American Idol (season 9) American Idol (season 9) The ninth season of "American Idol" premiered on January 12, 2010 and concluded on May 26, 2010 on Fox. Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi returned to the judging panel. Ellen DeGeneres joined the panel as a replacement for Paula Abdul after guest judges filled in during the auditions. Idol Gives Back also returned for the season and was held on April 21, 2010, during the top seven results show. The top 24 semi-finals format used in the fourth through seventh seasons also returned this season. Cowell, DioGuardi and DeGeneres all left the show after
The American Idol Experience Ryan Seacrest, judge Paula Abdul and "American Idol" creator Simon Fuller. "The American Idol Experience" has been promoted by winners of the "American Idol" from Season seven onwards by appearing in commercials and announcing "I'm going to Disney World!". In June 2014, Disney announced that the show would close in January 2015, then two months later they moved up the closure date to the end of August 2014. The show's final performances were on August 30, 2014. Park guests age 14 and older auditioned before a Disney "casting director" who judged singers based on their ability to sing and perform