American Idol has announced pop icons Alanis Morissette and Ed Sheeran will be serving as guest judges, filling in for regular judges Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, next week.
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Grammy Award winners Alanis and Ed will be sitting on the judging panel next to Luke Bryan for American Idol's upcoming episode Sunday, May 7 at 8PM ET/PT on ABC.
"Next week, some huge happenings! Lionel and Katy are off to the UK to perform at the historic coronation of King Charles III. What an honor. Congratulations. Amazing," American Idol host Ryan Seacrest said towards the end of Monday night's live broadcast on ABC.
"You're going to check in with us live from there, Windsor Castle, as well. But who will be guest judging here in the studio? We're going to have people in your seats. Want to find out who it's going to be?"
Alanis then checked in with the American Idol audience via Zoom chat and revealed she will be doubling as a guest judge and mentor of Season 21's Top 8 contestants.
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"I am so excited to be mentoring you and hearing your interpretations of my songs," Alanis said with a big smile.
"I can't wait to hear them. And surprise! I'm going to be guest judging with Luke as well. So I can't wait to see you next week."
Ryan went on to share that Alanis will also be performing on the show.
"But who else will be joining Alanis and Luke at the table?" Ryan teased. "You know, honestly, I'm getting shivers."
Ed then delivered a video message of his own to American Idol fans.
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The hitmaker and musician said, "Hey Ryan, thank you so much. And hello to all the Idols. I can't wait to guide you through this stage of the competition and your career."
"This is the first time I've done this on American Idol," Ed continued. "I can't wait to take the iconic American Idol stage and, yeah, mostly I'm just looking forward to meeting all of you and talking through life and music."
"I hope you have a great time," he concluded, "and I'll see you very, very soon."
As Ed spoke, the Season 21 contestants noticeably jumped up and down, cheered and celebrated his participation.
Ryan pointed out how the American Idol cast was thrilled and "got vertical" over the news.
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Ryan also revealed of what's to come on American Idol: "The finalists will be teaming up for some special duets of [Ed]'s songs, and he'll be taking the stage with his current hit 'Eyes Closed.' It's going to be a night to remember next Sunday on American Idol!"
Ryan urged viewers, "Do not miss it!"
Lionel and Katy's participation in King Charles III's coronation concert on the grounds of Windsor Castle on May 7 was announced last month.
Lionel and Katy are set to sing along with Take That, Andrea Bocelli, Bryn Terfel, Freya Ridings, and Alexis Ffrench.
"We are bringing the nation together for this once in a generation occasion, broadcast exclusively across the BBC live from Windsor Castle," Charlotte Moore, the BBC's chief content officer, said in a mid-April statement.
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"We have a world-class line-up of performers to look forward to for what promises to be a very special night of celebration and entertainment."
Charles inherited the throne when his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, died on September 8 at age 96. She passed away after a 70-year reign as Queen of the United Kingdom.
The Top 8 contestants who will get to meet Alanis and Ed include Colin Stough, an 18-year-old Hvac technician from Amory, MS; Haven Madison, a 16-year-old high school student from Clarksville, TN; Oliver Steele, a 25-year-old musician from Mount Juliet, TN; and Iam Tongi, an 18-year-old high school student from Kahuku, HI.
Megan Danielle, a 20-year-old server from Douglasville, GA, will also compete on the next episode, along with Warren Peay, a 24-year-old appliance repair technician from Bamberg, SC; We Ani, a 23-year-old performer from Harlem, NY; and Zachariah Smith, a 19-year-old grill cook from Amory, MS.
American Idol will then return on Sunday, May 14 at 8PM ET/PT with the Top 5 contestants performing songs from the iconic Disney songbook.
Home viewers will vote that evening for the Top 3 contestants who will go on to compete in the season finale.