AI Winner Caleb Johnson poses backstage at the American Idol XIII 2014 Finale (Photo : REUTERS/Danny Moloshok)
"American Idol" 2015 is showing its Top 16 on Mar. 4 and 5 - one night each for the male and female 'Idol' hopefuls. Four males and four females will be eliminated from the current Season 14 Top 24, after the first voting results. Meanwhile, Aretha Franklin is this week's celebrity guest mentor.
From thousands of Idol hopefuls who lined up for quick auditions, Idol judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick, Jr have shrunken down the official contestants to Top 24. Public voting kicked off a week ago after the performances.
Here are the Top 12 Guys on "American Idol" 2015: Adam Ezegelian, 20; Clark Beckham, 22; Daniel Seavey, 15; Mark Andrew, 29; Michael Simeon, 21; Nick Fradiani, 29; Qaasim Middleton, 19; Quentin Alexander, 20; Rayvon Owen, 23; Riley Bria, 18; Savion Wright, 22; and Trevor Douglas, 16.
Here are the Top 12 Guys on "American Idol" 2015: Adanna Duru, 18; Alexis Gomez, 22; Jax, 18; Joey Cook, 23; Katherine Winston, 18; Loren Lott, 22; Lovey James, 17; Maddie Walker, 17; Sarina-Joi Crowe, 19; Shannon Berthiaume, 17; Shi Scott, 19; and Tyanna Jones, 16.
On Twitter, the verified account of American Idol showed a photo of "the Queen herself" Aretha Franklin with the Top 24. Franklin will perform a surprise number on the Mar. 4 episode of AI Season 14.
The 'Idol' theme of the week is Motown. The Mar. 4 and 5 episodes are the 17th and 18th AI episodes this year.
According to reports, the premiere episode of "American Idol" 2015 drew in around 11 million viewers. This figure is 25% down from Season 13's premiere, which enjoyed almost 16 million viewers.
