MUMBAI: The seventh season of American Idol will premiere on Star World on 16 January at 8 pm. 

Host Ryan Seacrest and judges Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson will once again sort through the wannabe warblers, deluded divas and off-key performers to find the next singing superstar. Last year 35 million US viewers tuned in to see 17-year-old Jordin Sparks crowned the season six winner.

“We knew Chris Daughtry and Carrie Underwood could play the guitar but we really couldn’t show it,” says executive producer Nigel Lythgoe. “If [the contestants] can play an instrument, we want to be able to see that this year.”

Given the success of last year’s Idol Gives Back, this April American Idol will once again host the two-hour fundraiser. In 2007, Idol Gives Back raised $75 milion for various charities that deliver support to the underprivileged, providing them with medical care, food, literacy programs and groceries. Last season’s Idol Gives Back featured performances from and appearances by some of Hollywood’s biggest names and producers are hoping the stars will return for this year’s event.

American Idol has produced stars like Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood.