Taping was suspended after the top 19 were revealed and the contestants were sent home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[6] The show resumed production in late April, with the on-air talent and contestants filming from their homes.[7] The stay-at-home and social-distancing mandates, according to Billboard, compelled producers "to get very, very creative this time around to keep season 18 afloat amid the most challenging conditions in show history."[7] Up to forty-five remote sites were used and each contestant was treated equally, with access to similar equipment and resources.[7] Segments were usually taped a day in advance, except for the judges' critiques and voting results, which aired live.[7]
On May 17, 2020, Just Sam was crowned as the winner, with Arthur Gunn finishing as the runner-up.[8]
Hollywood week was filmed December 2–5, 2019, at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles.[17] There were several changes in format this season. In the first round, each contestant chose and performed a song from a selection of musical genres (pop, rock, R&B, soul, country, or singer-songwriter). Those who impressed the judges and the producers were advanced to the next round. Instead of group performances as had been done in previous seasons, contestants paired up and performed duets. They were given twelve hours to rehearse, which included a session with a vocal coach and a stage rehearsal. Judges could advance either, neither, or both of the contestants to the next round, where they performed their final solos before advancing to the Showcase round.
Showcase round
The Showcase round aired on March 29 and April 5, and featured the top 40 performing for the judges and a live audience at Disney's Aulani resort in Kapolei, Hawaii. The following day, the judges narrowed the number of contestants down from 40 to 20. The following is a list of the first nineteen contestants who reached the top 20 and the song they performed at the Showcase. For the twentieth and final spot, Grace Leer and Lauren Mascetti's result was determined by a vote from the public, which was revealed on April 19. Contestants are listed in the order they performed.
After a short hiatus, production resumed and all contestants performed remotely due to safety measures in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, Ryan Seacrest and the judges were also broadcast from their homes.
Color key:
This contestant was saved by America's vote.
This contestant was not chosen by the public, but was chosen by the judges as a Wild Card pick.
This contestant was eliminated.
This contestant won American Idol.
This contestant was the runner-up.
This contestant finished as a finalist in the finale.
Top 20 (April 26)
The ten contestants who received the most votes continued on, while the judges were granted a one-time judges' save, which they used to save Makayla Phillips from elimination.[20] Contestants are listed in the order they performed.
Each contestant performed two songs: one song from a Disney movie, and one song in honor of Mother's Day. Contestants are listed in the order they performed.
