American Idol Season 7: Contestants Can Now Play Instruments

'AMERICAN IDOL' SHAKE UP (New York Post)

The next edition of "American Idol" doesn't start until January - but the Hollywood phase of the show, where scores of hopefuls are narrowed down to 24 semi-finalists, is about to begin and a new season is officially underway.

Several changes are in the works, officials say, including:

- changing the format to let singers show other musical talents, such as guitar playing.

- many fewer "mentors," those established musical stars like Diana Ross and Tony Bennett, who appeared every week last season and took attention away from the contestants.

- and next summer, the annual "Idol" live tour may be combined with the "So You Think You Can Dance" tour - to create a show with both singing and dancing.

Holy Molasses! A SYTYCD/Idol Tour? Yes!

Oh, and the kicker:

"There are one or two that stand out - there are three girls who are superb, including one girl we saw three years ago who wasn't an American citizen [and is now] and we're happy to have her this year," he says.

The IRISH Girl!!! OMG!

I think this is her! She was Simon Cowell's favorite dubbed Kelly Clarkson 2.0. I'm so excited.