Spoilers: Brad Paisley and Keke Palmer are the celebrity mentors for the Top 20 episodes filmed at Aulani in Hawai‘i. Palmer also serves as a guest judge and performs. They are separate from the seven industry tastemakers who take part in the earlier ’Ohana Round.
Who are the American Idol Hawaii Week mentors?
Brad Paisley and Keke Palmer mentor the Top 20 contestants in Episodes 908 and 909, filmed at Disney’s Aulani Resort in Ko Olina, Hawai‘i. ABC’s episode materials identify Palmer as a guest judge in Episode 908; she also performs in Episode 909. Paisley and Palmer continue mentoring in the second installment.
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ABC Press lists Episode 908, “Top 20 at Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawai’i – Part 1,” for March 16, 2026, from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. EDT, and Episode 909 for March 23. ABC’s episode guide gives March 17 for Episode 908, a one-day discrepancy from the press listing. ABC says episodes stream the next day on Disney+ and Hulu.
What is the ’Ohana Round, and who takes part?
The ’Ohana Round is an earlier stage of the Hawaii arc, not another name for the Top 20 mentoring episodes. ABC announced it on January 22, 2026, as a three-episode arc after Hollywood Week; the episode guide lists Episode 907, “’Ohana Round,” on March 10. It was filmed at Aulani and brings 30 hopefuls before an industry-tastemaker panel, alongside peers, family and friends. Twenty advance.
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ABC described the format as “the ultimate focus group,” blending “peer respect, emotional support and professional insight” before the competition moves to America’s Vote. Its seven tastemakers are:
- Kaniyia Brown and Terry McCaskill, social-media personality duo
- Sasha Farber, dancer and choreographer
- Anthony Gargiula, artist and music creator
- Loren Gray, singer and actress
- Shirley Halperin, co-editor-in-chief of Rolling Stone
- Cheryl Porter, singer and vocal coach
- Kelly Sutton, country music personality and Grand Ole Opry announcer
ABC says this group collectively reaches nearly 149 million followers. That is a promotional combined-reach figure, not an audience or viewership count.
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How the Hawaii stages differ
| Stage | Participants and purpose | Episode information |
|---|---|---|
| ’Ohana Round | Seven industry tastemakers hear 30 hopefuls; 20 advance. | Episode 907; ABC lists March 10, 2026. |
| Top 20 at Aulani | Brad Paisley and Keke Palmer mentor the Top 20; Palmer also guest judges and performs. | Episodes 908–909; ABC Press lists March 16 and 23, 2026. The episode guide lists Episode 908 as March 17. |
ABC’s 2026 press materials brand the broadcast run “Season 9,” while the announcement headline uses “Season 24.” The Hawaii episode titles and descriptions are the clearest way to identify the installments regardless of numbering convention.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where the episodes take place
The Hawaii arc is set at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawai‘i. Both the ’Ohana Round announcement and the Top 20 episode descriptions place the competition there; the later episodes focus on the finalists and their work with Paisley and Palmer.
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Official episode details
- ABC’s January 22 announcement of the ’Ohana Round names its seven tastemakers and explains the 30-to-20 cut.
- ABC’s Episode 907 guide identifies the ’Ohana Round.
- ABC Press’s Episode 908 listing identifies Paisley and Palmer as mentors and Palmer as guest judge.
- ABC Press’s Episode 909 listing says the mentoring continues and names Palmer and Skip Marley as performers.
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