How did Josh Groban get his start? A look into the singer’s career amid American Idol appearance

On February 11, 2025, Josh Groban shared a post on Instagram, indicating that he would be a part of American Idol, season 23. The caption stated that he would mentor aspiring singers in Hawaii for the American singing competition. Ryan Seacrest returned as the host of the twenty-third season, with Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie returning as judges. However, judge Katy Perry was replaced with season four winner Carrie Underwood.

Groban expressed his excitement about being a mentor in a reel shared by American Idol on Instagram. He explains that it’s a huge honor for him because this is a pivotal moment in each of the young artists’ lives, and it would be great to be a small part of instilling some of his wisdom in their lives as they head off to be great artists.

Josh Groban’s introduction to the entertainment industry:

Josh Groban’s introduction to the industry was shared in a report by Classic FM. Groban was just seventeen years old and studying in LA, at a state high school on the campus of California State University, when he stepped in for Andrea Bocelli to sing ‘The Prayer’ with Celine Dion.

The previous year, before the performance, Josh Groban had contacted Grammy-winning Canadian music executive David Foster. Foster had worked with household names and had co-written the classical crossover song ‘The Prayer’, recorded by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli.

One Day, Groban got a call from Foster, saying that he was in urgent need of a stand-in for the 1999 Grammy Awards as Dion’s duet partner, who couldn’t make it. Groban was nervous, he had worked for Foster as a rehearsal singer before, but not for the Grammys.

“I didn’t think this was something I could really go in and do. I mean this was Celine Dion, I didn’t know what to expect. She’s a huge superstar,” Groban said, some years later. “And it was a day that changed my life.”

Dion told the media that Josh Groban was incredible and his performance couldn't be any more powerful.

“He took the microphone and when he started to sing, he couldn’t be any more powerful. Everybody in the audience that was watching the rehearsal, the orchestra, they were looking… this kid was incredible.” she shared.

Years later, in 2009, Groban joined Dion once more to sing the ballad on stage at the Wiltern Theatre in LA. She introduced her partner to the audience and shared their meet-up story.

“This kid comes on stage, he looks like he’s 12 years old, the cutest thing. He’s got this curly hair, eyes big like two sunshines, he’s so nervous and shaking and he comes so sweet, to introduce [himself], and I’m like, I feel bad for this little kid. I was feeling nervous for him, you know. The kid is here tonight. Ladies and gentlemen, Josh Groban…”

When did Josh first watch American Idol?

In an April 2025 interview with Billboard, Josh Groban shared that he’d been following the show since the first season. He remembered watching singers, Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini, and felt that the show was a novel thing for TV. He further explained that he came up the old school way, as he was discovered by a big-time producer who found a tape of his through a friend while he was still in high school, his discovery being pre-Internet and pre-competition television.

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Back then, he couldn’t keep his eyes off the show because of its newness, he felt that the show being freshness gained a lot of excitement and skepticism too.

"But there was an enormous amount of talent and it was really fun to see so many dreams on stage. So many young singers who at that point were my age that were giving it their all and leaving it up to America. I have followed it off and on throughout the entire time." Josh Groban added

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