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‘American Idol’ Suspends Production Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic is not only affecting tours and festivals, it’s also forcing shows like American Idol to suspend production….

Lauren Jo Black

| Posted on

March 19, 2020

Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, Luke Bryan; Photo by ABC/Eric McCandless

The coronavirus pandemic is not only affecting tours and festivals, it’s also forcing shows like American Idol to suspend production.

According to reports, production of Idol has completely stopped and contestants have been sent home. The move comes just two weeks before the show’s live shows were set to begin.

Previously taped episodes will continue to air on ABC, however, the fate of the current season remains unknown at this point.

The Bachelorette, The Kelly Clarkson Show and Stranger Things are just a few of the ever-growing list of shows that have suspended production in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak.

American Idol producers will reportedly “examine things on a week to week basis” moving forward.

Until then, fans can tune in to American Idol Sunday and Monday on ABC at 8/7c.

Written by

Lauren Jo Black

Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.