As previously announced, the show's 15th season will begin in January 2016.

Ryan Seacrest, who has been with the series since its inception, will again host. Judges will include Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr.

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Fantasia Barrino, who went on to star in The Color Purple and After Midnight on Broadway:

Taylor Hicks, who played Teen Angel in Broadway's Grease:

Clay Aiken, who was cast in Broadway's Spamalot:

Constantine Maroulis, who was Tony-nominated for his performance in Rock of Ages and also starred on Broadway in The Wedding Singer and Jekyll & Hyde:

Diana DeGarmo, who played Penny in Broadway's Hairspray and Sheila in Hair:

Frenchie Davis, who played the "Seasons of Love" soloist in Rent:

Jordin Sparks, who played Nina in In the Heights:

Syesha Mercado, who played Nabalungi in The Book of Mormon:

Justin Guarini, who has starred on Broadway in American Idiot, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Romeo and Juliet and Wicked:

Ace Young, who played Kenickie in Grease and Berger in Hair (where he met his wife, fellow "Idol" alum Diana DeGarmo):

Tamyra Gray, who played Mimi in Rent and also starred in Broadway's Bombay Dreams:

Josh Strickland, who played Tarzan in Broadway's Tarzan:

Jennifer Hudson, who won an Oscar for her portrayal of Effie White in the film adaptation of Dreamgirls and who will make her Broadway debut in The Color Purple:

Anthony Fedorov, who starred in the Off-Broadway revival of Rent:

LaKisha Jones, who was seen on Broadway in The Color Purple:

Although Todrick Hall already played Broadway in The Color Purple, the performer became a YouTube sensation — especially within the theatre community!