Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan react to one of the auditions we’ll see tonight on American Idol. (ABC Photo)

American Idol returns for Season 18 tonight at 8 p.m.

The judges — Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan — all return for the third season of Idol on ABC. So does Ryan Seacrest, host since Season 1.

You might even see some familiar faces among the contestants, even in the season premiere. Some Season 17 noteables — Nick Merico and Margie Mays among them — are back to give Idol a second try.

I’ve profiled more than 30 of the Season 18 contestants who announced their auditions and are rumored to have done very well on the show. Remember, all the episodes we’ll see through the eliminations to create a Season 17 Top 20 were pre-taped.

Links to those profiles appear below. Just click on a name and you’ll find a full profile on the contestant, complete with information about music they’ve already released if that’s the case.

Based on photos already released from tonight’s episode, we’ll see auditions featuring Alisa Ermolaev, Arthur Gunn, Camryn Leigh Smith, Doug Kiker, Francisco Martin, Hunter Gibson, Samantha Diaz (Just Sam), Louis Knight, Meghan Fitton, Saveria and Nick.

Check back later tonight. I’ll post a recap after the show.

Adam Curry
Aliana Jester
Amber Fiedler
Amelia Joyce
Arthur Gunn
Avey Kern
Cameron Hayes
Cyniah Elise
Demi Rae Moreno
Devon Alexander
DeWayne Crocker Jr.
Dillon James
Elyjuh Rene
Erin Kirby
Faith Becnel
Geena Fontanella
Genavieve Linkowski
Grace Leer
Grace Lundy
Jeb Vonderbruegge
Jimmy Levy
Jonny West
Jovin Webb
Julia Gargano
Kimmy Gabriela
Landen Starkman
Lauren Mascitti
Lauren Spencer-Smith
Layla Spring
Louis Knight
Madison Lewis
Makayla Phillips
Margie Mays
Michael Wingate
Nick Merico
Perrin York
Olivia Ximines
Riah Butler
Rob Taylor
Samantha Diaz (aka Just Sam)
Sophia Wackerman
Talin Everett
Travis Finlay