Miranda Lambert Joins American Idol as Guest Mentor
As American Idol powers through its 23rd season, the show has added even more star power to its lineup of mentors.
This week, country powerhouse and ACM Award record-holder Miranda Lambert stepped in to guide contestants for “Ladies Night,” where the top 10 singers selected tracks by legendary female artists to showcase their talent.
She joins an already impressive list of mentors this season, which includes James Taylor, Josh Groban, and Idol alum Fantasia.
With more than twenty years in the music industry, Miranda brings a wealth of insight to the table—especially since she launched her own career through a similar path. Back in 2003, she competed on the very first season of Nashville Star and landed in third place, laying the foundation for a successful career.
Fans may also recognize her from her role as a team advisor on The Voice, further proving her knack for mentorship. When asked about her approach, Miranda kept it simple: she just wants to be “truthful and authentic.”
Celebrating 20 Years of “Kerosene” on Idol
Miranda’s guest appearance also marked a special milestone: two decades since the release of her breakout debut album, Kerosene.
The title track, released in 2005 as the third single off the album, quickly caught fire—climbing to No. 15 on the Hot Country Songs chart, going Gold, and earning her a Grammy nomination for Best Female Country Vocal Performance.
To celebrate the 20-year legacy of the explosive hit, Miranda took to the Idol stage on the May 4th episode to perform “Kerosene” live, giving both contestants and viewers a front-row seat to a true music icon in action.
After the performance, host Ryan Seacrest summed it up perfectly:
“And that’s how a superstar does it!”
Catch Miranda’s powerful performance of “Kerosene” on American Idol below!