American Idol Announces Online Auditions, Plus New Twists for Season 12

American Idol

1:00 pm, July 23rd, 2012

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“American Idol” isn’t just shaking up its judges panel for Season 12.

The singing competition series is making big changes to its audition process as well.

It was announced on Monday that there will be new ways to try out for “Idol,” including — for the first time ever — online.

The show will also have its first-ever “Small Town Audition Bus Tour,” which will visit 10 towns across the country, where fans who missed out on the usual big-city auditions can still have a chance to compete.

Online auditions will kick off August 1 and last through August 14, with aspiring singers allowed to upload videos of themselves singing a capella.

RELATED – “American Idol” Winner Lee DeWyze Weds

But that’s not all.

The show will also feature a brand-new “Nominate an Idol” program, in which family and friends can secretly submit videos on behalf of shy (but presumably talented) individuals.

“Idol” will then pick its favorites and surprise those nominees, giving them a chance to audition for real.

The new season begins next January.

Are you looking forward to the revamped “American Idol”?

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