Hosted by Ryan Seacrest, Season 12 features a new judging panel that includes Grammy Award-winning producer Randy Jackson, Grammy-winning recording artist Mariah Carey, singer-songwriter Nicki Minaj and four-time Grammy Award winner Keith Urban.

Seacrest and the judges traveled to Charlotte, Chicago, Long Beach, New Orleans, New York, Oklahoma City and San Antonio to audition contestants who will compete for the title of "American Idol."

Auditions begin in New York (Jan. 16 from 8-10 PM ET) and Chicago (Jan. 17 from 8-10 PM ET) on Fox. Audition episodes will also air Jan. 23-24 and Jan. 30-31. Hollywood Rounds will broadcast Feb. 6-7 and Feb. 13-14, and new Semifinalist Rounds in Las Vegas begin on Feb. 20 and conclude with a special three-night "Idol" event March 5-7.

"American Idol" is produced by 19 Entertainment, a division of Core Media Group, and FremantleMedia North America. The series is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, CEO, XIX Entertainment. Trish Kinane, FremantleMedia North America; Ken Warwick, FremantleMedia North America; and Nigel Lythgoe, CEO, Nigel Lythgoe Productions also serve as executive producers.

Numerous "American Idol" contestants have appeared on Broadway. Visit AmericanIdol.com.