AMERICAN Idol finalist Kellie Pickler has been announced as one of the guest performers on the show’s upcoming episode.
The long-running singing competition series is entering the semifinals for Season 24 with its Top 5 contestants on Monday.
It was revealed on Wednesday’s installment of the show’s official companion podcast that several former American Idol finalists are set to return to the stage for the special night, including Kellie.
“Next week, we will see your top five perform,” host Danielle Fishel said on the podcast.
“We are going to party like it’s 2006 when some of the favorite top 10 finalists from that historic season will return to duet with this season’s top five.”
Also taking the stage are Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks, and finalists Paris Bennett, Elliott Yamin, and Bucky Covington.
Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson, who were the competition’s original judges, will also appear in the episode.
Kellie, 39, finished in sixth place that season, which aired in 2006.
She has since blossomed as a successful country artist, though she’s taken a break from the limelight following her husband’s sudden death in February 2023.
Kellie’s husband, Kyle Jacobs, took his own life at 49.
“One of the most beautiful lessons my husband taught me was in a moment of a crisis, if you don’t know what to do, ‘do nothing, just be still.’ I have chosen to heed his advice,” the singer said in a statement about her husband’s passing.
“Thank you to my family, friends, and supporters, for the countless letters, calls, and messages that you have sent my way.”
Kellie continued, “It has truly touched my soul and it’s helping me get through the darkest time in my life. As many of you have told me, you are all in my prayers.”
The Red High Heels singer returned to the stage for the first time after his death in April 2024.
She performed at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville as part of the Walkin’ After Midnight tribute to the late Patsy Cline.
“How we doin’ tonight, y’all? I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’m incredibly nervous right now,” Kellie could be heard telling the crowd via a TikTok shared by an audience member.
“It’s been the first time I’ve been up on stage in a while,” she added.
Kellie married her late husband in 2011, four years after meeting in a Nashville bar.
During a 2016 appearance on The Real, Kellie gushed over the songwriter and revealed they connected through their love of music.
“We started writing songs the next day, and then we got hitched, well, that happened a few years later,” the I Wonder singer said.
Kyle was a country music artist, songwriter, guitarist, and pianist.
He notably co-wrote the Garth Brooks hit More Than a Memory and worked with other big-name artists, including Tim McGraw, Darius Rucker, Kelly Clarkson, Jo Dee Messina, Trace Adkins, Scotty McCreery, and Clay Walker.
American Idol airs on Mondays at 8:00 p.m. EST on ABC and is available to stream the next day on Hulu and Disney+.
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