Exactly one month before season 23 of “American Idol” premieres on March 9, 2025, the ABC series revealed a new celebrity guest mentor who will work with contestants during Hawaii week. In 2023, Noah Cyrus and Allen Stone served as mentors there, and in 2024 it was Jelly Roll and Tori Kelly.
According to a social media reveal on February 9, R&B sensation Ashanti will advise season 23 hopefuls alongside Jelly Roll. Days before, the country star was named the first-ever artist-in-residence for “Idol,” appearing throughout the season to mentor contestants.
Captioning a selfie of them together, Ashanti wrote, “Big vibes on #AmericanIdol! 🤩🌊 I’m a guest mentor at @disneyaulani this year, and of course @jellyroll615 and I are bringing the heat!!! 🎤🔥🌴”
Ashanti Released Her Debut Album 2 Months Before ‘Idol’ Premiered in 2002
Ashanti roared onto the music scene in 2002, launching her debut album just two months before a talent show called “American Idol” premiered on FOX. Her album won the Grammy for Best Contemporary R&B Album and “Idol” took the world by storm, but 2025 will mark the first time she’s appeared on the show.
Her first single, “Foolish,” stayed at number one on Billboard’s Hot 100 for 10, even as her next tune, “What’s Luv” climbed to the number two spot — making her the first female artist to do that, according to Pitchfork.
In addition to continuing to release and perform music, Ashanti expanded her career into acting, per IMDb. Her projects have ranged from starring in multiple Christmas TV movies to the 2023 feature film “The Plus One” with Cedric the Entertainer. She also became a first-time mom in July 2024, welcoming son Kareem Kenkaide Haynes with Nelly, according to People.
Ashanti’s 8.7 million Instagram followers were thrilled by the news of her joining as a mentor on “Idol,” including one who wrote, “Yayyy!!! Love American Idol, can’t wait to see our fave on there!!!!🥰”
Another fan commented on the photo of Ashanti and Jelly Roll, “OMGGGGGGGG I WILL 100% BE TUNED INNNNNN!!! I CANT WAIT!!! Love you both so much!!”
Filming Has Already Begun in Hawaii for Season 23
Though the new season of “Idol” doesn’t premiere until March 9, filming is well underway. Host Ryan Seacrest and judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood filmed initial auditions in the fall, and taped Hollywood Week in late January.
The next stage of the competition, which requires remaining contestants to perform for a live audience at Disney’s Aulani Resort and Spa, is scheduled to be filmed on February 11 and 12, according to ticket booker On Camera Audiences.
However, many crew members and producers have posted that they’re in Hawaii filming and conducting rehearsals. So Jelly Roll and Ashanti are likely already filming their mentorship sessions as contestants prepare for their performances.
After filming with “Idol,” Ashanti is scheduled to perform at Hawaii Fest 2025 in Honolulu.
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‘American Idol’ Names Ashanti as Second Celeb Mentor for Season 23