‘American Idol’ spoiler: Ryan Seacrest and Carrie Underwood hand out surprise platinum ticket on New Year’s Eve [Watch]
American Idol‘s 23rd season (and eighth edition on ABC) may not begin until March 9, 2025, but one contestant already has a huge advantage.
On New Year’s Eve, host Ryan Seacrest and new judge Carrie Underwood surprised a singer on live television by handing him a coveted platinum ticket. The moment took place during ABC’s broadcast of New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, which Seacrest has hosted annually since 2005. Watch the American Idol video below — that is, if you don’t care about spoilers.
In the clip, Seacrest called Underwood a “music megastar” and the “most exciting addition to the show.” As you’ll recall, she won Season 4 of American Idol on May 25, 2005, when she was just 21 years old, and quickly became a household name. More than 30 million people watched in real time as the country singer from Checotah, Oklahoma prevailed over aspiring rocker Bo Bice. Underwood’s winning song was “Inside Your Heaven,” which she performed while holding back tears at the Kodak Theatre as confetti rained down from above.
Judging the reality TV show has been “so much fun,” Underwood told Seacrest on New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. “There’s so much incredible talent.” The “Jesus, Take the Wheel” singer confessed that it’s a “full circle moment” for her, and that she was “honored to be a part of it.”
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Seacrest then introduced the viewers to Filo, whom Underwood claimed was “so good” and “amazing” in his audition, which will be shown on TV this spring. On his Instagram, Filo describes himself as a “singer, actor, and entertainer” with “new music coming soon,” and that he attended Berklee College of Music.
Every season during the audition round of American Idol, the judges get to bestow three outstanding contestants with a platinum ticket, which lets them skip the first round in Hollywood Week. Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie consulted off-camera, and they decided that Filo is one such contestant for Season 23.
“Right now, we are going to hand out a platinum ticket live!” Underwood screamed as the crowd behind her cheered. “So, on behalf of Luke, Lionel, and myself, this platinum ticket goes to Filo.”
The young singer seemed genuinely caught off-guard as he held the enormously comedic ticket in his hands. “What just happened? This is insane! Thank you so much,” Filo managed to say while tearing up.
Will Filo now follow in the footsteps of Season 22’s Abi Carter, who became the first person in American Idol history to win the show after receiving a platinum ticket in their audition? Stay tuned. (See the complete winners list.)
Note: Dick Clark Productions’ New Year’s Rockin’ Eve is owned by Penske Media Eldridge, a joint venture between Eldridge and Penske Media Corporation, which owns Gold Derby.
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