American Idol Season 24 is officially underway, but longtime fans quickly noticed something missing during the premiere night of auditions: the platinum ticket.
The platinum ticket was first introduced in Season 20 (2022) and has appeared in every season since. In previous years, three contestants received the coveted honor during auditions, earning a major advantage early in the competition. So why didn’t one appear during the Season 24 premiere?
As it turns out, the platinum ticket hasn’t been eliminated — it’s just getting a major makeover.
Are There Platinum Tickets in American Idol Season 24?
Yes, platinum tickets are still part of Season 24, but they will be awarded later in the competition, not during auditions.
ABC confirmed that the platinum tickets will now be handed out during a brand-new phase called the Ohana Round, which takes place in Hawaii once the competition narrows down to the Top 30 artists.
What Is the Ohana Round?
Announced on January 22, the Ohana Round introduces a fresh twist to the competition. During this stage, the Top 30 contestants will perform in front of industry tastemakers, including:
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Social media influencers
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Entertainment journalists
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Professional singers
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Other music-industry personalities
After the performances, three platinum tickets will be awarded — but this time, the decision won’t come solely from the judges.
Showrunner Megan Michaels Wolflick explained the idea to Deadline:
“The judges have the power right all the way up to America’s Vote, so I thought it’d be interesting to do some sort of focus group before that point to inform the judges of who people are responding to.”
https://youtu.be/OovbaVRiSIQ
Each group of industry insiders will choose their favorite performer, and those three artists will receive platinum tickets. Contestants cannot vote for themselves, adding another layer of suspense.
By the end of the Ohana Round, the competition will narrow from 30 to 20 contestants — the point at which viewers traditionally begin voting.
What Does the Platinum Ticket Do Now?
In past seasons, receiving a platinum ticket allowed contestants to skip the first and most demanding round of Hollywood Week, giving them time to rest while others competed.
With the platinum ticket now being awarded much later — at the Top 30 stage — it’s unclear exactly what advantage the recipients will receive this season. Fans can expect more details as the competition unfolds.
Who Has Won Platinum Tickets in Past Seasons?
Here’s a look at previous platinum ticket recipients:
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Season 20: HunterGirl, Kenedi Anderson, Jay
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Season 21: Cam Amen, Kaylin Hedges, Tyson Venegas
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Elijah McCormick later earned a fourth platinum ticket via fan vote
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Season 22: Odell Bunton Jr., Abi Carter, Julia Gagnon
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Season 23: Kolbi Jordan, Filo, Canaan James Hill
So far, Abi Carter is the only platinum ticket recipient to go on to win the competition, while HunterGirl finished as the Season 20 runner-up.
When to Watch American Idol Season 24
American Idol Season 24 airs Mondays at 8/7c on ABC and is also available to stream online.
