American Idol
Season 14
Hosted by	Ryan Seacrest
Judges	Harry Connick Jr. Jennifer Lopez Keith Urban
Winner	Nick Fradiani
Runner-up	Clark Beckham
Finals venue	Dolby Theatre
Mentor	Scott Borchetta
Release
Original network	Fox
Original release	January 7 (2015-01-07) – May 13, 2015 (2015-05-13)
Season chronology
← Previous Season 13 Next → Season 15
List of episodes

The fourteenth season ofAmerican Idol, also known asAmerican Idol XIV, premiered on theFox television network on January 7, 2015.Ryan Seacrest returned as host, whileHarry Connick Jr.,Jennifer Lopez, andKeith Urban returned as judges.Randy Jackson stepped down as the in-house mentor and was replaced byScott Borchetta. Long-time sponsorCoca-Cola ended its relationship with the show.

Before the finale, it was announced that thefifteenth season would be the last of the reality show. Since the series began in 2002, it peaked in viewership at 30 million viewers per episode in 2006, slipping to 20 million viewers per episode in 2011, and down further since with an average of about 9.15 million viewers per episode in 2015.^[1]

On May 13,Nick Fradiani was announced as this season's winner, withClark Beckham as the runner-up.

The fourteenth season ofAmerican Idol featured a number of changes to its format. Former judgeRandy Jackson, who had served as a mentor on the previous season, left the show and was succeeded byBig Machine Records founderScott Borchetta.^[2] In May 2014,Ryan Seacrest signed a two-year extension to remain as host through 2016, which would be the show's final season.^[3][4] Long-time sponsorCoca-Cola ended its relationship with the series, and theFord Motor Company maintained a reduced role.^[5][6]

To evaluate their ability to perform in front of a live audience, the final 48 contestants participated in a private concert at theHouse of Blues inWest Hollywood before being cut to 24.^[5][6] Separate results shows during the top 12 rounds were discontinued in favor of a single two-hour broadcast on Wednesday nights, where the results from the previous week were revealed, similarly toSo You Think You Can Dance andDancing with the Stars.^[6]

A new feature was also introduced, where viewers could vote viaTwitter to decide which of the bottom two singers from the previous week would advance.^[7] Beginning with the top 9, the two contestants who received the lowest votes the previous week were revealed.^[8] The bottom two contestants then performed in exactly the same format as the safe contestants. However, after the performances were completed, the viewers only had five minutes to vote by Twitter; the contestant with the higher vote count would be safe and the other contestant would be eliminated.^[8]

The finale returned to theDolby Theatre, where five of the first six-season finales took place.^[9]

TheAmerican Idol "Audition Bus Tour" visited the following cities:Portland, Oregon;Portland, Maine;Reno, Nevada;Columbus, Ohio;Richmond, Virginia;Albuquerque, New Mexico;Amarillo, Texas;Myrtle Beach, South Carolina;Branson, Missouri;Tallahassee, Florida; andKansas City, Missouri.^[10]

Auditions took place in the following cities:^[10][11]

Hollywood week aired in four parts over two weeks. Contestants participated in three rounds: lines of ten, groups and solos. The judges also asked some of the most notable contestants to sing for them at the beginning of the rounds, surprising many of them, but they all advanced. After Hollywood Week, contestants performed in the Showcase round in front of a live audience at theHouse of Blues inLos Angeles.

The semifinals began on February 25, 2015, and were filmed atThe Fillmore inDetroit, Michigan.^[19] After the top 10 finalists were determined by the public vote, the judges chose two additional contestants to advance to the finals as Wild Card picks.

Color key:

Contestants are listed in the order they performed.

Contestants are listed in the order they performed.

• Nick Fradiani (born November 15, 1985) was fromGuilford, Connecticut.^[20] He and his girlfriend auditioned in New York City, and his golden ticket song wasPeter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes."^[21] In Hollywood, he sang "Babylon" byDavid Gray. He sangTrain's "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)" during the House of Blues Showcase, earning his spot in the top 24.
• Clark Beckham (born May 15, 1992) was fromWhite House, Tennessee.^[22] Beckham sangJames Brown's "It's a Man's World" during his audition. In his first solo performance in Hollywood, he sang Otis Reding's "Try a Little Tenderness". He advanced to the top 24 after he sang "Georgia on My Mind" byRay Charles in the House of Blues Showcase.
• Jax (born May 5, 1996) was fromEast Brunswick, New Jersey.^[23] She auditioned in New York City with her rendition ofthe Beatles' "I Want to Hold Your Hand". She also sang "Toxic" byBritney Spears during her first solo in Hollywood. For her final solo, she sang the Beatles' "Let it Be". She earned her spot in the Top 24 in the House of Blues Showcase after she performedLady Gaga's "You & I."
• Rayvon Owen (born June 27, 1991) was a vocal coach fromRichmond, Virginia.^[24] He auditioned inSan Francisco with his rendition ofKaty Perry's "Wide Awake." He sang "Ordinary People" byJohn Legend as his first solo and Otis Reding's "Try a Little Tenderness" as his final solo in Hollywood. He performedSam Smith's "Lay Me Down" in the House of Blues Showcase, earning his spot in the semifinals.
• Tyanna Jones (born August 8, 1998) was fromJacksonville, Florida. For her audition, she sang "Wings" by Little Mix. In Hollywood, she sangOlly Murs' "Dance with Me Tonight" as her first solo and "Try" byColbie Caillat as her final solo. She performedBeyoncé's "Love on Top" in the House of Blues Showcase, earning her spot in the semifinals.
• Quentin Alexander (born December 11, 1994) was fromNew Orleans, Louisiana.^[25] He auditioned in New Orleans with "Royals" by Lorde.^[26] In Hollywood, he sang "Riptide" byVance Joy. He sang "Youth" byFoxes in the House of Blues Showcase, earning his spot in the semifinals.
• Joey Cook (born March 30, 1991) was originally fromWoodbridge, Virginia, but had moved toNew Orleans, Louisiana, where she auditioned with "King of Spain" byThe Tallest Man on Earth. She sangMiranda Lambert's "Kerosene" as her first solo and "Across the Universe" bythe Beatles as her final solo in Hollywood. She earned her spot in the top 24 after she performed "Sweet Pea" byAmos Lee in the House of Blues Showcase. Her performance ofFancy during the top 11 was well-received by the judges and earned a standing ovation fromKeith Urban. She played theaccordion,ukulele,banjo, and themandolin during the course of the season.^[27]
• Qaasim Middleton (born January 13, 1996) was fromBrooklyn, New York. He auditioned in New York City with "Sir Duke" byStevie Wonder. He performedEd Sheeran's "Give Me Love" as his final solo in Hollywood. He sang "Satisfaction" byAllen Stone, earning his spot in the top 24 in the House of Blues Showcase.
• Daniel Seavey (born April 2, 1999) was fromVancouver, Washington. He sangLeonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" andPaula Abdul's "Straight Up" during his audition in San Francisco. In Hollywood, he sangEd Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud" as his first solo and Sheeran's "I See Fire" as his final solo in Hollywood. He performed "Straight Up" again in the House of Blues Showcase, earning his spot in the top 24.
• Adanna Duru (born October 10, 1996) was fromDiamond Bar, California. She auditioned in San Francisco withLady Gaga's "You & I." She performed "It's a Man's, Man's, Man's World" byJames Brown during the House of Blues Showcase, where she got standing ovation byJennifer Lopez and earned her spot in the Top 24.
• Maddie Walker (born December 23, 1997) was fromAnkeny, Iowa. She had previously auditioned in thethirteenth season, but was cut during the group round in Hollywood. She auditioned again in New York City withGwen Sebastian's "Suitcase." She sang "Already Gone" bySugarland as her first solo in Hollywood, and "Don't Ya" byBrett Eldredge as her final solo. During the House of Blues Showcase, she sang "Big Girls Don't Cry" byFergie. She was cut during the top 24 selection, but was called back by the judges, and subsequently earned a spot in the semifinals.
• Sarina-Joi Crowe (born June 27, 1995) was fromColumbia, Tennessee. She had originally auditioned in thetenth season, but was cut on the last day in Hollywood. She had also auditioned in thetwelfth andthirteenth seasons, where she was again cut. For her fourth appearance, she auditioned in Nashville with "Love Runs Out" byOneRepublic. She sangJessie J's "Big White Room" in the House of Blues Showcase, where she earned her spot in the top 24.

There were eleven weeks of finals with twelve contestants competing. At least one contestant was eliminated every week based on the public's votes, although the judges could veto one elimination through the use of the "judges' save."

Color key:

Contestants performed the songs they originally sang at their auditions, and are listed in the order they performed.

Contestants are listed in the order they performed. Sarina-Joi Crowe performed "Neon Lights," but the judges chose to not save her, resulting in her elimination. The judges did, however, choose to use their "judges' save" the following week whenQaasim Middleton was announced as the performer to be eliminated.

Nile Rodgers served as a guest mentor this week. Contestants chose songs featured in movies, and are listed in the order they performed.

Boy George served as a guest mentor this week. Contestants are listed in the order they performed.

Beginning the following week, viewers could vote viaTwitter to determine which of the bottom two contestants would be eliminated and which would be saved.

Kelly Clarkson served as a guest mentor this week. Contestants performed one song each fromher discography, and are listed in the order they performed.

Daniel Seavey performed "Breakaway," but he lost theTwitter vote and was eliminated.

Jason Derulo andFlorida Georgia Line served as guest mentors this week. Contestants performed one song each from theBillboard Hot 100, and are listed in the order they performed.

Qaasim Middleton performed "Hey Ya!," but he lost theTwitter vote and was eliminated.

Each contestant performed two songs.^[28] Contestants are listed in the order they performed.

Joey Cook performed "My Funny Valentine" and "Somebody to Love," but she lost theTwitter vote and was eliminated.

Each contestant performed two songs.^[29] Contestants are listed in the order they performed.

Quentin Alexander performed "Light My Fire" and "Shake It Out," but he lost theTwitter vote and was eliminated.

Martina McBride andJay DeMarcus served as guest mentors this week. Each contestant performed two songs: one representing a judge's hometown, and one representing their own soul.^[30] Contestants are listed in the order they performed.

Each contestant performed three songs: one chosen by mentorScott Borchetta, one dedicated to the finalists' hometowns, and one chosen by the judges. Contestants are listed in the order they performed.

Rayvon Owen performed "Want to Want Me", "As", and "You Are So Beautiful"; however, he was revealed to have had the lowest vote count from the previous week and was eliminated.

Each contestant performed three songs, one of which was chosen by producerSimon Fuller, and are listed in the order they performed.

Jax was revealed to have the lowest number of votes from the previous week and was eliminated prior to performing.

Color key:

National media outlets reported on an exchange between judgeHarry Connick Jr. and contestantQuentin Alexander, noting that Connick scolding a contestant was awkward.^[31][32] On the live airing of the top 6 show, there were three contestants who had not been saved when Alexander was chosen. After he performed, hostRyan Seacrest noted that he appeared to be upset. When asked, Alexander responded, "This sucks, we've got two of the best vocalists, my best friend [Joey Cook] sitting over there. This whole thing is whack, but I'm going to shut up right now." Seacrest then replied that it was a competition, and with the save anything could happen. After Alexander had left the stage, Connick Jr. said, "Quentin, if it's that whack, then you can always go home, becauseIdol is paying a lot of money to give you this experience and for you to say that to this hand that is feeding you right now, I think is highly disrespectful." Alexander was then prompted by the producers to return to the stage, where he approached the judges and clarified that he meant the two being potentially eliminated was whack, not the show nor the experience. Later, after performing his second song, he explained, "I understand that these things are going to happen, and I just didn't want my friend to leave" and apologized.^[33] JudgeJennifer Lopez empathized with Alexander's emotions running high, but said that as an artist, he would have to learn to work through that even when putting on a performance.^[34] Joey Cook commented after being eliminated on Alexander's statements:

I pretty much just told him what he did was beautiful, in my opinion, and it was the perfect representation of him. Quentin is a very emotional person. He’s very 'all cards on the table.' There is no sugar coating. He doesn’t hide his emotions. He’s honest. He’s a raw human being, and I think what happened last night was the perfect example of that and how emotional of a person he is.^[35]

The producers played up the exchange in whatMusic Times termed "what seemed like shady circumstances" to replay the incident throughout the week in show promos and at the beginning of the top 5 show.^[36][37] AnIdol source also stated that for fairness purposes, the judges and contestants had a strict wall of silence between them and only interact onstage so Connick Jr. and Alexander have not had contact since last week.^[36] Alexander was eliminated the following week with whatMusic Times questioned as possibly the first timeAmerican Idol "went into an episode with what seemed to be a very clear agenda."^[38]Yahoo's managing editorLyndsey Parker detailed many points that she argued wasAmerican Idol "throwing Quentin Alexander under the tour bus" referring to the idiom of"throwing [someone] under the bus" by sacrificing a friend as the show heavily promoted the summer tour, which only guaranteed that the top five finalists would be included.^[39] Included in her critique was that the show had aired the promotional video featuring the confrontation, which she characterized as "misleadingly edited" to boost ratings.^[40] She also wrote:

Throughout the evening, almost all of the contestants were lavishly praised, even though two of them actually messed up, one of them made a questionable lyrical change, and several of them had obvious pitch issues. Quentin’s perfectly solid “Light My Fire” received one of onlytwo negative critiques among the night’s dozen performances, and undeservedly so.

Parker also referenced a "backhanded and unflattering" exchange from Connick Jr. insinuating that Alexander neededAuto-Tune.^[39] She also noted that the "fan save" viaTwitter was handled uniquely in that contestantRayvon Owen didn't have a replay or critique until after a commercial break, while Alexander did not get the same treatment, and host Ryan Seacrest claimed Alexander had muttered "I give up," to which Alexander had to clarify that he had actually said, "I giveit up."^[39]USA Today echoed the sentiment stating that the awkward moments probably led to his elimination.^[41]

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The season premiere was watched by 11.2 million viewers; down 25% from the thirteenth season's premiere (which had an audience of 15.19 million viewers). However, it was up 6.3% from the thirteenth season's finale (which had an audience of 10.53 million viewers), the second time in the show's history^{[citation needed]}. Currently, the most-viewed episode this season was the "Minneapolis Auditions," which aired on January 21, 2015, and the episode with the fewest viewers tuning in was the "Top 7 Perform: Billboard Hits," which aired on April 8, 2015. This episode now takes the top spot as the least-viewed and worst-ratedAmerican Idol episode ever, with 6.58 viewers. The title was previously held by the thirteenth season's "The Final 2," which was watched by 6.76 million viewers on May 20, 2014.^[42][43] The average viewership in millions for the audition episodes was 10.84. The "Top 10 Perform: Movie Night" episode was moved to Thursday night, to make way for the two-hour finale ofEmpire. This season, there was a two part finale, with the first of two parts airing on Tuesday, May 12, 2015, at 9/8c. The second of the two-part-finale aired on Wednesday, May 13, 2015, at 8/7c.^[44]

• Music releases

The top five finalists performed in the American Idol tour that year.^[106]

• American Idol seasons
• 2015 American television seasons
• 2015 in American music

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