Just when you thought some of your favorite childhood memories were over – yellow Hollywood tickets, talented 16-year-olds that make you question your entire existence, calling toll-free numbers to cast your weekly vote and Daniel Powter’s “Bad Day” paired with a nostalgic video when your favorite contestant didn’t make the cut. Low and behold Seacrest pulled through.
Here are a few American Idol “remember when’s” to look back on as we ring in Season 15:
1. Cringing through auditions
Sadly, we will never be able to erase William Hung’s rendition of “She Bangs” from our memory. Bad auditions were always a staple of American Idol. Randy was never able to hide his laugh, Paula smiling in support and us waiting eagerly for Simon to lift up his hand in an unspoken “no thank you."
2. The trio
As much as we’re excited to bring the show back, let’s be real— Katy Perry doesn’t hold a candle to Simon. The dynamic was perfect between Randy’s catchphrases, Paula’s nice and Simon’s ice. And obviously, Ryan’s always our boy.
3. Kelly Clarkson's win
Season 1 started off strong when Kelly Clarkson took the judge’s chair during her own audition. We can never thank her enough for her finale performance and a true shower song classic, “A Moment Like This."
4. Carrie Underwood's awkward audition
Yes, the same girl who now sings “Jesus, Take the Wheel” also once admitted during her American Idol audition that she has a 3rd nipple. Hollywood definitely changes people.
5. Jennifer Hudson
Thank god for the show that gave us Jennifer Hudson. A Disney Cruise ship singer turned Dreamgirl overnight, where would we be without her?
6. Bo Bice's hair
For some reason, all of America was team Sanjaya from the very start. Does anyone even remember he auditioned for the show with his twin sister? Regardless of Simon’s shade, America spoke when the show’s ratings dropped 9% after Sanjaya said “sayonara."
8. Voter call-ins
We all can relate to writing down contestant numbers on a legal pad and the rush of calling the toll-free number on what was probably a landline. There’s not an app for that yet?
9. Our favorite theme song
As bittersweet as we are about the changes between season 15 and the hit of a TV show that was once American Idol, at least they still play the catchy not-a-song of a theme song that’s always stuck in our head yet seriously un-singable.
