In “American Idol,” the Platinum Ticket is a special honor introduced in Season 20 (2022) that offers select contestants a significant advantage during the competition. Each season, only three Platinum Tickets are awarded to standout performers during auditions. These recipients gain the privilege of skipping the first round of Hollywood Week, allowing them to observe the initial performances as audience members and choose their duet partners before the rest of the contestants.
In the 2025 season, the Platinum Tickets were presented to:
- Kolbi Jordan: A 26-year-old HR representative from Tulsa, Oklahoma, who impressed the judges with her rendition of Chrisette Michele’s “Epiphany (I’m Leaving).”
- Filo: An R&B singer who received his Platinum Ticket during a live broadcast of “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.”
- Abi Carter: Known for her soulful performance of Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?” from the “Barbie” movie, Abi went on to win the competition that season.
These Platinum Ticket holders not only secured a strategic advantage by bypassing the initial Hollywood Week round but also garnered significant attention, enhancing their visibility in the music industry.
For a closer look at one of these memorable auditions, you can watch Kolbi Jordan’s performance below: