“American Idol” Season 19 will premiere on ABC on February 14, 2021. Lionel Richie, 71, Luke Bryan, 44, and Katy Perry, 36, are back as the judges while Bobby Bones, 40, is back as mentor.

Because of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, aspiring contestants from all 50 states of the United States and Washington, D.C. were allowed to audition virtually via Zoom from August 10, 2020 to October 28, 2020. Those who auditioned in front of Richie, Bryan and Perry were selected by producers from open call auditions.

Ryan Seacrest, 46, is back as the “American Idol” Season 19 host. Here are some of the auditionees you should watch out for:

 

Claudia Conway

• age: 16
• hometown: Washington, D.C.

 

Grace Kinstler

• age: 20
• hometown: Chicago, Illinois

 

Nia Renee

• age: 17
• hometown: Little Rock, Arkansas

 

Benson Boone

• age: 18
• hometown: Monroe, Washington

 

DJ Johnson

• age: 18
• hometown: Longview, Texas

 

Anilee List

• age: 20
• hometown: Los Angeles, California

 

Jason Warrior

• age: 25
• hometown: Chicago, Illinois

 

Alex Miller

• age: 17
• hometown: Lancaster, Kentucky