STAGE TUBE: First Look - Auditions for Season 11 of AMERICAN IDOL on FOX

AMERICAN IDOL returns for a remarkable 11th season on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012 (10:00-11:00 PM ET/7:00-8:00 PM PT), immediately following the NFC Championship game. Hosted by Ryan Seacrest, television's No. 1 hit series empowers contestants and viewers to share their voices in deciding who will be America's next singing superstar.

Every year, tens of thousands of hopefuls from across the nation audition for a shot at stardom. The show's judges - Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler - travel across the country in search of the next AMERICAN IDOL. They narrow down the competitors to a select group of semifinalists who sing their hearts out each week in front of a studio audience and television viewers.

The judges have their say after every performance, but it's the viewing public that determines who will advance to the next round of competition and who will go home. Telephone, text message and online voting begin immediately after each performance show, and the results are announced during the following night's broadcast.

Eventually the competition is whittled down to two finalists who compete for a major recording contract and the American Idol title. Past winners Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks, David Cook, Kris Allen, Lee DeWyze and Scotty McCreery, as well as fan-favorites Jennifer Hudson, Adam Lambert and Chris Daughtry, have all become household names and made their mark on the recording industry.

Nominated for ten 2011 Primetime Emmy Awards, AMERICAN IDOL is produced by 19 Entertainment, a division of CKX, Inc. and FremantleMedia North America Inc. The series is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, CEO, XIX Entertainment, and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; and Nigel Lythgoe, CEO, Nigel Lythgoe Productions. AMERICAN IDOL has been No. 1 among Adults 18-49 for the past eight consecutive seasons.

A Special Broadcast of AMERICAN IDOL will air Sunday, January 22, 2012 10:00-11:00 PM ET/7:00-8:00 PM PT on Fox.

To get a first look at the new season's hopefuls, along with Judges Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler and Host Ryan Seacrest, click below!