Idol Philippines season 2

Did You Know?

• Comedian Ogie Diaz revealed that Vice Ganda backed out of the show after learning that Sarah Geronimo was initially slated to be a judge but withdrew due to personal responsibilities.
• James Reid was unable to return for the season as he was residing abroad to pursue an international career.
• The show's online companion show, The Next Idol PH, was hosted by former contestants including Anji Salvacion, Matty Juniosa, Enzo Almario, Lucas Garcia, Gello Marquez, Fana, and Shanaia Gomez.

Overview

The second season was first confirmed during the final episode of the first season, but its fate became uncertain after the National Telecommunications Commission and Solicitor General Jose Calida issued a cease-and-desist order to ABS-CBN during the Enhanced community quarantine in Luzon. This order halted the network's free-to-air broadcasting operations, leading to the denial of its franchise, layoffs, and loss of frequencies. Host Billy Crawford and director Bobet Vidanes transferred to blocktimer shows on TV5. On April 25, 2022, the show's return was announced, and auditions opened the following day. The season aired on Kapamilya Channel and A2Z at 7:00 p.m. every weekend, replacing the timeslot of Pinoy Big Brother's tenth season, which ended on June 19, 2022. TV5 also aired the season, marking its first broadcast of an Idol franchise iteration since Philippine Idol in 2006; it aired at 8:30 p.m. on Saturdays and 9:00 p.m. on Sundays, replacing Masked Singer Pilipinas' second season, which ended on June 18, 2022. An online show titled The Next Idol PH aired on the show's UpLive account and Kapamilya Online Live during commercial breaks, hosted by former contestants. The show partnered with UpLive, which hosted online auditions and the companion show. The winner received an exclusive recording contract from ABS-CBN Music, a ₱1,000,000 cash prize, a Dermacare franchise, and a house and lot from Camella Homes valued at ₱2,500,000.

Auditions

Initial auditions opened on April 25, 2022, for hopefuls aged 16 to 28. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, all initial auditions were held online, replacing the open-call process of the previous season. Selected auditionees performed at the ABS-CBN Studio in Quezon City. To advance and receive a golden ticket to Idol City, an auditionee needed at least three 'yes' votes from the judges; occasionally a judge could award a platinum ticket instead. At the season premiere, former contestants performed a rendition of Andra Day's 'Rise Up'. A total of 72 hopefuls received a ticket to Idol City, four of them receiving a platinum ticket. Some auditions were not aired for undisclosed reasons. The platinum ticket, derived from American Idol's twentieth season, allowed its recipient to advance directly to the solo round of the Middle Rounds; each judge could award one platinum ticket per audition.

Middle rounds

The middle rounds were held at ABS-CBN studios in Quezon City and consisted of three stages: Group, Do or Die, and Solo rounds. After these rounds, twelve contestants remained. Golden ticket holders were divided into fourteen groups named after their members; each group selected a song from a wall of titles. After a group's performance, the judges chose an indefinite number of contestants to advance. The first group performances aired on July 31, 2022, and at the end of the group rounds, forty-four contestants remained. In the Do or Die round, the judges grouped remaining contestants and assigned a song; this round aired on August 7, 2022, leaving twenty contestants. In the Solo round, the remaining twenty contestants, including the four platinum ticket holders, performed individually with a song of their choice; this aired on August 13 and 14, 2022. The judges selected twelve contestants to advance, eliminating three of the four platinum ticket holders.

Live gala

The Top 12 performed live each week, with viewers voting via UpLive. The judges determined half of each contestant's overall score; the contestant with the highest tally for each component received 50% for that component, with others' scores proportional to the highest vote-getter's tally. One or two contestants were eliminated each week. The first week's theme was 'hugot,' with the Top 12 performing ballads, mentored by Nina and Ice Seguerra; Moira Dela Torre was absent due to COVID-19. The Top 10 performed songs by Ogie Alcasid, who mentored them; Dela Torre returned. The Top 8 performed theme songs from Philippine TV dramas and movies, with Angeline Quinto as guest mentor. The Top 6 performed 'showstopping' songs, mentored by Louie Ocampo and Ria Osorio. The Top 5 performed on September 17, 2022, with two eliminated, leaving three finalists. The Top 3 performed on September 18, 2022, each singing a song reflecting their journey and an original song. Voting opened after all six performances and closed shortly after. Khimo Gumatay was named winner, with Ryssi Avila and Kice finishing second and third; scores were revealed at the end.