[1][2][3] Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie returned as judges,[4] while Ryan Seacrest continued as host.

[7] The stay-at-home and social-distancing mandates, according to Billboard, compelled producers "to get very, very creative this time around to keep season 18 afloat amid the most challenging conditions in show history.

In the first round, each contestant chose and performed a song from a selection of musical genres (pop, rock, R&B, soul, country, or singer-songwriter).

The Showcase round aired on March 29 and April 5, and featured the top 40 performing for the judges and a live audience at Disney's Aulani resort in Kapolei, Hawaii.

For the twentieth and final spot, Grace Leer and Lauren Mascetti's result was determined by a vote from the public, which was revealed on April 19.

After a short hiatus, production resumed and all contestants performed remotely due to safety measures in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.