‘American Idol’ notes: celebrity judges auditions begin, Kelly Clarkson, Maddie Poppe, Adam Lambert

"Idol" season 17 (season 2 for ABC) celebrity auditions began last week in Denver.

"Idol" season 17 (season 2 for ABC) celebrity auditions began last week in Denver.

Originally posted Wednesday, October 10, 2018 by RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com on his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog

The second phase of "American Idol" auditions began last week in Denver with the celebrity judges and Ryan Seacrest taping for season 17 - or season 2 on ABC, which is how ABC is defining it.

Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan are back. "Idol" has not identified the other cities yet though I know Atlanta won't be one of them.

“They’re fun,” Seacrest said, of his fellow mates,  on his “Live with Kelly and Ryan” show.

Richie does a terrible version of “This... is American Idol!”

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LAS VEGAS, NV - SEPTEMBER 22:  Kelly Clarkson performs onstage during the 2018 iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena on September 22, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartMedia)

Credit: Kevin Winter

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Credit: Kevin Winter

Kelly Clarkson will cover "Never Enough" for a new "The Greatest Showman" soundtrack. 

She is also going to voice a character Delta Dawn in the “Trolls” sequel and will sing an original song for the film.

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Season 16 winner Maddie Poppe released a peppy version of "Have Yourself  a Merry Little Christmas."

She is in Los Angeles right now, presumably working on her new album and meeting some famous folks, like Kate Flannery of "The Office' fame:

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Jimmy Fallon duets with Carrie Underwood on "Islands in the Stream."

Carrie has a new ballad out “Love Wins,” which just entered the country top 40.

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 24: Adam Lambert arrives at the Premiere Of Warner Bros. Pictures' 'A Star Is Born' at The Shrine Auditorium on September 24, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)

Credit: Neilson Barnard

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Credit: Neilson Barnard


Adam Lambert is lending his voice to the animated "Playmobil: The Movie." He will also offer up an original song. Others involved: Daniel Radcliffe, Jim Gaffiganand Meghan Trainor.

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A little wit from Katharine McPhee's Twitter feed. She has a tour this fall though she is not coming to Atlanta.

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Clay Aiken Tweet of the week is purely inspirational: