Keke Palmer, Brad Paisley named guest mentors for 'American Idol'

The two stars will appear on upcoming episodes of the singing competition series.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 7:55am

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Singer-actress Keke Palmer and country music star Brad Paisley have been named as guest mentors for two upcoming episodes of the 24th season of American Idol. They will be featured in "Top 20 at Disney's Aulani Resort in Hawai'i -- Part 1," airing March 16, and "Top 20 at Disney's Aulani Resort in Hawai'i -- Part 2," airing March 23.

Why it matters

American Idol is one of the most popular singing competition shows on television, and the addition of high-profile guest mentors like Keke Palmer and Brad Paisley is likely to generate excitement and interest among viewers. Their expertise and guidance could also prove invaluable for the contestants as they compete for the top prize.

The details

Palmer and Paisley will serve as guest mentors on the upcoming episodes of American Idol, which airs Mondays on ABC and streams the next day on Hulu. The show is hosted by Ryan Seacrest, and the judges are Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood.

  • The "Top 20 at Disney's Aulani Resort in Hawai'i -- Part 1" episode featuring Keke Palmer and Brad Paisley will air on March 16, 2026.
  • The "Top 20 at Disney's Aulani Resort in Hawai'i -- Part 2" episode featuring Keke Palmer and Brad Paisley will air on March 23, 2026.

The players

Keke Palmer

An American actress, singer, and television personality who has appeared in various films and television shows, including "Barbershop 2: Back in Business" and "American Idol."

Brad Paisley

An American country music singer, songwriter, and guitarist who has released numerous hit albums and singles over the course of his career.

American Idol

A long-running singing competition television series that has launched the careers of many successful musicians.

Ryan Seacrest

The host of American Idol, known for his work in television and radio.

Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood

The judges for the 24th season of American Idol.

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What they’re saying

“Oh, and the owl can SINGGG honey! @KekePalmer and Brad Paisley are mentoring the #americanidol hopefuls at @DisneyAulani!”

— American Idol (Twitter)

The takeaway

The addition of Keke Palmer and Brad Paisley as guest mentors on American Idol is an exciting development that is likely to generate increased interest and viewership for the show. Their expertise and guidance could prove invaluable for the contestants as they compete for the top prize.