the newspaper.

Randy Jackson -- who will now take on a new in-house mentor role after previously serving as a judge on the panel since Idol's inaugural season back in 2002 -- will now reportedly lead a workshop for the auditioners between the typical Hollywood Week and the season's first live performance show.

"Randy is going to be hosting a two-day workshop," Kinane explained. "Randy is very much putting this together, and that will carry through to the live shows."

The workshop will allegedly train the singers to deal with emotional pressure, make smart choices when it comes to song selection, find their own personal style, and create an image for themselves as artists. The contestants will also receive performance tips, TV Guide reported.

The Reporter calls the workshop "boot camp" during which "America will really get to know the contestants before they vote for the first time."

The selection of the season's Top 30 finalists will reportedly be quick and painless rather than drawn-out this time around.

Beginning on February 18 and concluding on February 20, a three-night event dubbed "Rush Week" will determine the Top 15 female contestants and the Top 15 male contestants. America will then reportedly vote for the season's Top 10 finalists and each of the three judges -- Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr. -- will have the power to choose a "wild card" finalist.

The entire Top 13 will be revealed during the season's first live results show, and viewers can reportedly expect to hear more current and contemporary songs next season. Idol has been known for its "theme nights" over the years, often requiring its finalists to take on outdated Motown classics and such.

"We have a new approach to the music themes... where the kids can sing sings that they really relate to," new executive producer Per Blankens said, according to TV Guide.

Unlike last season's drama on the judging panel -- which involved mostly former judges Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey -- Idol host Ryan Seacrest reportedly insisted the new judges have wonderful chemistry together.

"They're fun. They're getting along. It's going to be great," Seacrest explained. "You want to see people having fun and having a laugh. It shines... it will be spectacular when we get to go live."

In addition, American Idol's thirteenth season will attempt to involve past finalists more and truly find an undiscovered star by taking things very seriously and not messing around. 

"Everyone shows up on time and there's no waiting around," a source told The Reporter. "They really do want to make sure to get a big one this year."

American Idol premieres Wednesday night at 8PM ET/PT on Fox followed by another two-hour broadcast on Thursday night at 8PM ET/PT.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

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